07 November 2013, Joanna Goh
The popular Ch8 cop drama returns with more action-packed scenes in its third installation next year
RBKD: Check out Xinmsn to find out more about Rui En’s role in C.L.I.F.3 as she returns as Huang Zhijie, team leader of SIS (Special Investigation Section).
C.L.I.F. 3 è¦å¾½å¤©èŒ 3 debuts 10 April 2014 9pm on Channel 8.
Source: Xinmsn
Categorised in C.L.I.F. 3 è¦å¾½å¤©èŒ 3, EN, xinmsn.
05 November 2013, Joanna Goh
How can local TV improve its shows?
RBKD: Xinmsn shares about 5 areas local TV can improve on, click on the link below to read in detail.
Source: Xinmsn
Categorised in EN, Ratings 节目收视率, Sudden 骤å˜, The Dream Makers 志在四方, Unriddle 2 最ç«ææ¡£ 2, xinmsn.
Fuzz off!
Who grows a better Tony Stark-inspired beard – Romeo Tan in Sudden or George Young in Mata Mata?
Romeo Tan, 28 in Sudden
The fuzz helps build character: It helps him to look older as Rui En’s on-screen beau (Rui En is 32).
Categorised in 8 DAYS, EN, Sudden 骤å˜.
By Joanna Goh
As sudden as it gets: This Ch8 drama sure lives up to its eponymous name
Sudden premiered with plenty of hype and promise: a new TV coupling (in Rui En and Romeo Tan), picturesque scenes filmed in Tasmania, new camera, refreshing angles and even a new story-telling format. While it deserves a ‘bravo’ for attempting the abovementioned factors, there lies an emotional disconnect between the drama and its viewer (aka its missing a spark).
It also left us confused. Unlike its grim and gritty doomsday-esque posters and impactful start (which left its male lead crippled for life), Sudden felt more like a romance-themed drama series than a legal drama TV series, what with the emphasis on its two leads’ relationship (chronicling it from their courtship to cohabitation days) from the start to end of each episode. Admittedly, its love line runs strong in the show, but its storyline(s) feels less cohesive in comparison.
Okay, enough of the technicalities. We put ‘Sudden’ into perspective and see where the show got its name from.
Dun dun dun, you’re in for a ride
Sudden ascension to #1 male lead: Romeo Tan
Romeo Tan had big shoes to fill and plenty to live up to in this show: in a span of three years, he went from second male lead to starring male lead (in Sudden). Tasked to carry the weight of the show with female lead Rui En, he had a steep learning curve piled on his plate – on top of having to put up a convincing romance with Rui En’s character – which is no easy feat. Let’s face it. It’s not his best performance to date (he’s had better shows and roles) but we don’t blame the actor for it. All he needs is time to mature. In fact, to cover up the awkwardness (or lack of chemistry) between the two of them, their relationship would have panned out better should their differences be addressed from the start.
For example, branding it as a May-December romance (i.e., a mature senior lawyer Chuning falling for her adorkable pupil Qiliang) would have made for a more acceptable alternative because putting them on the same pedestal, to say the least, felt hard to believe.
Sudden death of the show’s biggest star: Flapper
Six episodes on and we still find it hard to believe that Flapper –the lovable golden retriever who’d wag his tail when his masters are home, act dead and “pray†on command and even force the main couple (Chuning and Qiliang) to get their act together, kiss and make up when at cold war – is gone. As a pivotal plot device in this show, Flaps (as Chuning calls him) was the unlikely star of the show who stole our hearts with his every whimper and bark, and it was a pity he was gone too soon in the show (and in a span of 3 mins – yes we counted).
Sudden loss of innocence in the lawyers of this show
Instead of preserving the upright and pristine image of lawyers (as seen in most dramas), this show gave the law industry a tinge of realism by painting the grey side of its characters too. The scheming, underhanded and manipulative tactics resorted by the lawyers in these show –and specifically Zhang Zhenhuan’s character, Sun Dalun, a young hotshot lawyer who has no qualms breaking the rules of the game to win a case – felt more true to life.
Sudden (and uncalled for) cliché: Brain tumour
Lest you think the only unforeseen circumstance keeping Chuning and Qiliang apart is his inferiority complex (after he became disabled from the car accident), Chuning is stricken with advanced dementia (a hereditary disease passed down from her mother) which totally throws their relationship off the balance.
While the scenes featuring the mental and emotional breakdown of her character were some of the best parts in the show, is there a need to go down this path? Things are getting dramatic tonight, guys. Be prepared for the waterworks!
