Together (TV series)
Encyclopedia
Together is a Singaporean Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...

 drama which was produced in 2009. It was telecasted on Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...

's free-to-air channel, MediaCorp Channel 8. It is MediaCorp's 46th anniversary year-end blockbuster drama, and was sponsored by the Media Development Authority
Media Development Authority
The Media Development Authority is a statutory board of the Singapore Government, under the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts .-History:...

 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
The Little Nyonya
The Little Nyonya is a 34-episode drama serial which debuted on 25 November 2008 on Singapore's free-to-air channel, MediaCorp TV Channel 8. The storyline, which involves an extended Peranakan family in Singapore, is set in the 1930s and spans 70 years. The series was partly sponsored by the Media...

, a 2008 production by MediaCorp that went on to become the highest rated Singaporean TV series in 15 years.

Yao Family

Cast Role Description
Wang Yuqing
Wang Yuqing
Jeffrey Tan Chooi Leong, better known as Wang Yuqing, is a Singaporean actor, most known for his role in The Flying Fish , which catapulted him to stardom...

Yao Shi Yao Jianhong and Yao Wuji's father
Self-proclaimed Master of Time
Initially an addicted gambler
Jeanette Aw
Jeanette Aw
-1979–2000: Early life and education:Born Jeanette Aw Ee-Ping to Chinese parents. Her father has Peranakan ancestry while mother is a Hokkien. Jeanette is the youngest of three children, she has an older sister and older brother...

Yao Jianhong Initially a swordswoman
Became a dance hostess
Yao Shi's daughter
Huang Zhihao's ex-wife
Nicknamed 'Xiao-hong' in dance hall
Crush on Lin Xiaobei
Clothes seller
Yixin's mother
Xiao Bei's wife( few years later)
Zhang Zhen Huan Yao Wuji Initially an owner of a bookstall
Yao Shi's son
Yao Jianhong's brother
Crush on Huang Jinhao

Lin Family

Cast Role Description
Li Wenhai Lin Yi Tailor
Lin Xiaobei's father
Lin Liyun Ah Wei Seamstress
Lin Xiaobei's mother
Dai Yang Tian Lin Xiaobei Nicknamed Lin Xiaomei
Son of Lin Yi
Event Organiser / Manager
Crush on Yao Jianhong
Yixin's biological father
Yao Jianhong's husband (few years later)

Huang Family

Cast Role Description
Ye Shipin Huang Lifa Huang Zhihao and Huang Jinhao's father
Boss of Coffee Shop
He Qiao's husband
Hong Huifang
Hong Huifang
Hong Huifang is a veteran Singaporean actress. She was known for her roles in dramas such as Samsui Women and she won Best Supporting Actress award in the annual Star Awards ceremony twice - in 1997 and 2006 .She married fellow actor Zheng Geping in 1993 and they have two...

He Qiao Huang Zhihao and Huang Jinhao's mother
Ladyboss of Coffee Shop
Huang Lifa's wife
Elvin Ng
Elvin Ng
Elvin Ng , born December 23, 1980) is one of the newer actors to join the Mediacorp stable in Singapore. He received two nominations in the Star Awards 2006. Although he eventually lost the Most Popular Newcomer award to Kelvin Tan Weilian, he still managed to win an award for being one of the Top...

Huang Zhihao Tarzan
Self-proclaimed Tiger King
Huang Jinhao's brother
Son of Huang Lifa & He Qiao
Yixin's father
Crush on Yao Jianhong & Jinzhu
Turned eunuch by wrestling opponent, Shan Lang
Jinzhu's husband (few years later)
Eelyn Kok
Eelyn Kok
-Career:Eelyn started out playing supporting roles in her starting years. She had two Best Supporting Actress nominations, in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, Eelyn starred in My Buddy as the first female lead. She starred as Huang Jinhao, 2nd female lead in Channel 8 Blockbuster drama, Together opposite...

Huang Jinhao Huang Zhihao's sister
Daughter of Huang Lifa & He Qiao
Crush on Lin Xiaobei

Qin Family

Cast Role Description
Zheng Geping
Zheng Geping
-Career:Zheng, a former chef, became a full-time actor in 1987 after completing the 7th Professional Drama Performers' Training Course, and had been given mostly supporting roles. His hard work finally paid off at the Star Awards 2007 ceremony when he won the Best Actor award for his role in Like...

