It was about time that I blog about this, considering how I watched it three times already. It was so funny how I did not remember all the details or the main reason why–thus leading to a continuance of interest surrounding the series. Not to mention the reasons why I liked it so much and still able to watch it that many times.
Likes:
- Kenneth Chan as Yam Gut Cheung. I always liked Kenneth and liked it even more that he was finally leading. He had the main guy presence but still managed to stick close to his role without looking like he was trying too hard (like most guys who were finally given the opportunity). He managed to exude the ‘guy next door’ image in here (though his link to the paranormal made it hard to be someone normal).
- Joey Meng as Dai Si Hing. Another role linked to the ghost theme yet this time she was more of a non-believer (at least at first). But I really liked it seeing her as a cop. She was serious yet there was a vulnerable side to her too, NOT just the whole unreasonably stubborn and tough exterior. It was not one-dimensional. And I was glad since I thought it was just another typical role BUT it wasn’t.
- Kenneth and Joey as a couple. I really liked this pairing after watching and they will always remain one of my favorites. I was surprised that they matched so well since after the whole My Date With A Vampire sagas and their roles on the opposite sides had let on. Their chemistry was really interesting and lovable that almost made me wish that they were together in MDWAV III (which was funny since their characters said otherwise, lol). I liked that the scriptwriters made both their characters strong and were equal in talents and with a similar mentality. I rather see that than making the main female lead a weakling so the main male lead could shine since that plot is more than overkilled. There was this strong bond between the two of them–seen more at the later part of the series–that said a lot. They were different when they were with each other than when Gut Cheung was with Sally or when Si Hing was with Yat Yat. It was funny that they dated the siblings (Gut Cheung with Sally and Si Hing with Yat Yat of course) before getting together. I had a feeling like they were soulmates when they were together versus when they were with the other two.
- Kenny Lin as Lui Yat Yat. I usually don’t like the too nice guy roles that were often portrayed by the other guy who will never get the girl, lol. (Since they were often made to be too good and often made you pity them, which I don’t like that tactic used to approach, seeking sympathy from the audience.) But I have to make an exception for Kenny since I liked his character and how there was no hype over his character. At least NOT that often slapped around like other series like to portray. He was just another guy and just someone moving along in life.
- Kenny and Joey as a pairing. I know that it was a bit ironic to like both pairings but blame it on them for having chemistry as well. AND the fact that Kenny lost to the main guy again! (Poor Kenny!) When Si Hing was with Gut Cheung, we–the viewers–got to see her aggressive, strong personality but when she was with Yat Yat, there was this gentle, kind personality. She was really comfortable with him and acted more considerate toward him for a reason. Yet it was easy to see that because she was holding back some things with him that it seemed they did not work out as a couple and were better off as friends.
- Ricky Chan as Johnson. I did not notice Ricky until watching this and found it interestingly funny that he was Kenneth’s sidekick in here. It was nice seeing him as a sort of bum role and how he was overly obsessed with networking, etc. It was really funny also that Johnson seemed like a cool dude but was able to think up of all sorts of plans and giving love advice, lol. It seemed like he wasn’t around that much the later parts of the series but it was all right since he was not forgotten either AND considering the intensity of other things set in, it was understandable.
- Wailis Pang as Yung Siu Lan. At times, I found her kind of snobby BUT then Wailis was so cute and lovable at times that it was forgivable. It was all right that she was spoiled, at least she wasn’t hateful like other series like to portray of the ‘other girl’. I actually felt quite sorry for her since she witnessed such a traumatizing event since young and it had affected her later on, causing an emotional breakdown.
- Ricky and Wailis as a couple. They really matched wit per wit all right. Both having an equally strong tongue and how they bickered, in the beginning, was really funny. It was funny how they had so much similar qualities yet was unable to get along at first. Another one of the pairings that had some similar personalities and were able to compete against each other–like how Kenneth and Joey were, but on a different level. It was somewhat cute that they met again at that one cyber cafe at the end. They were probably meant to be together since they kept bumping into each other.
