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| Li Sai Man (Michael Miu) and Chun Sik Sik (Barbara Yung) in The Foundation 1984 |
After finishing Fearless Duo 1984, I want to see other Michael Miu/Barbara Yung series. I still have three to watch: Legend of Condor Heroes 1982 where they were bitter enemies (Yeung Hong or Yang Kang vs Wung Yung or Huang Rong); United We Stand 1984 (they were lovers, tho Babs played twins, and the twins loved two different men, Michael one of them); and The Foundation 1984. The last one I don't really want to watch for I will definitely cry buckets of tears and may not be able to show my face to the public for a while...
In The Foundation (决战玄武门), Michael portrayed Li Sai Man (Li Shi Min) who was the co-founder of the Tang Dynasty. Later known as Emperor Taizong, Li Sai Man was originally a happy-go-lucky young prince who met a
Have a look at this MV by Thaijet. How beautiful and sad it is...SPOILERS ahead. For those who don't want to be spoiled, don't watch the MV till finished. The music is not the original the Foundation OST. Rather, it was from the Return of Condor Heroes (1983), featuring Andy Lau and Idy Chan. The next MV below the break contains the original OST of the Foundation.
I'm not sure if Li Sai Man was originally jealous with Kong Fung, but they later became friends. Kong Fung still loved Sik Sik and regretted leaving her, but he knew Sai Man and Sik Sik were an item already by the time he met her again. Many viewers said that it was a nice change to see Michael Miu and Felix Wong finally portraying best friends here after them being bitter enemies in the Legend of Condor Heroes 1982. Oh I wish the ending isn't so depressing... I actually do want to see this series. Only 20 episodes anyway...
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| Li Sai Man (Michael Miu) and Kong Fung (Felix Wong), pinterest |
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| Li Sai Man was drop-dead gorgeous... |
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| ...and Sik Sik was a very genteel lady |
Later, the relationship between LSM and Sik Sik became more complicated because Sai Man became involved in the palace politics. He eventually "had" to do something that totally broke my heart and the hearts of so many viewers of this series. Just watch the first MV to see what I mean. And below is the second MV with the OST by Tomoyo262.
In reality, Sai Man was a good politician, and despite his bad records (he killed his brothers for the throne), he was also recorded as a great, if not the greatest, emperor of China. I read in some forums that Michael did portray Li Sai Man's amazing political and strategic skills in the Foundation. I'm certain that Sik Sik was an imaginary character though... but it does not reduce my sadness to learn how the series ends. Many viewers said that Li Sai Man and Sik Sik made a very good couple, and just from watching the two MVs, I can understand why. Too bad LSM decided to do what he did then in the series...
For those who have watched this series and prefer an alternative, happier ending, TLN of the MB Paradise forum wrote this amazing fanfiction years ago. Go there and have a read. I can't produce a better alternative ending myself.
part 1
part 2
part 3
part 4
part 5
I haven't found any English sub Cantonese version of the Foundation. If I do find it, I will watch it with a box of tissue. Later, I will also post summaries, but perhaps shorter due to my heart break...
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| The start was really good between them... (screen cap Tomoyo262) |
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| but then he just had to be involved in the palace politics (screen cap Tomoyo262) |
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| Leaving us wishing for the alternative ending...(screen cap Tomoyo262) |
Although some Li Sai Man/Li Shi Min series or movies have been produced afterwards, many still consider Michael Miu's Li Sai Man as the ultimate LSM (just like his Yeung Hong/Yang Kang), despite the controversy of the portrayal of Li Sai Man in the Foundation. I do wonder why TVB didn't make a story based on Taizong and Empress Zhangsun's love story instead. Seems Zhangsun was a very capable empress, and Barbara could certainly portray that character very well. And Taizong loved Zhangsun till her death, so that would have been a much nicer story... or at least less tears...
By the way, Chun Sik Sik's white garments reminded me of Xiaolongnu's white ensemble in Return of Condor Heroes 1983. Xiaolongnu (portrayed by Idy Chan in the 1983 series) was the teacher and lover of Yang Guo, Yang Kang's son . Might actually be the same dresses? Or at least the same costume designer? Li Sai Man's wardrobe was gorgeous. It produced a different tone of gorgeousness from Chor Lau Heung's gorgeousness, but still drop dead gorgeous.
