I just had to put up these links. Beware spoilers.. ;)
Spoiler 1
Spoiler 2
Fujiki Naohito is in it. YEAY! Candies galore. :)
The date : 28th June 2008.
0 comments
Cast : Emelda Rosmila as Manja / Lara
Jehan Miskin as Eskandar
Faizal Yusop as Faryzal
Sheila Rusly as Sahara
Abby Abadi as Szaza
Erry Putra as Joffry and many many more
When : Weekdays, 9pm @ Sensasi, Ch 40 Starhub Cable (series ending soon) Or you can catch up via YT / TV3's Manjalara webpage (Episodes 69-75 can be found here)
About :
This series is adapted from a Latin Soap, Mi Gorda Bella. It's about an overweight young girl (Manja) who went through a lot to receive acceptance from the community (due to her size). But Manja does not lack love as a lot of people adore her for her heart. The whole series is about her journey (full of hardship and suffering) where she had to deal with the loss of loved ones, fight off the evilness of her aunt, finding justice and truth for all her hardships.
More details (in Malay) here.
My Comments :
The first time I watched this drama, it was somewhere close to episode 60 (the part where Farah was kidnapped and Zahid and Johan were working together to find her) on TV3. I liked it a lot, like really a LOT. Unfortunately, I have no idea about the broadcast schedule of the series so it ended just there.
And then, Sensasi decided to broadcast this 75-episode series on weekdays at 9pm. Purrffeect! And my adoration for this particular drama has been reignited, stronger than ever! Love Faryzal's character the most.. so sweet and hey hey, pegawai polis lei. Hehehe.
Right, before I ramble on with my nonsense, let's focus back to my thoughts and ideas on this particular drama. It's a bit far-fetched and illogical for certain scenes. However, it doesn't matter much as the acting and portrayal of the main casts are fantastic and commendable.
Sza Sza's character is the most outstanding (in a non-conforming kind) to me. Very funny acting and her being just her add so much laughter to this drama. I think she has the best dialogues in the whole of this drama I tell you. Abby Abadi did a great job with this role. Who can forget her over the top fashion? Hehe.
Addictive, entertaining, funny and full of emotions this drama is one of the best Malay dramas I've seen in a while.. ;)
Labels: Malay
0 comments
I've been neglecting this blog for quite some time. Let's just say.. expect the revival of the blog soon.
Very very soon.
0 comments
Right, I have neglected this blog for months. So, I hope that the entries for today are able to make up the lack of updates. I am pretty sure you are all aware of my adoration for sinetrons or Indonesian dramas in case you are not familiar of it. I have something to look forward to practically every evening. And what can I say? It's complete BLISS! Let's go down the list of my daily eye candies aite?
Before you proceed: Mind you, there may be more than a sinetron for every evening. So fasten your seatbelt and enjoy my..."coverage" of the sinetrons.
PENGANTIN REMAJA
Cast: Christian Sugiono as Fabian (Abi to his family)
Alyssa Soebandono as Amel
Time & Channel: RCTI @ 8pm (S'pore Time)
Synopsis: The Indonesian version of the synopsis is available at the link given at the title above or here. I'll translate the synopsis to English for the benefit of non-Indonesian/Malay-speaking friends.
Amelda and Fabian are betrothed to each other since young by their grandparents whom are very good friends. Unfortunately, both families are separated in distance as times pass by.
Fast forward: Amel is now a high school student and she grew up obsessed about the match fixed by her grandfather. She believes that the man is one who is blessed with good looks and has a romantic character. Meanwhile, she has a schoolmate, Erik, who is head over heels in love with her. Erik did all he could to be close to Amel and win her love over.
The same goes for Abi. Abi believed that the match fixed to him is someone who is beautiful and elegant.
Apparently, love is meant to be for the two youngsters (Abi and Amel). By chance, Amel and Abi accidentally bumped into each other while in a hurry. Abi was disappointed to know that Amel is a childish character who is a troublemaker in school. Likewise, Amel is also disappointed that Abi is not who she imagined him to be. Abi is just a simple teacher who is slightly incapable of maintaining a conversation with. Abi and Amel got into constant disagreements. This is aggravated by the fact that they have to cover up their relationship as engaged couple from the rest of the staff and students (Abi teaches in Amel's school).
