“Once Upon a Song” Stars Kelvin Kwan and Evelyn Choi Criticized for Poor Acting
HKTV’s musical ensemble drama Once Upon a Song <童話戀曲201314> is blamed for the station’s recent drop in viewership ratings since its premiere on January 16. Starring Kelvin Kwan (關楚耀) and Evelyn Choi (蔡穎恩) as two young CEOs who fall in love, the drama has been criticized for its bad acting and script.
Kelvin and Evelyn openly acknowledged that they still have much to learn about acting. Kelvin said, “There is no excuse. I still have a lot of room left for development, and I will continue to work hard. Evelyn said she actually agreed with her critics, “I also think I still have many things to work on as I watched the series. I hope the audience will give me another chance. I will slowly improve!”
As Hong Kong’s original musical drama, there were many difficulties behind the 16-episode series. Kelvin said he filmed the drama over two years ago and was quite taken aback at its refreshing and daring genre. He praised HKTV’s sincerity behind the production, and was very honored to have HKTV’s CEO, Ricky Wong (王維基), personally meet with him to explain about HKTV’s situation and progress.
Although HKTV’s bid for a free-to-air license was rejected, Kelvin and Evelyn said they are confident that HKTV dramas will spread to a wider audience. Evelyn said, “Actually, having dramas aired online is a trend. It can reach to more people!”
Once Upon a Song, which will conclude on February 6, also stars William So (蘇永康), Shek Sau (石修), and Bernice Liu (廖碧兒).
Source: stheadline.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
it’d reach a much wider audience if it had English subs T_T
that is soo true.
Of course not! The acting & plot sucks, adding english subtitles won’t help it at all
@june; haha I haven’t seen this one so i can’t say, but I meant English subs for all of HKTV’s drama series (:
Watched the drama for Bernice Liu & was very disappointed she was not the lead despite how they attached her name heavily throughout the production. She wasn’t even in the first episode!
I started for Bernice & left cause Evelyn’s acting was very bad! It was daring for HKTV to air this drama in their prime slot.. I guess they were hoping to create hit ratings similar to how in Korean dramas & Taiwan dramas does with their romantic comedy but failed.. Still it’s fresh but I guess they should have aired it once a week like in the time slot of The Election?
Yeah I quite enjoy just seeing William So and Bernice.
I actually really liked this drama, it was nice and sweet 🙂
She actually sings pretty good, and in a deeper full voice.
Evelyn acting was really bad. I watched for like 20 minutes and I couldn’t handle it anymore. I thought I should give hktv a chance but watching that I regretted
If you were truly sincere in giving HKTV a chance, then this wouldn’t be your first of their dramas you watch. They’ve aired 4 series, 2 complete with 1 still on going, and then they have this musical disaster. You chose to watch the worse one by far………Stop trolling and go back to watching your TVB. You weren’t real in giving HKTV a chance.
HKTV drama really sucks
If u had watched Hakka sisters you wouldnt say this. It is the best drama I have seen in years. Keep up the good work HKTV
Hakka was very well done.
The hightlight for the first 2 episodes for me is Jason Chan Pak Yu. His character is likeable and his acting is pretty natural.
Evelyn should work on her speech. The way she speaks is very annoying. Maybe it’s the character’s requirement. I don’t know. Idol drama main girl always act cute and speak childishly.
Bad. Didn’t finish even half of the first episode. Coming behind two good productions, this left me disappointed.
YOU Cant SAY ITS BAD After watching HALF of episode 1 ! Thats bad judgement.
The drama show is very refreshing and interesting ! If you had more patience, you would see that !!
Despite the acting, it’s still something different to watch.
Extremely bad drama. Cant even finish the first 30mins if it. Cant wait for it to end, cos up next is the legendary ‘black rose’!!!!
hey guys what is the song she sang at episode 9 37 min ?
thanks
i like it…its different, a lot art and creativity i this show…their acting isn’t anything special, but i wont call it bad, its fine
the girl plays a pure hearted, innocent, cute baby girl lol…thats her role and the actor plays it pretty well
yeah, agree with you! I like her though, so sweet unlike that jade
i think its very refreshly, at least i still like it over the recent tvb shows, they are so dull
i like how hktv rarely or never films in a fake studio, almost every scene is a real setting…it adds a lot to the viewing experience
probably my favorite thing about hktv, they film in real life…ya it doesn’t look cheap and fake
ya i love that, they even have big nice homes they film in, all rooms are real rooms, homes r real homes, restaurants they film in are actually restaurants, real hospital in hospital scenes
usa, even china and korean are doin more of this…finally hk is putting more effort into tv shows its about time
After having very bad impression on Election and Borderline,I was thinking of giving HKTV another chance but I saw most people trashed it, so I’ll skip. This drama seems like HKTV follows the trend of producing idol dramas like Korea and Taiwan. Seriously, I dont even know who these two are. Never heard of them before.