Qin Xiangling Formerly a conman
Liu Maomao's husband
Qin Huimin's father
Aileen Tan
Aileen Tan
Aileen Tan is a versatile actress in Singapore. She entered the entertainment industry through placing second in the first Star Search Competition in 1988...

Liu Maomao Formerly from Butterfly Gang
Qin Xiangling's wife
Qin Huimin's mother
Zhou Ying Qin Huimin Crush on Lin Xiaobei
Daughter of Qin Xiangling & Liu Maomao

Wang Family

Cast Role Description
Pamelyn Chee Wang Yanxia Wang family's second shareholder
Wuji's wife
Jian Man Master Wang Wang family's business boss
Yanxia's father

Dance Club

Cast Role Description
Constance Song Lucy Head Hostess of Dance Club
Lucy-jie
Jeanette Aw
Jeanette Aw
-1979–2000: Early life and education:Born Jeanette Aw Ee-Ping to Chinese parents. Her father has Peranakan ancestry while mother is a Hokkien. Jeanette is the youngest of three children, she has an older sister and older brother...

Yao Jianhong See "Yao Family"
Yuan Long Zhang/Yang Lucy's assistant

North Bridge Road shops

Cast Role Description
Jeanette Aw
Jeanette Aw
-1979–2000: Early life and education:Born Jeanette Aw Ee-Ping to Chinese parents. Her father has Peranakan ancestry while mother is a Hokkien. Jeanette is the youngest of three children, she has an older sister and older brother...

 
Yao Jianhong See Yao Family
You Lei Auntie Wanton Wanton seller
Wu Kegou Uncle Foot Shoe seller
Shoe repair man
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 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 Lin Dehua Corporal Lin
Yao Jianhong's cousin
Crush on Yao Jianhong
Killed his superior Tua Kow Yang, Lucy, and Black Mole
Turned into a wanted man allegedly taking bribes and committing murder
Died

Others

Cast Role Description
Nat Ho
Nat Ho
Nathaniel "Nat" Ho is a Singaporean actor who is most notable for his debut in the show, Honour and Passion . He is one of the up-and-coming artistes in MediaCorp....

Louis Doctor
Huang Peibei Xing Singxin
Zhen Fuji Mr. Poet Poet
Benjamin Heng Black Mole Leader Mole gang
Zhen Ming Joe Zhang's rival

Storyline

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. Lin Xiaobei (Dai Yangtian) 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. Their story is also Our Story as we, too, had been through the same path…

Singaporeans share many common memories. Through the hardship when the country was starting out in the 60s, the oil crisis in the 70s, the stock-market crash in the 80s, Singaporeans have weathered the storm together. We’ve shared the joys and sorrows. With the onslaught of the current financial crisis, we are being put to test once again. And looking back at the path we’d trodden over the years bears exceptional meaning at this point in time.

Character Analysis

  • Dai Yangtian 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
    Jeanette Aw
    -1979–2000: Early life and education:Born Jeanette Aw Ee-Ping to Chinese parents. Her father has Peranakan ancestry while mother is a Hokkien. Jeanette is the youngest of three children, she has an older sister and older brother...

     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
    Elvin Ng
    Elvin Ng , born December 23, 1980) is one of the newer actors to join the Mediacorp stable in Singapore. He received two nominations in the Star Awards 2006. Although he eventually lost the Most Popular Newcomer award to Kelvin Tan Weilian, he still managed to win an award for being one of the Top...

     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
    Eelyn Kok
    -Career:Eelyn started out playing supporting roles in her starting years. She had two Best Supporting Actress nominations, in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, Eelyn starred in My Buddy as the first female lead. She starred as Huang Jinhao, 2nd female lead in Channel 8 Blockbuster drama, Together opposite...

     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 Zhen Huan 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 all odds.

Star Awards 2010
Star Awards 2010
Star Awards 2010 was a double television award ceremony held in Singapore. It is part of the annual Star Awards organised by MediaCorp for the two free-to-air channels, MediaCorp Channel 8 and MediaCorp Channel U. Star Awards 2010 was telecast 'LIVE' on Channel 8, on 18 April 2010 and 25 April 2010...

