Not everyone likes sad endings because it would defeat the purpose of them wanting to see their favorite on-screen couple ending up together. Not to mention no one dies in fairy tales, right? Everyone wants to see a happy ever after ending or if there are conflicts, they would be resolved in the end, allowing a satisfying ending, right? I was one of those people once upon a time but I’ve become accepting of those endings over the years, having been more in touch with reality. I don’t have to like it but I’ve become more understanding of the creators’ intention.
As I was listening to Van Fan’s “Listen With Your Heart” once again for the umpteenth time on my mp3 player, I once again recall of the final scenes from Sound of Colors when Wallace’s character, Yun Xiang, died in the hospital after seeing Ruby’s character, Jing Jing, for the last time. Being a Wallace fan, I must admit I did not want that kind of ending. Though I’ve known of it beforehand from various articles of it during the filming process, I was still hopeful of the ending. I wished for some incident like the script-writers changing the details of it to give us viewers a more favorable outcome. In the end, it was like the news had reported it as. I was disappointed for a while. However, I come to accept it more after several days. I also gave it a good thought of how the whole story was crafted and how the events had led to such an ending. In the end, it has become one of my favorite endings ever–even if it was really sad and tragic.
Perhaps a big clue of the ending was how Yun Xiang had tried to stop the doctors from taking his mother’s eyes for Jing Jing when his mother died. He was only a kid and knew only to protect his mother from being touched by others after her death. However, it was a big hint after they’ve met again and how he became aware of the incident that took place years ago. It was a twist of fate–as the writers crafted the story. It was also a whole new journey he was going on as he entered Jing Jing’s world. She was a blind girl yet she was still optimistic about life, learning to be independent and having a job to support herself–though unnecessary since she has an older protective sister, Ming Ming (Hao Lei), who was willing to take care of her no matter what. Jing Jing’s optimistic nature has affected Yun Xiang, making him see the better of life and to let go of his past, forgiving people who could possibly hurt him–accidentally or on purpose. Maybe Jing Jing was an angel sent to him to open his eyes up and see the better of this world–though she was the one who did not have a sight of her own.
To get back to the scenes leading to the ending, I must confess that I cried the whole time during the last few scenes of the drama. It was that sad. Jing Jing never knew about Yun Xiang’s disease–even during the time that he had to go into surgery. It was only to the very last minute that they knew Yun Xiang won’t make it that Ming Ming, Fan Yang (Huang Meng)–aka Ming Ming’s boyfriend and Yun Xiang’s step-brother–and the others decided to tell Jing Jing. It was her last chance of seeing him. Jing Jing received the call while she was at the radio station. She was beyond shocked upon hearing the news from her voicemail, dropped her cell phone and rushed outside–though she could not see or know of which direction she should have taken. She only knew that she must go to Yun Xiang’s side. Fan Yang arrived on time and drove her to the hospital. As soon as she stepped out of the car, she took a tumble since she was beyond herself at that point. Allowing herself to be led by Fan Yang, they finally made it to the waiting area where the others were waiting for news of Yun Xiang.
A touching scene unfolded as soon as Ming Ming rushed to Jing Jing’s side, trying to calm her down. Jing Jing lashed out and asked why the others did not tell her until Yun Xiang was almost dead. She was furious, hating the others for not telling her earlier. However, she did not mean that but it was because she wished she knew before. Being the one in the dark (no pun intended) was not a good feeling. I think that part was one of Ruby’s most emotional scenes in portraying Jing Jing and this role had allowed her to act out various emotions, showing her capabilities and proving to others that she was not just a pretty face who was trying too hard to be cute.
Anyway, a doctor finally stepped out and told them of the condition. After he left, Jing Jing rushed into Yun Xiang’s room (since she probably heard where he was stepping out from) and tripped on a chair since she did not know of its existence. Ming Ming helped Jing Jing up and guided her over to the bed where Yun Xiang was laying–with tubes in him. He was still unconscious but was soon awoken by her heart-breaking words, asking why he did not tell her, not allowing her to face the obstacles with him. Yun Xiang, who was quite weak by now, was only able to summon whatever was left of his energy to trace out the words on her hand, apologizing for his actions. She tearfully told him that she did not want his apologies and only wanted him to be well and be with her. The final words breaking through everyone’s heart who was present were: “Why is Heaven so unfair? I’m already blind and now I’m losing you as well.”
The fact that Van Fan’s “Listen With Your Heart” was playing the whole time while the scenes were unfolding was not helping much either. It made it hard not to shed a few tears for what was happening.
The last request that Yun Xiang had was for Jing Jing to be able to see this world with her own eyes as to how he’d seen it in the first place–maybe even more. Of course, that meant that he was giving up his eyes to her, which made sense of his last words to her: “I will never leave you. I’ll always be by your side.” The others were not aware of his wish either until Fan Yang found out from their father (his step-father and Yun Xiang’s father) of Yun Xiang’s plan–having already prepared a signed paper saying that he will donate his eyes to Jing Jing if anything were to happen to him. Of course, Jing Jing did not accept with the current state she was in, stating that there was no need to see this world anymore since she already lost Yun Xiang. Another set of touching words came out from Jing Jing–though it might be from her unwilling to let go of Yun Xiang: “Heaven could take away my light, my happiness, and even my future. But don’t tell me to take away Yun Xiang’s eyes. If you guys love me, please love my Yun Xiang as well. Don’t be so cruel to us.”
It was not until one of Yun Xiang’s good friends brought out a present from Yun Xiang, saying that Yun Xiang wanted Jing Jing to see its contents that she finally agreed because it would fulfill Yun Xiang’s last wish.
The scene skipped to the part where Jing Jing was watching the clip Yun Xiang had prepared while he was still alive for her. Her operation had been successful, allowing her to finally see the person she loved so much and also allowing her to see the world. There was also the painting that he had created for her with them standing next to each other, waiting for the sun to rise and watching the rainbow overhead. It was also a sign that he will always watch over her.
Jing Jing came back to work at the radio station after two months of recovering from the operation and having explored the world around her to which she had missed most of her life. She finally accepted what happened and encouraged her listeners to cherish what they have around them because what one has at the moment might not be there forever. An inspirational message sent through the airwaves while we see the last scenes of the drama unfolding with everyone moving on with their lives. Ming Ming and Fan Yang were preparing for their wedding while Yun Xiang’s two best friends got together. Chen Gao and Tan Li Na (Jing Jing’s colleagues) were seen happily together as well with Chen Gao’s daughter like one family. Perhaps, the other person suffering the most–among them all–was Yun Xiang’s father since he was still seen as mourning after his son’s death. The song “In Your Eyes” sang by Rebecca Hsu guided the final scenes of the drama and helped it closed on a memorable note.
Final thoughts? It was memorable without trying to be like some other dramas. It was a success though it was not perfect. Maybe that was what made it nice in the first place.
*The first three images were collected from various places around the net, therefore, belonging to their rightful owner. The rest were captured by DTLCT.
Actually, it was not all that exciting most of the time – like most Mainland dramas. But I guess it was because I was a fan so I managed to watch it. There were some side randomness that I couldn’t care less for. But then again, it was only a short drama so it was good overall.
Hm..this actually sounds AND looks like an interesting drama…. maybe I will watch it ^^ A good suggestion for whenever there’s a time I have nothing to watch (though, not very likely that happens often. LOL)