This is a romantic-comedy series starring another popular Taiwanese boy group, the 183 Club (composed of Ming Dao, Wang Shao Wei, Zhu Fan Gang and Huang Yu Rong) and Zheng Zhi Qiao of the Mandopop Duo “Sweety.” Aired in Taiwan in 2006, “Ai Qing Mo Fa Shi” (translated, “The Magicians of Love“) was a big hit that it extended to 22 episodes from the original 18.
It is an intricate love story revolving around hair stylists, Du Artz (Ming Dao), Lin Er Qi/Richie (Shao Wei), Fei Nan Du/Fernando (Fan Gang), Xiao Zhe Ming (Ehlo Huang), Bei Ruo Yi/Xiao Bei (Qiao Qiao), Lee Qing Kong (Adriene Lin) and models Ye Ke Lan (Sui Tang) and Emma (Sun Ai Hui). It also deals with competition between two salons--the traditional Zhong Nan and the modern Neo Image.
Though the story is nice, there are some parts that I find ridiculous. First, it was not established how Xiao Bei and Du Yasi’s grandmother met. They were very close but howcome their relationship attained that point? They should have met somewhere and bumped into each other. For example, Du Yasi is accompanying his grandma while pretending to be his twin brother, Du Yajun, who died in a car accident. Perhaps that looks more sensible. There is just a place called Kang Shou where Xiao Bei and Du Yasi go to visit her and I really cannot connect it. Second, Er Qi usually uses a motorcycle but half-way, he was seen driving a car. I think there were two scenes where he drives a car. And then suddenly, he goes back with motorcycle. It was not consistent. Third is the creepy one-eyed black creatures which appear every time Xiao Bei is locked up. The animation doesn’t look good, for me it’s disgusting…I even have goosebumps when I see it. Another, the brown jacket with number 23 in it. This jacket is earlier worn by Du Yasi when he saved Bei Ruo Yi from an impending accident. It is the only thing that she remembers before passing out Hence, it’s suppose to be Du Yasi’s but all of a sudden Er Qi used it without asking permission from the former. There should be a scene where he asked Yasi’s approval first before he left the salon to attend to an important matter. That’s unethical. Next is when Xiao Bei barged in to the salon to spread virus to Yasi’s laptop in order to get back at him. The door was not locked up and no one was looking after the place. It’s not logical. And lastly, the part where the people of Neo-Image have this informal meeting regarding Xiao Bei and then suddenly one turns on the TV and voila, the star tennis player is acknowledging Xiao Bei for her haircut and attributing her success to her. It will look more sensible if someone saw the news on TV and informed them about it. Lao Bei or Chou Mei should have done it. This is the same when the son of Er Qi, Xuan Feng, suddenly turned on the TV and the news about him (Xuan Feng) and Ke Lan was being shown again. That’s unbelievable.
I guess, the title of this one should be “The Magicians of Hair” and not “The Magicians of Love” because they are the virtouso of hair design, heheh…doesn’t sound good.
By the way, It was a revelation that hair/make-up artists in Taiwan are in general not homosexuals 'coz I'm just used to gay hairstylists in the country. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the third sex. Ergo, I find the theme of this story very novel.
It is an intricate love story revolving around hair stylists, Du Artz (Ming Dao), Lin Er Qi/Richie (Shao Wei), Fei Nan Du/Fernando (Fan Gang), Xiao Zhe Ming (Ehlo Huang), Bei Ruo Yi/Xiao Bei (Qiao Qiao), Lee Qing Kong (Adriene Lin) and models Ye Ke Lan (Sui Tang) and Emma (Sun Ai Hui). It also deals with competition between two salons--the traditional Zhong Nan and the modern Neo Image.
