My Sister of Eternal Flower (TVB 2011)
My Sister of Eternal Flower <花花世界花家姐>
Producer: Kwan Wing Chung
Genre: Modern, Romance Comedy, Drama
Episodes: 20
Rating: 
Cast
Charmaine Sheh – Sister Fa
Raymond Lam – Hugo Zhang
Pierre Ngo – Mike, Hugo’s Friend, Xenus Employer
Toby Leung – Jenny, Sister Fa’s younger sister
Bowie Wu – Zhang Sum, Owner of Xenus and Hugo’s grandfather
Jazz Lam – Danny, Sister Fa’s younger brother
Yoyo Chen – Agnes, Hugo’s love interest
Catharine Chau – Kau Kau, Sister Fa’s best friend
Synopsis
The story centers around Sister Fa (Charmaine Sheh) who has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old. Through bumps and accidents, she met Hugo (Raymond Lam). Hugo is a spoiled man in his 30s who suffers from Peter Pan Syndrome. Because of this, his grandfather, CEO of Xenus, took away his power and position from the company and handed it to Mike (Pierre Ngo) by changing his will. Because of Hugo’s irresponsibility and lies, his grandfather suffered a heart attack and goes into coma. Mike used this opportunity to usurp the company and sent Hugo to the streets. This is where Sister Fa and Hugo developed their uncommon relationship but can it last through society and their families’ judgment and restrictions?
Quotes:
Hugo’s Female Friend: Hey, is Tuesday sing kay yee (Tuesday in Cantonese) or sing kay say (Thursday in Cantonese)?
Hugo’s Male Friend: Are you stupid?? Of course it’s Thursday!
Kau Kau (playing mahjong): Still playing East?! (Jong da dong?!)
Hugo: Why are you taking a cab?! You live next door!
Yina: Okay, there are tons of topics and questions I want to cover, so let’s get started!
Controversy: Charmaine Sheh’s Sister Fa Versus Roger Kwok’s Ah Wong
Let’s just knock this one out first. I’m tired of talking about it but it should still be written about regarding this drama. There’s been numerous accusations of Charmaine Sheh copying Roger Kwok’s acting style as a a mentally retarded person, Ah Wong from Life Made Simple <阿旺新傳>. I agree. At first, I gave a benefit of a doubt that maybe Charmaine was told to do it this way. I mean, it was so obvious their acting styles are the same. Charmaine gave an interview in Ming Pao denying copying his style and called accusers ‘Prejudiced by first impression.’ I think not, Charmaine. We all know everyone has a different personality, what makes mental retardation a personality of its own? Did Charmaine’s research in this role only include watching Square Pegs <戆夫成龙>?? So normal people have different personalities but mentally challenged people don’t? Yes, there are some characteristics shared by all mentally retarded people, but the audience is not stupid nor ignorant that there should be a difference between speech, movement, and face expression. Not all 10-year-olds act the same. In fact, this brings me to another topic. In fact, I find her acting and character here really annoying and her ‘funny’ marks not funny.
Sister Fa’s Character Should Be Smarter
I have a 8-year-old niece who is smarter than Sister Fa. (I also taught kids aged 4 to 15.) I’m not talking about book smarts. I’m talking about common sense and logic. It was marketed that Sister Fa has the mental capacity of a 10-year-old which is not believable. If they marketed her as a 7-year-old, now that is more believable. But maybe they raised the age so it’s more believable for her to know what romantic love is?
Not Believable Scenes
Agnes (Yoyo Chen) who seems to be a strong woman who’s occupation is modeling got a tiny scar on her face. She freaks out and says she will never ever model. The scar? Took about two episodes and it was completely gone. I thought this is completely out of character for her. What’s the deal, writers?
Also, Sister Fa’s best friend, Kau Kau (Catherine Chau), came off more as ‘crazy’ than ‘slow’. Her eyes were wide and unable to focus and her movements were as if it was uncontrolled. I thought this is a huge disrespect to the mentally challenged. She did redeem herself after that episode and stopped doing that.
Love Between a Normal Person and a Mentally Retarded Person. Realistic?
This topic was mentioned to me by the lovely Jayne herself. Now, as I answer this question. Exactly, what is realistic? I believe anything can happen among humanity. We like to believe sometimes we make decisions according to pattern but in so many instances, we are also individuals making our own choices. In Sister Fa’s situation, it does seem believable because of two things: 1) Sister Fa can pretty much function on her own with the assistance of a close community. 2) When Sister Fa and Hugo met, Hugo was really stupid, selfish..in other words, acts like a spoiled brat and had no sense of money or responsibility. Which is pretty much like the general 10-year-old. So that’s why I think their relationship development is believable.
On that note, I’m going to refrain from talking about the sexuality aspect of love pertaining to a mentally retarded person. TVB kept it family friendly and I’m not educated on this subject to comment on it.
Saying ‘I Love You’
We all know, it’s not common in Chinese culture to say ‘I love you’ in Chinese to family members. So I really appreciated this scene. It was important for it not to be said between lovers but between a brother and sister. It’s refreshing against the ‘hold everything in, they already know how I feel’ thinking.
The Wise Man is Wrong?
After learning Sister Fa is mentally challenged, Hugo’s grandfather objects towards Hugo in continuing a relationship with her. It’s quite common despite any culture or background to expect children to listen to their elders. It is refreshing to see an elder making a wrong decision. It is annoying to see the elder push his decision onto his grandson. Every couple has problems despite whether they’re ‘normal’ or not. But if Sister Fa and Hugo really do exist, I say their relationship can outlast any normal couple out there because they are best friends.
Abortion
I noticed whenever TVB writes a scenario where a mother is contemplating abortion or not they always opt for the pro-life decision. I’m pro-choice. I personally don’t believe the media has the power to stop a mother from abortion if she decides it. Of course, in this drama, they show that they are financially able to take care of a baby and that the father isn’t really a bad person. I’m interested to finally watch a story one day about the life after an abortion. Is TVB afraid they might upset advertisers or something? I just want to see something different.
Really Unnecessary, Hyper Dramatic Characters and Plot
This annoys the hell out of me. Guy has cancer, pretends to be bad guy, actually is a bad guy who is also stupid and dramatic for NO reason. We all know for the sake of the drama, there…needs to be drama. But this is completely just……I think the characters are too bored. Out of nowhere, Mike plays a bad guy and takes advantage of his girlfriend’s sister so he can make money and then leave the money to his own sister? WOW. Really? Then he opens a press conference and announces that Sister Fa is a liar so that Hugo will soon realize he loves her? OMG. *Pulls hair out!* And out of nowhere a car accident! (This scene is actually funny.) After watching all that towards the end of the drama, I realized…..hey are they ending this drama? But it’s only 20 episodes. Well, according to TVB formulas, I was right.
Notable Performances:
Jazz Lam as Danny: Along with Myolie Wu and Wong Jo Lam, Jazz Lam is one of those few talented actors whom I think TVB is VERY lucky to have. His character is completely believable and comedic, different and refreshing from the usual TVB acting. I think TVB recruits new actors through pageants and their own acting school correct? Jazz Lam seemed to come from left field.
Overall
I do enjoy this drama, and it’s easily digested. There’s nothing really serious or dark and heavy
What do you think of the series? Do you agree or disagree on how TVB portrayed Sister Fa’s character? Do you think Hong Kong has an obsession with creating dramas with mentally challenged people in it?
Note: This review was written by Yina for JayneStars.com. Please visit Yina’s blog.
I disagree that romance between a mentally challenged person versus a normal person is realistic. Friendship maybe.
It boils down to what you look for in a significant other. Even if you value pureness and simplicity, don’t you want someone with whom you want to be able to connect mentally on some level? Someone you can have a deeper conversation level with, someone to stand by your side and be able to truly empathize with you during a tragedy?
The best equivalent is that although parents may love their young children, they still need other adults to truly see the world from an adult perspective. Otherwise, there will always be a level of “hand-holding,” guidance and mentorship.
When one partner is mentally challenged, it is strapping yourself with a permanent responsibility to always take care of that person. And it appears that age will not change Sister Fa’s mental capacity. In the long-term, is anyone truly willing to engage in such a relationship, no matter the benefits of a pure, loving heart that person has? Aren’t most people looking for an equal partner in life?
Perhaps I don’t believe in fairy tales in love. No matter what emotions you feel inside, it needs to work on a practical level as well.
I agree with Jayne. And even if they’re friends, I can only see a simple friendship. I wouldn’t discriminate against mentally challenged people, but it’s hard to be best friends with someone whom you can have a deep and meaningful conversation with.
@yina, Even though Chiang Yik was initially a “bai ga jai”, after he grew a sense of responsibility and matured, he should realize that Sister Fa wasn’t someone whom he can consult with on a mental level. It’s unbelievable that Chiang Yik feels that Sister Fa is his life time partner. Many times I feel like he’s only lying to himself. Was it ever mentioned what type of women Chiang Yik liked? Although he was dating Agnes before, there wasn’t a lot of depth into their relationship either. On many levels, I couldn’t see someone liked Agnes who had a clear mind and rough past liked someone like Hugo who knew nothing about the worth of money. How did they click when there was this huge difference between this topic of money? I think it’s easier for a couple who are similar to be together. They can disagree on the small matters, but their opinions should be the same on the bigger issues. Otherwise I find it hard to have a connection.
*can’t have a deep and meaningful conversation, I mean.
In TVB world it would seem yes because purity and innocence which is what men look for is equated as someone having a childlike unspoilt mined. Since having a relationship with a child is illegal, so a relationship with an adult with a child’s mind is legal and since I have been harping on this fact since the beginning and read so many responses against my way of thought, I would assume a majority here has no problem with a normal adult male having a relationship with an abnormal adult female. That is because we are made to believe the abnormal adult female is at a disadvantage, it is a disability so to have her able to fall in love and someone else falls for her despite her disability is something we should celebrate. That just highlights the prejudice. This is like a nice little package when the actual issues remain not whether she has a right to love, but who in their right mind would fall for a child minded adult? And if he does, does it mean there is something not quite right? It goes back to the same issues. Not just equal partner, but practically, intimacies. Do you instruct her? If she gets pregnant, do you trust her with the baby? Or are you willing to forgo children in this relationship? You will essentially be the father. The brain will not become normal again, but she can learn to cope. This portrayal is unrealistic but a few days ago I read about an 8 year old minded adult ran away with an adult male and converted her religion. Makes us wonder, did she know what she was doing?
Do you know there is a genetic disease where an adult looks childlike forever? Meaning no breasts, no hair, no nothing? There was such an episode shown on I can’t remember which one? Law & Order? Anyway an adult male has a relationship with this little adult and she willingly had a relationship with him. The guy is a pedophile and in her found a child forever frozen in time and nothing illegal, but obviously just wrong. Quite a good episode actually.
I agree, and the ending when Charmaine was showed to be pregnant, that literally grossed me out. like you say, maybe friendship but not a deep relationship but Raymond pregnanted a 10 yr old girl in a grownup body? that is just silly.
“I agree, and the ending when Charmaine was showed to be pregnant, that literally grossed me out.”
When I first read this, it reminded me of child sexual abuse, which is completely wrong. However, the difference here is that although Sister Fa has the mentality of a 10 year old, she loves Hugo and is WILLING to sleep with him. Okay, the idea of a normal being and a mentally challenged person sleeping together may not be the greatest sight, but I can’t imagine it being totally wrong.
FYI, some child willingly sleeps with the abuser, thinking it was love, they cried from the lack of attention. Doesn’t make it right does it?
Child sexual abuse is wrong because the law makes it illegal and the abusers be punished under the law. Yes, children should be protected and child sexual abuse can really inflict emotional harm and mental anguish that will carry on with them forever in their life. Sometimes, their personalities will be based from this as well.
But everyday there are legal young adults and girls who get their hearts broken. They think the guy loves them, have sex with them, then realize they were only a booty call, and cried. Why doesn’t the law punishes these people then? Because they are no longer under 18, no longer considered children, and everyone believes they can think and make accurate judgments on their own?
In the scenario you pointed out, it’s not right by LAW. But really, under what circumstances would a child willingly sleep with the abuser and think it is love? Parents don’t teach children to sleep with the opposite sex, so they can’t be willing, can they? Yes, many teens under 18 get impregnated either by sleeping with their boyfriends or getting raped unwillingly, but I can’t imagine getting raped and thinking it was love.
Maybe you think Sister Fa can’t make decisions for herself, but she still feels the basic emotions of happiness, sadness, anger, fear, etc. If something didn’t feel right, she would cry and object, but she doesn’t object, it means she likes it, no?
The mistake all men make; just because a woman doesn’t say no doesn’t mean she says yes.
The situation where children or adults with mental disability are abused but doesn’t realise it is those where the abuser is a groomer. They groom them, give them a lot of attention, a lot of love, so even the abused thinks she or he is not abused.
This is not the case with Sister Fa of course. But firstly, the relationship is wrong and creepy. Secondly the idea of a baby is wrong and creepy. Thirdly, the idea she can take care of the child is again inaccurate. But if someone like her is so resourceful, so intelligent and capable, perhaps the diagnosis is wrong in the first place. If she is not, then ask oneself; will you be willing to handover your baby to her with a set of instruction? The answer is probably no, whoever says yes is being rather reckless. Start with a puppy first.
I am not saying she has no right to love or ordinary human being emotions or marriage or children. She is after all a human being. My problem is not with her, but with the man. I find the idea of sex between these 2 very very wrong. She is a child trapped in the body of an adult. People see adult and feel it is ok. Since she is ok with it. But this is a case by case basis. One wonders why a man would marry someone like her? True love? Perhaps. Ability to control? Maybe. I don’t know. Haven’t met a normal guy who married a mentally disabled or handicapped girl so I don’t know. It is not legally wrong. I am not sure if it is morally wrong. It is still plain wrong.
I’m sure there are couples out there comprised between a mentally challenged person and a ‘normal’ person. It might not be ‘realistic’ to you or to me because we are not in their world. But I’m SURE it has happened somewhere.
Also, in this situation, Hugo and Charmaine did connect on an emotional and mental level given their background. It’s a freak accident on how they met. But it’s believable in their case.
Emotional and mental level… not saying that isn’t possible. But you know how babies are made right? .. Yeah, enough said.
i second what Jayne said.
the love story between the two was unbelievable in realistic modern time. roger kwok in square pegs played it off so much better. square peg was so comedic and his acting skills were so much more polished that it became believable.
charmaine sheh’s acting was so amateur if u compare her to roger kwok and myolie wu in golden faith. her portrayal of a mentally challenged woman, simultaneously trying to make cute remarks and facial expressions was awkward for me to watch.
Thank you Jayne for using “mentally challenged” since in my class don’t use that word Retard anymore. It’s not realistic at all because mentally challenged person cannot control their own behavior, some cannot make a direct eyes contact.I know this is just a tv’s series buthopefully next time if TVB wants to do a movie with this topic..script writers, directors, and actors/actresses should study more on “mentally challenge” personality. That’s why I like American drama on this topic more.
10 years old is pretty smart this day. they know so much. why would a 10 years old want that lame ass bowl cut hairstyle? LOL. They should do some research on 10 years old instead of assume they act like that
LOL… I agree. Even children younger than 10 year old these days are smarter and know how to get out of trouble. Even though Sister Fa is allegedly mentally challenged and has the mentality of a 10 year old girl, I don’t think she is a “normal” 10 year old. There is probably some genetic abnormality that makes her less “smarter” than the normal 10 year old.
Yes, in the drama, it is stated that her children may have the possible of being like her, in terms of mental capacity.
So we shouldn’t compare Sister Fa to the normal 10 year old. 🙂 I’m glad this series has finally done airing. The controversy of what type of mentally challenged girl Sister Fa is and whether Charmaine portrayed this role accurately was making me pull my hair out.
YES! why do all mentally challenged people portrayed by TVB all have BOWL HAIR CUTS? this is so stupid of TVB.
Of course so stupid. Why can’t they have normal haircut?
TVB can not hire a real hair style since they laugh the employees.
TVB can not hire a real hair stylist since they layoff
laughtheir own employees.My errors.
LOL even 10yr olds feel ashamed being a 10 year old because of this series. And yeah all mentally challenged people MUST have the bowl hair cut hahaha
Remember, Charmaine should have the 10 year old mentality of what ever generation she was born. So if she’s 30, she’d be a 10 year old from 1990s not the sharp annoying ones from 2010.
Perhaps if they move beyond the bowl haircut… she suddenly smartens up.
As a Charmaine fan, I really really wanted to like this series. Although the storyline was unrealistic, I was willing to overlook the fact…. after-all 99.9% of movies are based on near impossible situations. However, the writing and the acting did not move me at all. There was absolutely no connection (friendship or romantic) btwn Char and Ray.