Update 25 Oct 2015:
Tudou has the Cantonese version of the Foundation here. I will try to download them just so that I can listen to Michael/Babs' voices...I have also found a DVD seller in Indonesia that sells the Mandarin-dubbed (palm/face) of the Foundation, with Indonesian subtitle. I will purchase it and in a month or so, provided that I'm not drowned in my own tears, provide the episode summary.
Oh yeah. I've been complaining about some Fearless Duo Mandarin-dubbed episodes as well. I just want to say that I do enjoy Mandarin-voiced series (Bu Bu Jing Xin, anyone?). However, after watching CLH 1984 again with Michael's and Barbara's real Cantonese voices, I can't help feeling I much prefer the un-dubbed version of any series. If it's spoken in Cantonese, then for God sake, let it be the voices of the actors and actresses speaking Cantonese that we hear. If it's Mandarin-spoken, then don't dub the actors and actresses. I have a particular problem with this habit/policy with the mainland series, particularly after realising that the film makers extensively dub Nicky Wu's voice for his series. That same dubber also dubs other actors as well, hence one voice is not unique to one actor/actress, which is a shame IMO.
This is also one of the reasons why I'd rather not have Michael Miu playing another ancient series if it has to be shot in the mainland, although he'd play a great patriarch or a mature hero there. If it's shot in Mandarin, a dubber will do a voice-over for him, and I can't hear Michael's gorgeous voice then. To my non-Chinese ears, Michael speaks Mandarin well, so I don't see why he has to be dubbed if he plays Mandarin series. I guess it's really the mainland policy of always dubbing things that doesn't sit well with me...
13 comments:
Icha apakah bahasa kanton ada lah bahasa resmi Hongkong atau hanya sebagai bahasa sebagian daerah dihongkong
Saya setuju dengan ada Icha bahwa lebih mencintai Michael dengan suara aslinya tanpa dubber
Halo Unknown. Maaf ya saya belum sempat balas komentar2 Unknown sama sekali (sibuk bgt bulan2 ini... sampai akhir tahun).
But to answer your question, iya, Cantonese (Kanton) adalah bahasa resmi di HK, selain Inggris (karena ada Sino-British Declaration). Orang HK bisa bicara Mandarin (karena harus belajar Mandarin juga di sekolah), tapi Cantonese adalah bahasa ibu mereka.
Icha saya sangat setuju dengan anda menyenangkan mendengar suara asli aktor / aktris terutama Michael Miu dan barbara yung
Ntah kenapa suara asli mereka dengan bahasa Kanton pastinya Semakin membuat saya jatuh cinta dengan MB
Hi thank you so much for your post. I am watching the foundation drama on youku using google translator. Wow this is the real romance story. So much more tha chor leu hyang or fearless duo!!
Did you understand the conversations in the scenes? When Se min came because Jin was sick. He yells if there is 2nd man and if he is better and leaves in anger. When she came with embroidered towel he says that he is surprised that she came to him. If her man abandoned her or she abandoned him upon hearing that he is the prince! Painstaking to use the translator with camera feature but so romantic~~~
Hi my name is Emily and I just want to share this wonderful love story so hopefully you don’t mind my posting this. I am watching the part where after being so harsh and mocking to jing for wanting him for he is the prince, Semin couldn’t help but came to jing again and the lady asked why he didn’t leave yet and he says he just wanted to wander around for the flowers are so pretty. Then she told him jing left and she doesn’t know where to and he seems really disappointed though trying not to show... what a lovely heart dropping scene...
Oh my goodness this is such a romantic story! Feng? Old boyfriend asks why she is gone he says not to talk about her and he lives his life, but that sister lady heard him saying that having someone who truly like you is so hard and she tells him that jing only loves him and there is no other man. She knows because of that snake trick she pulled on her... when she thought she was dying from snake poison she only wanted to see Semin... but Semin only laughs and says she must be wrong... oh my ...but he is affected you know it. Watch it on youku and i can really tell all the conversation. Every conversation is heart rending!!
Hi Unknown, Merry Christmas.
