Together (Singaporean TV series)
Together (Chinese: 当我们同在一起, literally "When We Are Together") is a Singaporean Chinese drama produced in 2009. It was telecasted on Singapore's free-to-air channel, MediaCorp Channel 8. It stars Jeanette Aw , Dai Xiangyu , Elvin Ng , Eelyn Kok , Zhang Zhenhuan & Zhou Ying as the casts for the series. It is MediaCorp's 46th anniversary year-end blockbuster drama, and was sponsored by the Media Development Authority of Singapore. It made its debut on 30 November 2009 and ended on 18 January 2010. This drama serial consists of 36 episodes, and was screened on every weekday night at 9:00 pm. The series also utilized the writer and some cast members from The Little Nyonya, a 2008 production by MediaCorp that went on to become the highest rated Singaporean TV series in 15 years.
| Together (当我们同在一起) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Period drama |
| Created by | Ang Eng Tee 洪荣狄 |
| Written by | Ang Eng Tee 洪荣狄 |
| Directed by | Chia Mien Yang 谢敏洋 Chong Liung Man 张龙敏 Lai Lee Thin 赖丽婷 Loo Yin Kam 卢燕金 Tay Peck Choo 郑碧珠 |
| Starring | Jeanette Aw Dai Xiangyu Elvin Ng Eelyn Kok Zhang Zhenhuan Zhou Ying |
| Opening theme | 我们 by Kelvin Tan |
| Ending theme | 我们之间 by Joi Chua |
| Country of origin | Singapore |
| Original language(s) | Chinese |
| No. of episodes | 36 |
| Production | |
| Producer(s) | Chia Mien Yang 谢敏洋 |
| Running time | approx. 45 minutes per episode |
| Release | |
| Original network | MediaCorp Channel 8 |
| Original release | Singapore: 30 November 2009 – 18 January 2010 PPCTV: 2 June 2010 (Cambodia) TPBS: 1 June 2012 (Thailand) |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Daddy at Home 企鹅爸爸 |
| Followed by | Happy Family 过好年 |
| External links | |
| Website | |
The series title also refers to the children's folk song "The More We Get Together" and the tune is played during the interlude and in the introduction of the theme song. Together reran at 5.30pm on Channel 8 on weekdays and 4.30pm on weekends.
Cast
Yao Family
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Wang Yuqing 王昱清 | Yao Shi 姚狮 | Yao Jianhong and Yao Wuji's father Self-proclaimed as "Master of Time" Formerly a gambler Deceased |
| Jeanette Aw 欧萱 | Yao Jianhong 姚剑虹 | Initially a swordswoman Yao Wuji's twin sister Became a dance hostess; nicknamed 'Xiao-hong' Yao Shi's daughter Huang Zhihao's ex-wife Crush on Lin Xiaobei Clothes seller Yixin and Xiaoting’s mother Xiaobei's wife (few years later) |
| Zhang Zhenhuan 张振寰 | Yao Wuji 姚无忌 | Formerly a bookstall owner Yao Shi's son Yao Jianhong's twin brother Crush on Huang Jinhao |
Lin Family
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Li Wenhai | Lin Yi 林益 | Tailor Lin Xiaobei's father |
| Lin Liyun | Ah Wei | Seamstress Lin Xiaobei's mother |
| Dai Xiangyu 戴向宇 | Lin Xiaobei 林小杯 | Nicknamed Lin Xiaomei (小妹, "Little Sister") Son of Lin Yi Event Organiser / Manager Crush on Yao Jianhong Huang Zhihao's best friend Yixin and Xiaoting’s father Yao Jianhong's husband (few years later) |
| Jarrell Ng 黄俊融 (Teenage version portrayed by Hong Weixiang 洪玮祥) | Lin Yixin 林一心 | Grandson of Lin Yi and Ah Wei Grandson of Yao Shi Adoptive Grandson of Huang Lifa and He Jiao Son of Lin Xiaobei and Yao Jianhong Adoptive son of Huang Zhihao Lin Xiaoting’s older brother |
| Wu Jiamin 吴家敏 | Lin Xiaoting 林小婷 | Granddaughter of Lin Yi and Ah Wei Granddaughter of Yao Shi Daughter of Lin Xiaobei and Yao Jianhong Lin Yixin’s younger sister |
Huang Family
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Ye Shipin | Huang Lifa 黄利发 | Huang Zhihao and Huang Jinhao's father Boss of a coffee shop He Jiao's husband |
| Hong Huifang 洪慧芳 | He Jiao 何娇 | Huang Zhihao and Huang Jinhao's mother Huang Lifa's wife |