Though the story is nice, there are some parts that I find ridiculous. First, it was not established how Xiao Bei and Du Yasi’s grandmother met. They were very close but howcome their relationship attained that point? They should have met somewhere and bumped into each other. For example, Du Yasi is accompanying his grandma while pretending to be his twin brother, Du Yajun, who died in a car accident. Perhaps that looks more sensible. There is just a place called Kang Shou where Xiao Bei and Du Yasi go to visit her and I really cannot connect it. Second, Er Qi usually uses a motorcycle but half-way, he was seen driving a car. I think there were two scenes where he drives a car. And then suddenly, he goes back with motorcycle. It was not consistent. Third is the creepy one-eyed black creatures which appear every time Xiao Bei is locked up. The animation doesn’t look good, for me it’s disgusting…I even have goosebumps when I see it. Another, the brown jacket with number 23 in it. This jacket is earlier worn by Du Yasi when he saved Bei Ruo Yi from an impending accident. It is the only thing that she remembers before passing out Hence, it’s suppose to be Du Yasi’s but all of a sudden Er Qi used it without asking permission from the former. There should be a scene where he asked Yasi’s approval first before he left the salon to attend to an important matter. That’s unethical. Next is when Xiao Bei barged in to the salon to spread virus to Yasi’s laptop in order to get back at him. The door was not locked up and no one was looking after the place. It’s not logical. And lastly, the part where the people of Neo-Image have this informal meeting regarding Xiao Bei and then suddenly one turns on the TV and voila, the star tennis player is acknowledging Xiao Bei for her haircut and attributing her success to her. It will look more sensible if someone saw the news on TV and informed them about it. Lao Bei or Chou Mei should have done it. This is the same when the son of Er Qi, Xuan Feng, suddenly turned on the TV and the news about him (Xuan Feng) and Ke Lan was being shown again. That’s unbelievable.
I guess, the title of this one should be “The Magicians of Hair” and not “The Magicians of Love” because they are the virtouso of hair design, heheh…doesn’t sound good.
By the way, It was a revelation that hair/make-up artists in Taiwan are in general not homosexuals 'coz I'm just used to gay hairstylists in the country. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the third sex. Ergo, I find the theme of this story very novel.
I also noticed that it’s common there for celebrities playing good music with their hair designer, make-up artist or assistant. Like here in the story, famous hairstylist Du Yasi had a relationship with his assistant Qing Kong, another one is Fei Nan Du who got involved with two models. In real life, I heard Vic Zhou once had a make-up artist as his girlfriend, that was before Xu Wei Lun and Barbie Hsu; Raymond Lam who acted in “Ai Qing Xin Hu Xi” is currently dating his assistant; Jerry Yan was one time linked to his assistant, and two more celebrities whose names I cannot remember. If this is the case, I would also like to work there as assistant and be involved with any of those good-looking actors (in my dreams!)
On the other hand, I would like to comment on the leading lady, Qiao Qiao who played Bei Ruo Yi. Yeah, she acts well but I think she is misfit for the role. I know she’s very young, 17 to be exact when the series was shot and in the story, her character is also around that age. In my opinion, she doesn’t look good with either Du Artz or Er Qi. Her looks, being an artist, is very ordinary even if you put her tons and tons of make-up…no offense meant. It lessens the “kilig” factor. For me, it would be better if the leading lady in “Ai Qing Mo Jie,” Xia Yu Qiao (who I think is a little older than her) is the one casted here. She is pretty even without make-up and matches more with the two guys.
I was surprised to see Ehlo Huang here. I didn’t know he’s also a member of 183 Club. I first saw him in the romantic-comedy series “Ai Shang Qian Jin Mei Mei,” where he played a supporting role. There he plays Justin, a make-up artist, who fell in love with the leading character Ai Bi/Albee. I find him cute since then ‘coz he looks more Filipino than Chinese but wasn‘t expecting to see him again in this production. Though his character is almost the same as in “Ai Shang..,” this time he portrays the cute and funny hairstylist Zhe Ming. I just noticed his comedy style is like that of Show Luo. Well, I just hope to see him more…
Ambrose Zhu was also a pleasant surprise in this production. I’ve seen him played the lead role, like in “Lavander” and “Lao Shu Ai Da Mi” but here he portrays the antagonist, David Yao, also a hairstylist. Yet his character only emerged in the latter part. It’s good that he accepted the role for a change.
Actually, this is the first series of 183 Club that I was able to watch in full. I thought they were only a copycat of F4 so I tend to ignore them. I noticed that Ming Dao is hot in spite of his indigenous looks. A Taiwanese I met over Friendster told me that he has this aboriginal roots. Now I understand why he is being pitted against Wu Zun of Fahrenheit and Zhou Yu Min of F4, who are also active in doing TV series.
Meantime, Sam Wang’s character here is like King One in “Devil Beside You.” Though they are not that handsome, but man, you will also fall in love with them in the end, promise.
Apart from some absurd scenes, I can say that I have no regrets in watching this series. Now, I can say that 183 Club rocks!
* photo credit to sanlih e-television
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