 Nominations

  • This drama is the Best Drama Serial.
  • Dai Yang Tian and Elvin Ng
    Elvin Ng
    Elvin Ng , born December 23, 1980) is one of the newer actors to join the Mediacorp stable in Singapore. He received two nominations in the Star Awards 2006. Although he eventually lost the Most Popular Newcomer award to Kelvin Tan Weilian, he still managed to win an award for being one of the Top...

     were both nominated for the Best Actor award, but both lost to Chen Hanwei
    Chen Hanwei
    Chen Han Wei , is a MediaCorp TV artiste in Singapore. He is a permanent resident of Singapore.-Early life:Chen grew up and lived in Kampung Ungku Mohsin, Johor Bahru. Born into a poor family, Chen nonetheless excelled academically and studied at one of the most famous Chinese independent schools...

     in Daddy at Home.
  • Jeanette Aw
    Jeanette Aw
    -1979–2000: Early life and education:Born Jeanette Aw Ee-Ping to Chinese parents. Her father has Peranakan ancestry while mother is a Hokkien. Jeanette is the youngest of three children, she has an older sister and older brother...

     and Eelyn Kok
    Eelyn Kok
    -Career:Eelyn started out playing supporting roles in her starting years. She had two Best Supporting Actress nominations, in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, Eelyn starred in My Buddy as the first female lead. She starred as Huang Jinhao, 2nd female lead in Channel 8 Blockbuster drama, Together opposite...

     were both nominated for the Best Actress award, but both lost to Chen Liping
    Chen Liping
    Joyce Chen Liping is a Singaporean-born actress. Probably best known for her role as "Miss Ai-Yo-Yo" in the drama series Good Morning, Sir!, it earned her a "Most Unforgettable TV Character" Award for that role in Star Awards 2003. In the same year, she also took the Best Actress award for her...

     in Reunion Dinner
    Reunion Dinner
    Reunion Dinner is a Singaporean Chinese drama which was telecasted on Singapore's free-to-air channel, MediaCorp Channel 8. It made its debut on 6 January 2009 and ended on 3 February 2009...

    . Jeanette Aw
    Jeanette Aw
    -1979–2000: Early life and education:Born Jeanette Aw Ee-Ping to Chinese parents. Her father has Peranakan ancestry while mother is a Hokkien. Jeanette is the youngest of three children, she has an older sister and older brother...

     however, clinched the Favourite Female TV Character award instead.
  • Zheng Geping
    Zheng Geping
    -Career:Zheng, a former chef, became a full-time actor in 1987 after completing the 7th Professional Drama Performers' Training Course, and had been given mostly supporting roles. His hard work finally paid off at the Star Awards 2007 ceremony when he won the Best Actor award for his role in Like...

     and Zhang Zhenhuan
    Zhang Zhenhuan
    Zhang Zhenhuan was a general and political leader in the People's Republic of China. In his retirement, he was the founder and director of the China Qigong Science Research Society , and was a notable proponent and defender of qigong during the 1980s and early 1990s.-Biography:Zhang was from...

     were both nominated for the Best Supporting Actor award, but both lost to Zhu Houren
    Zhu Houren
    Zhu Houren is a Singaporean MediaCorp actor, most notable for his role in Wok of Life.In 2003, Zhu directed and acted in After School.In the recent Star Awards 2010, Zhu won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role as Sgt...

     in Reunion Dinner
    Reunion Dinner
    Reunion Dinner is a Singaporean Chinese drama which was telecasted on Singapore's free-to-air channel, MediaCorp Channel 8. It made its debut on 6 January 2009 and ended on 3 February 2009...

    .
  • Hong Huifang
    Hong Huifang
    Hong Huifang is a veteran Singaporean actress. She was known for her roles in dramas such as Samsui Women and she won Best Supporting Actress award in the annual Star Awards ceremony twice - in 1997 and 2006 .She married fellow actor Zheng Geping in 1993 and they have two...

     and Aileen Tan
    Aileen Tan
    Aileen Tan is a versatile actress in Singapore. She entered the entertainment industry through placing second in the first Star Search Competition in 1988...

     were both nominated for the Best Supporting Actress award, but both lost to Constance Song in The Ultimatum
    The Ultimatum
    The Ultimatum is a Singaporean Chinese drama which was telecasted on Singapore's free-to-air channel, MediaCorp Channel 8. It made its debut on 27 May 2009 and ended on 7 July 2009...