| Elvin Ng 黄俊雄 | Huang Zhihao 黄志豪 | Tarzan Self-proclaimed Tiger King Huang Jinhao's older brother Son of Huang Lifa & He Jiao Lin Xiaobei's best friend Yixin's adoptive father Crush on Yao Jianhong & Jinzhu Turned eunuch by wrestling opponent, Shan Lang Jinzhu's husband (few years later) |
| Eelyn Kok 郭蕙雯 | Huang Jinhao 黄金好 | Huang Zhihao's younger sister Daughter of Huang Lifa & He Jiao Crush on Lin Xiaobei |
| Jarrell Ng 黄俊融 | Lin Yixin 林一心 | Adoptive grandson of Huang Lifa and He Jiao Son of Lin Xiaobei and Yao Jianhong Becomes a member of the Special Forces |
Qin Family
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Zheng Geping 郑各评 | Qin Xiangling 秦相林 | Formerly a conman Liu Maomao's husband Qin Huimin's father |
| Aileen Tan 陈丽贞 | Liu Maomao 刘毛毛 | Ex-member of Butterfly Gang Qin Xiangling's wife Qin Huimin's mother |
| Zhou Ying 周颖 | Qin Huimin 秦慧敏 | Crush on Lin Xiaobei Daughter of Qin Xiangling & Liu Maomao Becomes a lawyer |
Wang Family
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Pamelyn Chee | Wang Yanxia | Wang family's second shareholder Wuji's wife (later divorced) |
| Jian Man | Master Wang | Wang family's business boss Yanxia's father |
Dance Club
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Constance Song 宋怡霏 | Lucy | Head Hostess of Dance Club Lucy-jie |
| Jeanette Aw 欧萱 | Yao Jianhong | See "Yao Family" |
| Yuan Long | Zhang/Yang | Lucy's assistant |
North Bridge Road shops
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Jeanette Aw 欧萱 | Yao Jianhong | See Yao Family |
| You Lei | Auntie Wanton | Wanton seller |
| Wu Kegou | Uncle Foot | Shoe seller and Cobbler |
| Chen Huoming | $5.60 | Wanton's assistant |
| Jake Low | Zhen | Paper seller Ex-member of Anti-Corruption Bureau |
| Fa Si | Yao Wen | Fortune teller |
Police Station
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Yuan Shuai 袁帅 | Ou Yuming | Inspector Ou Was Tua Kow Yang & Dehua's Superior at first but later on transferred to Anti-Corruption Bureau Crush on Yao Jianhong |
| Desmond Tan 陈泂江 | Lin Dehua 林德华 | Main Villain
Corporal Lin |
Others
| Cast | Role | Description |
| Nat Ho 鹤天赐 | Louis | Doctor Huimin's husband |
| Huang Peibei | Xing Singxin | |
| Zhen Fuji | Mr. Poet | Poet |
| Benjamin Heng | Black Mole | Leader Mole gang |
| Zhen Ming | Joe | Zhang's rival |
Plot
The story begins in 1967. That year, Singapore first issued her own currency and made national service mandatory for all young Singaporean males who have come of age. That year, there were people who rented out fake eyelashes for S$4 a day; prices of eggs plummeted to a new low, propelling Singaporeans to start a movement to kill chickens to reduce egg-supply. That year, the “Vietnam Rose” (a form of syphilis) set foot on the island, visitors who called on prostitutes shuddered at its mention; that same year, Sakura and Rita Chao's “New Peach-blossom River” was popular in the streets of Singapore...
There lived 3 families in 3 houses along a horizontal street (which bustled with noise and excitement) in North Bridge Road, amongst whom were 6 youths of about the same age and had grown up together. Lin Xiaobei (Dai Xiangyu) was the only son of tailor Lin. He fought and got into trouble all the time, and was a constant headache to his neighbours. Yao Jianhong (Jeanette Aw), who grew up with Xiaobei, was the only person who could subdue him. Jianhong withdrew from school at a young age and with her father, performed martial arts in the streets to sell medicated ointment. She was in the ‘turf’ for years, and was a candid and forthright girl with a sense of chivalry. Lin Xiaobei liked her and the feeling was mutual. However she was very unhappy with Xiao Bei's frivolous attitude. She hoped that Xiao Bei would be down-to-earth and succeed his father's trade. Xiaobei did not want to be resigned to cooping in the humble tailor-shop. He wanted to venture into more ambitious grounds and strike it rich someday.