Also, I feel like the drama itself had very little plot/climax/ending… it was all very jumbled and abrupt.
I did appreciate the fact that the writers did cover a few important issues, such as having children/growing old together. I did not like the fact that they over-simplified the issues.. if you are going to make a movie about such a sensitive topic, then you should be more thorough in addressing those issues. You need to treat your audience like people who are intelligent… not idiots who take what you write as true.
I found myself very disturbed and a bit disgusted at the end when Char was pregnant. Why knowingly bring children into the world if they never have the same potential or opportunities as other children. If your child was born “normal” then why subject your child to a mother whom s/he surpasses mentally @ the age of ten. A mother is a very important part of a child upbringing. Char will never be a “mother” in the true sense of the word.
“However, the writing and the acting did not move me at all. There was absolutely no connection (friendship or romantic) btwn Char and Ray.”
There may not have any logic in the storyline, but it appealed to me emotionally on some level, especially the scenes when Hugo moved into live with Sister Fa and she cooked for him and made sure he had a home.
“You need to treat your audience like people who are intelligent… not idiots who take what you write as true.”
Well said… TVB scriptwriters needs to create some breakthroughs in their writings. I heard this is difficult especially since producers sometimes only give them one night to come up with something if they needed to alter the storyline. I don’t know if I’m fore or against TVB starting the filming process for a new series even before the script has been completed. They seem careless, treating scripts like math formulas instead of art.
“Why knowingly bring children into the world if they never have the same potential or opportunities as other children.”
I use to think that too, but most parents don’t want to believe that their children would turn out abnormally. I suppose it’s more adaptive to think positively. Sister Fa actually consulted the doctor and was actually aware of the possibility of her child turning out mentally challenged. She then abandoned the idea of having children with Hugo. Hugo also admitted to his grandfather that he can’t say that he wouldn’t mind if his child turned out abnormally. But Sister Fa did end up pregnant, so love conquers everything… again? It would be nice if there was some sort of explanation as to why Hugo was able to overcome the possibility of their child turning out abnormal.
“Char will never be a “mother” in the true sense of the word.”
Maybe not the academics aspect and dealing with higher-level problems and emotional issues. But I believe she would be able to offer her child the basic needs of love and care. Haha, Hugo can do the rest.
“But I believe she would be able to offer her child the basic needs of love and care. ”
No she can’t. Can she take care of the child as in TAKE CARE? Not just saying I love you. Taking care of a child is a huge responsibility. Pregnancy is difficult. If she is shown she can, that is a fallacy. Because even normal adults can’t, more so one with a disability that makes her unable to understand simple things in life.
@Funn, Well, she was able to offer Hugo the basic needs of love and care. In terms of love and care, I meant housing, cooking them food, and supporting them unconditionally. I feel that many normal parents, especially Asian parents, aren’t able to do the latter. Or they don’t make it apparent enough that youngsters understand it.
I was definitely not referring to just I love you.
Sister Fa is an obedient person and she would listen and obey the words of her doctor and family, including her sister, brother, and Hugo. If she had them with her, they instructed her, and her willingness and determination to learn and give the best to her child, I believe she can do it. It would require more work than the normal person and more work from her family, but I think she can do it with good instruction.
And if they;re all dead? Then who is there to instruct her? Because the burden then is on the child looking after her. Kinda remind me of the movie is it Sam? That one with Sean Penn? She will always need help. She will never be independent, enough for herself but not the child. Children goes beyond basic needs. What TV says is not what real life is. I wish it was, I wish it was that simple. But she can’t appreciate responsibility like us do. You said she needs instruction. Doesn’t that answer all my questions? Taking care of a child is not just a set of instructions. I find it not just creepy but wrong for such an end. I expected maybe marriage BUT pregnancy? That goes beyond what I thought would happen. This makes this series different but nonetheless creepy.
@Funn, If you’re going to argue that it’s unrealistic and impossible for a mentally challenged person to get fall in love, get married, and have kids, then let’s be realistic here. What are the chances that everyone is just going to die all at the same time, all of a sudden? I’m not just referring to Sister Fa here, but in general, should mentally challenged people get married and have sex. Yes, the idea of sex with them may be creepy since they don’t understand the meaning of it like a normal person does, but it’s between two people. If their other half doesn’t mind, who else is to say?
Sister Fa has a sense of responsibility, but just needs to learn. Once she learns, she seems to be able to carry out the tasks. Maybe not every mentally challenged person can become a mother and father because they don’t have that sense of responsibility to take care of their children, but Sister Fa does and she also has the willpower to overcome some obstacles. However, if it was Kau Kau becoming a mother, I cannot say that she has the same character as Sister Fa. She is more spoiled and although she is smarter and teaches Sister Fa the meaning of many phrases, she lacks the capacity, determination, willpower, and responsibility to carry out the tasks of the mother.
Yes, not every mentally challenged person can be a mother, but how is it WRONG if they’re already tried to their best? They are willing to learn and listen to instruction to give the best care. It’s not their fault that they were born this way.
Of course not their fault. And good if they can take instruction. This is not a loss of eye or limb or just plain stupid. This is different. With good instructions given, do you trust a 10 year old with your baby, alone, the whole day?
@Funn, Why not? And let’s say if there was an issue that the mentally challenged person couldn’t solve, they would call and ask a family member who knows. And with proper instructions, she can’t get through it?
True, mentally challenged people can’t do everything a normal person can do (especially higher-level tasks) and even with the tasks that they can do, they would be slower at carrying it out. However, with the assistance of their other half, who is a normal being, they would be able to deal with it together. It would require more patience and time though.
I don’t like this type of relationship and I find it tiring to always give instructions, but if there was someone who is really willing to work with them through it and they are willing to learn, it’s not impossible.
I did think the love story btwn chu chu and yik yik was sweet but I was expecting it to be more in depth. The ending was just too rushed!
Like u said, how did Hugo overcome the questions of doubt his grandpa brought up to him? Marriage is a lifetime… can he guarantee his feelings will never change and he will never yim hei or be ashamed of her. I think that was a more pressing issue than pregnancy. Hugo is rich so of course he can afford a full time nanny to help chu chu.
Another point that bugged me was that he was willing to marry agnes after she got paralyzed
I did think the love story btwn chu chu and yik yik was sweet but I was expecting it to be more in depth. The ending was just too rushed!
Like u said, how did Hugo overcome the questions of doubt his grandpa brought up to him? Marriage is a lifetime… can he guarantee his feelings will never change and he will never yim hei or be ashamed of her. I think that was a more pressing issue than pregnancy. Hugo is rich so of course he can afford a full time nanny to help chu chu.
Another point that bugged me was that he was willing to marry agnes right after she got paralyzed. of course it was out of guilt but it made me question his love for chu chu too. was it also due to gratitude or pity? I wish the ending was written better because it was intended to be a very heart warming story.
I’m just disappointed because this might be the last series with ray and charm since she’s gonna concentrate on China now.
And on a tangent, I wish her new series was with Kevin instead of Moses. I don’t care for him so much after the bernice fiasco. and unfortunately for him, the timing of airing yes sir sorry sir certainly added to his “hot deal” label losing value.
Fa is mentally challenged but she can have sex and get pregnant Rofl! They should’ve even showed her taking care of her child! I hope she dont think the child is her little sister rofl
@Chriselle @Funn @Judy
Most people would choose an easier road in life. Why strap yourself with a known life-long responsibility of permanently taking care of your significant other prior to marriage? When there are so many other choices in life?
People complain of taking care of their elderly parents. Parents struggling with the constant attention that special needs children need and breaking down to near exhaustion. Parents complaining of the general exhaustion of being parents and can’t wait to kick their children out of the house when they turn 18. The fact is that taking care of another human being, whether young or old, when they are not functioning to a full mental or physical capacity,, is extremely exhausting. The daily responsibility is enormous. With regular normal children, parents look forward to the day when they become self-sufficient beings. With a special needs child, they will never reach self-sufficiency and never an end to responsibilty.
Getting married is easy but staying married is not, for even reuglar folks. People’s needs evolve over time and couples may not stay on that same mental wavelength anymore. When two people meet and fall in love, it may be attributable to physical attraction and how you initially get along. However, staying in love and long-term compatability requires a constant maintenance of emotional connection.
Some people will say that being with children makes you feel carefree and cheerful. However they are not full capacity individuals and responsibility is always the first thing. Imagine getting married to one. Hugo would have to be a constant father figure to both Sister Fa and his own child.
TVB seems to always justify the protagonist’s romantic choices by presenting extreme choices. In this case, we have Sister Fa, as the pure and loving mentally challenged person versus Agnes, who although a normal person has a lying and scheming personality. TVB often uses black and white in their romantic choices. Just because he did not choose Agnes for all that she represented, did he have to choose Sister Fa? Don’t we all tend to date people in the same gradient because there is a set of common underlying factors we look for?
I don’t think Sister Fa would ever be a fully capable mother. She can be a mother if there is always assistance to help her, such as spouse and hired help. For teenage moms aged 12 or so, they often need a lot of help from family to support them. Yes, she may have feelings like all of us and be able to feel love, but incapable of handling more complex situations and abstract ideas.
Many people say they know 10 year olds who are smarter than Sister Fa. Kids nowadays are very streetsmart thanks to tv programming and oftentimes access to programs not truly suitable for their age. They may impress you with their adult jokes and understanding of money and pratical ways of life, but theey are still kids and their understanding rudimentary. It takes age and the intelligent capacity to learn before they develop into self-sufficient people of course.
I agree with Jayne that someone like Charmaine’s Fa can’t be a mum by herself and will need assistance.
“TVB seems to always justify the protagonist’s romantic choices by presenting extreme choices. In this case, we have Sister Fa, as the pure and loving mentally challenged person versus Agnes, who although a normal person has a lying and scheming personality. TVB often uses black and white in their romantic choices. Just because he did not choose Agnes for all that she represented, did he have to choose Sister Fa? Don’t we all tend to date people in the same gradient because there is a set of common underlying factors we look for?”
This is right on spot. I also pondered what Hugo’s set of qualities was in a significant other was. The only possibility is that he didn’t realize it until later, but still, why the dramatic change?
Well… Sister Fa did come into Hugo’s life at the most vulnerable time in his life. Still, he could just have treated her as a very good friend and repay her kindness in other ways.
@ Chriselle
“This is right on spot. I also pondered what Hugo’s set of qualities was in a significant other was. The only possibility is that he didn’t realize it until later, but still, why the dramatic change?”
Hugo is obviously someone who goes by feelings more than logic. So, he probably has already thrown his list away.
SPOILERS!!
PREGNANT?! So he slept with her? TVB, I applaud you for taking such an insane risk! What more can I say? What else is there?
Why not just show her bump her head and miraculously cured? Or an alien drops by and gave her an injection of intelligence?
I was wrong So the ending was pretty and utterly clear. I underestimated TVB.
really what an ending…typical of tvb…just plain dumb…this is why i liked life made simple…that jessica did not end up with roger…becuz a female will never married someone who is mentally challenge…and im pretty sure a character like ray would not end up with someone like char…and to think his character knocked her up…pedophile anyone…just disturbing to me…very disturbing…
“pedophile anyone…just disturbing to me…very disturbing…”
I wouldn’t consider Hugo a pedophile although he slept with Sister Fa. They did LIKE each other and Sister Fa wanted a child of her own and was willing to do it. It’s not like he took advantage of her and raped her.
That is a very very fine line. He is not doing anything illegal but I wouldn’t immediately say what a great pair if I see one for real, I would immediately wonder maybe something is not right with the guy. No dispute they like each other, or love each other, but to marry one actually? And she may want a baby, but give her a puppy, if she can’t even care for a puppy, can she care for the baby? I suspect in real life, he would eventually tire of her constant need of care. It is tiring to take care of 1 child, more so 2. But of course this is not real life. Doesn’t make the ending easier to stomach. It is in fact wrong. Just plain wrong.
@ hailee
“becuz a female will never married someone who is mentally challenge”
Someone did, in real life. Fox said so. The guy’s condition is not exactly the same as Ah Wong, but, he’s still mentally challenged. He’s blind, autistic and has Savant Syndrome. Savant Syndrome is where a suffered has retarded mental development overeall, but, somehow, is very gifted a certain area.
@Funn
Don’t underestimate the sexual abilities of mentally challenge or should I say 10 year old girl? Is she’s willing that doesnt make Raymond pedophile since physically she’s an adult
I never did. My problem with her character is Charmaine being a poor actress and my problem with this series is the man, not the woman. Of course she has sexual need, etc, her body is normal, my question is how can a man turn on by her?
“Of course she has sexual need, etc, her body is normal, my question is how can a man turn on by her?”
This is kinda a silly question don’t you think? Mental and emotional connection you can still argue that it’s impossible. But, a man cannot be turned on by someone who looks like Charmaine Sheh?
hehehe he must be thinking “why waste a eatable meal” even if it taste no good LOL
@Funn
Men are men. If they can do it with grannies sure they can do it to a woman who’s 10 inside but look like 35 outside
If she just stands there and say nothing, maybe Kidd, but when she starts to talk, behave the way she is supposed to behave, if a man is turn on by that overall package, I then question the man. Yes, man usually is brainless eh? Turned on by beautiful women but only very select few would be turned on by a select group.
exoidus, I would agree. Even I myself might think so. But after that, do you act on that impulse? Most won’t. Those who do, something isn’t right.
Maybe she’s passive and quiet in bed and since her body is a fully grown woman with assets man will just think using their little friend. Besides since they marry first the guy must be thinking that -this is legal
“Of course she has sexual need, etc, her body is normal, my question is how can a man turn on by her?”
Okay, I got to agree with Funn on this one. Men may be turned on by someone like Sister Fa as long as she doesn’t speak up. But upon realizing that she has such a low mental capacity, they will probably just find someone else. It’s not like she’s the only woman around. There are other choices.
Quote: I found myself very disturbed and a bit disgusted at the end when Char was pregnant. Why knowingly bring children into the world if they never have the same potential or opportunities as other children. If your child was born “normal” then why subject your child to a mother whom s/he surpasses mentally @ the age of ten. A mother is a very important part of a child upbringing. Char will never be a “mother” in the true sense of the word.”
I find your comment really disgusting. Everyone has a right to give birth. And I think Sister Fa would be a great mother as she’s taken care of her family very well. In fact, her character is held in high regards compared to the ‘normal’ people in the drama. They all think with intentions of what they can get out of the situation and such (which is how a grown mind would think anyway). Her innocence and honest character can be a great asset. I find it appalling that someone like you can be so ignorant and call her giving birth as something like ‘selfish’. So what if the child also has mental disability? I’m sure that child will be loved no matter what.
The problem is not whether if they will have a mental disabled child, it’s people like you who pass judgment. If it doesn’t bother them, why does it bother you?!
@ Judy
Quote:I found myself very disturbed and a bit disgusted at the end when Char was pregnant. Why knowingly bring children into the world if they never have the same potential or opportunities as other children. If your child was born “normal” then why subject your child to a mother whom s/he surpasses mentally @ the age of ten. A mother is a very important part of a child upbringing. Char will never be a “mother” in the true sense of the word.
I find your comment very disgusting. Who are you to say she/ mental disabled people have no right to give birth? The problem isn’t on the mentally disabled, the problem is people like YOU to pass these ignorant judgments that disregard the wants and needs of the individuals mentally disabled or not. It makes no difference. If it doesn’t bother them why does it bother you?!
@ Judy
Quote:I found myself very disturbed and a bit disgusted at the end when Char was pregnant. Why knowingly bring children into the world if they never have the same potential or opportunities as other children. If your child was born “normal” then why subject your child to a mother whom s/he surpasses mentally @ the age of ten. A mother is a very important part of a child upbringing. Char will never be a “mother” in the true sense of the word.
I find your comment very disgusting. Who are you to say she/ mental disabled people have no right to give birth? The problem isn’t on the mentally disabled, the problem is people like YOU to pass these ignorant judgments that disregard the wants and needs of the individuals mentally disabled or not. It makes no difference. If it doesn’t bother them why the f**k does it bother you?!
She may have used strong words, from a different harsher perspective but in the end it is true. If there isn’t anyone there but she and child alone, are you going to help raise her child or if the child accidentally drowns, will you then cry oh why we shouldn’t have, couldn’t have, etc? I believe a lot of such children who became adults have their parents asking doctor to what’s that word to make sure surgically alter them so that they can never have children? That is the truth. It is not ignorant, it is not prejudiced, it is not even disgusting. It happens and it is real. If it is your child, what would you do?
Well i think her comment makes sense. Think about it a mother are a important part of childrens upbringing. Im not saying that a retarted person can’t be a good parent but assumming that the children themselves are normal it won’t take long before the children wish they had normal parents and not ones that are childish themselves.