Sudden bromance which provided comic relief: Wentai and Shenghua
The group scenes involving Ian Fang (as Zhong Wentai), Yuan Shuai (as Lin Shenghua), Flapper, Rebecca, Romeo and Rui En’s characters at Ah Liang’s agency formed the liveliest bits of the show. We particularly enjoyed the dynamics displayed between Ian and Yuan Shuai in the early episodes which had their characters ganging up against their “sister in-law†Chuning. Frenemies? How cute.
Sudden level(s) up in episode 18 onwards
Are you serious, drama producers? The show finally wakes up from deep slumber, makes a 180-degrees turn from its unexciting start and morphs into a suspenseful crime thriller at episode 18. Now we’re talking! The pace tightens, the plot thickens, and dear show, you have finally got our attention.
And that’s some strong acting from Rui En as her character starts to lose her mind and her tough-cookie exterior crumbles with the onset of her disease and endless hallucinations… or not….
(EPISODE 20 SPOILER ALERT NEXT!)
Sudden collision between drama worlds; Sudden suddenly became good
We bet we aren’t the only one who feel this way: the final showdown between Rebecca and Rui En’s characters was definitely reminiscent of the duo’s final scene in Unriddle 2 last year – only creepier with the existence of a revengeful and psychotic twin (called Yixin). We might be stretching it but the final scene in episode 20 could have very well been a continuation of Unriddle 2, when a psychotic twin sister returns to seek revenge on the police officer Xiaoman. Okay, we’re stretching it…
Thankfully, the final three episodes made for a satisfying watch and a conclusive end to a story that started out weak – all sins have been forgiven, including the loss of Flapper. IF only it had maintained such strong pacing in its early episodes…
Are we going to have a 50 First Dates-esque sequel next?
Sudden éª¤å˜ is now airing on Channel 8, Weekdays at 9pm.
Source: Xinmsn
Categorised in EN, Sudden 骤å˜, Unriddle 2 最ç«ææ¡£ 2, xinmsn.
1. Scene & Heard Page 20
Story: Sarah Chang
Tas-manic!
Even after 11 days in Tasmania where they
a) shot romantic scenes for Ch 8 drama Sudden,
b) braved the freezing cold together, and
c) snapped countless couple-y selfies,
Romeo Tan and Rui En aren’t really pals.
The Tourists: It’s Romeo Tan and Rui En’s first time in Tasmania – hence the actor’s ‘I have arrived!’ pose.
Sibling revelry: Tasmania may be cold but was it colder than the very cool Rui En? “No lah, the trip was very relaxed, and by then we had already filmed together for a while, so I felt comfortable enough to tease her and tell her jokes,” says Romeo, who adds that the actress is more like a “big sister” than a friend. Have they kept in touch since wrapping the drama? “No, I have her number, but I know her style. She’s not very ‘social’, so I try not to disturb her,” he tells us.
Love stinks: This is where Romeo declares his love to Rui En in the drama. But the stars remember the moment differently. “Rui En thought it was very smelly ‘cos we were stepping on sheep poo, but I was so immersed in our romance and the beautiful scenery that the smell didn’t affect me,” says Romeo.
Self love: Rui En may not have an Instagram account but you can still find her on the social media app…thanks to @romeotan. “I was quite surprised that she didn’t mind taking selfies with me and even allowed me to post the photos. Of course I sought her permission before posting lah,” he tells us.
I’ll be bak: Rui En was nicknamed ‘Bak Chang’ during the trip ‘cos she was always wrapped up in thick winter clothing. “The average temperature was 10°C, but it drops to -2°C in the morning and night,” says Romeo who adds that he and Rui En would often whine to each other about the cold.
2. Boos & Bravos Page 114
By: Ki’ern Tan, Sarah Chang & Douglas Tseng
Boo to Rui En and Romeo Tan’s odd coupling on the legal drama, Sudden. We don’t buy them as an item because Romeo looks more scared than enamoured of the more worldly-wise Rui En. Their lacklustre, cringe-worthy bond is echoed in one telling sense where they reminisce about their courtship days. Rui En’s big shot lawyer says she found Romeo’s character childish back then. “I didn’t want to get into a relationship with a boy,” she recalls. We couldn’t have said it better.
Sudden éª¤å˜ is now airing on Channel 8, Weekdays at 9pm.
Categorised in 8 DAYS, EN, Sudden 骤å˜.
Text: Sherman Yang
Video: Chia Jia Xin/ Toh Yew Sin
Rui En is currently starring as the lawyer Chen Chu Ning on the channel 8 drama Sudden. We loved her previous role as Fang Tong Lin on The Dream Makers and we were hoping her new role was just as cutesy (we almost tracked-in, craned up and tilted down into the interview).
Sadly, Rui En shared that her role as a lawyer is the complete opposite, “My fans will be, ‘This is back to what she is used to doing’.â€
She added that the role is a professional role, so she couldn’t possibly be a “cartoon lawyerâ€.
