jasmine's drama blog

I've written this review over three years ago for my now non-existent book blog. Instead of scrapping all of the reviews, I think it is a good idea to incorporate it into my drama blog especially the ones I've made movie references to.

After I finished reading this lengthy novel, I've become so captivated that I insisted to watch the movie right away (I actually got the chance to watch it after I've finished the novel). I didn't like it right away since I dropped the novel for awhile before actually finishing it in one go. The beginning was a bit slow-paced for me. However, the pace quickens when Chiyo finally understands her role; all of her family members are gone. So her only option now is to become the most renowned geisha. She almost lost her opportunity but she luckily met her savior. He encourages her and becomes her motivation to rise as one of the most successful geisha in Japan.

I actually enjoyed this drama although I haven't watched any of the series with the similar cast (The Great Eunuch and Overachievers). It was very relaxing to watch this since it is a no-brainer. The chemistry between the cast is great and the whole Kam family reminds me of the family dramas produced back then (Moonlight Resonance, Heart of Greed, Can't Buy Me Love). There are villains in this drama but they are a joke so they don't get you pulling your hair out when you know they will not succeed.


Synopsis:
Eunuchs Lee Suk-gung (Wayne Lai), Dan Tin (Power Chan) and Chan Siu-fung (Raymond Cho) served the last Qing emperor Puyi and the royal family in the Forbidden City until Puyi's distrust in eunuchs led to the release of all eunuchs from the Forbidden City. Life outside the Forbidden City was miserable for the three since eunuchs were constantly berated so they had to keep their identities a secret. The three befriends Chiu Jun-sing (Edwin Siu) a fake Eunuch after encountering revolutionist Yip Ching-yee (Ram Chiang) and decides to escape to Tianjin.

Another TVB drama review (Fist Within Four Walls) --- TVB is on a roll this year, putting out good-quality productions.

Currently airing are two completely different series with totally different genres and tone. Daddy Dearest, geared more towards family with kids, is actually not gaining as much praises as Fist is. I am hearing lukewarm reviews on this series but many are praising Candice Chiu's portrayal of a mother and Jason Chan's improvements as an actor. The plot can't be compared to the action-packed Fist since it is after all a light-hearted series for kids to watch.

Since I've only followed Fist Within Four Walls, I am only going to review this series.

Fist is definitely on my top five TVB series of the year. This action-packed miracle brought the cast to new heights of popularity and boosted TVB ratings. They have to at least win something at the awards even though TVB awards doesn't mean much. The only reason why this isn't a 10 is because it has a semi-happy ending. If you like the main lead, then you will like the ending. But like other viewers, I was upset my favorite characters were being killed off for the sake of drama. I would still re-watch this for the dynamic characters and the suspenseful plot.


Synopsis:

After the death of Bajiquan masters Duen Tung-Tin and Chiu Mang-San, the Kowloon Walled City has been overtaken by triad organization The Association led by Or Man-Cheung, Fung Chun-Mei, and Fuk Luk-Kam. Fifteen years later, Chiu's son Chor Au-Kuen returns to the now triad-ridden Walled City to look for his long-lost sister Chiu Ha. Eventually, Chor, along with hair salon owner Tiu Lan and dentist Duen Ying-Fung, started the Welfare Association to go against The Association. Mysteries continue to plague the Walled City as a triad leader dies under the hands of a Baijiquan master and nightclub dancer Fa Man enters the picture as Fung Chun-Mei's left-hand helper.


The Cast:

I can't believe I actually finished this series! I genuinely recommend this family comedy because trust me, you will not regret it. Although it is 28 episodes long, the series didn't drag like last year's Ghost of Relativity. It's purely a comedy so there is no need to take it too seriously --- in some parts, it did slow down but it picked up the speed pretty quickly.


Synopsis: 
After retired cheung-fun master Po Luk suddenly passes away, his eldest son Po Foon informs his three estranged siblings Po Yan, Po Yue, and Po Yi that their father left behind a will. The will says that the siblings have to live in the family house for nine months before they can sell it and split the profit equally. Realizing how valuable the property is, the siblings ungrudgingly moved back. But they are in for a surprise as Po Foon finds out that the ghost spirit of renowned celebrity couple Bak Wah and Yi Lan have been residing in their home for decades. Po Foon also befriends Po Yan's childhood friend Chu Chan Chan after a series of bickering. As the story continues, the Po family learns to mend the hole in the family formed years ago when Po Foon chose to leave the family.