Sure it would be great for a 5 year old to have a parent to play with you 24-7 in the beginning.
is not right either for the chuldren since they can’t choose their parents. Would be for instance want to have a retarded as your parents?
@Yina,
I don’t think Judy meant that people who are mentally challenged have no right to be parents. However, being a parent is a life-long commitment that involves a lot of responsibility and given Sister Fa’s disability, it is questionable whether she will be a mother in the fullest sense.
It is the same basic premise that teenage mothers, aged 16 and younger, are frowned upon in society. The pregnancy is usually born out of wedlock and unplanned. The resulting baby may not be taken care of in a responsible manner. At that age, you might argue they are on the borderline of adulthood and that they have the right to become a mother if they choose. However, without proper finances, life experiences, and emotional maturity that typically comes with age, it makes you wonder how good of a mother can the teenage mother be? Similar to Sister Fa, she can do it, but you wonder if due to age and limited maturity, whether the children can have a better upbringing in a different situation.
@ Jayne:
@Yina,
“… given Sister Fa’s disability, it is questionable whether she will be a mother in the fullest sense.”
In this context regarding a mental disabled person, I don’t think any of us should question what a mother is. To each their own.
“It is the same basic premise that teenage mothers, aged 16 and younger, are frowned upon in society.”
I know you’re helping Judy explain, but I just took it in the context that it is. And, kinda jumping the gun there when you compare someone mentally disabled to a normal 16 year old girl. Not the same
@Funn………you’re giving me hypothetical situations to support your argument……..
You want facts? Because this series IS hypothetical isn’t it? Fact is this will never happen, not in this context. if it does, Ray’s character will be suspect of something. Her child will be full of ridicules. Charm’s character will never be able to raise the child. They will never marry. But he will sleep with her. Because it is easy.
Funn, Fa Ka Je can raise 2 adults and then 1 other adults, how can’t she raise a baby?
The kid might be made fun of by the others kids, but when the kid grows up, he/she will understand that having a disabled mother is nothing but a proud. Why? Because the mother dared to give birth and bring it to life. It’s the best thing ever.
Many ppl said that my mother can’t raise a baby because her hands (both hands) are damaged 90% because of a bomb. She can’t never use the hands like normal ppl. But she not only raised me but also other 6 sons (including my siblings and cousins who stayed with my family) while my father was away (for 4 years from when I was born). She did everything, even better than normal ppl.
So don’t underestimate what human can do.
You mean she actually raise or made to believe she raised 2 children?
If that is the case perhaps the doctor made a wrong diagnosis.
@ Funn
The series didn’t mention when their parents died. She probably didn’t take care of them alone when they were all little kids. Given that the second sister was able to go to college, I doubt they were orphaned since young. But, I believe Fah did help out in raising her siblings. She always repeat this to her self ‘Mother asked me to take care of little brother and sister’.
In the series, she takes care of the household. She keep the house clean and organise and she cook all their meals and when she’s not around (she ran away at one time) their house was in disarray.
@ Funn: In eps 9, she mentioned that she did chores since she was very small.
There’s like a string of arguments against and for the topic (whether a mentally challegned person should have sex + children etc) but its quite obvious neither side is going to convince the other since the approach is different: one side are romantics, full of hope and ideals whilst the other side are the realists, full of logic and calculation.
Face it you lot are never going to settle this one here 🙂
Again it is not whether a mentally challenged should have sex. Never been my argument. It is the mental capacity of the mentally challenged in appreciating the consequences or the act itself but more importantly the one who is normal and wants to sleep with the mentally challenged. I know, there will be no winners or losers hence my persistence.
@Funn
While I understand your persistence, the problem is the topic is soooo personal, yet its soooo appealing to overstate the generalities.
I mean mentally challenged people have sex. It happens in hospitals, specialist institutions they reside and etc etc. Are you going to argue its wrong based on who they have sex with or what? Or are you so forceful as to say they ‘must’ know ‘all the consequences’ presuming they can all be objectively knowable before they can?
In respect of the ‘normal’ person in the relationship; I think its a really special case and TVB would have likely portrayed it in a fairy tale manner that Charmaine *understood* and so did Raymond. But TVB aside; if a ‘love’ does gestate, I don’t see why not. And I’m not about to go into what ‘love’ is or how to determine the level of love which would make a normal person having sex with a mentally challenged person acceptable. It would be a ‘personal’ matter for the parties to determine, including the mentally challenged person’s guardians, and hopefully the normal person is able to understand what s/he is doing with appreciation of the situation.
In most Western legal systems and those following them, mentally challenged persons can marry, have kids and enjoy most if not more legal rights. The legal status of sex between a ‘normal’ person and a mentally challenged person is a very grey one which I guess reflects the social/moral greyness. In many Western systems it can be potentially illegal, but whether you are prosecuted is a different story.
I suppose at the end of the day, its a personal decision which the people in the situation should appraise. Its not enough to make general statements on hypothetical situations in this area. I mean, it would be wrong to say that sexual gratification should be denied to all mentally challenged persons because they somehow don’t possess some defined level of understanding of it. It would also be awkward to say a ‘normal’ person cannot under any circumstance have intercourse with a mentally challenged person since we’re not operating a dictatorship. We need good reasons. But those reasons are so based on situational circumstances that its, in my opinion, too damn hard to impose one standard rule. You can only hope the people involved have their heads on right…
SDS,
Good point. But again I do not question their right to love, marry, sex. Again I question the normal one marrying, loving and having sex with the mentally challenged person. Not the other way around.
“I mean mentally challenged people have sex. It happens in hospitals, specialist institutions they reside and etc etc. Are you going to argue its wrong based on who they have sex with or what? Or are you so forceful as to say they ‘must’ know ‘all the consequences’ presuming they can all be objectively knowable before they can?”
If in a hospital a mentally challenged person is having sex with let’s say the nurses instead of other mentally challenged person, don’t you think there is an element of abuse of power there? If that is the case, yes it is wrong. Sometimes you’re put into a position you yourself do not know you’re being abused. Like a husband pushing the wife around, the wife threatening suicide every day, that child minded woman in a hospital whispered sweet nothings and then asked to do something to please that someone. They may be willing but they may be in a position where have they had clearer mind, they may or may not say no.
Again, Ray’s character is not in such a situation. TVB would never write such a situation. But the idea that she gets pregnant, etc, to me it is not to say repulsive but just terribly wrong. Because in the end I read dozens of posts asking what about the rights of the mentally challenged to love, they can be parents too, etc but my question and as persistent as I am, is simply the nature of the man who marries and impregnates a mentally challenged woman, or even a woman impregnates herself with that of a mentally challenged man. Again TVB packages this into some light fairy tale, that as if it is correct, it is true, it is beautiful and nothing wrong when in the end perhaps they should do a part II. Do a sequel, and we shall see. I know this is a series, TVB is under no social obligation to make a correct accurate picture, or even a moral one, it is not illegal per se, but all these doesn’t mean because you can, you should.
Jayne’s point of view is from the viewpoint of can the girl appreciate the consequences so as to make an informed choice. Maybe. Others point of view is she is undeserving of him because she is imperfect. My point of view is not from point of love, nor from whether she has a right etc. My point of view is the idea generated by this series in its nice little package is not only dangerous, it is misleading and reading so many “So what” kind of response, that shocked me. If such a man exists, knowingly married her, I would say well done. But if I were to see her pregnant, I would double take. Essentially you’re having a full blown relationship with her, and so Jayne’s point of view is applicable here; does she even know what she is getting into besides babies are nice to hold, to love? Can she help without assistance? She can’t even find her own way, how then can she have a child? And more importantly, how can that man selfishly impose his needs on her?
@Funn
I haven’t watched the series so I can’t really comment on the specifics of the series. However I always take TVB love stories with many kilos of salt. Personally I see your views, and everyone elses, as extending beyond the series and I think it is better argued that way since TVB isn’t the appropriate forum to be using as a platform for ‘evidence’.
However I absolutely agree with you TVB series often generate unrealistic images of social situations. I’m not sure they’re ‘dangerous’ directly, perhaps more of sending inappropriately simplified stereotypes – sort of like misinformation than deception. But I’m sure MOST people who watch TVB stuff can appreciate what’s fact and what’s fiction. I emphasise ‘most’ cause I know some commentators here seem to idolise TVB & Co. No names.
Of course when a person in a position of care over a mentally challenged person who in their professional or guardianship capacity has sex with the latter, is morally wrong and legally liable. I totally agree. I don’t think anyone with some conscience can say otherwise. But I don’t see what this aspect has to do with your concern.
If essentially you’re questioning the integrity of the normal person in having a child with a mentally challenged person then I’d say my previous post has already answered my own position- ‘let everyone involved appraise the situation’ etc. With that said I’d set the bar quite high before I can accept that the ‘normal’ person has done what was right for the relationship. Personally having a child between two healthy IQ110 adults is hard enough, I don’t see why when you’re already caught in a position of hardship (such as one party being mentally handicap) you’d want to dig it to another level by having a child even if you disregard the issues of hereditary disabilities.
@ Funn
reading so many “So what” kind of response, that shocked me.
Because people know this is fairytale fiction.
Drama was veer unrealistic.
How Yoyo got hit by the car and first the doctor said she will never walk again then boom, she heals and gets up.
How Pierre has late stage cancer but will die soon but he magically lives on with his wife and kids.
I think Yoyo was pretending and acting as if she was crippled forever so Hugo would marry her. Her manipulation tactic was to gain sympathy and her leg was probably fine from the start.
However, that raised another issue. How can someone be absolutely fine after being crushed by a truck?
The series is too dramatic.
Dramatic and miraculous
Miracles happen a lot in TVB series! Pierre’s case especially! They don’t even bother to explain!
TVB fairy god did the work… magically removes Pierre character’s cancer and Yoyo character’s disability.
Surprisingly they could have made FaFa turn into a normal person at the end…
In Charmaine’s defense, she claimed she did NOT watch Square Pegs or Life Made Simple due to the fact that she may be influenced by Roger’s acting or subconsciously copies his acting style . She also claimed she visited facilities for the mentally challenged to observe. Of course you can believe whatever, but I’m just sharing what I have read =]
I personally have not seen the series so no comment.
Hmm… I wonder if Charmaine really have never saw Square Pegs or Life Made Simple. Maybe she didn’t watch the two series in its entirety or when she was given the role, but due to the popularity of the dramas back then, I wouldn’t be surprised if she had seen a few episodes.
Of course she did, doesn’t mean the similarity means she copied from Roger. If she did any better, I wouldn’t have complained and lobbied against her.
I don’t believe that she has never seen at least any clip of how Roger acts. Ah Wong was very popular
Maybe she and Roger visited the same facilities and take inspiration from the same group of people.
Just guessing.
more likely she just watched rogers performance and copied it. pretty sure she did watch roger however because of the lack of acting skills she did a horrible job.
and exactly what ‘facility’ are you talking about?
if you are referring to sister fa’s case, most ‘mentally disabled’ people live normal lives. They don’t live or visit a ‘facility’ regularly. Are you thinking of a mental asylum? They are not mentally retarded, they have psychological issues.
They are two DIFFERENT things!
@ Yina
Charmaine Sheh said she accompanied the scriptwriter to a school for mentally challenged during her research process.
A school for the mentally-challenged should be considered a facility, right?
If it’s not. Then, I apologise for using the wrong word. No need to be so work up.
So, no, I’m not thinking of a mental asylum.
Btw, there are homes and care-center for mentally challenged people.
She probably did saw a glimpse of the two series back when it was airing or even TVB anniversary shows when it show some scenes.
Let me ask a sincere question to our male and female readers. Can you ever fall for a child minded adult? If yes, will you ever marry him or her? If yes will you have an intimate relationship with them? If yes, will you want children with them?
My response is yes I could probably but no I will never marry him and have an intimate relationship or ever have children with him. Loving someone is different from acting on that love. I will have a meaningful friendship but in the end I will have to have my own family. If he has no one to take care of him, I might take care of him.
TVB just doesn’t understand the concept of platonic love or rather thinks this is the happiest ending, like cinderella-ish. Well Cinderella was just poor.
“Can you ever fall for a child minded adult?”
I can’t say I absolutely won’t in the future, but I haven’t yet. Also, from my clear list of expectations, intelligence ranks as the top 3 criteria, so does that answer your question?
“If yes, will you ever marry him or her?”
If I don’t fall for someone like that, why would I marry him?
“If yes will you have an intimate relationship with them?”
No. It even takes time for me to warm up to a normal person.
“If yes, will you want children with them?”
If you’re not going to be intimate with them, how does children appear? Lol.
Well in this case, the mentally disabled person happens to be a female. And kid you not, I’ve seen a lot of girls even over the age of 20 act like a 7 year old when they’re with their boyfriend. *pukes*
i see it a lot in taiwanese culture/asian culture. (not just talking about the drama)
And having dating a chinese fob before, he really treats me like a lil girl. Never lets me do anything. and talks to me like a lil girl. some people take it to the extremes though.
not that there’s anything wrong with that. i just had to write this disclaimer
And I have seen 11 year olds acting like 20 year olds so to speak, as in mature for their age. But that doesn’t mean it is the same. And yes, I suppose guys like to pamper girls?
“And having dating a chinese fob before, he really treats me like a lil girl. Never lets me do anything. and talks to me like a lil girl. ”
That is because he is a controlling jerk who expects to get her way. He is trying to possess you and luckily you escaped.
Well this is also a just a series so of course not everything has to be “real”, therefore, please keep that in mind while watching this series. ALso, age does not always dictate how a person acts. An older person can act like a kid and vice versa. I have seen that a lot as well.
It just varies from person to person so you can’t say that all guys like to treat their girlfriends like little girls.
I would never say never, but most likely no to all of your questions.
I honestly see nothing wrong w/Ray and Char getting married in the series… they fulfill each other in ways that perhaps most people won’t understand… if he doesn’t have a problem taking care of her and she is happy, why not? I just don’t like the idea of children being brought into the story.
Even if 10 year olds are smart today in our society, but they are not particularly childlike. Perhaps Charmaine’s character was portraying a 10 year old child as a child should be rather than what we expect or know them to be? I personally don’t know, I haven’t seen the show, and don’t know many 10 year olds, so I’m just throwing the question out there.
I do know a 6 year old that advised her Auntie [thankfully not yours truly haha] to watch her carbohydrate and caloric intake carefully as Auntie’s belly seemed to be getting fatter. Sure, that’s quite clever [and annoying] but not what I expect of a 6 year old!
To Funn’s first question: My answer would be NO…so that means I’d be answering NO to the series of questions after haha. I’d also add that you also asked: If yes, will you ever marry him or her? As for the question of marriage, “Will you ever marry him or her?” Life is strange. Sometimes people marry for reasons other than love and marry for reasons beyond their control.
So, she’s not like Forrest Gump “special”? I loved that movie and was hoping she’d be like him. He was so endearing and lovable, especially his quote, “I’m not a smart man…but I know what love is.”
Forrest was low IQ, a bit slow so to speak. She is different.
@Funn
Umm…I didn’t think it was any different. Charmaine’s character is mentally retarded meaning she has low IQ. So isn’t her character the same as Forrest Gump. It’s just that Sister Fa’s IQ only reached the capacity of a “10 year-old”. Not to mention Forrest Gump also had intimate relations in the movie but not to the extent of marriage and pregnancy.
YES! I love your comment! and LOVE that movie!
” I think TVB recruits new actors through pageants and their own acting school correct? Jazz Lam seemed to come from left field.”
Jazz Lam really comes from left field. Jazz joined the industry through an acting class set up by Stephen Chow called ‘King of Comedy’ acting class. Because Jazz performance was outstanding, he was casted in the ‘King of Comedy’ movie. That’s how he join the industry. Another alumni of this acting class is Johnson Lee.
TVB should really recruit more actors from this acting class. Or maybe hire Stephen Chow to teach their acting classes.
May I chip in? Personally imo I prefer to have actors from “diverse” background, looks and acting styles. Viewers have varied tastes, and drama roles are varied too.
Jazz is good and effective at what he’s doing, however from my POV I can’t take him and actors with his acting-style as certain roles. Some examples:
(1)A narcissistic noble hero during the China revolutionary era.
(2) A tall, dark, and handsome charming businessman.
@Masaharu,
That’s true. I can’t imagine Jazz in any of the roles you mentioned either. Lol, he’s plays a lawyer and wears a tux in Ghetto Justice, but still isn’t convincing without the handsome face and tall height. I have to say that he’s more fitting of the less educated and impulsive type. However, I still find his acting natural and effortless.