I think its a great show, interesting storyline and refreshing cast (we dont always need to see OLD actors), new young actors should be welcomed, and yes they dont have much experience, give them a chance! I agree – the production is similar to what you would see in Korea and Taiwan! The standard is much better than TVB. So you cant complain..!!
i like this show a lot too, ive liked all hktv shows so far
After ep 11, this show ruined itself. I was ok until now. SPOILER ALERT! so.. This is a musical right? Well. Now they cancelled the musical and said go home. Bernice and William is nowhere to be seen anymore, their storyline is cut off. And its worse than tvb for deaths. Some girl (Kate Yeung) almost got hit by a car, but a second later she got hit by another one.. So it was inevitable and now the musical stopped production. Waste of my time. Madam cutie is WAY better.
i gave up after 20 mins on 1st episode as well.
I watched The Borderline, The Election and Haka Women and these were ok to watch. but this series was woeful..did not hook me in unlike the other HKTV productions.
If they keep turning out this rubbish, they will never be able to compete with TVB and never recoup any of their production costs
Bad acting aside, the script is a big flop. What’s so “refreshing” about a rich boy falls for a mary-sue? She’s not pretty nor talented singer. She’s, well, mary-sue. What kind of “CEO” that only has one task to attend? So his family is so rich and has a great big family business with onlu making one musical film? Even if you overlook the acting and script, where are the good music and dance? They repeated 2-3 songs, and most are well known old English songs, ie over therainbow and singing in the rain. Where are some original songs? Jade’s and the theme song are it??? The dancing..wow bad. Need better cheorgrerpher (sp?). They should look at US dance films for some inspiration like Step Up franchises. Overall, a disappointment after 2 great series previously aired. Better luck next time hktv!
i love these hktv shows so far…a lot of people dont seem to realize that hong kong television is way way behind american, and its being passed by china and korean productions, hk is falling behind
hktv is trying to improve the industry, they putting more money and effort into their productions…got to respect that
if we combine hktvs production efforts with tvb actors and actressess…i think they would make some good hk shows for all of us
@ken..you same like many others who are being ignorant. The cantanose dramas only rely on 7 million HK citizen to act or maybe sometimes hire some keh leh feh from China but their cantanose wont be fluent unless born from province that speak canto.
So the market dont need so many company around as there are TVB and ATV already. If the government so easily to grant license as long as people investing money to produce drama, then how chaos it is to the industry? Use your nub brain. This is not smartphone industry that have unlimited resources. And dont compare with korean so dumb its totally different.
And back to this drama, they tot they can simply hire some new actors and act? lol. What a rubbish story and plot. Look at tvb new drama Raising the Bar, damn nice!!
And the article pls should mention online station instead of station because they dont have a license. They just can upload online like any other youtuber or personal website and its online business. Lol. stpd Ricky..
i like how they focus of quality over quantity, most their dramas are 15-20 episodes long some even less…usa shows are only about 10-15 episodes a season
even basic tvb stuff is often 30 episodes, why too long, so they gotta fill the episodes with a lot of dull boring stuff…china shows even longer and drag and drag
I also started watching this for Bernice Liu. And William So. Wanted to stop because of how annoying Evelyn’s voice and acting are! Continued watching because of how cute Kelvin Kwan is! Also continued to watch Siu Sha (from Hakka sisters) is now portraying Kelvin.
I like HKTV dramas so far. script is great, effort is there to be seen. real outdoor require lots of cash to burn and effort. kudos the creative team.
I’ll continue watching. Love the cast and story. It’s refreshing. I like ceo kelvin kwan. missed the cute bear for many episodes, since ceo kelvin threw the bear down the mountain slopes, the bear disappeared.
Don’t mind lead actress evelyn choi. nice complexion, pure, refreshing, baby-faced.
New generation, new graduates step into job market everyday. give these kids, young generation chance to shine. everyone need opportunity in their lives. They need to work to gain experience. Doesn’t happen overnight.
Unlike China artistes who graduate from reputable, established, Beijing film Academy. Many new actors, actresses just enter into acting without formal training. but with their passion, willingness to learn, work hard, I vote give them chance to learn, act, confidence, more tolerance.
I continue to support hktv. but hktv support hong kong citizens rights to vote for their own HK chief executive, make it difficult, tough, stumbling block to be given license. Hong Kong big boss, China PRC, doesn’t like it. this politics storyline was seen in borderline drama, and again on to be or not to be drama. I didn’t watch election, so can’t comment.