Back to singing?
Seeing that Romeo Tan sang the theme song for Sudden, Rui En shared that she would be happy to sing a theme song in the future if she is given the chance. She also sang a snippet of Olivia Ong’s ‘You And Me’ in the show. It’s a pity that the song is unavailable in digital format due to copyright issues.
Rui En also said that there weren’t any concrete plans at the moment to release another album. However, she revealed that she missed singing as it was a “different method of expression†compared to acting, which is her main focus at this point.
The actress also did a special quiz for the Mid-autumn festival! Check out the video to find out what her favourite mooncake is and what question made her laugh.
Sudden éª¤å˜ is now airing on Channel 8, Weekdays at 9pm.
Source: MeRadio
Categorised in EN, MeRadio, Sudden 骤å˜, The Dream Makers 志在四方.
Two domestic dramas – one in Singapore and one in Japan – show relationships under stress.
By Foong Woei Wan
In 2011 Taiwanese hit In Time With You, Singaporean actor Romeo Tan had only a few seconds to make an impression and he did.
It was a small scene that wouldn’t have been as cute with a less adept actor.
On Channel 8, where his star is rising, Tan has inhabited supporting role with ease. Now making his debut as a leading man in Sudden, he is assured and restrained as a lawyer who is picking up the pieces after a road accident leaves him in a wheelchair.
But he is powerless to overcome the drama, which is more surface shine than substance.
Formally ambitious, the story zigzags back and forth in time in early episodes and provides an extensive view of the accident from the standpoints of a handful of characters: the lawyer (Tan) who is hanging upside down with his dying key witness in his overturned car; his panicking girlfriend (Rui En) who was following him in her car after he received a death threat; and a fledgling lawyer (Zhang Zhenhuan) who helps the witness call his daughter (Rebecca Lim) and misses a job interview.
Tan and Rui En’s lawyer characters break up after the accident but she lingers in his house and likewise, the drama doesn’t give up hope of getting them back together.
Many episodes begin and end with flashbacks to their courtship in Tasmania, which are meant to shed some light on their stalemate now. But they don’t.
Conversations in the past and the present, in picturesque Australia and boutique Singapore, tend to echo each other in a way that is more repetitive than revealing. However meaningfully Tan and Rui En smile, there is a limit to the profundity they can give a postcard-thick story.
It’s all quite pretty, though.
Verdict: 2.5/5
Sudden éª¤å˜ is now airing on Channel 8, Weekdays at 9pm.
Source: The Straits Times
Categorised in EN, Sudden 骤å˜, The Straits Times.
By Ilsa Chan
Actors turn down roles for a host of reasons.
Who: Rui En
No to: Kissing & intimate scenes
Call Rui En a prude or unprofessional but the local actress has openly voiced that she does not do kissing or intimate scenes. Oh, and she doesn’t give a rat’s a** about what you think either.
In 2008, the actress reportedly turned down the lead role in TV drama The Defining Moment due to a rape scene in the script.
While her refusal to compromise might limit her opportunities, it does not seem to have hurt her popularity or career.
The 32-year-old has bagged Best Actress trophies every year since 2011 – twice in the Star Awards (2011 and 2013), and once in the Asian Television Awards (2012) – and has made it to the Star Awards Top 10 Most Popular Female Artiste list (decided by public voting) every year since 2005.
You might say she’s got attitude, we prefer character. Stick to your guns, Rui En. Why join them when you can beat them?
Source: Xinmsn
Categorised in Asian Television Awards, Asian Television Awards 2012, EN, Star Awards, Star Awards 2011, Star Awards 2012, Star Awards 2013, Unriddle 2 最ç«ææ¡£ 2, With You æˆ‘åœ¨ä½ å·¦å³, xinmsn.
Critters that shone brighter on screen than their human counterparts
Sniff. Are you, like us, having trouble getting over dear Flapper’s unexpected death on Sudden? Local TV’s latest favourite critter bit the dust trying to save Qiliang (Romeo Tan) on the Ch8 drama on Monday night – and just when we were beginning to love him more and more. I mean, did you guys see Flapper “praying†on Romeo’s Instagram!? Too adorable for words.
Thankfully, the real Flapper is still with us, and even has a fan club of his own! Sudden isn’t the talented Labrador Retriever’s acting debut, though – he starred in local film My Dog Dou Dou alongside Taiwanese actor Jason Wang last year.
Here’s an open plea to all filmmakers: Can we have Flapper in more upcoming shows, please?
Sudden éª¤å˜ is now airing on Channel 8, Weekdays at 9pm.
Source: Xinmsn
Categorised in EN, Sudden 骤å˜, xinmsn.