Johnson, although not handsome, is taller and better looking than Jazz. He has played a variety of roles, but only his comedy ones stand out. His most memorable role for me is probably In the Eye of the Beholder.
It’s true that TVB can’t have everyone from the same background and diversity is good, but they still need people to play the small supporting roles. It’s rather silly sometimes that the supporting stars outshine the lead actors.
I’m wondering that although Stephen is renowned for his comedy skills, does he acting class only teach comedy skills? Johnson is quite good at comedy and Jazz can be funny, yet also dramatic. I think both are better than Moses Chan. Didn’t enjoy his performance in either CBML or YSSS.
Chriselle, “outshining” someone depends a lot on the character an actor is getting too.
@Chriselle
I agree with you!! Jazz is a lot better than Moses Chan! He’s natural at comedy while Moses will make you cringe with his OTT attempt at fake comedy
@kidd
Thank you Kidd! I did not know that!
@masaharu
Why pick on the problems? He has a great potential to become one of the best actors in HK industry. Don’t be so negative. Who cares if he couldn’t play tall dark handsome roles? Tall dark handsome actors can’t act as well as he does.
Jazz did a good job in ghetto justice too!
He plays a lawyer.
YES! I realllly enjoyed his role change after seeing his emasculated character in ‘sister of eternal flower’
His character in “My Sister of Eternal Flower” wasnt outstanding. Not even memorable because the pairing with the second female supporting actress was a so-so towards the end. The story wasnt really focus to much on him and with the two female pairings…
Now if you mention “Ghetto Justice”, he really can play other roles not the usual undercover gangsta type. Very good job indeed.
REAlly?! I love Johnson Lee!!!
Update info. I read more of baidu baike. It seems that Jazz has acted other movies before ‘King of Comedy’. He joined the acting class in 1998. But, according to baike, he has acted in a movie in 1996 and 2 other in 1998.
I have noticed for a long time that actors/actresses who didn’t come out from “acting classes” are often viewed negatively.
Personally I’m not really fond of this judgement, but at the same time I don’t hold anything against others with this opinion so no hard feelings huh.
Another view that I’m not really fond of is “The current fa-dans/siu-sangs are just promoted for good looks!”
For me, it’s called “charm”. I personally have no problem about some promoted for his/her good looks. This practice has been going on since centuries because it’s human nature to like something that has “charm”. Besides, promoted is one thing; to continue and striving for the years to come is another 😉
My most favorite TVB star now – I first noticed not because of a superb oscar-worthy acting nor a droolworthy appearance, but it’s a special charm that I found in this youngster(that I’ve never seen before); and I’m seeing a new actor trying to embody a significant character with an inexperienced acting but manage to give a performance that I liked…hahaha
Gah..I’m severely off topic. My apology
Are you talking about Bosco Wong?
Masaharu,
Kidd was quite sharp. Hehehe it sounds like you are talking about Bosco. He does possess an easy charm with people and has an easy going attitude, yet shows flashes of being a deeper thinker. He reminds me so much of Michael Miu, playful on outside but posess a deeper element should you look closer.
LMAO @Kidd’s comment.
if it’s really bosco wong you’re talking about, then i’ll make this comment. i dont see any charm, he has a long way to go, and i don’t get excited when i find he is in that drama…..especially when he is the main character. BLAH. But he did pick up on his acting in ‘Grace Under Fire’
LOL… I was wondering why Masaharu was being so mysterious about her “most favorite TVB star now.” So who is this person?
I remember Jazz in king of comedy and I am glad he got a different role in Ghetto Justice rather just the same old ones TVB gave him. Johnson Lee was the constantly moving director in King of Comedy right?
King of Comedy is an excellent movie. Stephen Chow really has an eye for talent.
“I noticed whenever TVB writes a scenario where a mother is contemplating abortion or not they always opt for the pro-life decision. I’m pro-choice. I personally don’t believe the media has the power to stop a mother from abortion if she decides it. “
I have more problem with how flippantly Fah Lai Ping voiced out her decision. She just said ‘Doctor, please arrange for an abortion for me. I don’t want the baby’. It makes the baby sound so unimportant.
Can doctors do that? Can doctors perform abortion without valid reason?
“After learning Sister Fa is mentally challenged, Hugo’s grandfather objects towards Hugo in continuing a relationship with her. It’s quite common despite any culture or background to expect children to listen to their elders. It is refreshing to see an elder making a wrong decision. It is annoying to see the elder push his decision onto his grandson. “
I understand the grandpa’s objection. The points he highlighted to Hugo regarding the potential problems they will face are very valid problems. I have not seen episode 20. So, I don’t know how Hugo overcome it. So, can’t comment.
“Now, as I answer this question. Exactly, what is realistic? I believe anything can happen among humanity. We like to believe sometimes we make decisions according to pattern but in so many instances, we are also individuals making our own choices. “
I like this statement.
Not in Asia or in countries where abortion is illegal unless for specific reasons, medical mostly. The baby perhaps is unimportant.
I really appreciate your comments and referring to which parts.
You bring up a good question. I don’t remember Sister Fa saying that. But then again, can you really take that comment seriously? Cuz normal people out of frustration or panic say things they don’t really mean.
“I don’t remember Sister Fa saying that.”
Not Sister Fah who said it. It’s her sister. At the time of typing the name that came to my mind was her chinese name Fah Lai Ping instead of her english name Jenny. So, I wrote Fa Lai Ping instead.
“But then again, can you really take that comment seriously? Cuz normal people out of frustration or panic say things they don’t really mean.”
But, she really did mean it. It’s sister Fah who persuaded her to keep the baby.
Eh but in the end she kept it. if it was a decision she believed in strongly, no one could’ve persuaded her.
But anyway, this brings back to my point: why the hell is it SOMEBODY’S else decision to whether or not you have the right to give birth??? Mentally challenged or not.
–this is specifically to Judy
not bother, will always support this series.
I thought this series was more enjoyable in the starting as Raymond’s acting was much more hilarious in front.
However I disagree that a normal person will not fall in love with another of a lower mental capacity.
From the series, it’s not love at first sight and could see Hugo slowly starting to like her and when he found out, he left and tried to go back to his ex-gf Agnes.
It may not be common and widely accepted, however to find love between 2 people that is pure and innocent is probably non-existent.
I am surprised that so many people are taking this series so seriously. It is a fairytale. Fairytales are not meant to be realistic. Calling Raymond Lam’s character a paedophile is madness. Chu Chu is a woman after all! She can take care of her siblings and is able to hold down a job, just slow in processing information but will still be able to understand. It may not be common in real life but everything is possible in life. Everyone would love to find someone that loves them unconditionally. Agnes was a normal person but she lied to get him, what does that say???
I enjoyed the show and Charmaine did an excellent job. I think she and Raymond has great chemistry and they look very comfortable with each other. The ending scene is particularly endearing. I think this pairing is one of the best and they actually look very good together!
Agnes is made by the series to look so bad and pathetic so that audience can justify Raymond and Fa together.
Well…….fairytale…hmm…Even though this is a TVB production, however it is also portrayed in a world similar to ours.
Den1: It may not be common in real life but everything is possible in life. Everyone would love to find someone that loves them unconditionally. Agnes was a normal person but she lied to get him, what does that say???
I love this point you make!
Charmaine shouldn’t have taken the series. The character is unrealistic from the start and Charmaine’s lacking of acting skills can’t handle it.
There must be someone with better acting who can handle this.
You all think who can handle this role better than Charmaine? I think Myolie Wu can. She’s lacking in deep and serious dramas but she can handle comedy and her acting in Golden Faith was memorable and better than what Charmaine shows here!!
I was going to say Myolie as well!! she did good in Golden Faith..hence she won an award for it.
I wouldn’t say that. Because yes Myolie will do better but guess what? Then everyone will see the point I am getting at. When the actress is too good, realistic, then it would up the creep factor of Ray’s character. So I get why Charmaine is good for this role. Because she is so inadequate, no one can even see the fact she is 10 year old mentality, with Charmaine being highly unrealistic in her portrayal or her scene per scene acting. If the actress is consistent, then perhaps you will see my point.
@Funn
Are you saying that Charmaine’s lacking acting made the series better than if someone acted better in that role?
Not better but easier to digest because you don’t see a real mentally challenged person the way they are, but rather as represented inadequately by Charmaine. if it was a better actress, you will probably be as creeped out as me about the ending
Funn,
I understand your point. With Charmaine’s mental capacity as a 10-year-old, it indeed does make you wonder whether sexual relations with such a person would make you feel that she is being taken advantage of. Even if Hugo had asked her and explained to her what happens between a man and woman, is she intelligently capable to understand the full ramifications or that she can say no? Due to boyfriend’s pressure, even normal teenage girls have problems saying no and don’t understand the full ramifications of a physical relationship.
It is like explaining to a little girl that if anyone touches her in an inappropriate way to reject those advances. It is very difficult to explain to a child that her body is her private territory and no one has a right to it unless granted permission. However, child molestation often involves a trusted adult in that child’s life, such as a relative, neighbor or friend.
Given Sister Fa’s body as a mature women, of course she may have phsyical desires. However, I still find it improper given that her mental capacity doesn’t allow her to understand the fully understand the ramifications of such a physical relationship.
Question…did Sister Fa and Hugo get married and then have physical intimacy? Or did they have intimacy BEFORE marriage? If the latter, I am even more shocked.
Doesn’t matter when, but the point is it happened. But yes Jayne, thanks for seeing sense
Funn,
The bottom line is that sex should be consensual. When there is one partner who is not emotionally and mentally ready, then physical intimacy should not take place.
In Sister Fa’s situation, although she may have said yes, did she fully understand what she was getting into and what intimacy between a man and woman means? Did she make a fully informed consensual decision? Or did her mental capacity limit her ability to ever be able to make such a decision?
I agree and I wonder too. Is she capable of making an informed choice due to her incapacity so to speak? This series of course would not go so deep. Read that she wanted a child herself. But for real, would her condition negate her ability to make an informed choice? I don’t know. Maybe I have underestimated people of her condition but I don’t think I did. They see things perhaps on a different level, a simpler level. So my question is, for a person who requires instruction and supervision just to function on daily level, can this person ever have that capacity to understand an adult relationship or even being a mother? Sex is of course easy to explain. Instruct, show and perform by example. But motherhood? No matter how eager, how excited, how much she may want to, can she actually carry out that function? A quality based function and not just “he is rich, he can get maids, nannies, he can help”. Can she even comprehend what is growing in her, the trials and tribulations of a normal childhood, educate the child who will in 10 years time be more mentally capable than her, more so 20 years or 30 years time. With instruction, yes but without? What can she do? If everyone dies, can she function? Can she survive? So yes this series is unrealistic, but forget about that aspect and just look at her character and his character. Even if she is willing, eager, ready, prepared to and screaming that she can do it, even if there is love, and even if she has the right to love, in the end my problem is with the man, how can he ever form a relationship with her knowing he is essentially dealing with a child?
let’s not even say 10 year olds these days are smarter. Doctors do not measure intelligence by 10 year old today to 10 year old before. This measure is what they think, medically. Doesn’t matter if she is hot or mature bodied woman. We are dealing with mental capacity. This is why I have been saying non stop; this series is wrong on every level, from acting to casting to writing to storyline to logic, to everything. On story itself, it is wrong, and what is worse is to package it into this cinderella love story and have everyone ignoring a burning question and just accept it as it is; that it is even cute, touching. That is because we are shown the man falling for her purity, her innocence, her concern for him. But her purity, her innocence is derived from her mind forever frozen at a certain age. It won’t get better, might get manageable. So for me my biggest problem is the intimacy part. Does he in real life instruct her with a barbie doll? It is wrong. Just wrong. She has a right to love, yes. He has a right to love her, yes. But to consummate that love with her is like dealing with consummation with a child. That itself creeps me out. I am all against this story, and the package it presents. And now we have fans saying whats’ wrong with this relationship? What’s wrong with her loving and being loved? Nothing except again, what sort of a man is capable of consummating a relationship with someone who probably still thinks love involves ice cream, holding hands and a few kisses?
Funn:
“But to consummate that love with her is like dealing with consummation with a child.”
Given the issue of whether Sister Fa had the mental capacity to make a truly informed consensual decision, I agree with your inference. The purpose of statuory rape laws is to protect minors, who due to age and mental immaturity, may not be able to make a fully, informed consensual decision in having a physical relationship with an adult. Most laws set the age at 16, assuming an individual of such an age will have reached mental capacity to make sure an informed decision.
Legally, Hugo did not violate the law for statuory rape due to Sister Fa’s age. It is dependent on your whether you interpret the law strictly or examine the intent behind the law. Again, it goes back to whether Sister Fa has the mental capacity to ever make such an informed, consensual decision. Sex is but one area in a romantic relationship. What about other areas in marriage? Is she intelligent enough to make informed consensual decisions on other areas of the marriage?
The public usually shuns an adult dating a much younger teenage, such as the disapproval voiced when we discussed a Edison Chen dating Vincy Chan when she was only 14 and he was in his late 20s. Did he take her innocence when she was 14, a young impressionable girl at that age? If you disapprove of the age imbalance when a minor dates an older adult, wouldn’t Sister Fa and Hugo’s relationship be crossing similar boundaries?
Or stories of teachers having physical relationships with their students? Or adults having affairs with interns? A manager sleeping with subordinate? When one party is deemed too young, innocent, impressionable, at a mental disadvantage or less experienced, would this imbalance color your judgment?
Again, the legal argument has a fallacy. Which yes, Hugo is not technically breaking the law, but does that make it ethical? We should examine the intent behind the law.
In “Forrest Gump,” Jenny slept with him and had his son, without his knowledge at first. In a way, I felt Jenny also toyed with Forrest’s heart because of his innocent views on love. After their one-night stand, she left him. He couldn’t deal with the shock and ran cross-country for years and was heartbroken. He can’t figure out her complex motivations. Did Jenny sleep with Forrest because she was feeling lonely and realizing Forrest’s love for her, didn’t mind sharing her body (due to her sexual openness) to satisfy his longtime wish of getting his dream girl? However, she realized she cannot be with him in a long-term relationship? I felt Jenny’s behavior was quite irresponsible, simply because her actions have a significant emotional impact on Forrest.
Agree, but forrest is different from Sister Fa. His was slight, with low IQ. Maybe I just don’t know the difference.
“Or stories of teachers having physical relationships with their students? Or adults having affairs with interns? A manager sleeping with subordinate? When one party is deemed too young, innocent, impressionable, at a mental disadvantage or less experienced, would this imbalance color your judgment?”
I agree. I even frown upon a young tutor at uni with his or her equal age student. It implies an imbalance of power, a disadvantage or an advantage, depending on how you see it. Jayne, I think you actually see the point. But I am more concerned on the man’s attitude. I am sure such man exists. It could be legally wrong since if she is declared mentally incompetent, he can’t touch her. Of course which parents would do that to their child…
“Which yes, Hugo is not technically breaking the law, but does that make it ethical?”
What’s ethical to one person may not be ethical to another person. Everyone’s different. If I were Hugo, I wouldn’t choose Sister Fa as my marriage partner. But Hugo and Sister Fa was supportive of their own relationship. Initially, Toby and the family also rejected this, but later she saw that Hugo genuinely showing affection to Sister Fa and agreed to let them be together. If two people are really happy and willing to stay together with each other and their family and the people around them don’t object, why does it matter if their relationship contradicts the ethics of other individuals?
We didn’t get to see Hugo and Sister Fa’s wedding, but it can be assumed that pregnancy was after the wedding. Not sure if Sister Fa’s family will consent to sex before marriage since they are so protective of her.
“The public usually shuns an adult dating a much younger teenage, such as the disapproval voiced when we discussed a Edison Chen dating Vincy Chan when she was only 14 and he was in his late 20s. Did he take her innocence when she was 14, a young impressionable girl at that age? If you disapprove of the age imbalance when a minor dates an older adult, wouldn’t Sister Fa and Hugo’s relationship be crossing similar boundaries?”
I was surprised that Edison and Vincy were together since she was only 14. I knew Edison liked young girls, but I always thought they were at least 17-18, as in the example of Fiona Tong. She was rumored with him before. It’s true that the mental capacity of these individuals aren’t yet matured and due to that, they’re protected by the law. But isn’t there a fallacy in arguing about mental capacity as well? Just because one has reached a certain age, (18 in the U.S. normally) doesn’t mean she can make mature decisions on his or her own and be guaranteed that she won’t have any regrets. Likewise, there are probably decisions we’ve made prior to being 18 and yet we are glad we made them.
I don’t like Edison, but if both parties consent to the relationship, I have nothing to say either.
@ Jayne
I want to ask you a question. What if the role is reversed? The mentally challenged person is male and the normal person is female?
