宮心計: Beyond the Realm of Conscience

I just finished watching the BTROC trailer (Mandarin Version). I know...I know I'm late but you all know that I'm a huge fan of Raymond; therefore, I mostly follow his news. It was when I look for the Growing through Life trailer that I found the BTROC trailer as well.

I got to say that I wasn't putting much high hope on this because I don't like War and Beauty (Am I the only one?) and I usually don't like series about king and concubines fighting over him but this trailer took me by surprise. I was looking forward to this series because of my two favorite actresses, Charmaine and Tavia. Of course, there are Moses and Kevin as well as experience actresses like Michelle and Susanna. Now, I got to watch it. However, I haven't been following the news...so basically I don't know who plays who and what is what. All I saw was the Sales Presentation and I got to say that I love Tavia playing evil.

Anyway, back to the afterthought of seeing the trailer. I got really hype about it because I like the fact that it started off with friendship between Charmaine and Tavia. They started off from being just a minor role in the palace to becoming two of the main player of the fate of the palace. One plans to overturn it and the other tries to save it. I believe from the first scene that they grew up together with a promise to look out for each other...Now they turned into rivals/enemies.

Honestly, I really like Charmaine's costume at the very end, she looks so beautiful and elegant. Her character, I believe, should be the strong and righteous heroine who accepted what fate threw in her path and bite her teeth through it. However, I got to say that the trailer didn't say much about her, except the conflict surrounding her, but I like her character already. However, the most confusing thing was her relationship with Kevin and Moses. I believe she is in love with Kevin and Moses was in love with her but...then Kevin might/might not (probably the might not) died. The mystery is how Charmaine became Mose's concubine??? If truth be told, I would prefer if she stay faithful to Kevin. However, Moses love probably touch her in some way... By the way, I saw a very beautiful bed scene with Charmaine and...who? I can't tell if it is Kevin or Moses? (Rooting for Kevin) LOL! Yeah, I don't really root for Kings because they already have too many ladies to count.

To Tavia's side of the story, I think she is rather the more inner girl in the beginning and when she got her power she became more true on the surface. I don't really believe her to sacrifice herself for Charmaine instead I think she is rather a scheming type of girl. She had been dealt with the bad side in life, seeing the harsh reality of the palace from her low position. She did everything in her power to gain high power and position...and the simplest and fastest way is no other than seduce the most powerful man in the country, Moses. I can't wait to see this. Honestly, I really like Tavia's character because I always love me a evil pretty character. Haha! Plus there is the process of watching her turn evil is also a must because I dislike evil character simply because they are evil.

In addition, other than Charmaine & Tavia, I want to see Selena as well. I don't know much about her character but since she is the king's concubine and Tavia tried to poison her. I want to see what is her character like...

As for Kevin and Moses, I don't feel much for them because their conflicts are with the traitor and Charmaine...However, there is not much other their characters.

Overall, I can't wait to see it! It's the most anticipated for me in 2009!


Link:
http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/InSFXXgavMM/

My Fave Five Pairing

As school is quickly approaching, I realize that my free time is limited. I still have a load of things to do but the most urgent is finishing up Illumination, especially since I know during the school year it will be almost impossible to write/update often. Basically, I can't promise anything but I will promise I will try my best. In the meantime, my new story (the one coming after Illumination) keep creeping up on me. The plot is getting more and more interesting (to me anyway) I would like to start writing it soon but...I need to finish this one!

Anyway, so I am not sure are any of you are interested and curious about my favorite pairing...since I just post the top 5 Raymond's pairing. Well, honestly, I don't have a definite Raymond pairing...I am almost fine with whoever he is pairing as long as there is chemistry and the plot is good. However, I guess I will just post my fave five as of now and why...

(Not in any particular order)

1) Raymond Lam and Leila Tong : I sometime have a tendency of choosing/rooting for the opposite of the majority. I doubt there is many Raymeila's fan, since they only have one series together. However, I always like Leila's acting and, of course, I love Raymond. Yeah, so usually in polls when I see no one vote for them, I vote for Leila and Raymond because I like to go against everyone else. LOL!

2) Raymond Lam and Tavia Yeung : As you all may know, I love to read and write fanfiction. This couple is in my fave five mostly because of fanfictions. Seriously, I like them because of all their fans and their off-screen interaction. Mainly because I don't like the two time they are paired together. I hope their new series would make me like them ever more!

3) Raymond Lam and Bernice Liu : Basically, I love Bernice's carefree and shining personality; therefore, when she is paired up with Raymond in most of their functions, I can't help but like this couple. In addition, I really enjoy their interaction in real life! Oh, they look rather nice together, don't you agree? Hehe...

4) Raymond Lam and Charmaine Sheh: One word...actually one series. The Drive of Life. How often do I see a series where Raymond act so free and comfortable with his partner? Plus, I believe I see the most kissing scene from him in this series. Haha! Come on, you have to remember the epic scene on the bus, right? Yeah, got to love that!

5) Raymond Lam and Nancy Wu : Surprise? Yeah, I didn't really think about this too much but I really want to see a Nancy and Raymond pairing. She has a very sweet and upbeat personality. Therefore, I hope TVB will start promoting her to lead, so I can watch a Rancy pairing!