Eventually, Amel discovered the good qualities in Abi and fell in love with him. Amel gets jealous when her teacher, Bu Farida, openly shows her feelings for Abi to the rest of the school. Amel, who earlier requested to reconsider the marriage arrangement changed her mind and insisted on getting married as soon as possible.
Abi on the other hand wants more time to settle down in his career. Thus, Amel got the help from Abi's grandfather to persuade Abi to fix an earlier date for their marriage. Their relationship are tested by constant obstacles in the form of Vina (Abi's sister), misunderstandings and conflicts.
Can Amel fight for her love and marry the love she's betrothed to?
Personal comment?: Christian Sugiono is soooo sweet la, can? You may notice that the story line is very much familiar. Don't you think so? ;)
That aside, this drama is a balance of touching and funny moments. Ah well, you can't blame a sucker of romance for watching and preferring such sinetron. But, recently, I've been channel-hopping in between commercials to catch another sinetron at the same timeslot. Read on to the next entry peeps...
Credits for this entry to : RCTI & Sinemart
0 comments
Cast:
Nia Ramadhani as Alya
Jonathan Frizzi as Reihan
Fathir as Evan
Time & Channel:
RCTI @ 8pm (S'pore Time)
Synopsis (lifted directly from MDEntertainment's BJC Page):
Alya is a pretty young girl working as a tour guide. Raharjo her father is a gambler and it always falls upon Alya to settle her father's gambling debts. Reihan Setyawan is the sole heir to the Star chain of hotels in Indonesia. Reihan's girlfriend is a badminton player named Anastasya Nirmala (Tasya). Her badminton career requires her to do lots of traveling but her love for Reihan brings her back home to Indonesia.
Reihan meanwhile has to entertain some clients from Japan but he finds himself in a bind because he cannot speak the language. While driving preoccupied, Reihan accidentally hits Alya. After apologizing profusely, he takes Alya to the hospital. There, he discovers that Alya is conversant in Japanese. He decides to hire Alya for the duration of his client's stay in town. Alya proves to be a success with his clients who adore her.
Reihan has a grandfather, Hermawan, whose deepest wish is to reunite with his long lost granddaughter before he dies. Reihan in desperation requests Alya to pretend to be this granddaughter while he searches for the real one.After meeting and spending time with Alya, Hermawan's health improves and Alya begins to realize that she may be falling in love with Reihan.
Is Reihan going to return Alya's love? What about Tasya? What will she do once she finds out that she may be losing Reihan?
Watch "Benci Jadi Cinta" to find out.
For screen shots, please refer to the BJC Page for them.
My personal opinion:
This sinetron is similar to KDrama "My Girl" for most of it. But now, it has taken a different turn after Reihan's grandfather found out about Alya's true identity. So, I'm not sure if it'll turn out like My Girl's ending.
Anyway, this drama is okay for me. :)
Credits for this entry to: MDEntertainment & RCTI.
0 comments
Please refer to previous entry on Benci Bilang Cinta. I think the sinetron is entering the last stages of its run!
0 comments
KAWIN MUDA
Cast:
Agnes Monica as Sera
Okan Kornelius as Agha (Anggara)
Time & Channel:
RCTI @ 9pm
Synopsis (translated from Soraya Intercine Film's KM Page) :
Early marriage has been a tradition in Sera's family. Sera's grandparents and parents had early marriages as well.
Since young, Sera is aware that when she turns 17, she has to get married to Anggara. Anggara is 21 and the son of her parents' friends. Before Sera's parents died, they willed Sera to hold on to the promise of the marriage between Sera and Anggara.
Sera, who has never met with Anggara, already has a boyfriend, Satya. One day, Satya broke up with Sera and left for a holiday to America. Sera went after Satya to the airport but she missed Satya's flight.
At the airport, Sera accidentally bumped into Agha who just got back from a London holiday. The uncomfortable meeting between Sera and Agha is made worse when Sera cried hysterically (due to Satya leaving) while hugging his legs. They were chased out of the airport complex by the security for the incident. Soon after they were running away from airport police and the taxi driver (the one Sera boarded and didn't pay for). They ran off in another cab only to be dropped off in the middle of the road for they have no money to pay him.
Agha was frustrated with Sera but suddenly, he asked Sera to pose as his girlfriend. Sera, caught off-handed agreed to his suggestion with the request that he return the favour by being her "boyfriend" so that she can call off the upcoming wedding with Anggara.
