The Vamp's Secret Plumage

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Photo credits to Meteor Garden 2018 official account.

The problem about remakes is they are subject to comparisons and criticisms. When it comes to cinematography and playful soundtracks, obviously, you’ll go with 2018 but meddling to the depth of story, you may choose the original version. Imagine if social media was already existing in 2001. Imagine if these two versions lived at the opposite era. Meteor Garden – China appeared in 2001 and Meteor Garden – Taiwan in 2018. How are you going to compare?

As an avid fan of the two versions myself, I have my own reservations regarding the negative feedbacks the China version is getting. So I decided to write down all my personal views about it.

Barbie and Shen Yue may be very different but I am loving Yueyue’s Shancai version because she gave me no frustrations. I can’t remember a single scene that I hated her unlike Barbie’s version before. I’m not alone tho, even Barbie once wanted to reject the role because she couldn’t imagine herself doing it. Dylan as the youngest member of this version and of all other MG versions is highly commendable. Thankfully, he and Daoming Si are somehow similar (not that very similar) so it became easy for him to fill – in the role (I don’t want to dwell with it anymore, it’s all in there in An Open Letter to Dylan Wang/Wáng Hè Dì and Dao Ming Si – Whosoever and it might take another day to finish this if I detail my views about him. Lol). This Dao Ming Si is literally my spirit younger brother! How ironic because I used to crush Daoming Si of Taiwan before yet here, I only see myself as an older sister guiding them all (when titahood hits you hard. Lol), and all I want for him is Shen Yue. I mean FOR REEAAL. You feel me? HAHAHAHAHA.

What I love more about 2018 is it didn’t leave me hanging. This remake is the answer to all my questions and frustrations of the original version. It is also the exact reason why Angie Cai (producer of both Taiwanese and Chinese versions) decided to do a remake because even herself is not satisfied with her first work. Like, “What really is the score between Xi Men and Xiaoyou?”, “What happened to Zhuang’s past?”, “Does Lei really had feelings for Shancai?”, “Did Dao Ming family forgive each other?”, “WHY SHANCAI AND DAO MING SI DIDN’T GET MARRIED?” Another thing I like about it is how the characters of F3 especially Xi Men and Mei Zuo were given justice. It showed the childlike but sacrificial side of Mei Zuo and the strong, intellectual yet fragile side of Xi Men. Xi Men here seems more leader material than Daoming Si, and I’m loving it. I really hoped for a happy ending for Mei Zuo because his character deserves happiness in love, not that happiness he used to find in friendship – something he’s used to be known for. Darren Chen so far is the most effective Hua Ze Lei I’ve seen on TV and stood out the most for me. He’s playing it mysteriously while being cheerful and witty and effortlessly smart all at the same time. Ladies and gentlemen, the second lead syndrome is real.

Each role big or small did their job in their own unique ways. Xiao You is one of my most favorite characters in this version. Her drive and passion for her wants and dreams are very admirable. I also love how they retained Li Zhen throughout the series and how they let Qing He confessed his feelings to his best friend, Shancai. And Yes! I was really expecting Li Zhen and Qing He cos I felt that there’s this secret untold love story going on between them. Special mention is Dee Hsu as Daoming Zhuang who became one of the highlights of the series, the coolest sister both biological and in law ever, and I can’t imagine any actress who can do that role better than her (as they say so, talent really runs in the blood right, Barbie Hsu?). On the antagonists’ side, maybe I hated the new Xiao Zi, and you know that pleasurable feeling that you would personally want to pour that bowl of starch to Daoming Feng’s head? Because they were effective? YES. I also appreciate how this version let Bai He and Xin Hui’s characters befriended Shancai and the others. Most importantly, the value of family was highlighted. I love that Dao Ming Feng reconciled with Shancai. In summary, there are closures. Closures that I really wanted to happen in Taiwan’s version. Added to this list is the way this version helping the audience understand what is happening to China’s business world. And I’m quite amazed how competitive they are, how business-minded they could be as early as college students. It brought me some realizations about Chinese people – something I fully misinterpreted and misunderstood all my life.

