Tuesday, October 30, 2007

“Zhan Shen”









This is the first Idol Drama that I was able to watch in full length and in Mandarin. This story is adapted from Japanese manga “God Mars” by Fuyumi Soryo. And take note, it won the “Favorite Drama of the Year” category in the 40th Annual 2005 Golden Bell Awards.

The story is about a naive artistic girl, Qui Luo (Da S), who was raped by his stepfather and a carefree and playboy Chen Ling (Zai Zai), who is haunted by the death of his twin brother Shen. These two worlds will collide and their differences will bond them.

Though I was really scared watching this because it is mixed with suspense, I do love the series because the leading characters here are two of my most favorite artists, Zhou Yu Min and Hsu Hsi Yuan.

There are three lines that struck me most here…First, Ling telling Qui Luo about “Mars”. According to him, “Mars prophecy says that a terrifying king will control the world and the world be ruled by Mars.“ Then asked, “What kind of world you think it would be if the world is ruled by Mars?!” But he was also the one who made the response, “The world is messed up anyway. It will collapse sooner or later. I also don’t believe that there is a great future ahead. So why not just come to a flashy and glorified end, doesn’t it sound better?! Why it hasn’t happening yet?! I wonder how the world is going…to end.”

Like Ling, I tend to be philosophical at times. I agree with him that the world is now messed up especially when you hear news about hundreds of fatalities due to natural disasters, suicide bombings, rampant corruption, deaths brought about by different diseases and so on, leading me to believe that the end is imminent. I was amazed 'coz he was able to articulate my world view. Likewise, it reminds me about some texts in the Bible that before the so-called God’s Kingdom will arrive, the earth will be ruled by evil. And in this lines by Ling, he just used “Mars” since it’s associated with force, darkness and blood.

In the end, these lines became romantic when Qui Luo asked him if he still believes if the world is going to end someday. He answered: “It is inevitable. It’s only a matter of time but we need to go on. Qui Lou, you have to be with me.”

If a guy you love would tell you those lines, promise, it will melt any girl’s heart.

Same with this one, again Ling on Qui Luo: “Before I always thought there was nothing to be afraid of in this world. But when I met you, I’ve got lot of things to be afraid of. What I’m afraid most is when you’re riding at the back seat of my motorcycle. I absolutely can’t make any mistake, I cannot lose you like that.”

And the last, from Fan Tong Dao who is a psychiatric patient talking to Qui Luo: “Don’t you know the theory that happiness is actually built from other people’s unhappiness?! To pursue your dreams, your mother had to work harder until she got sick due to fatigue. All happiness comes from other people’s sacrifices. In the end, happiness is nothing but a scam.

Yes, I definitely agree to him not because I’m a psychotic (heheh) but it made me realize that in order to make one happy or achieve happiness for that matter, it entails sacrifice at the same time.

I am sure after watching this series, you will love it like I do. It is deeply moving...


* photo credit to AF

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