Another childhood friend of Lin Xiaobei was Huang Zhihao, nicknamed "Tarzan"(Elvin Ng), who was always building castles in the air. A fickle-minded youth, he wanted to be a car racer for a moment and fantasized about being a wrestler next. Both of them were at loggerheads sometimes and allies during other occasions. Xiaobei and Tarzan stick by each other through weal and woe. Like chopsticks, each is incomplete without the other.
Besides Jianhong, Tarzan's sister, Huang Jinhao (Eelyn Kok), also liked Xiaobei. She was a vain and materialistic girl with a naive mindset. Despite not winning Xiaobei's heart, she was loyal to him as a friend. Jianhong's twin brother, Yao Wuji (Zhang Zhenhuan) was very timid. He could only keep the feelings he had towards Jinhao to himself.
Qin Hui Min (Zhou Ying) was the only one among the few youngsters who was highly educated. Though she was physically weak, she had an unrelenting perseverance, and eventually became a lawyer.
The two generations of these families went through 30 years of changes, entwined in love, hate, grudge, jealousy, magnanimity and forgiveness.
Character Analysis
- Dai Xiangyu as Lin Xiaobei – Lin Xiaobei is an eloquent, ambitious, strong and silent, upholding justice, dare to love, dare to hate and is the only son. There are a total of three women who is in love with him however his eyes are set on only Jianhong. His fate later had a tremendous change because of Huang Jinhao going from a happy go lucky chap to a drug addict. He later found out his lover had married his best friend. Xiaobei was also given a nickname as Xiaomei.
- Jeanette Aw as Yao Jianhong – Yao Jianhong is a beautiful, strong girl who can pull through even the darkest period of time. She never receive any education and helps her father to perform martial arts on the street，later she became a bar girl to help her father pay his debts. She is in love with Xiaobei but she wants him to be realistic and stop being so ambitious，however he left her due to some reasons. She later was pregnant with Xiaobei's child yet married Zhihao.
- Elvin Ng as Huang Zhihao – As ‘Tarzan’ in the drama, he is someone who is brash and courageous, but naive. Often manipulated by others, he is easily distracted and does not succeed in the things he takes up. He harbors big ambitions but easily gives up in the face of difficulties. Tarzan is great buddies with Xiao Bei but falls out with him because of their love for Jianhong. He eventually marries Jian Hong but never wins her heart.
- Eelyn Kok as Huang Jinhao – She plays Huang Jinhao, a vain young girl in her prime whose bubbly, pretty and fashionable. Always dreaming of a better life, she does not want to be cooped up working in a coffeeshop. Naive, she is often lucky to have Xiaobei who protects her from being cheated. She makes use of Yao Wuji who's in love with her, and fights with Jianhong for Xiaobei's affections. She later becomes the cause of Xiaobei's downward spiral change of fate.
- Zhang Zhenhuan as Yao Wuji – He plays an introvert, shy, non-ambitious Yao Jianhong's brother who falls for Huang Jinhao. Jinhao makes use of Wuji to get what she wants.
- Zhou Ying as Qin Huimin – she plays an easily fallen ill lawyer and quietly falling in love with Xiaobei but when she finds out about his love for Jianhong, she even tries to bring them together despite being still in love with Xiaobei.
Awards & Nominations
Together was nominated for 20 awards in the 2010 Star Awards, and became the biggest winner with five awards, including the Best Drama Series and Theme Song. The show went on to nominate for three more awards in the Asian Television Award, but did not win any.