When they reached Agha's house, Agha introduced Sera to his parents and claimed that they've been attached for more than a year and is going to take her as his wife. At the same time, he rejected the pre-arranged marriage set by his parents.
But, their plan was destroyed when in fact, they were indeed pre-arranged to marry. Agha is the Anggara that Sera is to marry and Sera is the woman Agha's parents have chosen as his wife-to-be.
Agha's parents and Sera' grandmother proceeded with the marriage preparations. Agha and Sera who dislike each other and most importantly, are not in love with each other, refuse to marry and try to find ways and means to call of the wedding.
They pretended to have a lover's row and broke off their "relationship" in front of the three elders. But, Sera's grandmother fainted and suffered from a heart attack following this incident. Sera felt guilty and she didn't want her grandmother to leave her like her parents did.
At the hospital, Sera's grandmother's heart beat stopped and she became hysterical and promised her grandmother that she'll do anything for her grandmother not to leave her. She is even willing to marry Agha....
My personal opinion:
I didn't like Agnes in Pernikahan Dini. But, I have to say, I love her character in this one. She's super cute and fun.... so.. innocent! And Agha, being older and mature is a complete opposite of Sera's character. So, I expect loads of laughter from this sinetron.
Credits for this entry to: Soraya Intercine Films & RCTI.
PS: Thursday's & Friday's Eye Candies coming up SOON!
0 comments
What: Impian Cinderella
Which (Genre): Indonesian Sinetron
Who: Indra L Bruggman (Arya Hadinata), Nadia Saphira (Putri), Jonathan Fritzy (Radit), Nana Mirdad (Adel)
Synopsis: This sinetron is adapted from the hit Taiwanese series, the Prince Who Turns Into A Frog. It is very much similar to the general synopsis of Wang Zi Bian Qing Wa. To read the full synopsis, go here (in Indonesian). Even though it's an adaptation, it's still nice. Cos of the main lead! ;)
For a rough idea, here goes:
Shan Junhao / Dang Ou ~ Arya Hadinata / Raja
Ye Tianyu ~ Putri
Xu Ziqian ~ Radit
Fan Yunxi ~ Adel
Senwell Hotel ~ Hotel Victory
Guan Mei Motel ~ Hotel Happy Family
Yunxi's windmill ~ Adel's photoframe
Tianyu delivers gas ~ Putri delivers rice sacks
Soundtrack:
Yakin by Radja
0 comments
What: The Prince Who Turns Into A Frog a.k.a. Wang Zi Bian Qing Wa a.k.a. 王子变青蛙
Which (Genre): Taiwanese Romantic Comedy (Drama)
Who: Matthew Ming Dao (Shan Junhao / Dang Ou), Joe Chen Qiao En (Ye Tianyu), Sam Wang (Xu Ziqian), Xiao Qiao (Fan Yunxi), Ehlo Huang (Dawei), Gino (Zhang Minghan)
Synopsis: The fairy tale goes... After the princess kissed the frog, it turned into a handsome prince and they lived happily ever after...
Yeah...right.
When you visit a little town called Guan Mei, you may meet Ye Tian-Yu (Chen Qiao En). At first glance, she may seem like a shameless, money-grubbing, deceiving little schemer. And when you meet her family at their little grocery store called "Qian Lai Ye" (Money c'mon in), you will find the shameless, money-grubbing, deceiving little schemer trait runs in the family. But, please don't prejudge them. They are actually very kind-hearted townsfolk, as Shan Jun-Hao (Ming Dao) finds out when he gets involved in a mysterious car accident and loses his memory.
Okay, fine. The accident is not so accidental.
Shan Jun-Hao is a general manger of Senwell Hotel, in which his family owns 60% of the shares. His cold-hearted, cut-throat management style pisses quite a lot of people inside and outside of the hotel. So on the day of his engagement to his childhood friend, Fan Yun-Xi (Xiao Qiao), he gets kidnapped. Not someone who takes it lying down, he fights for the control of the kidnapping car. The car crashes into a side railing and falls down a cliff. Luckily, he survives the crash and manages to climb back up onto the highway. Unfortunely, he is immediately hit by an oncoming car and knocked unconscious. And, who hit him? A little hint... her family owns a grocery store.
Shan Jun-Hao wakes up with no memory of who he is. Ye Tian-Yu and her family don't know who he is, either. Only Ye Tian-Yu's stepfather knows, but he is not telling. Not knowing where to return him to, Ye Tian-Yu recruits him to work for her family's grocery store and nicknames him "Dang Oh." And, they end up falling for each other.