Thank you for the comments. I have watched The Foundation in the original Cantonese version, with Indonesian subtitles, so I understand the story. It's heart-breaking, hence I don't watch it the second time (unlike Fearless Duo & Chor Lau Heung). But I'm glad you enjoy TF...
I finished the drama and it is so sad... I think Semin knew uncle was going to kill her anyway so... I cried when he said “I wonder if you are going to forgive me”. Well I hoped to see Semin reminisce moments with Sik Sik but he was too happy at the feast. But his sad expressions when he was alone wandering around the castle showed how he felt the emptiness. The ending is quite shocking and incomprehensible to certain extent, but Semin so firmly believed that him becoming the emperor was the only way to save the country so I guess he had to make the choice. He already proved his love when he risked his life to save siksik. Like he said hopefully siksik remains his only love to him though it is far from reality.. sik sik’s last expression was not even question or anger but just acceptance. Se min was constantly reasoning with himself to put distance with Sik Sik you can tell. When he was being cruel to Sik Sik he said he always knew she would haunt him and destroy his relationship with future queen Zeoy. Haunting means like hypnotizing in Korean language so it was like he is confessing how he felt almost hypnotized with her which was too risky for his ambition. He would always come looking for her like he was drawn by magnet. From the moment he met her to his last longing glance I want to believe his love was true.
Oh love tragedies rings my heart so.. I am going back to the scenes to watch them again.. I have a question. After Siman was so cruelly saying that Siksik cannot be the queen and she can only be one of numerous concubines remember? Siksik was talking to Feng and told him Siman knows about them and She said she wouldn’t go to Siman again. No wonder she is so angry for Siman was so cruelly insulting her. Next scene between them was they met in the beach and they just hugged without saying much. Then later they meet and Siksik said she knows Siman met Zhoy and Siman is so nice to her and said that he just met her for no important reason. Did I miss something? How did they just make up after such harsh remark? Is it just that time passed and Sik sik just understood him and forgave him and since they just love each other so much they act like nothing happened?
Hi, I think you can find the answer here:
https://riverandlakerealm.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-foundation-1984-recap-eps-10-12-end_16.html
https://riverandlakerealm.blogspot.com/2015/11/the-foundation-1984-recap-eps-6-9_16.html
Check the recaps of episodes 9 and 10. All the best!
Hi this is Emily and I am back here. I tried watching a modern Korean drama that was popular but nothing beats the love story of Li Saiman and Siksik. I mean how do you make such a masterpiece of story that echoes in your heart forever? Is it because I know Barbara died?
They are so good at acting..with such restrictions on love scenes and with 80s technologies they still managed to make something far better..
I think 80s actors are truly romantic...there is something about them that definitely lacks in todays generation. You know the scene when Siksik is saddened by Saiman teaching Zhoy playing musical instrument? Saiman comes to Siksik knowing that she is jealous and he acts all cool and ignoring Siksik’s distress. He is touching some leaves and it seems like he is enjoying the whole incident... ah how is he so handsome when he is touching those leaves and pretending.. These love fights and quarrels are so romantic. Because Saiman is such an ambitious guy who breaks all women’s heart and wouldn’t care about it...Yet he is always minding Siksik and she is so influential toward him,..his love is that much romantic. He can be so gentle and tender sometimes and so cruel and cold...but he is so mesmerizing...
No wonder all girls dote on him. I love this drama because Michael shows passionate love toward Barbara here. In Chor leu hyang and fearless duo it is always Barbara wholoves him more...I wish in true life they had tender moments together...I can almost see it. They look so good together~~ ㅠㅠ
Hi Emily,
Haha... yeah I love the 80s drama too for their purity... their love scenes were so restricted, but it feels so much more faithful to what it would have been...
I don't think CLH and Szeto Man Mo loved Bab's characters less than Saiman loving Siksik though... Man Mo was an idiot first, but then he loved Chor Yin sincerely, whereas CLH isn't just the jealous type (but he does worry for SC)...
have you read the Foundation fan fictions I wrote btw? They are here:
https://riverandlakerealm.blogspot.com/search/label/TF%20Runaway%20Dragon%20%26%20Missing%20Phoenix
It's a what-if scenario if Saiman didn't kill Siksik...
I watched this series when I was teenager. I already forgot the story, only remember the theme song and the ending. A sad ending indeed.
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