I really do feel that a lot of the icky feeling is because Fah is female. In a sexual act, she will be the receptive partner. So, she will seem more like the victim, the one taken advantage of, the one who in the losing end. Just like how people always say the girl ‘sit dai’ when a boy and a girl have sexual relationship.
I wonder if it’s a mentally-challenged man boinking a normal woman, people will feel as icky.
Will there be as much concern about consent, informed decision, ramifications etc?
Just comparing the reception of Ah Wong/Catherine relationship and Chu Chu/Hugo relationship. People seem to be more accepting of the former.
Note: The original script did have Catherine marrying Ah Wong. But, Jessica requested a script change and made the ending ambiguous.
Also, what about 2 mentally-challenged people having a sexual relationship?
Btw, in HK, the FPAs provide education and help to mentally challenged people in relationships.
http://www.china.org.cn/english/health/197161.htm
Kidd,
In an earlier comment thread, I voiced my concern of Forrest Gump and his long-time crush, Jenny, consummating their friendship. Yes, Forrest desired her and knew fundamentally how it all happened. But he was unprepared when she left him after their one-night stand. He was heartbroken and ran across USA for 4 years. He didn’t know how to deal with the complexities of a sexual relationship, that someone sleeping with you could entail so many things other than love.
Sex should not occur unless both parties are capable of making an informed, consensual decision. Perhaps Forrest knew the mechanics of sex, but did he know about the emotions behind it? There is a degree of responsibility and maturity one needs to have when sexually active.
So whether it is a man or woman who is mentally challenged, it is dependent on his or her degree of mental capacity and understanding of sexuality. The mechanics are easy to learn but the psychosexual emotions and the social behavior following it makes it unpredictable and difficult to grasp for the mentally challenged, depending on their degree of severity.
So if Sister Fa and Ah Wong met up and decided to consummate their relationship. Is that right? I would still stick with my premise that if either party does not have the mental or emotional capacity to have a sexual relationship, then no.
For example, if a 14 year-old had a physical relationship with a 35 year-old man, most people would disapprove. We have cases of female teachers seducing their young high school students, so gender is not really that important in this case. If the same 14 year-old is intimate with another 14-year-old, does it make it right? Aside from legal age of sex argument, the 14-year-old is still widely regarded as a child who does not fully understand the full ramifications of sexual relations.
The intelligence of a normal adult, based on past learning and ability to process abstract ideas have a better chance of predicting social behavior and dealing with the nuances and responsibility of leading a sexually active life.
“Also, what about 2 mentally-challenged people having a sexual relationship?”
No problem with that except they must have learned somewhere. The problem remains when one is mentally challenged and the other is not.
“So if Sister Fa and Ah Wong met up and decided to consummate their relationship. Is that right? I would still stick with my premise that if either party does not have the mental or emotional capacity to have a sexual relationship, then no.”
What exactly is having the mental and emotional capacity? How can we measure that in normal human beings since it seems like not everyone has the same level of thinking when it comes to balancing a relationship?
Char can only act easy roles that don’t require a very high level of acting skills. it’s indeed a miracle that she managed to become she popular with her talent.
Not miracle but mostly luck and timing?
yeah sure she had alot of luck and timing, however i still consider it a “miracle” that the audience bought her acting skills for so long.
good that she has finally been exposed and lets see how she does in her next series.
Her next series is another comedy but she has in store a serious series with Moses. I’m relieved it’s not another comedy
@Funn: I agree. I know many younger children who sees a baby and say that they are so cute, i want a baby too! But that does not mean that they fully understand that whole process of having a baby. That was literally what Charmaine’s character was doing.
So Charmaine is suppose to be a grownup with a 10yr old mind right? Okay, let’s imagine Charmaine is 10 yr old in a 10 yr old body… she said she wanted a baby and Hugo agrees. Then Hugo has sex with a 10 yr girl. How does that make it right.
I think most of you are anti-charmaine fans and just taking the opportunity to critisize her acting. Myolie may be good in what she does but Charmaine’s acting has a broader spectrum. I dont think any of the other actresses have the same stage pressence as Charmaine.
Mentally challenged people act in different ways, so how can you keep insisting that Charmaine didnt act well? Some of the comments made here are laughable. There are mature 10 year olds but they are also very naive 10 year olds depending how they were brought up. I guess there are always people who are jealous other people’s success and wish to bring them down.
It’s so annoying when you criticize an artist and some fan automatically label you as ‘anti’ and ‘jealous’. Whatever.
I hope you are not referring to me. I love Charmaine as an actress but she bombed in this role.
I agree and just because you like any artist, does not mean that you love and like every role that they play. Yea, it is also annoying when fans think that non fans are jealous or anti.
She really bombed this role. Probably is badder then “Detective Investigation Files IV”.
@HTS
‘I agree and just because you like any artist, does not mean that you love and like every role that they play. Yea, it is also annoying when fans think that non fans are jealous or anti.’
Yea i know what you mean! That’s why i don’t like going into artist blogs and saying something less than flattering about artist i like but did a bad job because those extreme fans will be going nuts.
@CY,
That is why I am not a 1 idol worshipper nor do I go to any of their blogs. Some fans are too obsessed and would do anything to “protect” their idol. Just because you are a big fan of any artist does not mean that you have to praise them for everything. You need to criticize them whenever necessary. If you don’t know the good and bad of any artist, then you are not a true fan but a blind one.
@HTS
I so agree with what that. I go into their blogs like weibo because I want to know (being a busybody and because of boredom) what they put up in there and how others react.. Like you said, criticism is necessary at times in order for the artist to improve. If everything they did was great (impossible) then they would remain the same and never move forward. E.g. I like Tavia but her role in YSSS just wasn’t that good, I feel that Linda did a better job with lesser screen time but so many fans were ‘protecting’ her and just bad mouthing Linda and honestly, i find this very immature and very irrational.
I’m even not fan of Charmaine. What I feel funny in here is: Some ppl dun watch an eps of the series (oh, some watched an eps) but still comment that real life is this and that. But in real life have same situation happens. So real life or not?
@CY,
Totally agree with you! I mean regardless of how much you like any artist, you have to criticize them from time to time. However, those immature fans will say that we are not fans, are jealous or anti. I have had that happen to me a lot. I keep on telling them that just because I like any artist, does not mean that I cannot criticize them. Many fans are very immature these days and I have also noticed that the more obsessed they are, the more quickly they will have a change of heart… They can badmouth an artist one moment but end up loving them next and vice versa…
I like Charmaine, but I don’t know if I dislike her character or just her acting. Maybe both or just her character… but the acting contributes to the acting right? Bottom line, her character was annoying and 10 year olds don’t act like that. So I guess it is her acting.
But like in real life, charmaine is in her 30s… a 10 year old TO HER probably does act like that. =P
Not everyone can shine in every single role that they regardless of how good their acting is…
Yes, there are mature and naive 10 year olds but to have a sexual relationship with either is still legally and socially wrong.
And before you say that I am a Charmaine hater, I actually like her performances and think that she can do a good job in most of her series.
charray is superb.
I am not even a fan but your criticism is invalid, that is why I am commenting. It is a comedy/fairy tale and some comments have gone too far, even talking about how disgusting it is for Chu Chu to get pregnant, cheung yik being a paedaphile,etc..
You cant control other audience’s feeling. You like it doesnt mean others have to like it
If you can say how much you love the series why others cant share their comment about the series?
I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THIS!
Some people are ignorant about what they say. I left that topic alone as I had no right to talk about the sexuality connection between a mental retard and a normal person as I have no personal experience or is educated with this.
i agree with den1’s comment
Fairytales usually are fantasy, magically… and does not exist in real life, like unicorns. But pregnancy is real and applied to a pure show like this, you don’t see a problem?
There are a lot of fairytale movies and stories that are set in real life but still can be considered fairytale because the situation in the movie/story don’t always happen in real life. That’s why it’s called fairytale.
Kidd,
Do you enjoy fairytale romances? They have their appeal in teaching us to believe and perhaps escape from less-than-ideal circumstances in real life.
I think for a show like “My Sister of Eternal Flower,” it not only requires you to suspend your belief but also suspend your logic in a sense, which is why it is difficult for me to accept.
Kidd,
Btw, I just want to add that I did not like “Square Pegs” or “Life Made Simple” either. I did enjoy “Forrest Gump” and that’s because TVB tends to overkill their romantic plots and require too much suspension in belief as well as logic in series such as “Square Pegs.” Someone should have figured out to knock Roger’s head earlier in the series so he can turn intelligent again.
@ Jayne
“Do you enjoy fairytale romances? They have their appeal in teaching us to believe and perhaps escape from less-than-ideal circumstances in real life.
How to say it. I’m not a romance novel reader and I dislike dramas that are too focus on romance when the focus should be sometime else. But, I do enjoy the occasional romantic comedies I watch. I don’t purposely search out these stories, but, I do enjoy them.
To me, watching movie or reading a novel not necessarily always have to have a purpose. You can just read/watch it for entertainment. I don’t need to go ‘I watch this movie because it can teach me something’ or ‘I watch this movie because I want to escape my sucky life’.
I think for a show like “My Sister of Eternal Flower,” it not only requires you to suspend your belief but also suspend your logic in a sense, which is why it is difficult for me to accept.”
I can usually do that when the movie requires it. 🙂
Sometimes, I will still comment how illogical something is. But, don’t dwell on it too much into it. I used to be more stubborn about illogical stuff in movies. But, now, not anymore. 🙂
It is true that it is just a series, but some things are way too ridiculous even for a series. Therefore, why can’t the audience state the good and the bad about any series??? Everyone has the right to state what they think of any series as long as it isn’t way too overboard.
@Yina, a mother’s responsibility is not only saying “I love you,” cooking for you, cleaning for you, playing w/ you… it is giving you, the child, a sense of security, having the capacity to understand and relate to you @ every stage of your life, to understand the depth of your problems, especially during difficult times and times of tragedy…. if you are incapable of doing these things, then no, you should not have children, mentally disabled or not.
It is similar to the issue of mother’s wanting to do hysterectomy on their child w/ Down’s syndrome. If their child gets pregnant, who ends up taking care of the child? The mother or the grandmother… these issues are sensitive but when it involves the lives other people, then it can’t just be the decision of a mentally handicapped person… especially one who makes decisions as a ten year old.
Also, if you want people to take you seriously during an argument, don’t swear. It just makes you sound childish.
I don’t see how swearing can make me childish as you making ignorant comments.
That’s your thought on what a mother is. I just have a problem of people holding their belief as self-righteous.
Also, please don’t tell me how to speak.
I agree with Judy. That is the function of a parent. if you’re incapable of teaching the child, can’t teach, won’t teach, not able to, whatever, then don’t give birth because your child will turn into a yob and be a menace to society or be a neglected child which in turn might turn into a menace of society. A parent is not just hug, kiss, tuck in, give money, goodbye. The responsibility to teach a child, to guide, to nurture, is that of a parent and not everyone else’s. This is not like a child can be left to nature to learn by him or herself. It is not self righteous but practicality. It is a justified belief. if a mother can’t be that to her child, then that is a failed mother unfit to be parent. Children is not a toy. It is a lifelong responsibility that does not stop the moment they can walk and talk. It is like a puppy, except you can abandon your puppy if you can’t afford to feed it but you can’t just throw away a child. It is a human being deserving of an equal chance as everyone else to have and able to make it in this life. And it all starts at their parents. Responsible nurturing parents invariably will raise a responsible nurturing child. If you can provide all these, by all means have a child or two or three.
Mentally challenged can’t even take care of themselves, can they take care of a defenseless baby who can’t even feed themselves?
Maybe we are all self righteous but at least we are not careless. Self righteous may be terrible but carelessness kills. And since it involves potentially a child, it is worse. The problem with this series is it made everything seems to peachy, so simple, so nothing wrong with anything. Unfortunately my opinion still stands; I find the ending creepy and wrong.
It is ok to swear, not childish at all but just incredibly crass. Rather be called childish than crass.
” it is giving you, the child, a sense of security, having the capacity to understand and relate to you @ every stage of your life, to understand the depth of your problems, especially during difficult times and times of tragedy”
Even most normal parents can’t do this or don’t take the time to understand their child. I feel that this is especially true for Asian/Chinese parents. Most of the time, they don’t have an emotional connection with their parents and the kids will probably find a close friend to consult and seek advice if they have a problem. Does that make them inadequate as parents?
For Sister Fa’s loving and caring for others unconditionally figure, she may not be capable of offering advice to her children when it comes to solving difficult problems, but at least, we know she will be there for them. It’s sad when parents just dismiss their child without even giving them a chance to say anything.
Yes, Sister Fa is capable of giving unconditional love… I have no disagreement over that statement. However, this does not overcome all her other in-competencies as a parent.
Yes Asian parents can lack in emotional connection w/ their children. But what they give is also a lot more… I have learned from their actions and teachings right from wrong… they have given me advice during difficult situations… things that Sister Fa would never be capable of doing.
Wow lot’s of comment here!
1. Charmaine: I’m really tired of her. I’m also glad That she leave TVB. Cuz she is not refreshing anymore. She went to a special school before she shoot the film. She also said that she did not saw the ah Wong serie. So she can not copy him. Well I don’t believe her. Cuz she is a copy of a Wong.
2. Raymond: nothing special either. I’m very disappointed. He disappoint me at the last two years. The last serie that I like him was with Kenneth, Ron and Sammul serie. He acting in a reel chair. That was great!
3. Toby: I’m surprised! She grown in a emotionally way. I live her outfit and her hight heels.
4. Pierre: really really really like him a lot! Love him as pork rib like him as mike. Very talented!!!!
5. love jazz too. He is very funny and very naturally
TVB Trying way to hard to put charmaine and raymond together. However. TVB can imagine in 2011 that charmaine will leave and Raymond scandal with Mavis. So the public can not accept them. When charmaine does not leave and raymond was still a prince chaming, hk audience will still love charay. I don’t like this. TVB should bring fresh duo’s. After so many charay years…, com on bring us some news….
Conclusion: don’t like sister fa. Afster a few ep. Stop watching.
The first couple of episodes did kinda suck…but you gotta stay and watch the emotional parts…it does get good. Rays and Charmaine’s acting did kinda suck at first, comedy not really their thing…
Its a bloated series, lots of flaws, story inconsistent, Charmine’s acting was horrible throughout the series. That role she really shouldnt take. That was really a let down.
Once again, TVB likes BBQ endings. Couldnt they come up something better then the usual endings for the past two decades?
This is by far one of the worst series in 2011.
I praise TVB to try some unthinkable storyline but it is so poorly executed in the performance and the storyline.
I hope TVB will award this series as Best Series in 2011 and it will be a laughing stock.
Rating: 1.5 stars out of 5, Dont watch it!
I think that this series is very unrealistic but isn’t that the reason why we watch dramas anyways most ofthe time these things won’t even happen. But then again I love this series, I haven’t seen a TVB series that has made me laugh and cry all within the same episode. Eventhough I have to agree Charmaine’s acting was a lit like Roger Kwok it’s still refreshing to see as she is a girl with a different story line. And ya her character did seem kinda stupid for what she was suppost to be.
The following comment might be based on the fact that I’m a giant Raymond Lam fan, but I though this series was one of his best. It’s great to see him in a series where he is the perfect guy with the perfect family. At the beginning I thought he was kinda over acting but then he flew right in to character. I loved the development of his character though. For me the best(morelike funniest) scene was when he got trapped in the dog cage…that was cute. But overall for me he way the highlight of the series.
For me the supporting characters were great as well I reay loved Toby and Jazz in this series. Toby has really improved in her acting and show that she’s not only in TVB because of her dad. And what made it better was that she wasn’t Ray’s sister. Anyone else notice that she plays his cousin or sister quite a bit in the big productions she’s in. For example the Drive of Life, Growing through life…
Jazz is like the next Wong Cho Lam, he plays the funny supporting character that is always great he had great chemistry with Toby as bro and sis. I really hated his first girlfriend though and he liked really cute with Gigi. Also loving his kinda uptight character right now in Ghetto Justice, hehehe.
Lastly Pierro NGO had a good character but I really hated the whole cancer plot, really unessicary…and bus character was just dull and boring, couldn’t he just be plait evil…that probably would have been better…what up with Asian dramas and cancer someone must have cancer in each serie…geezzz
I agree with Yee. I’m a fan of neither stars. But, I enjoy this series because it’s funny and have touching moments.
Personally, I think Pierre is the best actor in the series. He did really well in his role. Also hate the cancer plot.
TVB choose to write this drama as a comedy and fairytale movie because it does not want to dwell too deeply into this issue. They want to keep it simple.