Couldn't it have just ended like that?
Oh course not. Shan Jun-Hao has a fiancé who misses him terribly. And her grief is breaking Xu Zhi-Qian's (Sam Wang) heart. Xu Zhi-Qian knows and loves Fan Yun-Xi more than anyone. He tries to be her support, her comfort, her Shan Jun-Hao replacement. Yet, he knows he can't never replace Shan Jun-Hao. So he goes out searching for his love rival and discovers "Dang Oh" in Guan Mei. He tries to bring Dang Oh back to Fan Yun-Xi, but Dang Oh refuses to go because he doesn't believe he is Shan Jun-Hao. However, yet another car accident happens to Dang Oh and causes him to forget everything that happened after the previous car accident and remembers everything before it. So in other words, bye bye Dang Oh and hello Shan Jun-Hao.
Ye Tian-Yu still loves Dang Oh. Xu Zhi-Qian still loves Fan Yun-Xi. So, the two of them decide to fight for their love one last time. They make an agreement that if they couldn't get their love back, then they would go out with each other. Things happen, and eventually Shan Jun-Hao falls back in love with Ye Tian-Yu. But, Xu Zhi-Qian is already on the move to get Ye Tian-Yu to forget 'Dang-Oh' and go out with him.
So who will end up with who? Will Shan Jun-Hao be able to win back Ye Tian-Yu? Or, will he resume his original plan and marry Fan Yun-Xi? (Credits: Wiki D-Addict)
Soundtrack:
Call My Name by 183 Club & 7 Flowers
Zhen Ai by 183 Club
Enticing Trick by 183 Club
The next video is not part of the OST. It's a song from 7 Flowers' album. The music video has the alternate ending to Prince who Turns Into A Frog. The alternate ending is so tragic!!! Good thing it's not the real ending. But, the song is nice...
Hao Ai Ta, Hao Xiang Ta (I Love Him and I Miss Him) - 183 Club & 7 Flowers
0 comments
Which (Genre): Indonesian Sinetron
Starring: Marshanda (Winda), Baim Wong (Dimas), Rio Reifan (Aditia), Kirana Larasati (Claudia)
When & Where: Wednesday, 8-9pm, SCTV.
What (is the story): You know Goong? Change the palace to a mansion. Change royalty to a business empire. Change the ballerina ex-gf to a violinist. Change the track pants Chaegyung 'trademark' to colourful-striped toe socks with slippers. Reduce the frens of Chaegyung to just 2. That's de onlie difference I've noticed so far. Of course, names and casts are different. But, if you've watched Goong, you'll get the gist of the story.
The Goong characters and the 'similar' Indonesian counterparts:
Shin Chaegyung (Bigung Mama) ~ Winda
Lee Shin (Shin Goon) ~ Dimas Subekti
Lee Yul (Yul Goon) ~ Aditia
Min Hyo Rin ~ Claudia
Click here to read comments from Goong-ians with regards to the 'similarity'. In Indonesian language.
Why (I watch it): I like Marshanda. And well, I HAVE to compare the rest of the story to Goong.
Soundtrack: Benci Bilang Cinta by Radja
0 comments
No, I am not shutting down this blog. The title of this entry is with relation to Goong. There were talks on Goong 2 and the revival of the casts of Goong for the sequel for months. After much hoo-haa.. I will post up and article from Soompi. Thanks to a fellow Goong-ian and Shingoon-ian, Patsy for forwarding this article to me.
Briefly the gist translation of PD Hwang’s press conference on 15 Sept 2006 (Innolife 17 Sept 2006) ...
Credit Baidu.com for article
Translation by jolee@soompi
PD Hwang achieved success in early 2006 with new style Goong and encountered several problems during his preparations for Goong 2. He needs to overcome the extreme pressure resulting from Goong in order for Goong 2 to succeed.
He will be replacing the 4 leads Joo Ji Hoon, Yoon Eun Hye, Kim Jung Hoon, Song Ji Hyo. He had wanted original cast so that Goong 2 has continuity as a series but then everyone had their own timetable and did their own thing and he couldn’t achieve his wish. All 4 leads became overnight stars because of Goong. During the press conference,PD Hwang expressed dissatisfaction with some of the cast.