Star Awards 2010
| Accolades | Award | Nominee(s) | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Awards 2010 Show 1 红星大奖2010 上半场 | Best Drama Theme Song 最佳主题曲 | 《我们》 by Kelvin Tan | Won |
| Best Director 最佳导演 | Chong Liung Man 张龙敏 | Nominated | |
| Lai Lee Thin 赖丽婷 | Nominated | ||
| Loo Yin Kam 卢燕金 | Nominated | ||
| Tay Peck Choo 郑碧珠 [1] | Won | ||
| Best Screenplay 最佳剧本 | Ang Eng Tee 洪荣狄 | Nominated | |
| Favourite Male Character 最喜爱男主角 | Dai Xiangyu 戴向宇 | Nominated | |
| Elvin Ng 黄俊雄 | Nominated | ||
| Favourite Female Character 最喜爱女主角 | Jeanette Aw 欧萱 | Won | |
| Unforgettable Villain 最难忘电视大反派 | Desmond Tan 陈泂江 | Nominated | |
| Rocket Award 年度飞跃奖 | Elvin Ng 黄俊雄 | Won | |
| Star Awards 2010 Show 2 红星大奖2010 下半场 | Best Actor 最佳男主角 | Elvin Ng 黄俊雄 | Nominated |
| Dai Yang Tian 戴向宇 | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress 最佳女主角 | Jeanette Aw 欧萱 | Nominated | |
| Eelyn Kok 郭蕙雯 | Nominated | ||
| Best Supporting Actor 最佳男配角 | Zheng Geping 郑各评 | Nominated | |
| Zhang Zhenhuan 张振寰 | Nominated | ||
| Best Supportinng Actress 最佳女配角 | Hong Huifang 洪慧芳 | Nominated | |
| Aileen Tan 陈丽贞 | Nominated | ||
| Best Drama Serial 最佳电视剧 | N/A | Won | |
| 2010 Asian Television Awards | |||
| Asian Television Award | Best Actress 最佳女主角 | Jeanette Aw 欧萱 | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actor 最佳男配角 | Zhang Zhenhuan 张振寰 | Nominated | |
| Best Supporting Actress 最佳女配角 | Constance Song 宋怡霏 | Nominated | |
Trivia
- Fiona Xie was originally cast as Huang Jinhao, however the role was instead given to Eelyn Kok after Xie pulled out last minute due to personal reasons.
- A majority of the scenes were filmed in Malacca.
- Scripts of Jeanette Aw was originally written to love Elvin Ng.
- Yuan Long has two names, Zhang and Yang, with the latter called more.
- Elvin Ng and Jeanette Aw had paired up in another drama, New Beginnings, The Journey: A Voyage, World At Your Feet and 118 II.
- Dai Yang Tian and Elvin Ng had paired up in another drama, No Limits.
- Dai Yang Tian and Zhou Ying pairs up again for the second time after Table of Glory. Another drama that would have count as a pair was Breakout (Dai portrayed as a villain in said drama).
- Together was initially planned to have 35 episodes, but later extended to 36 due to filming overrun.
- The TV serial was featured as material for television broadcasting for other drama series such as in episodes 4 and 7 of C.L.I.F. 2 and in episode 10 of 118.
- Desmond Tan's first villainous role.
- Together reran on MediaCorp Channel 8 at 4.30pm on weekends after succeeding The Journey: Our Homeland, another periodical-drama show featuring Jeanette Aw.
- Jarrell Ng earlier took part in The Sheng Siong Show in 2007 where he became the inaugural karaoke competition winner prior to the drama. Ng later participated in three Chinese reality singing competitions – Chinese Million Star (2011–12), Sound Of My Dream (2017) and SPOP Sing! (2018), the latter who've Ng went on to win.[2][3]
Overseas Release
Together was broadcast on PPCTV Channel 9 as a blockbuster drama series of the year.
| Country of Broadcast | Broadcasting Network | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
 |
PPCTV Drama 9 | 2 June 2010 |
 |
Thai Public Broadcasting Service | 1 June 2012[4] |
See also
- List of programmes broadcast by MediaCorp TV Channel 8
- List of Together episodes
- The Journey (trilogy series)
- The Journey: A Voyage
- The Journey: Tumultuous Times
- The Journey: Our Homeland
References
- ""The Little Nyonya" director Tay Peck Choo dies". Channel News Asia. 29 June 2012.
- "《SPOP听我唱》冠军黄俊融 来头不小". channel8news.sg. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
- "First Look Encore 2018/2019 - EP242". toggle.sg. Retrieved 2018-11-05.
- "Together...เพื่อนกันไม่มีวันเปลี่ยน – Thai PBS". 1 June 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-03.
External links
17 Minutes Sneak Preview
| Preceded by The Little Nyonya 2008-09 |
Star Awards for Best Drama Serial Together 2009-10 |
Succeeded by Breakout 2010-11 |