Election drama should show 2 episodes a week. 1ep is too slow, long wait make audience lost patient, driving custoers away, rating low, low viewership, can’t hold viewers attention. human memory is short. broadcasting 1 ep/week make people forget about you. that’s why companies spend so much on advertisements on tv, etc. so that their products appear continuously and imprint in human minds.
drama like borderline, to be or not to be, once upon a song, can’t be seen 5 eps/week, due to Malaysia astro tv bought rights to broadcast and must broadcast 1 ep earlier than other countries, that’s why we can watch the 3 dramas, thanks to astro and Malaysia satellite tv subscribers paid the dramas, so the rest of the world can enjoy hktv dramas.
* correction.
last para.
*can be seen 5eps/week.
* sorry. correction @last para.
“can” watch 5 episodes a week.
Such a good movie! Love Kelvin Kwan acting!
i actually think evelyn’s acting is not that bad. compared to the girls in the new tvb drama, 4 girls and 3 bars, her acting is way better.
Can’t even finished watching the 1st episode – the acting, scripts & plot are not up to my expected standard. So far, the Election is the best, too bad there’s no confirmation on shooting for season 2.
SCMP report on viewership:
“Wong, who set up the online operation after his application for a free-to-air licence was controversially rejected in 2013, saw HKTV’s audience decline markedly at the end of last month. In the week ending January 27, the number of people watching its shows on demand fell 19 per cent, to 218,000 from the previous week’s 270,000. Viewers of its live stream fell from 422,000 to 341,000”
Looks pretty healthy. Ricky Wong said that he needs 500,000 viewers to make the business numbers work. This looks pretty positive, even with the current drama.
Almost 700,000 views during the popular show, and only the 3rd month after launch. Ricky said that 1 millions viewers on average would be a very successful business even “without” the shopping channel, so the current viewership numbers after 3 months is extremely encouraging.
I went on hiatus after watching 1 and a 1/2 episode because I was testing other series to see which I would want to continue.
I’ve gone back to this series today, and I find that it’s getting better. Episode 1 was a downer, but episode 2 was a lot better. Watching episode 3 now. I’m root for Handsome (Jason Chan), but, I know Chi Ching (Evelyn) will 99% end up with CEO (Kelvin). 🙁
No one criticized bernice’s acting? She sucked so bad
Spoiler
Finally last epi. Cry like oh my god.
that I miss you much bear, finally appear last epi. CEO Kelvin finally accept bear is to help him, his guardian angel bear.
Don’t worry, people, happy ending yay 🙂
HKTV drama, don’t give up 1st epi. Usually 1st epi intro, 1st few epi bit boring, but as progress, won’t fail. Interesting, entertaining..
Sunday (Malaysia), Monday (international) new Epi 1 我阿媽係黑玫瑰, Incredible Mama. Total 9 epi. Kara Hui Ying-hung 惠英紅 yay
just saw Ep16 last. full suspense. heart stop. heart drop. tears. nose running mucus.
clever written, twist turn. never thought it go like that.
never before chase drama like this for so long. captivated. satisfied. though short but good.
long not necessary good, draggy, lost focus like come home love (>700-800+). original cast some write off. unlike past tvb long sitcom kindred spirit (1128), off pedder (337), best selling secrets (364) done much better. good old tvb days. sigh!
wow these hktv dramas have been too good…tvb cant make stuff this good rite now
hktv 4 for 4 and each drama has been different and unique in their own ways
Pls let me share some positive points from final episode.
Zhi Ching (lead actress) generous, positive attitude, forgiving heart, make difference in others life.
Change her “suppose fake half-sister” Jade, superstar singer Sky, Jade mother, from selfish, arrogant to caring, humble people.
Help Handsome buddy Ah Leng (free hug guy) find him job at William So cake shop, place to sleep, then led him be singer from 201314 movie training group. Ah Leng couple (bf-gf) with Zhi Ching best friend (Paul Chun Pui daughter).
Even if Zhi Ching dies, she has done many good deeds in her life, even without her knowing. She has touch people life. So God give good person longer life. Heart warming lesson. Thanks to HKTV for good drama.
I love all the songs. fresh. pleasant to ear.
Miraculous. milk tea dog William So lost in Episode 1 found its way home at Episode 16, has new pink dog leash. How? Found, taken care by Bernice Liu (the couple official song singing in the rain) so funny.
Milk Tea!!!
Good first effort for a musical for HK. Good message and strong finish.
You can see from the quality of the Japanese dancers in the last episode that HK has a long way to go in this area. So all the more season to support the show.
Overall, the music was great. The story was good. Acting execution needed work, but they are young actors.
The movie poster was great! I actually want to the that movie.
Fine effort. Please support by shopping!!!
They should have went to black before showing the last scene.
so cool. drama songs composer, writer Mark Lui appear as CEO Kelvin Kwan 2nd Guardian Angel. CEO first angel the cute bear. CEO so lucky with 2 angels. I hope I’ve 1 angel.