Only Kim Jung Hoon was able to confirm his participation but since the others said they could not join the cast, PD Hwang said there was no point. Some actors/actresses did not even answer his calls.
He’s now debating whether to recruit a totally new actor to act the role of the Chinese restaurant delivery boy who suddenly finds himself moving into the palace as a prince, or to get an experienced actor .. he’s looking for a male “Yoon Eun Hye” as there will be comical moments during his struggles to adjust to being a prince, but there will also be reflective moments. Goong 2 will tie up whatever loose ends from Goong 1. Some of the sets will be modified for the storyline and new sets will also be built and production costs will be on higher scale. The final cast will be announced in the coming autumn as production is starting in Oct.
The rest of the article talks about the commercial aspect and profit making concerns of the tv stations and that Korean production companies are not making enough profits, resulting in maybe the only top 10 such companies will be able to survive. There was concern about PD Hwang’s project due to his age and the fact that he used newbies, but he has managed to make Goong a great success.
The Goong 2 yo-yo has finally stopped with a bombshell drop .. now time to move on ..
*Wails*
0 comments
What: Goong a.k.a. Palace a.k.a. Princess Hours
Which (Genre): Korean Drama
Who: Yoon Eun-Hye (Shin Chaegyung), Joo Ji-Hoon (Shin Goon/Lee Shin), Kim Jung-Hoon (Yul Goon / Lee Yul), Song Ji-Hyo (Min Hyo Rin)
When: Watching it again for the..4th time right now. Will be shown on Channel U soon. Real soon! Look out for it.
Why (I love it): Because of Shin (really, his appeal grows on you eventually). Heh, no, I'm not so shallow k to watch it based on actors only. I chanced upon Goong while browsing Youtube. The first time the title caught my eyes, I chose to overlook it. But, somehow, I read somewhere that Goong is an excellent drama. :)
I didn't regret my choice to start watching it. Never. In fact, Goong is my second most favourite Kdrama (after DJG).
Goong is actually adapted from a manhwa (comic) and three of the mains are once singers/models. They are 'green' actors/actress but their performance is commendable.
On YT, there are two obvious camps. One for Shin and the other for Yul. I'm proud to say... I'm in the Shin camp. You have to understand that Shin is the way he is cos he's been surpressed since young. As the crown prince, he is restricted from showing his emotions openly (thus, the many misunderstandings between him and Chaegyung).
Their love is complicated but sweet. There are many sweet, magical and funny moments between both of them. Makes the heart warm and fuzzy. Definitely.
I've influenced a fellow Kdrama addict to start watching Goong and apparently, she fell head over heels with the drama.
Lovely OST, original plot and splendid acting definitely makes a winner. Now, let's wait patiently for the grand arrival of Goong 2 in Feb 2007 (with the original casts, I hope).
For more Goong candies... Pls visit the Goong blogsite (in English) and here (in Korean, but it's the pics that count).
Soundtrack: I have a lot of faves from their OST. You'll feel more affinity if you've already watched Goong. But, if you are new to Goong, I think you'll love them all the same. Here are the Music Videos of my favourite Goong songs. BEWARE: Spoilers in the MVs. ;)
HowL & J - Perhaps Love
HowL - Parrot (Aeng moo sae)
Stay - I'm A Fool
Shim Tae Yoon - Nannulsaranghae
0 comments
Starring: Indra L. Bruggman (right), Nabila Syakieb (middle) & Rionaldo Stokhorst(left)
When: Monday-Sunday, RCTI, 7-8pm
My schedule doesn't permit me to watch the complete set of episodes of this Sinetron Ramadhan, but... I always try my best to watch them. If you love Hikmah, you'll love this sinetron too. Boosting names of young and upcoming actors and actressed like Indra, Nabila and Rionaldo, this sinetron makes you squirm in your seat in an attemp to stop yourself from punching the TV set.
Dessy (Nabila), a young woman had just lost her beloved sister and had to leave her boyfriend in order to commit herself in taking care of her late sister's daughters. The sister-in-law is a heartless woman who tortures her and the girls in order to get rid of her 'obstacles' to the wealth of her brother Yoga (Indra). Yoga has been influenced by his sister with her lies and drama leaving him constantly in doubt of Dessy's innocence.
Click on the pic for the link to the sinetron's general synopsis (in Indonesian language).
Soundtrack: Taqwa by Opick
1 comments