Exactly! Why does everyone on the internet overthink all the TVB series, to tell you the truth, this series is light and fun, and could be considered a good drama, opposite to what most people think. I wish that TVB would make more happy light series like this one, maybe with less of a contreversial subject.
@ Yee: they do make light and fun series that ends with BBQ party.
@Yee
Maybe because Cancer rates are so high these days. I wouldn’t say it isn’t realistic. I mean I’m sure if you speak to someone and ask them if they know someone that had Cancer they will probably say yes.
I do agree that it is a bit dry to introduce it in most of the series but most Korean dramas do it as well. All for effect lol
Exactly, its a drama,so it is not supposed to be realistic. If you want real drama, watch a documentary instead. As I have said before, the discussions have gone beyond understanding (the word rape was even mentioned). It was not a horrible series, it created sadness but at the same time,it created laughter. I thought both Charmaine and Raymond did a good job and something different from their normal roles. Everyone is entitled to their opinion but dont go overboard with the comments.
You don’t see children/fairy tale characters getting pregnant, do you?
It is not a children/fairy talr characters.
It is not a children’s character. Chu Chu is not a child. She is just mentally challenged but she has the physique of a normal woamn. Wasnt ‘Shrek’ a Fairy Tale and Princess Fiona had children?
This series is too funny! I love the family moments between Sis Fa and her siblings!!
Episode 7 is hands down my favorite. I laughed out loud when Sister Fa questions Kaukau’s father and his reaction to her!! OMG! Rolling. Then we have Raymond being hauled away and took pictures for his magazine as TIGGER!
Despite many not agreeing, I really love Raymond’s character and acting. He was so naturally as the spineless, spoiled adult (compared to Sister Fa in the earlier episodes).
Charmaine’s acting became better and much more natural as the series progressed. Since acting is a subjective matter, I won’t bother arguing with anyone about this issue. In the end, some will like, some won’t.
Toby, she wowed me in this drama. Her emotional scenes and screaming parts were well done. They were intense and filled with tension.
Jazz is an adorable actor despite lacking in the looks and height department.
Pierre….is just HOT! Sometimes I found myself drawing hearts for this guy. His and Toby’s romance was believable and touching. The cancer plot was too dramatic (as with the truck accident).
Agnes is a nice girl, I love how she attempts to pull Yikyik out of his sloping mess. The guy is nuts to let go of this beautiful lady. I secretly hoped that tvb didn’t make her the ugly second lead in order to help the main couple. CharRay is cute already!
As I read this thread, I find that all of us are highly intelligent folks. Different people make different decisions. Whether it’s nice/absurd, there are things that happen that we can’t control. What humans do are sometimes illogical and messy to the core.
As this drama is labeled as a fairytale, cracking my head over it isn’t worth it. I like to enjoy it as it is.
Moving on to…..”Yes Sir NO Sir!
@ Ping
“Pierre….is just HOT! Sometimes I found myself drawing hearts for this guy.”
I’ve always like Pierre as an actor. But, I have never find him hot until this series. Don’t know why. This is not the first time he wear suits. He played a lawyer before. Maybe it’s the hair?
“It is not a children’s character. Chu Chu is not a child.”
That is because you see her physically as an adult. And you stop at that.
Actually most of fairy tales end up like this: Prince and Princess live happily ever after.
Ok, Prince only saw Snow White the first time in his life and got married with her (even dun care she is who, where she comes from and why she died). All he cares is her look.
Sleeping beauty, the prince also saw her the first time and kissed, live happily ever after.
Cinderella, just a dance and married?
Mermaid is even worse. She only cares for his look and dared to give up everything to run after him (then he dun love her).
What else in the fairy tales? Prince always has the Princess, Princess is always good (look and personality). They dun need to know anything about each other to be happy forever.
That’s why it’s fairy tale.
@ Fox
You forgot ‘Beauty and The Beast’.
Beastility and Stockholm syndrome. Still end up together. 😛
Wrong! Beast was cursed. He was a human being. So he was under a disease, but curable. Like impotence but in the end curable.
Stockholm syndrome is probably true.
You don’t see the part where they pregnant, but they always do. Hey! These days you don’t have to have sex to get pregnant anyways. And Chu Chu is an adult. She is way more mature and has more knowledge than a typical 10 year old, is because she isn’t ten. This is just a mental problem, doesn’t mean she is actually that young. Geezzz
@ Kidd: Did you read the Princess and the Bean? Such a girl. Only a bean under 7 blankets and can feel it. It’s quality of good girl?
BTW, the only fairy tale which can be considered as “understanding” is the Pig Prince. The ending is so perfect and realistic. It showed a fact: Girls in fairy tales only care for the prince status and guys care for look.
That is because she is a princess who has tasted nothing but good things in life, so she knows discomfort on a level ordinary people won’t.
I mean it’s the required quality of a good girl (according to the Queen)? I consider it as princess ill more :P.
@ Fox
I read the summary of the Pig Prince plot in wikipedia. I didn’t see this ‘Girls in fairy tales only care for the prince status and guys care for look’.
The first 2 girls he married were not enticed by his prince status. They were forced to do so by their mothers. One committed suicide and the other wants to kill the prince. As for the guy caring about the girl’s look. This one I don’t now. I just read the summary. So, I don’t know whether Pig Prince like the 3rd girl because she’s pretty. He most probably does though since all princes in fairytales do.
Pig Prince version that I read is quite different. First he acts like a Pig raiser, all the girls denied him although they know he is talented (can play flute, make the pig very fat). Then when he uses his Prince status to go and meet them, all of them dream of him. But the Prince laughs and says: Oh, I’m just a pig raiser.
Maybe different storyline with yours.
As for prince looks for look, I’m mention of other fairy tales. I re-read my comment and yes, it’s confused :P. My bad.
@ Fox
Yeah, the story I read is very different. In that story, the prince is born to look like a pig. He has to married 3 times before he can have human form.
Yours sounds similar to Frog Prince :).
@ Fox
My bad. Maybe I identify the wrong story. The story I read is not Pig Prince but Pig King. But, still pretty interesting. You can check it out in wiki.
@Kidd: Ok sure. BTW now I think it sounds familiar. I thought I read it. Lol, during my childhood time, I read a lot of fairy tales.
wow its just a drama serie for entertainment, not supposed to be realistic.
yeah we should stop debating about this crappy series. Sure TVB didn’t care to do the due diligence whatsoever…
I am a Charmaine’s fan and yet I hate her Sister Fa character. So, not all who commented are anti-Charmaines’.
guys, it’s just a drama. don’t understand why you all are over analyzing it. it was funny and light and i liked it. who cares if it’s not realistic, barely any tv shows are anyways.
well i wrote the review with intentions of analyzing it as well. we all know TV audiences are not passive and ignorant and we all love to share opinions and views on things. that’s all.
That’s what people on the internet do these days…Everyday overanalyzing everything…
Guys, I usually enjoy reading your comments alot but this time you over analyzed the drama to the point that it sounded disrespectful to those who are mentally challenged. Secondly, I just think it’s wrong to compare a 10 years old child to an adult who is mentally challenged! Thirdly, with all due respect, you should limit your comments to the storylines and the actors. I work in the medical field and have seen so many happilly married couples, either the wife, the husband or both mentally challenged. Love is pure and has no boundary guys. Just respect it!
True dat!
YESSSSSS 10000000% AGREE!
I have to agree. I watched on Oprah about a couples who married and they both suffered from dwarfism. They had a high chance of their children turning out the same but that didn’t stop them. And yes she had trouble carrying and also even caring as the baby grew up to be bigger than her because they didn’t have a child suffering from the same genetic defect….
I know this probably has nothing to do with the series but I’m just agreeing that love should have no boundaries 🙂
Woah…when I left this site yesterday there were only 50-60 comments on this..and now add a hundred more..impressive huh..
I’m “lazy” to go through the mountain-loads haha..I just want to share that Sean Penn did a commendable job imo in I am Sam(as a “7 year old” man. Dakota Fanning was a darling! :))..He had his daughter, Dakota in a one night stand if I’m not mistaken, and the mother left…however at times the film got too dramatic for my taste.
“mountain-loads of comments”…
People really take this series too seriously. This is a fantasy series. Lots of situation that do not happen in real life happen in this series
– funny and adorable gangsters
– grandpa cannot see that there’s something wrong with Fah despite it being so obvious
– Hugo’s over the top schemes.
– leaping tiger (tiu tiu fu) – got people first playgirl mag this way?
It is a fantasy series and it is still creepy and sick. It is the subject matter, it is the ending. I am just surprised nobody sees the problem as a problem. Reverse the role. 12 year old girl depicted as in love with a 26 year old, for 80% of the series we see the romance. Of course ending shows she is grown up before marriage. Wouldn’t you feel sick too for the 80%? Even if the roles are reversed, to me the same. Why girls get more attention is because if she is pregnant, she is alone to bear the responsibility which she doesn’t understand. But yes, man and woman can be both predatory.
Funn.
You have not seen that 80% yet.
I’m not objecting you giving your opinion. But, you are arguing about something that you have not seen. You are just basing your opinion on how you imagine the plot will be like, how you imagine their interaction will be.
I don’t care if they dress her up as Cinderella. The fact remains. Am I to be convinced after watching 80% that this is the bestest of the bestest love story ever, that I shall have no complains that “wow, even she can find a prince charming, yeah!”. The moment her character is mentally challenged, she acts like one (however badly), ending I found out is she got pregnant, I feel what is there for me to see? What else can this series possibly offer except for bad story, bad acting and creepy storyline? And how is their interaction? He treats her like a child? Or he treats her like an adult? Either way it is doomed. Some stories are just never meant to have that sort of ending. Again I know this is not real, this is a series, so for all those who says this series is representative of the plight of mentally challenged, take note, it is not real, it is a fairy tale, real life is pretty glum. Either way, no one can win or lose this argument.
Am I to be convinced after watching 80% that this is the bestest of the bestest love story ever, that I shall have no complains that “wow, even she can find a prince charming, yeah!”.
No. you will not be convinced that it’s the bestest of the bestest love story ever. I don’t think it’s the bestest of the bestest love story either after watching 70% of it (a few episodes in the middle I didn’t get to watch). No one is asking you to or expecting you to think this way too.
But, the fact remains that you are basing all your opinion on real life (although, I don’t know how much you know about mentally challenged people) and on how you imagine the plot and their interaction will be like.
And then you go objecting to and having a problem with people who have watched the series and enjoy it.
“Am I to be convinced..”
No one will know how you feel after watching 80% of it because you haven’t.
I don’t have a problem with people who watched and enjoyed it. I have a problem with people who watched and says so what to the relationship and then say it is fairy tale. If the legitimacy of my argument comes from the very fact that I have seen it, then when it is broadcast I will make sure I see it and then repeat everything I have said to legitimise them.
” then when it is broadcast I will make sure I see it”
Yes, make sure you do.
“and then repeat everything I have said to legitimise them.”
Yes, repeating everything you have said if you still feel the same way.
So I don’t get it. If u haven’t seen the series, how can u complain charmaine’s acting is inadequate? Are u extrapolating from her previous series or just others’ word of mouth? I think that may reveal your bias against charmaine.
Everyone can have their opinions, but I think it is unfair to say someone like myolie could do a better job. U cannot compare her role as the helpless sister in golden faith because that was a serious drama.
So I don’t get it. If u haven’t seen the series, how can u complain charmaine’s acting is inadequate? Are u extrapolating from her previous series or just others’ word of mouth? I think that may reveal your bias against charmaine.
Everyone can have their opinions, but I think it is unfair to say someone like myolie could do a better job. U cannot compare her role as the helpless sister in golden faith because that was a serious drama. I think it’s much harder to portray charmaine’s character because it’s supposed to be a comedy. For instance, the scene where chu chu broke up with yik yik after dinner. She was crying and it was quite sad that she had to explain to him that she wasn’t being childish… it was because she couldn’t have a normal baby and they wouldn’t be happy. Then she cuts off with “stop talking, bye bye” and gets into the taxi even tho she lives next door. It’s very difficult to make u cry with her then laugh at her. I think even the producer didn’t know how to find the balance btwn making chu chu innocent and adorable as opposed to childish and ridiculous. Hence all the ah wong similarities. But unfortunately that formula doesn’t always work.
Also I wanted to comment on the questions of ray’s character being a pedophile. I guess I never saw Hugo as taking advantage of or manipulating chu chu. She took care of him and he in turn fell for her (maybe due to gratitude). Also, he was willing to marry agnes who was paralyzed so I guess he’s supposed to be this saint that didn’t mind mental or physical handicaps. and its not like he chased chu chu or tried to control her. he just couldn’t give her up because she had touched his heart. although I can understand why this part of the story is hard to believe since Hugo has a lot of options. and ever since ray’s scandal, its harder to picture him as the perfect gentleman too.
I don’t care about his scandal frankly. That is nothing to be scandalous about.
“Are u extrapolating from her previous series or just others’ word of mouth? I think that may reveal your bias against charmaine.”
No, saw the 1st episode, saw the trailers, I am not the only one to say so. So what if I am biased? Does it make her performance better?
@ josie: A man like busty can’t be a gentleman?
If you hate it so much, than just not watch it. At least try to respect the series, and try to respect the people with mental diabillites like this one.
Actually in the show, she did have a responsability as a mother, and she actually understood what it mean to have a child. She really wanted one yet, she knew if she gave birth to one it could have been mentally challenged as well. I think you are way to stubborn to understand that there are other things in life more important than a TELEVISION SERIES!!!! Calm down, it all fantasy…
IF YOU HAVE NOTHING GOOD TO SAY THAT KEEP IT TO YOUR SELF!!!!!
“No, saw the 1st episode, saw the trailers, I am not the only one to say so. So what if I am biased? Does it make her performance better?”
no, it just makes your opinion less creditable to me.
Fox says:
June 14, 2011 at 5:28 am
@ josie: A man like busty can’t be a gentleman?
haha, maybe…
i just meant that ray’s image was packaged as the dreamy boy next door that matches with the girl next door (linda chung type). but in reality, he’s like ever other horndog that likes big fake boobs (ron ng anyone?) so it’s hard to sell him as the perfect prince charming anymore which his character ended up as. although i’ll still like ray… he’s quite the handsome devil after all.
Oh so boy next door must go with girl next door :P. Maybe I never view him as this type (and maybe dun view Linda as that type) so I don’t feel he changed after all.
Yee, I know of course there are more important things than TV. But that is my opinion. I have no need to respect the TV, the actors or anything else more than I wish to give. You have nothing nice to say to me too, so why don’t you heed your own advice?
I am stubborn because this is one I will not understand. If this is just TV, nothing to stop the TV from showing an actual mature 10 year old having a child.
My opinion will no more be any credible if I have watched the entire show. No one cares for credibility. They care only for how they feel and how they justify how they feel.
If this is fantasy, it is wrong fantasy.
@Funn I guess I didn’t think that comment through when I wrote it, I guess your right I shouldn’t of said that and so I apologize. Sorry us canadiens are suppost to be nice, eh! Sorry, after all it’s only a matter of opinion.
Kidd, the photoshoot in episode 7 of Raymond is a leaping tiger? So it’s not Tigger, the one in Winnie the Pooh? My friends have been referring to Raymond as the new Tigger.
I don’t know. In the series, they name him ‘tiu tiu fu’. I just make a literal translation.
tiu – jump/leap
fu – tiger
I don’t know Tigger’s name in chinese is ‘tiu tiu fu’.
Ratings & Complaints for this crappy TVB series:
Ratings:
last week’s ratings, Episodes 16-20: average at 28 points
Final episode average at 29 points (peaking at 31 points)
Complaints:
– The Hong Kong Broadcast Authority received 1 complaint on “My Sister of Eternal Flower” finale that Sister Fa (Charmaine Sheh) marrying Chiang Yik (Raymond Lam) makes people feel disgusted.
– TVB received 6 complaints on ‘Sister Fa’. 3 of them were about how there was no reason why Chiang Yik would have loved Sister Fa. The other 3 complaints were on Charmaine Sheh’s sub-par performance.
I swear that 1 complaint is not by me.
Anyway what’s the consequence of complaints? Nothing right?
Free publicity of this crapshint series, plus TVB.
It really doesnt punish heavily with a fined.
So its nothing… 🙁
this is the worst tvb drama that i ever watch seriously. I can’t bring myself to watch the whole drama i have to skip a big chunk of the series and went straight for ending because of curiosity. I understand that sometimes a drama is just a fiction and sometimes doesn’t make sense. But this drama just way out there. The ending give me heebie jeebies , when i saw sister fa got pregnant.
