I am finally done with the 20-episode of “Love Contract” (“Ai Qing He Yue” in Mandarin). Outwardly, Xiao Feng (Ariel Lin) is a stubborn tomboy and the captain of the Kendo Club at her college. In her group of friends, she is the leader with her demanding nature and abrupt ways. Inwardly, however, Xiao Feng is a girl scarred by her past and searching for what she wants most--love. Her friends, Ah Kai (Zhang Rui Jia), Xiao Bai (Lai Zhi Wei ), Mu Tou (Lin Yi Hong), Xin Lei (Zhong Xin Yu), and, Xiao Xiao (Yang Pei Ting) don't know about that part of her past but they are all loyal friends to her…not until Xiao Bai and Ah Kai leave the Kendo Club for the Swimming Team. Nonetheless, the two are immediately regretful when the captain of the Swim Team, Ah Ken (Mike He), turns out to be a captain as grueling as Xiao Feng. One night, Xiao Feng announces to her friends that she wants “love” the most so what Xiao Bai and Ah Kai did, they devised a prank called the “love contract.” Written in it is that they will find team members for the swimming team to recruit but Ah Ken must court Xiao Feng. So that’s where the story started.
Honestly, among the series that I watched this is what I like the least. First, because the leading female character here is fierce and the guy is docile like the Korean movie “My Sassy Girl.” I pity the guy in this kind of set-up so I’m not happy with it. Second, the girl who plays this fierce character happens to be Ariel Lin whom I find unpleasant. I am bothered by the way she looks…it must be the eyes…though I find her cute.
But what irked me most here is the part where the three male friends of Xiao Feng mistook her for a Filipino maid. Take note, there’s a nationality before the word “maid.” This is racial slur from our neighboring country. I dunno if the scriptwriter or anybody behind the production has a big grudge on Filipinos. Or maybe they are indirectly referring to Ariel who looks like a maid, hahah! But this part is unnecessary and can be deleted in the story, it’s not even crucial to the succeeding scenes. Actually, this is the second time where Taiwanese looked down on Filipinos. I read somewhere that Zheng Xue Er who played Ye Sha in “Meteor Garden 2” was called “fei yong,” something like a Filipino maid because she is dark skinned and they don‘t like her for Dao Ming Si. Gosh, that’s very insensitive. I know Chinese people would not be happy if we say they stink. So I hope this remarks be avoided in the future so as not to result to more misunderstandings. I love Taiwan and it’s people that’s why I am hurt when they associate Filipinos as domestic helpers. Yes, I know that many of our countrymen resort to this kind of job because this is the only way they know to escape from poverty. But this is more dignified than stealing or selling your body, right?! And not all Filipinos are household workers, there are a lot of Pinoy professionals in every corner of the world because they are the most preferred by foreign employers. We have seaman, doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers who are sought after and doing well in their profession. It’s not only because we can understand and speak English fluently but because we have the right attitude that cannot be equaled by any race. And I’m proud to be a Filipino and will always be proud of my heritage.
Going back, there’s a part that I find here very amusing and that is the ending. You know why, it has three endings, it seems you will choose the more appropriate conclusion of the story and that’s very funny.
I heard that others consider this as an “Art” series because they said it is character-driven as compared to the typical Taiwanese series that are story-driven. I think their reason for this is the part where Xiao Feng became comatose after the accident which evoked much acting on the part of Ah Ken. Honestly, when my cousin and I were watching this part, we were both crying. The scenes were so heavy to the point you will not be able to contain it.
Nevertheless, the only reason why I watched this drama is because of He Jun Xiang who for me is the most dashing Chinese actor so far. Even though he was still lean during that time, his eyes and lips are very promising. I will not get tired watching him and hope to see more of him in other stories.
Obviously, I will not recommend this series but if you are Xiao Mei’s fan, you may give it a try.
Honestly, among the series that I watched this is what I like the least. First, because the leading female character here is fierce and the guy is docile like the Korean movie “My Sassy Girl.” I pity the guy in this kind of set-up so I’m not happy with it. Second, the girl who plays this fierce character happens to be Ariel Lin whom I find unpleasant. I am bothered by the way she looks…it must be the eyes…though I find her cute.
But what irked me most here is the part where the three male friends of Xiao Feng mistook her for a Filipino maid. Take note, there’s a nationality before the word “maid.” This is racial slur from our neighboring country. I dunno if the scriptwriter or anybody behind the production has a big grudge on Filipinos. Or maybe they are indirectly referring to Ariel who looks like a maid, hahah! But this part is unnecessary and can be deleted in the story, it’s not even crucial to the succeeding scenes. Actually, this is the second time where Taiwanese looked down on Filipinos. I read somewhere that Zheng Xue Er who played Ye Sha in “Meteor Garden 2” was called “fei yong,” something like a Filipino maid because she is dark skinned and they don‘t like her for Dao Ming Si. Gosh, that’s very insensitive. I know Chinese people would not be happy if we say they stink. So I hope this remarks be avoided in the future so as not to result to more misunderstandings. I love Taiwan and it’s people that’s why I am hurt when they associate Filipinos as domestic helpers. Yes, I know that many of our countrymen resort to this kind of job because this is the only way they know to escape from poverty. But this is more dignified than stealing or selling your body, right?! And not all Filipinos are household workers, there are a lot of Pinoy professionals in every corner of the world because they are the most preferred by foreign employers. We have seaman, doctors, nurses, engineers, teachers who are sought after and doing well in their profession. It’s not only because we can understand and speak English fluently but because we have the right attitude that cannot be equaled by any race. And I’m proud to be a Filipino and will always be proud of my heritage.
Going back, there’s a part that I find here very amusing and that is the ending. You know why, it has three endings, it seems you will choose the more appropriate conclusion of the story and that’s very funny.
I heard that others consider this as an “Art” series because they said it is character-driven as compared to the typical Taiwanese series that are story-driven. I think their reason for this is the part where Xiao Feng became comatose after the accident which evoked much acting on the part of Ah Ken. Honestly, when my cousin and I were watching this part, we were both crying. The scenes were so heavy to the point you will not be able to contain it.
Nevertheless, the only reason why I watched this drama is because of He Jun Xiang who for me is the most dashing Chinese actor so far. Even though he was still lean during that time, his eyes and lips are very promising. I will not get tired watching him and hope to see more of him in other stories.
Obviously, I will not recommend this series but if you are Xiao Mei’s fan, you may give it a try.
* photo credit to AF
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