- Kenneth and Wailis as a couple. Okay, so another one that I couldn’t resist but put in. But I felt they were really comfortable with each other when together and did have some chemistry. There was something obviously missing in their relationship but it was still cute that she was willing to go through to help him at various times or try to get his attention. When Gut Cheung was with Sally, there was this obvious look of them being the glamorous couple yet and matched really well. What was a bit annoying was when Gut Cheung was trying to think, he was not able to since Sally was always ranting about something. Maybe they were showing how the two didn’t click as well at times so it was inevitable that they did not end up together. The hint with the light was also telling us that they would not work out. The most obvious hint was the whole idea with her father responsible for his parents’ death. Though she was not responsible, it would be too weird to have them end up together. It wasn’t just happily ever after, they had to live with that for the rest of their lives.
- Berg Ng as Hong Yau Wai. An interestingly funny character. Though he was in the gang, I found him really funny since his actions said otherwise (which we found out later why).
- Kong Mei Yee as Dai Lai Hing. Every time she appeared, I wanted to laugh. Well, except for the parts where the incidents with her father and all. She was really witty in her way and was a comedic relief where the plot was concerned.
- Berg and Kong Mei Yee as a couple. They were probably the comedic couple in here. Every time they appeared together, they caused laughter or other hilarious scenes. The funniest thing was I noticed how they were another couple matching wit per wit. YES, it seemed the same formula was used BUT at least there was no dominance between the two genders in here since I’m rather sick and tired of the whole who was stronger or had a stronger personality between different couples. At least they had a different story and relationship from the other two pairings. I really enjoyed those times when he let her bully him into various things and how he had on that expression like, “She had no idea.” It was really lovable how she kept pretending to NOT like him OR how she kept stalking him BUT had to come up with a reason for stalking him. It was really silly but lovable. Their wedding was utterly hilarious too since they made it sound like they were forced to marry each other but silently cheering for it to happen too. Then the most hilarious part was her finally getting her wish of arresting him at the end and making him serve a life sentence of taking care of her and her baby. AND he had no problem with that since he was more than ready to hang up his hat with his undercover job.
- Bak Piao as Yam Suen. Funny to see Bak Piao in such a comedic role. But he did well–as if there were any doubts.
- Yam Suen (Bak Piao) and Gut Cheung (Kenneth) as father and son. Though they weren’t really blood-related, I found it really likable with their father and son bond. It wasn’t cheesy or overkilled with stressing how important they were to one another. There was this comedic element to it. They appreciated each other, BUT it wasn’t stressed or implied too much through words but could be seen through the actions and interactions throughout. It was really funny too that Yam Suen wanted to leave OR attempted to leave after the whole thing with him revealing the truth about Gut Cheung’s identity. His luggage was empty AND he was just pretending BUT it was extremely funny that he pulled such a thing. Then Gut Cheung found him out!
- Ruco Chan as Yung Siu Lung. It wasn’t the character but more like his portrayal of the character. He had the potential and the look but it wasn’t his time and it was okay for me since he did have a major part to play in the main plot (though he didn’t appear a lot).
- The majority of the cast. Regardless of the role they portrayed, I thought it was a good cast. Everyone fit well with their given role. I did not feel the hype so I felt it was a success. These people worked together before, but somehow I didn’t feel bored OR feel overkilled when they were grouped together for this production as well.
- The fact that every time Lai Hing walked out of Si Hing’s office, she bumped into Gut Cheung. It was funny all right and Lai Hing always pointed that out. It was funnier that Lai Hing was the one seeing how only Gut Cheung was the one for Si Hing, always encouraging them on AND that she kept saying to Gut Cheung, “Take good care of my sister.” Perhaps, it was because Lai Hing knew both a lot more and how they would match well.
- How the pairings seemed to reflect a different feeling. I just realized it and placed it in when thinking and typing for the other pairings. Like I felt differently about when Kenneth was with Joey or Wailis OR how Joey was with Kenneth or Kenny. It must be really something and how they portrayed their roles because they seriously were convincing with their interactions with each partner.
Sorry, no ‘Dislikes’ for this one, considering how I tend to lean more towards ATV regardless of what problems they had internally OR how others hated them. Not recommended for those who DO NOT care for supernatural stuff OR care to understand it. (There’s a difference between understanding it versus believing. You DO NOT have to believe it to understand.)
4 thoughts on “Project Ji Xiang (吉祥任務)”