Mark Lui help CEO find lost teddy at hill slope. Mark also help CEO find Chi Ching in Okinawa.
Like the filming done in Okinawa. The big dancer group in Okinawa awesome.
The real ending start after the ending song ended.
Power of mind and prayer. Everyone they know, ask all to pray for Chi Ching to recover from last stage brain cancer. God answered them.
Like the concept of rainbow as favourable sign from heaven. I pray rainbow will appear to me when I need a yes from Him.
Despite the amateurish acting and odd script I actually thoroughly enjoyed this drama. It helps that Kelvin Kwan is so easy on the eyes. Having so many real life singers in the cast, I’m surprised that they didn’t focus on the singing more. There was so much potential in the script/cast. Had they focused on the hardships of becoming a singer, and showcased the singer’s talents it would have been a better show. For a musical drama, they hardly sang! For one, I was also a fan of Jason Chan, Kelvin Kwan, and William So’s songs. The scriptwriter threw in too many unbelievable events, and strayed too far from the original concept.
Anyhow it was enjoyable regardless. It’s refreshing to see a idol drama after such a long time. Had it been produced by TVB, I probably would have given up on it though.
I have to admit, I have a soft spot for HKTV dramas. While the acting of the main actor(constant angry expression) & actress(over innocence expression) are below par performance, the drama leaves a strong impression or I should say a special feeling. Feeling that made you will constantly think of the drama even after it has end. This feeling has been missing from TVB dramas this past few years.
There are so many potential to be explored – More musical scenes, Uncle DoReMi and their band, Yan’s sister relation and also with their father, Jade & Calvin romance, more scenes on Handsome.
Overall, brave and refreshing production, good storyline and songs. Definitely will have a special place in my drama list.
just finished it, another great production from hktv…overall just very enjoyable show
Does anyone happen to know what is the brand of the bracelet Kelvin gifts Evelyn on her birthday?
Two words .
Can’t believe it’s over. Missing it already. Watched 3 times.
Lighted-hearted drama but last few episodes 14-16 made me cry buckets.
Two words – Very Good.
All 4 hktv dramas so far are really good.
love this, love these hktv productions right now, im surprised by how good they are
tvb really needs to start putting in more money and effort in their productions now, hktv is setting a higher standard
Love all songs. 正. 好正. Most songs composed by Mark Lui Chung Tak 1969 雷頌德 (angel blue traffic police in HK and Okinawa).
1. Evelyn Choi Wing Yan 1989 蔡穎恩 (Yan Chi Ching) – 得而復失
2. Evelyn Choi 蔡穎恩 – 追蹤彩虹
3. Evelyn Choi – Somewhere over the Rainbow (original singer Judy Garland of Wizard of Oz 1939)
4. Evelyn Choi – Shall we talk (2001, original singer Eason Chan)
5. Kelvin Kwan Chor Yiu 1983 關楚耀 (CEO Keith Hong Ling Hei) – 隻字不提 (Breakout)
6. Jason Chan Pak Yu 1983 陳柏宇 (Handsome Ah Leng, Chan Ying Chun) – 一字一淚
7. William So Wing Hong 1967 蘇永康 (Poon Dai Wai Sir, 大威哥), Charles Ying Cheong Yau 1979 應昌佑 (Sky Lam Chak Tin), Kate Yeung Kei 1984 楊淇 (Jade Yan Wai Lam), Jason Chan Pak Yu 1983 陳柏宇 (Handsome Ah Leng, Chan Ying Chun), Lesley Chiang Nei Man 1986 姜麗文 (Alex Yeung Hoi Zheng), Benji Chiang Man Kit 1980 姜文杰 (Kar Lei, Curry) – 做場好戲 Theme Song
8. William So – 即使不再是朋友
9. William So, Bernice Liu Bik Yee 1979 (Miss Man, Agnes) dancing – Singing in the rain (1939, original singer Gene Kelly)
10. Kate Yeung – 得天獨厚
11. Kate Yeung – 奇蹟
Click many like! like! like! Thumbs UP
Keep up the good work HKTV. 加油
Magic Bear.
Magic Words.
Love is just YOUR one step away.
Sky dance song
12. Charles Ying Cheong Yau 1979 應昌佑 (Sky Lam Chak Tin) – 愛即是遊戲
13. Charles Ying – 你是否有一點愛我
14. Shek Sau 1948 石修 (Jonathan Yan Ching Wah) – Banya Beethoven Virus (piano)
HKTV is releasing OST album for songs specially composed by Mark Lui for this drama. Coming out soon.
Watching the 5th time..gee..something wrong with me.
Thanks Glue for the songs listing details. Listening to it right now.