Honestly, if i were in Ray’s shoes as someone who is perfect, Rich and handsome with no Flaws, I will not go for Charmaine, no offense to those mentally challenged people and this is a sad fact for every normal person. I have stop watch the series since episode 1 after watching Char’s acting skill which think of her a girl version of Ah Wong. Yeah, mentally challenged ppl may look and act alike but her acting in FA was just too much of Ah Wong in her.
I used to like Ray but over the years, my liking towards Ray just fade probably due to his “chok” looks which made me irk. After knowing the story from reading the posts here that Char got preggy and have bb with Ray? that’s absolutely crazy imo and truly disgusting…how could someone normal like Ray would have sex with a girl who only have a mindset of a 10 yrs old?…..can’t even imagine of the whole sex process..truly disgusted.
“Honestly, if i were in Ray’s shoes as someone who is perfect, Rich and handsome with no Flaws, “
Hugo is not perfect. I’m surprised that you can still think he’s perfect after watching episode 1.
“Hugo is not perfect. I’m surprised that you can still think he’s perfect after watching episode 1.”
Hugo is not perfect, initially. He is full of flaws, in fact. But it he later turns into a responsible, mature, and hardworking man who even begs his grandfather not to give up Xenus, and revives the company. CEO of a large company, wealthy, filial to his family, kind to his girlfriend, and responsible even to his ex whom he has broke up with, even if he’s still not Mr. Perfect for some, he’s still a great catch, especially for a mentally challenged girl like Sister Fa, no?
No i were saying Ray in the series as Hugo who used to be display as perfect guy (Rich and Handsome)…I’m definitely not talking about the Ray in real life :P…
@ Chriselle
Ok. Hugo is a perfect flawless guy. Happy?
Veejay watching after episode 1. Episode 1 Hugo is not perfect.
I really can’t follow your thought. Funn, at least, has a clear stand. You are just jumping from one side to the other back and forth.
You support the argument that Hugo can’t fall in love with Fah because she’s childish and there are better women. Then later, you go and say he can because she shows him care and love.
@Kidd, It IS unrealistic if anyone like Hugo would fall in love with Fah. I wouldn’t like or marry a mentally challenged person not because I discriminate, but because I’m just not attracted to them.
But I don’t see the problem why mentally challenged people can’t have children. I feel that with the proper instructions and Fah’s determination, she can be a mother. Maybe not the best mother, but many normal woman can’t even offer the most basic love to their children.
I can’t remembering arguing in other threads that Hugo can fall in love with Fah because of the love and care she shows even though that’s what happened in the series.
“Honestly, if i were in Ray’s shoes as someone who is perfect, Rich and handsome with no Flaws, I will not go for Charmaine, no offense to those mentally challenged people and this is a sad fact for every normal person.”
That is very true. I know this is a fairy-tale type of series and some people are arguing that most series are merely for entertainment purposes and doesn’t show too much realistic aspects, but TVB could still have done a better job making it MORE realistic.
This is truly a fairy-tale of Prince Charming/Mr. Perfect falling in love with a not so pretty and mentally inferior girl. It would be more realistic if Hugo didn’t undergo a 360 degrees change and what if Sister Fa was prettier? Yes, take away that bowl haircut and make her dress in trendier clothes. Myolie Wu didn’t have the bowl haircut and dressed in normal clothes and they still looked cute on her. Sister Fa and Kau Kau’s clothes were so OTT in a childlike way. Kau Kau’s socks, only a clown would wear.
TVB made this series so that it’s purely fantasy, at least for Hugo and Sister Fa’s storyline. Not sure if this is the best approach.
Even Mike who supposedly had terminal cancer was able to live on.
I suppose the most realistic pair was Fa Lai Chung and Gigi. They were good friends and she supported him throughout, but their dating came out of the thin air. However, they do seem compatible in personality.
About Kau Kau’s socks, you can see that many teenager/tween girls wear it, not only a clown. It’s also a fashion trend of 2010 (shorts and colorful socks).
She has IQ of 10, not means she is really 10. From the beginning, she noe wat is love and she wants to be loved (as she loves to be Jojo). Her body is also not belonged to a 10.
Hugo is far from perfect. He is somehow more useless than Fa Ka Je. And sometimes, he is more of a kid than her.
When ppl criticize this series, ppl use the points like that:
1. Fa Ka Je isn’t a 10 years old because she can take care for herself and useful.
2. Fa Ka Je has the mind of a 10 years old kid and then she can’t have sex. Sometimes her action belongs to 5,6 etc.
Do you guys find it’s contradict in a way?
BTW, I dun say that I like the ending. It would be better if Chu Chu and Yik Yik maintain the good friendship and Chu Chu can play with Yik Yik’s kids. More warm than Chu Chu being a mother.
Hm, I’m not sure exactly what other people said.
But I made a point about her mental capacity as a ten year old and not realistic in her world. *Note: I said realistic in HER world.
Because this is what the promoters and scriptwriters say. They wrote it in. I don’t look at her ability to cook and clean and determine her mental age. I looked at her common sense and logic and reactions to love to form my opinion.
Which your comment made me think, should they have even given her an age for her mental capacity?
obviously, they care about this series, their must love charray too much to notice how horrible, agree charray did a fantastic job, yes its they own choice watch or not watch its not bother at all, just want to say thank for contribute a viewer to the series.
I did not watch this series and I’m not going to but may I just say that I find it sick and wrong that Hugo and Sister Fa got married and even had a child in the end. I believe that mentally disabled ( I dun like the word retarded because I feel it is a bit offensive)have the right to fall in love and be loved but like what Funn has pointed out, do they even fully understand what’s going on? That’s a very different question.
My small question: Do you think that adult normal ppl (assume that their mental functions are good) can fully understand wat to do in a love affair and the responsibilities of being parents?
Granted, some adults are idiots but that is because they act like one. So even with full mental faculties some adult are still stupid. More so when the entire mental faculties is not there.
I assume they know what is going on. But can they appreciate the full aspect of it?
@ Funn: So true. Even the normal mental ppl can’t understand fully, dun ask the mentally challenged ppl to understand it fully.
What’s the point of having capacity when there’s no intention of using it? Its like giving a hairdresser paint brushes.
@ Fox
I think some of them will understand and know what to do in love but many won’t because my belief is that love will cloud their judgement somehow, either in a big way or small. Only the very rational and clear-minded will be able to truly understand and hold their own while in love.
As for being parents, I think most people know for the better part what they are getting into (e.g. the stress, worry and frustration)but I don’t think anyone will and responsibilities of being parents until they actually become parents. This is because each child is different and the parents will have to slowly adjust and learn how to care for their child’s need, so a lot of learning and adapting will be involved. Even normal parents can get overwhelmed and freaked out, what more a person with mental handicap?
But then again of course, there are the stupid people who have kids but don’t know what to do with them and that’s when the trouble starts. But sadly, that has never stopped people.
* Sorry, my words got eaten.. It should be
As for being parents, I think most people know for the better part what they are getting into (e.g. the stress, worry and frustration)but I don’t think anyone will truly understand the full weight and responsibilities of being parents until they actually become parents.
A person with mental handicap still can be better parents than normal ppl. They know their disadvantages so they care for the kid more.
What to do with them? You mean?
@Fox
I highly doubt it. They may be better than the stupid parents but not better than the normal ones. But not to sound mean but some people just should never be parents and that’s the truth.
Copy a part of my comment above:
“Many ppl said that my mother can’t raise a baby because her hands (both hands) are damaged 90% because of a bomb. She can’t never use the hands like normal ppl. But she not only raised me but also other 6 sons (including my siblings and cousins who stayed with my family) while my father was away (for 4 years from when I was born). She did everything, even better than normal ppl.
So don’t underestimate what human can do.”
Why you think mental handicap can’t raise kids? Because they can’t teach them with maths?
I also guess that you watched I’m Sam. Lucy has the higher IQ than Sam but it doesn’t change the fact that Sam is a good father to Lucy. He can’t teach Lucy maths but he can teach Lucy “love”.
A physical disability is different from a mental one. Wait did you mean your mum or somebody else’s? Sorry I got confused. If it is your personal experience then I am very sorry about your mum and I admire her abilities. She is an amazing woman.
I know that there are cases of people overcoming adeversity and that’s good but not everyone can do that. Only a small portion can. I don’t think mentally handicapped shouldn’t have children because they can’t teach math, that’s a rather stupid reason. I think they shouldn’t because what if it is genetic and they pass it on to their kids? Another reason is because will they really understand what the baby needs? Of course this depends on how severe their handicap is, if they can’t even take care of themselves, how can they hope to take care of their kids? Yes, they can teach love but sometimes, just love is not enough for a child to grow up happy and healthy.
I’m sorry if I sound mean but I just believe that if the parents aren’t ready and can’t really take care of their children, not just during infancy but through until the kids can stand on their own then they shouldn’t have kids. Children are a big responsibility, from young until adulthood. That way less people will suffer.
My mom. I’ll transfer your words to my mom.
Well, I still tell you that don’t underestimate what handicap ppl can do. I know a mother who can’t read or write but her son is a professor in university. You are making the “teaching” too high. To teach a kid, not only understand what the baby needs. Actually, 90% if not 100% parents don’t understand what their kids need, especially when their kids grow up. They just can assume and sometimes force the kid to do this and that (as they think it’s suitable). Do you think your parents always understand fully wat you need?
Well, giving birth to a kid need a lot of responsibilities, but these responsibilities are not all needed. Willing to be a mother is also a present. The link of mother and son isn’t “teaching” only.
So take it easier and think of being mother as a present. Never fully ready to be parents :P.
I’m sorry again if I brought up any unhappy memories. Thanks, she really is an amazing person and it’s amazing what some people can do 🙂
That’s the thing, parents can never understand how their children are and what they did so it just freaks me out.
I guess I do overthink things but being parents is just a very big deal. We shall see what the future holds.
Love is not taught but felt. Naturally we believe a parent will feel unconditional love for his or her child, and likewise. Teach is in a broader sense. It is in the end imparting of wisdom. How a man becomes man is through trial and tribulations, experiences and childhood is one of them. Someone once said no one remembers a happy childhood, but a child will grow up remembering a difficult childhood. Due to my own experiences, I can say I agree with that statement. Who we are, what shapes us, what we will become, in part is due to our parents. A good balanced adult is someone who grew up in a good balanced family. That need not be a complete family or even related by blood but rather an adult you can see as an example, a good example. Children learn by looking at example; parents lead by example.
A physical handicap is unfortunate. I really remember what Ray Charles’ mom apparently told him; he was blind but he wasn’t stupid. A physical handicap is not an impediment to a long and fruitful life, the same as the lack of education. In fact a lack of education may be the reason why parents work very hard to provide a good education for their children, sometimes demanding rather harshly for good results, pressuring the kid but a kid who sees his or her parents toil at work, tired, never quite enjoying life will learn to accept his own responsibility and duty.
This particular thread is one those who are not so called physically handicapped but mentally. Whether mental inbalance, mental inadequacies or in this series’ case, a mental retardation so to speak. A group who unlike losing a limb or an eye is in the brains up there unable to evaluate, to impart, to give, to care. It is cruel to say that but it is true. Give them a child, and they won’t know how to feed. Those who are blind, grope. Those who has no hands, use their feet. Those who doesn’t appreciate danger, can’t evaluate, with what then? Guidance? How much help can anyone give? Nowadays I read how social workers take away children from parents they deem stupid to raise a child. I think that is very wrong. For clear cut cases, it may be cruel to take away a child, but in the end it ensures the safety of both parties. Of course with proper guidance and help, any problems can be solved. But how much help can be given, for how long? For how much?
I am moved by your mother’s story and I find her courageous to have raised so many children on her own, despite her disability. That is the measure of a mother’s love; sometimes immesurable and you learn from her that nothing is impossible. BUT not everything is possible. Sometimes there is a limit. Maybe this is a pre supposition but prevention is better than cure. But what if it happens? Then proper guidance must be given. Sister Fa has a rich husband, that seems to settle all it would seem. Nanny cares, father feeds and what does she do? She imparts love for the child? Love is not be all and end all. The child may learn wisdom from her perhaps, learn whatever she can offer. But that doesn’t make the story right. Does mentally handicap people have no right to children? of course not. It’s their bodies, their choices. But can they make such an informed choice? It is not always what you want, you get. There are consequences, which they may not appreciate. If they could, would they bring a child into the world? Can they care for them?
But these are beyond the scope of this series. My problem with this series continues to be a normal man, not marrying, not dating, not going out with a woman with a 10 year old mentality. My problem is knowing she has a 10 year old mentality, how can a TV series even if fantasy, even if just a story propogates that of a healthy minded adult male consummate a relationship with this woman with such an impediment? To him it is love, but to sleep with her to me shows there is something wrong with him. This is not a woman without limbs; this is not a woman without eyesight, or ability to speak, or even a bit dumb or a bit naive or a bit virginal or a bit too trusting. This is a woman who has the mind, the behaviour, the mentality of a child. If this is accepted, this is only because of Raymond. He looks good, he is famous, people like him, the whole story packaged into some love story, whatever their interaction, whatever their communication, she in the end was pregnant and it implies that he find her sexually alluring. The problem is not her; the problem is the story and the man. It is not pedophile, since she is an adult but the line is blurred. Justification is she wants it, she likes it, she agrees to it. That is again not my argument. My point is the man. Just look at the able bodied and minded adult. I would rather he remain chaste with her. But as this series goes, nothing is ever chaste in the end, even for an innocent character like Sister Fa. In the end it is because she wants to. Unless she miraculously cured and became mentally normal, despite her being able to cook, look after siblings or have higher IQ than the politicians running for office, she still remains locked in her condition. And no one goes asking a 10 year old child to make life changing decision. The parents do for them. In this case the man becomes her guardian, her husband, her father, her decision maker. And that is the problem because this man also happens to sleep with her. How objective can he be to act in her best interest? This series stops at happily ever after with the fact that she marries, she gets a child and the man presumably continues to love her as normal. And presumably she continues to talk and behave like a 10 year old. And that is not a problem?
@ CY and Funn: No, not any unhappy moment. I’m very proud of my mom and yes, she is an amazing woman. When she was injured, she was just 19. Like everything ended in the age of 19. Ppl want to send her to a place for handicap ppl but she dun want. She took 5 years of her life to learn how to do everything by her hands. Then it’s like restart of her life.
Why I mention of this? Just because I want to say: Nothing can’t happen.
A kid, born in a special family like this, first can feel very bad. But I faced it myself. After growing up, the kid will understand how risky his mom was to give birth to him, and feel proud. The feeling of being mother can really change a person.
A mental challenged mom, a low educated mom, all of them can still be mom. How they raise their children? Who know if they can do better than others. Well, the answer will be different in each cases. I can see that many normal ppl still can’t raise their children well when handicap ppl can do that.
It remind me of a reality show I watched long time ago. A woman with mental problem (not low IQ. Sometimes when she is under pressure, she’ll do crazy things) found a baby in a bridge. She took care for the baby in 14 years. When the kid was 15 years old, his real parents found him and took back from the woman (also cut all the connection with her). After 20 years, they met again in the show. The kid this time was 35, is a worker. He mentioned that 14 years with the crazy woman was his best time and he can really feel she is his mother. The woman cried and said that being a mother changed her life.
In the particular series, I stated that I also don’t like the ending like this, but I have no problem with that.
i enjoy watching this series, and i know that there are people out there will be complain, we can say whatever we want, well i accept criticisms, but please dont act like they are forced to watch.
well i accept criticisms,
you really cant.
This series should just end with Hugo and Fah getting married. Less debate. 😀
Better tat Hugo and Fa dun end up together as a couple but friends.
Then it’s not fairytale ending anymore. 😛
Maybe after that, ppl won’t say this one is unrealistic 😛
Except the TVB writers think BBQ ending are better less expensive to do a wedding ending.
I dont deny that the script for the series has lots of flaws but as so many people have said, it is purely entertainment. It was easy and happy viewing. Charray did a good job especially on the scenes where they have to break up. It moved me to tears, so their acting is deffo good. I think Charray has some special connection and they seem to act very comfortably with each other, so it makes their love more believable. Anyway,love is blind and there are no explanation or scientific equation as to why you love someone. I just taught some comments went a bit too far and became personal. Dont like Charray, dont watch the show.
I AGREE! Who has the right to say what is realistic? Really?
agree with den 1, i love in the episode 14, both of them really do good job, drop my tears really sad feeling.
You’ve basically slated off this series yet you’ve given it 3/5?? That’s still a bit high for a crappy drama like this one
well……..overall I did enjoy it. Which i did write in the overall section. I’m just critiquing it and giving it a thoughtful review. There are some things that I noted that I liked out of the series.
Finish watching last episode. Earlier, I said grandpa pointed out something and I don’t know how Hugo overcome it.