(BUT I’m a bit frustrated because I was really expecting that Taiwan’s main characters will appear as wedding guests or waiters or coordinators or long-lost family members in the finale but naa. HAHAHAHAHA)

I like how they redo the original soundtracks; Liu Xing Yu, Qing Fei De Yi, and Ni Yao De Ai by not sacrificing the memories of Taiwan’s version. Dylan Wang and Shen Yue are making me forget the original lead roles in ALL their scenes because it seems like they’re in different characters. You can’t see any Jerry Yan and Barbie Hsu in their portrayal cos their chemistry is undeniably leaving everyone crazy – this is what makes them different and stood out. I remember someone told me that if not because of their chemistry, this series may not be hitting the market. YES!

So what version am I choosing? Both. Both brought me the same feels. Both have their own cast twists and plays. Both versions are helping each other’s audiences to feel the same mania every MG fan felt before, (thanks for having the same producer). Both cast groups were formed PERFECTLY.

You know that feeling when you’re still looking forward to the next scenes though you already have ideas about it? Those heartaches you still feel everytime Si and Shancai break up though you exactly knew why it happened and what’s gonna happen? It was a wrap. I really missed this 6th Grade feeling and I can’t believe that I’m still having the same craze 15 years ago. I hope that this is the last because I want everyone to remember that this is the best and the most remarkable remake of Liu Xing Hua Yan. “I want myself to remember that I want to remember these moments.”

P.S. Seems like another series has been added to my all-time favorites and “R.I.P. rewatched series list.” Rewatching it now because I read somewhere that Jerry and Vic were asked to do a cameo. It’s not confirmed but I want to discover it myself cos how would I know if I won’t try right, Dao Ming Si? Headset and spectacles on.

❤

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(This photo cos he is both. Credits to the owner)

August 7, 2018

Seven months ago, I decided to rewatch my most favorite TV series of all time, Meteor Garden. I just randomly thought about it since I decided to turn off my social media accounts to focus more on my MBA thesis writing. It served as my stress “Spongebob” and self-reward everytime I accomplished a chapter ahead of my time plan. I watched it three times (one in Tagalog dubbed, twice in Mandarin with English subtitle) from January to March. Last April, I was surprised when I saw a trailer on my facebook newsfeed about the Chinese remake. I felt mixed emotions that I couldn’t explain. Excitement, a bit of sadness, maybe? cos wait, I haven’t moved on yet. I just rewatched the original version a month ago, you know?

There. Still, I couldn’t deny the excitement especially when “Liu Xing Yu” was the one playing around the trailer. There’s this F4 member who caught my attention. I started searching for their names online. After watching the trailer I told myself, “Whew. This Dylan Wang could really be a something.”

Dear Boys of Both Worlds,

I must admit, I hated you at first maybe because there are times that I really forgot Jerry Yan, whom for me is the most irreplaceable MG character no matter how many remakes to shoot. But you’re just 19, Jerry was 25. It’s your first acting role and Jerry was on his third. So it’s really quite unfair to compare. There are genuineness and confidence in you which is rare to find in a 19-year-old boy – something misinterpreted in this world full of judgment. Maybe I hated you because you are too good and went beyond my expectations.

But you came along and gave Shancai that familiar look – something so deadly and could melt the whole university in just a snap of a finger. At that stairs, you forcedly pulled Shancai not minding that she’s just a girl only defending her friend who at that time was only asking for an apology. She’s just a girl who dreamed of nothing but a better future for her parents – something you cannot and maybe will never understand.

You still chose to fall for her. You still chose to love her amidst of all hindrances that you’re aware will challenge you along the way. That’s when I started to like you. You are one in a million good-looking, young, outstanding bachelors in town who can buy anything even the Eiffel tower, but you still chose someone below your status in which at first, maybe all of us, couldn’t even understand.