Hi, are you wondering where did Myolie, Linda, and Selena went??? Yeah, they are my fave too but at this point if I have to chose...yeah. I bet in a few month this will change...

*Special* Raymond Lam's Top 5 Pairing

Myolie Wu
Pairing: 4 (Eternal Happiness, Survivor's Law, The Drive of Life, The Master of Tai Chi)
Collaboration: 5 (Eternal Happiness, Golden Faith, Survivor's Law, The Drive of Life, The Master of Tai Chi)

Ever since Myolie outstanding performance in Golden Faith as a mental disable, she had been highly promoted by TVB into the Fa Dan category. Therefore, it is no wonder that she paired with Raymond for a total number of 4 times, starting from her minor role in Eternal Happiness to one of the leading roles in The Master of Tai Chi. Since these two had been promoted at almost the same time, they have many opportunities to work together.

(Notes: Honestly, I was actually kind of surprise that Raymond paired up with Myolie the most. Maybe it is the fact that they are often a part of a triangle (square) love story. For this pairing, I remember I enjoyed their chemistry in EH but it was in SL that I fell in love with them. One thing I find rather amusing is that in those four series, two of them is when Myolie loves Raymond but they never end up together and the other two times where Raymond loves Myolie, they end up together.)

Tavia Yeung
Pairing: 3 (Golden Faith, Twin of Brothers, Shall We State the Case)
Collaboration: 8 (Eternal Happiness, Golden Faith, Twin of Brothers, Yummy Yummy, Face to Fate, Heart of Greed, Moonlight Resonance, Shall We State the Case)

Both Tavia and Raymond have a long history together in the entertainment business. They started from the beginning in TVB acting class where they were classmates to now the leading roles of series with a large base of fans from all around the countries. Being in TVB for more than ten years, they had as many as 8 collaborations in various series. Although out of their 8 collaboration, they only managed to pair up three times, both Raymond and Tavia always provide solid performances and illustrated great chemistry off and onscreen.

(Notes: It seems like for the first two pairing which is in 2002, they didn't actually have a good ending, either Raymond goes to jail or he died. Personally, I believe Twin of Brothers is the series that showed me how much chemistry is between these two, especially since they both look beautiful/handsome in ancient series.)

Michelle Ye
Pairing: 2 (Lofty Waters Verdant Bow, Eternal Happiness)
Collaboration: 3 (Lofty Waters Verdant Bow, Eternal Happiness, Golden Faith)

This couple has to be the most likable and promoted when they first paired up as newbies. TVB has been trying to promote Michelle and give a chance to Raymond in Eternal Happiness. This set out the craze for teenagers for these two young and compatible couple. With the comedy romance in EH to the tragic love story in LWVB, fans are rooting for this couple. However, for the last few series before Michelle left, she seems to be getting more second-lead roles. Finally, she left TVB to take a chance outside in ATV and the movie industry. Truthfully, if Michelle stayed in TVB, she will have more chance to pair up with Raymond and this couple may become the favorite of TVB.

(Notes: EH is one of my all time favorite because of the chemistry between Michelle and Raymond. I absolute adore Raymond here and I believe his role in EH made me fell in love with this actor. I still remember in the old days when Winglin.com is bombarded with RayMic fan fiction. I had written one at that time, too. It was horrible. My first time…Oh well…LOL! This couple is lucky enough to get a storyline that are solely on romance and love. However, with Michelle gone from TVB, it is unlikely they will reunited anytime soon in the future. )

Charmaine Sheh
Pairing: 2 (Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion, The Drive of Life)
Collaboration: 3 (Yummy Yummy, Lethal Weapons of Love and Passion, The Drive of Life)

Putting the age difference aside, Charmaine and Raymond must be the pairing with the most nature chemistry. In LWOLAP, they convince us of their chemistry and acting but it is in The Drive of Life that we see the most natural interaction. Charmaine started off much sooner than Raymond and it was almost unlikely that they would pair up because of the age and promotion difference. Yet, they prove us wrong with their outstanding performance in LWOLAP and then their pairing in TDOL. Being close friends off-screen, they managed to gain many fans and supporters.

(Notes: I would like to say that Raymond act the most carefree and natural in front of Charmaine, especially in their kissing scene. Being a Raymond’s fan for so long, I was quite surprise when Raymond kissed Charmaine without holding back. It felt natural, not like kissing for the sake of the plot or with a small sense of uneasiness since they are onscreen. Personally, their pairing causes me to open my eyes to Charmaine. )

Linda Chung
Pairing: 2 (Heart of Greed, Moonlight Resonance)
Collaboration: 2 (Heart of Greed, Moonlight Resonance)

This couple sort of give us the feeling of high school sweethearts. Their popularity rise through to the storyline and success of HOG. In addition, their rumors of dating also spiced up their popularity, causing them to become targets of many media attention. Both Raymond and Linda have the compatibilities in look wise because of Raymond’s youth and charm paired with Linda's innocence and sweetness.

(Notes: I really enjoy watching Raymond and Linda in HOG. They looked very nice together and since their plot is revolving around romance, it made them into a very sweet couple. However, the attempt to reenact this in MR was an complete failure because their plot lack substance. In addition, the constant linkage between those two in the media does have an negative effect on some of their fans.)

***Overall, this is solely my opinion and my point of view. I hope no one is offended. I will welcome any comments and opinions! ***