Well, the ending gives it a simple solution. Through that Pig Pig event and marathon, Hugo finally decides/realises that as long as he is with Chu Chu, he will be very happy. I guess that shows he has overcame it? As long as he’s with Chu Chu, everything is ok.
I’m ok with Hugo ending up with Chu Chu since he loves Chu Chu very much and vice versa. Even if he has sex with her, I’m ok. But, the pregnant part.. I have reservation. There’s a higher possibility than normal that the child will have mental disability. If the series didn’t bring out this problem, I can ignore it and assume that in this fairytale world, this is not a concern. But, the series did bring out this topic. So, I guess Hugo decides to take the risk?
From watching the last episode, I conclude that Chu Chu is not capable of taking care of a child alone. Yes, Chu Chu can cook and clean and I’m sure she is be able to learn childcare methods and does it well. But, she will sometimes do dangerous things without being aware of it’s danger like standing in front of an oncoming vehicle to make it stop (now, this is really dangerous message). So, hope Hugo employ some very capable nannies and have Chu Chu well prepared for her impending motherhood.
In tv world, we usually don’t deal too much into the sexual act. It’s always, ‘she has a baby, everyone happy’, ‘they kiss, lights out, happy’. Viewers don’t concern with the sex act. This series try to use this type of storytelling, but, because Chu Chu is mentally challenged, people start being concern about her being not ready, not able to make judgement, Hugo being pedo, predatory, taking advantage of Chu Chu, forcing himself on Chu Chu etc when this is just a simple story of 2 people in love and they consummate their love.
Agree with this 2 points given by yina.
When Sister Fa and Hugo met, Hugo was really stupid, selfish..in other words, acts like a spoiled brat and had no sense of money or responsibility. Which is pretty much like the general 10-year-old. So that’s why I think their relationship development is believable..
“TVB kept it family friendly”
On the Mike’s cancer. I kinda like the fake ending when they talk about how Mike left so suddenly. It’s quite poignant. But, then Mike suddenly appear and he’s all healthy. No explanation. I guess Mike is able to find some alternative medicine that can cure?
This is truly a fairytale ending. 😀
Lastly. Do a lot of TVB series end with a BBQ scene? I never notice it. But, in golden forum, I’ve seen the term ‘BBQ ending’ used several times. Since it has a term of it’s own, it must be a frequent occurrence.
oh……..why is the possibility of it being a normal or not child even being discussed???? Since it’s not in the drama, I wish people would refrain from even making statements like this!
but also, you make a good point. wth is up with BBQ ending scenes?
“oh……..why is the possibility of it being a normal or not child even being discussed???? Since it’s not in the drama, I wish people would refrain from even making statements like this!”
But, it is in the drama. This issue was brought up by Agnes and was the reason Chu Chu chose to break up with Hugo.
@ Kidd,
You’re right. I was just not impressed by people imposing their rights to humans onto others……Who made them God?
@ Kidd,
You’re right. I was just not impressed by people imposing their rights to humans onto others……Who made them God?
If there’s even one.
*rights as humans
Kidd says:
June 14, 2011 at 9:35 pm
Finish watching last episode. Earlier, I said grandpa pointed out something and I don’t know how Hugo overcome it.
Well, the ending gives it a simple solution. Through that Pig Pig event and marathon, Hugo finally decides/realises that as long as he is with Chu Chu, he will be very happy. I guess that shows he has overcame it? As long as he’s with Chu Chu, everything is ok.
But it was too fast… maybe they should have showed a thought bubble with a light bulb that turns on above his head. too oversimplied for me.
for example, remember the scene after agnes sets chu chu up to embarass herself in front of hugo’s clients… she tells hugo you can’t be mad at chu chu because she is just a little girl. hugo says “maybe grandpa was right, maybe i haven’t thought this through.” then the next day when chu chu apologizes, everything is forgotten and he pinches her nose b/c he adores her so much. i was thinking- what the hell! how can it be that easy?! i appreciate that we saw hugo have these struggles but the ending was too rushed to convince me how he had resolved all his doubts.
“I’m ok with Hugo ending up with Chu Chu since he loves Chu Chu very much and vice versa. Even if he has sex with her, I’m ok. But, the pregnant part.. I have reservation. There’s a higher possibility than normal that the child will have mental disability. If the series didn’t bring out this problem, I can ignore it and assume that in this fairytale world, this is not a concern. But, the series did bring out this topic. So, I guess Hugo decides to take the risk?”
yeah, i didn’t really have a problem with their ending. since hugo had decided to make the life long commitment and marry her, it’s their own choice if they want to have a family. i was more interested to see how he made the decision knowing what a responsibility/burden it would be than the actual aftermath.
To each is own…why can’t ppl jus enjoy a simple cheerful tvb series?? I’m tired of watchin series where two families are going after each other doing grimy shady things. For once, I wuldnt b screamin or fast forwarding thru scenes. Sometimes da audience just want light hearted comedy. I do admit she kinda annoyed me @ times but das jus wha any ten yrs old. To bring upp child abuse n pediophile, das jus takin things way outa context.
Oh I’m sure you’d enjoy the ‘Wax and Wane’ review coming up.
WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM YINA! WHY ARE YOU COMPLAINING SO MUCH! IF YOU DISLIKE THE DRAMA OR ANYTHING, JUST KEEP YOUR BLOODY MOUTH SHUT! THROUGH ALL THE NONSENSE THAT I READ FROM WHATEVER YOU ARE WRITTING! I KNEW THAT YOU MUST BE EITHER RAYMOND’S HATER OR CHARMAINE’S HATER! BUT WHAT IS THE POINT OF DOING THAT? WHY ARE YOU SHARING ALL THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS THAT YOU HAVE AND HURT THEIR FANS? IF YOU DON’T LIKE THIS DRAMA OR RAYMOND, JUST GET YOUR BLOODY SIGHT OUT FROM THE TELEVISION. WHY ARE YOU WATCHING AND END UP WITH SO MANY COMPLAINS? IF YOU THINK YOU CAN PRODUCE A BETTER DRAMA THAN THAT… GO AHEAD AND WE SHALL SEE HOW GREAT IT IS! STOP COMPLAINING AT PEOPLE’S DRAMA! THERE IS NO POINT COMPLAINING AN HURT OTHER. I KNOW WHATEVER THAT I SAID ARE QUITE MEAN AND EVIL BUT I REALLY CAN’T STAND ALL THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS OF YOURS. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO ANGRY AT SOMEONE MY ENTIRE EXCEPT WHEN READ WHAT YOU WROTE! IF YOU STILL HAVE SOME MORAL VALUES FOR YOURSELF, KINDLY DELETE THIS AND STOP ACTING SO CHILDISH! FOR GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND ALL THOSE ARE SINS! I, MYSELF KNOW THAT I CAN’T REALLY CONTROL MYSELF WHEN QUARREL BUT I STILL HAVE SOME MORAL VALUES FOR MYSELF AND I WOULD SAY SORRY FOR THOSE WORDS. BUT I REALLY DO HOPE THAT YOU CAN STOP MAKING THIS WORSE. WE LOVE OUR IDOL AND WE DO NOT WANT PEOPLE TO COMPLAIN AND HURT. IMAGINE HOW WOULD HE FEELS IF HE READ ABOUT THIS? COME ON, IMAGINE YOU ARE THE VICTIM?
. I HAVE NEVER BEEN SO ANGRY AT SOMEONE MY ENTIRE EXCEPT WHEN READ WHAT YOU WROTE!
Wow. Everyone around you must have all cater to your whims and fancy and never said a bad word in front of you if you have never been so angry in your entire ‘life’.
This is not a series promo. This is a series review. In a series review, a reviewer write how she feels about the series and yina is doing just that.
“WHY ARE YOU SHARING ALL THE NEGATIVE THOUGHTS THAT YOU HAVE AND HURT THEIR FANS?”
Fans should realise that not everyone thinks their idol is god and flawless.
“IF YOU DON’T LIKE THIS DRAMA OR RAYMOND, JUST GET YOUR BLOODY SIGHT OUT FROM THE TELEVISION. WHY ARE YOU WATCHING AND END UP WITH SO MANY COMPLAINS?”
If you don’t like this review, get get your sight from the computer? Why are you reading this review and end up with this long-winded all caps rant?
You said yina is acting childish and hurting others. Go read back at your own post and see what you are doing. Who is the one being childish and hurtful?
“FOR GOD KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND ALL THOSE ARE SINS! “
Giving an honest review about a series is sinning?
” IMAGINE HOW WOULD HE FEELS IF HE READ ABOUT THIS? COME ON, IMAGINE YOU ARE THE VICTIM?”
Raymond is not a victim. Heck, Yina didn’t even criticise Raymond’s acting. Why would Raymond be hurt by this review?
LOL some fans would kill themselves because something happened to their idol hahaha…
Didn’t hear anybody jumping off buildings when that sleeping in bed scandal broke. We shall survive this.
Why don’t type in normal text? Your Caps lock is stuck?
Lol, Funn, lucky that she/he dun read wat you read :P.
I stopped checking on this section until I realized comments were still coming in.
Even though your comment is crazy, I love how fans are soo passionate about this!
I am doing a review….which includes critique, opinions, and some analysis….I actually went to school for that believe it or not. But I’m doing it in an informal way since I feel this isn’t a professional review and I take the liberty to express myself and try not to offend.
But I make no apologies.
And 3 stars is still good? No?
Maybe next time instead of being mad, you can tell me why you disagree, and what you disagree with?
Thank you 🙂
“I am doing a review….which includes critique, opinions, and some analysis….I actually went to school for that believe it or not.”
Wow. They have classes that teach you how to write a professional/formal review? It sounds like an interesting class to take. Do you find it informative and helpful?
@ Chriselle: There is such class. For ppl who want to be a professional critique or reviewer.
In my country, these techniques and skill are taught for ppl who wannabe reporters.
@Chriselle
Yes, my major focused on Film analysis. But also included a lot of media critic.
@Funn, you mean Journalism? My field does include that but I didn’t study that.
WOW, you are overreacting….
its a hilarious show and very interesting, i actaully became impressed with char performance, her performance isnt as fake as i thought it would be, in fact, i found her to be really adorable.
You likey 6 times in this section… jeez.
its just a drama, if you have so many suggestions, how about you go and do all the producing, directing, and script writing.
One day……. 🙂
You’re right…. 😀 I honestly don’t wanna argue and write something bad about this, but then when I saw this post and bla bla bla…. A movie is just entertainment, why would people be so serious about it? By the way, I love both Charmaine and Raymond. They look good together (:
Watch episode 15 and 16 yesterday which I missed earlier. I’m a bit shaky now. Up to episode 15, I still find Hugo and Chu Chu to be compatible. But, episode 16 shows Hugo talking about constellation to Chu Chu and she fell asleep. I guess it’s too deep for Chu Chu to understand? But, if a boyfriend talk football with a girlfriend, she might also fall asleep. Another instance is Hugo talk about how he worried how his grandpa will take it when he knows about the real situation of Xenus. Chu Chu just give him a simple answer ‘Don’t worry. Uncle already wake up, he won’t faint again’. This instance might indicate future difficulty i.e. Chu Chu will not be help much when he face trouble that is more complex. But, sometimes, Chu Chu’s simple answers might just give someone the idea of what to do. Sometimes, things could be simple and we just think too much. Anyway, Hugo doesn’t seem to mind. Hugo can be pretty childish too like how he make faces at the children in the restaurant and got reprimanded by Chu Chu.
I have to agree that I also found that Sister Fa’s understanding of more complex issues would impede their relationship. Especially when Hugo was so worried about Xenus and she just didn’t understand. It would be so hard to have your other half not to be able to support you in your decisions through life.
…But she makes him happy.
Well the world have 6 billions people so I guess anything is possible. I did remember read in the news in some poor country, there was one girl who both legs were cut off due to accident in her childhood, so she grow up by using her hands drag her body around and use wheelchair to help her get to places. Amazingly there a man in some raining day saw her try to get around by herself and he help carried her and they did end up married and have children (this is 100% true story, I read this in news). If man can get turn on by a girl with both legs cut off, then I’m sure they can get turn on by Charmaine character (she just dumb), LOL! Probably 1/100000000 cases but it still possible.
Yes, this is exactly what I mean. No one can truly predict the direction of humanity. What is realistic? Your experience is realistic, don’t impose your limits on others is what I say. I don’t mean you as in you, Leila, I mean people in general.
I also know of a story like that. Maybe we’re thinking of the same woman.
That’s also exactly wat I meant.
Never underestimate what human can do.
Unrealistic doesn’t mean impossible
I agree that anything is possible in this world, even though with some things it is really rare. That is why there are miracles and all….
Right on. Totally agree with you. We might think something is unrealistic. But, somewhere, some time, in some corner of the world, it might be happening or has happen before.
I love how we have a positive and intelligent bunch here!
Awwww really?? I love your story 😀 😀 and I love how this movie ends …
Sorry, I did not remember correctly. The girls in the news story I post above have legs, but her legs were not develope, so she cannot walk, her legs is tinny and skinny, just her upper body develope. Anyways, she considered handicape. But there still a man who married her and they have children. They both poor, but they happy.
Also, there was a couple in Pakistan, wife have no legs, and husband have no arms.
Things like this might sound strange to us, but hey really the world have 6 billions people, anything is possible.
So this Charmaine story, I don’t think it that strange. What more strange to me is wuxia where people do kungfu and fly from one mountain to another mountain, LOL!!!
In wuxia, there is one more unbelievable thing: The heros dun need to work but they always have a lot of money with them? LOL. Hero must be a good job.
Isn’t movie is for entertainment purpose? Why need to criticize the logic behind?
I totally agree with you Angie, I feel a little bit upset when reading those comments. I know they’re just saying what they thought about this movie, movie is just a movie, it can barely happen in real life, why would we argue about it? By the way I love this movie, I love Charmaine Sheh and Raymond.. (:
OK… i just finished watching this movie and to be honest, I somehow got bored but the bottom line is, it is a movie. A movie is not like a real life, what did the producers and editors make this movie for? Did you ever think about it or just sitting here and complaining about how stupid and unreal it is. I know, you might be right, Fa character is…. too retarded, like you mentioned above, she doesn’t act like a 10-year-old person out there, of course not. You know why? Because she is mentally retarded, she is just somewhat a 10-year-old girl like the producer wanted her to be, and Charmaine Sheh acts really well, perhaps she copies from someone but it just makes her career better and I love her. Before watching this movie, you guys already know the ending that they are gonna be together. Why would you have to say about it anyway? Some of you would disagree with me but I just wanna say that, the whole thing is not just about something “serious”. It’s telling us that mental and normal people will be together somewhere all over the world. And a mental person can be even better than a normal person, can you see that Hugo breaks up with his girlfriend? This maybe makes a big argument but I really hope that you guys could think carefully about this.
I have no problem w/ Hugo and Sister Fa ending up together… movie is just a movie, yeah… but the way it was made just wasn’t convincing for me. I didn’t feel any chemistry btwn them… I just didn’t think the drama was well made at all.
I agree with you that this movie isn’t as good as all the previous ones, but the thing I love about Hong Kong movies is the deep meanings inside each movie. You might think, what? It contains nothing in this movie… It does not. Can you feel how Fa sister loves her siblings so much? It defines what a family is and what it is for. Sometimes, you lose everything and what do you have left? That is FAMILY… Can you see how supportive her family is? How worried they were when she got lost or such? That’s the point. I know, love between a metal and a normal isn’t real but I have to admit that, the producer did a pretty good job, Charmaine Sheh is kinda too “silly” (honestly I was mad sometimes haha), but you know… And this movie was not made to convince anyone. It was made for entertainment and I did enjoy watching the whole movie. Or maybe because I love Charmaine and Raymond so I felt happy for them… I don’t know, I just feel like… I like it (:…. Btw, I am glad that you’d like them to be together 😀 😀
In my opinion, I think they should’ve ended the drama with them just being friends. But then again, I think TVB was trying to root out the “Charray” fans therefore had to put them together. However, I found this drama very refreshing and I like how Raymond portrayed a “cuter” version as he hasn’t put up something like that for quite some time (Mysteries of Love, he was very serious haha). And I guess this was considered more of a “fantasy” kind of drama as it’s slightly comical in some parts. In conclusion, I believe this was aimed as a family drama (hence the 8:30 schedule) or just rooting up fans. I think… 87%?
Just finish the series. It’s bad writing to me. Not realistic for a rich handsome guy to fall in love with a ‘child’. He could love her to pieces as a younger sister for all she has done for him. And Seeing her pregnant in the end just seems totally wrong!
Also I dont understand why her hair style never change.
I rather he end up with Yoyo at the end. I find Charmaine acting in here is so annoying. I think even Toby Leung would play the retarded role better than her.