When you were in Canada, I can’t imagine any sane person that would come out in the middle of -20 degree Celsius field just to find someone who can’t even promise to return 50% of love, someone who lied to you (unintentionally) twice. They say that Shancai is the only person that forgives whatever pain and belittle she received from anyone in your world, but they have forgotten how many times you challenge your resistance towards her even it became an emotional torture to you. Again, you don’t care because being neglected is not anymore new to you. Because behind a childish and immature boy who knows nothing but to satisfy his needs and wants is a grown man with fierce eyes laying the deepest secrets, denied love, and trust.

You are longing for a father who will stand for you during high school fights that’s why you did everything when the group of men beats you just to protect Shancai – you even managed to control your anger – stop frowning, cos that was so fatherly. You are longing for a mother’s love that’s why you nag at Shancai every time she does and says stupid things – you even brought out the optimism in her during Chinese Cuisine competition, remember? You are longing for an appreciation and acceptance of everybody that’s why you are being picky when it comes to finding friends – you were even hesitant to make a handshake to Xiaoyou’s boyfriend, investigated Tian Ye who was at that time sincerely building friendship with Shancai and lastly, you confronted her high school classmates for being too conventional. You only have your sister in you and when she got married, you began to long for her. You were lost and in the middle of that wander, you saw someone at the university who talks and treats you like your sister – you were even confused about the emotions and feelings consuming your system. You felt anger, satisfaction, happiness, excitement, disappointments, and frustrations every time you two were having “unusual” encounters. Unconsciously, you saw your sister in her. Right at those very moments, you knew you’d be safe, you’d be understood and maybe, you will be loved.

You don’t care what people say to you as long as you’re doing things you think are right. You don’t care what others do to you simply because you don’t care. If you do the right things in your own way, some don’t appreciate it, they bug you instead because everything you do seems surreal. You can do nothing about it because that’s the way you are, that’s how things supposed to be and don’t worry, I understand that.

If there’s one wish I have about you right now is that I hope you’ll finally come out from your fictional world so there will be someone that will remind everyone that it’s okay to be vulnerable, broken, expressive, impulsive, dominant BUT faithful – a person whom his dearest can count on even it would mean his life. I hope I’ll have a chance to meet you cos I strongly believe I could understand you, and you can understand me too. I hope I can give you advice on how to treat a hard-headed, strong girl like me. I hope I can hug you as my little brother and give the love of a family you deserve. I’m willing to sit beside you at the poolside while watching the meteor showers until dawn and talk about the love of your life, your studies, and your friends. I hope I can be your best friend and defend you from any doubters and judgmental world. Why? Because you are a good person, but you’re just afraid to show the goodness in you. You don’t want to live in everyone’s expectations.

May you be Dao Ming Si or Dylan Wang, whosoever, while reading this, I wish you all the happiness and love in the world. May the learnings you gained from both worlds be your guiding principles towards LIFE. May you find the love that will embrace your inner self and will bring out the best in you. May you continue to be strong, fearless and faithful in everything that you do, and in the good things that will surely come along.

Don’t be afraid to step out into a bigger world and to try something new and alluring opportunities. I believe you can do it. Hold on to that “How could you know if you don’t try?” principle of Dao Ming Si – a hero trapped in a villain look – my most favorite protagonist and antagonist for 15 years, 3 months and 4 days as of this date.

Jiayou Dao Ming Si! Jiayou Wáng Hè Dì!

xoxo,

once a hater (in a good way), forever a fan. Legit Meteor Garden fan since 2003 in the Philippines, who cries during power shortage cos it was so impossible to go back to that missed episode and the internet was only just a word, the time when I used to imitate Shancai’s clothing, hairstyles, backpack, even wanted a scooter. The Johnson & Johnson’s summer swing cologne that reminds me of everything until now because that’s what I used before, time when my childhood closet is filled with MG posters cos that’s the only way I could see them over and over again, time when this reincarnated Dao Ming Si was only 4 years, 4 months and 17 days existing.

ROSE ANN V. MOLASE