    .
  • The theme song for the drama, 《我们》by Kelvin Tan
    Kelvin Tan Wei Lian
    Kelvin Tan Wei Lian is a visually impaired Singaporean singer. He is better known as Weilian to his fans.-Early life:...

     won the Best Drama Theme Song award.
  • One out of four directors won the Best Director award.

Trivia

  • Fiona Xie
    Fiona Xie
    -Career:Xie was spotted by a talent scout at the age of fifteen while was studying in St. Hilda's Secondary School. She modeled for numerous print and television commercials in Singapore and Hong Kong before joining MediaCorp Studios as a full-time artiste in 2001....

     was originally casted as Huang Jinhao, however she pulled out last minute due to personal reasons. The role was later given to Eelyn Kok
    Eelyn Kok
    -Career:Eelyn started out playing supporting roles in her starting years. She had two Best Supporting Actress nominations, in 2008 and 2009. In 2009, Eelyn starred in My Buddy as the first female lead. She starred as Huang Jinhao, 2nd female lead in Channel 8 Blockbuster drama, Together opposite...

    .

  • Most scenes of the series were filmed in Malacca.

  • Originally the scripts of Jeanette Aw
    Jeanette Aw
    -1979–2000: Early life and education:Born Jeanette Aw Ee-Ping to Chinese parents. Her father has Peranakan ancestry while mother is a Hokkien. Jeanette is the youngest of three children, she has an older sister and older brother...

     was first written to love Elvin Ng
    Elvin Ng
    Elvin Ng , born December 23, 1980) is one of the newer actors to join the Mediacorp stable in Singapore. He received two nominations in the Star Awards 2006. Although he eventually lost the Most Popular Newcomer award to Kelvin Tan Weilian, he still managed to win an award for being one of the Top...

    .

  • Yuan Long has two names, Zhang and Yang, however was called Yang more.

  • Elvin Ng
    Elvin Ng
    Elvin Ng , born December 23, 1980) is one of the newer actors to join the Mediacorp stable in Singapore. He received two nominations in the Star Awards 2006. Although he eventually lost the Most Popular Newcomer award to Kelvin Tan Weilian, he still managed to win an award for being one of the Top...

     and Jeanette Aw
    Jeanette Aw
    -1979–2000: Early life and education:Born Jeanette Aw Ee-Ping to Chinese parents. Her father has Peranakan ancestry while mother is a Hokkien. Jeanette is the youngest of three children, she has an older sister and older brother...

     had paired up in another drama, New Beginnings
    New Beginnings
    New Beginnings is an album by American jazz pianist Don Pullen recorded in 1988 for the Blue Note label.-Reception:The Allmusic review by Scott Yanow awarded the album 2½ stars stating "on New Beginnings pianist Don Pullen sets up fairly simple structures and then, after stating the theme, tosses...

    .

  • Dai Yang Tian and Elvin Ng
    Elvin Ng
    Elvin Ng , born December 23, 1980) is one of the newer actors to join the Mediacorp stable in Singapore. He received two nominations in the Star Awards 2006. Although he eventually lost the Most Popular Newcomer award to Kelvin Tan Weilian, he still managed to win an award for being one of the Top...

     had paired up in another drama, No Limits. Breakout
    Breakout (TV series)
    Breakout is a Singaporean Chinese drama which was telecasted on Singapore's free-to-air channel, MediaCorp Channel 8. It made its debut on 6 December 2010 and ended on 7 January 2011...

     was another drama, but was not counted as Dai Yang Tian was a villain in the stated drama.

  • Dai Yang Tian and Zhou Ying pairs up again for the second time after Table of Glory
    Table of Glory
    Table of Glory is a Singaporean Chinese Sports and Romance drama which was telecasted on Singapore's free-to-air channel, MediaCorp Channel 8. It made its debut on 1 April 2009 and ended on 28 April 2009...

    . Breakout was another drama, but was not counted as he was a villain in the stated drama.

Overseas Release

The drama serial will be broadcasted on PPCTV Channel 9 as a blockbuster drama series of the year.
Country of Broadcast Broadcasting Network Release Date Trailer Link
 Cambodia PPCTV
Phnom Penh Cable Television
Phnom Penh Cable Television, also known as PPCTV, is a direct-to-home cable TV and subscription service included MMDS TV, Fiber Optic and Internet Service, established by Phnom Penh Municipal Cable Television...

Drama 9
June 2, 2010 www.facebook.com/ppctv

External links


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