[TVB-M] A Taste of Bachelorhood 鑽石王老五 (1986), Francis Ng, Teresa Mo, Yammie Nam, Kiki Sheung Options

[tvbblock]

English Title: A Taste of Bachelorhood

Chinese Title: 鑽石王老五

Year: 1986

Episode: 20

Cast:
Francis Ng
Teresa Mo
Yammie Nam
Kiki Sheung

Plot:
Thirty–year-old bachelor HEUNG TAN (Francis Ng) is a monotonous, humorless type. He does not have a girlfriend at the moment and is not likely to get one any time soon. Desperate to find him a wife, his family has arranged for him a series of blind dates. TAN’s younger sister HEUNG TUNG (Lau Mei Kuen) is a girl with a totally different personality. She is very independent and has a mind of her own. Will these character properties make things a little easier when it comes to love? While his family is still worrying about the state of his love life, TAN has already crossed paths with his dream girl – the beautiful KOO TUNG-SUM (Lam Kit Ying) who is the god sister of his friend. But SUM has got a range of suitors and is not particularly interested in TAN. TAN’s secretary SHEUNG AH-MOON (Mo Shun Kwan) has just broken up with her fianc?. Through close collaboration with her boss, MOON gets to know TAN better and begins to realize he is in fact quite a likeable gentleman regardless of his boring side. Sadly, MOON is too shy to voice her fondness for TAN and the pair is just not able to take the relationship a step further.

Credit: tigercinema

This post has been edited by tvbblock: May 6 2008 2 51 AM

[阿Mei]

A correction need to be made. Lawrence Ng Kai Wah was the "bachelor," male lead actor, not Francis Ng. Francis Ng's character was married to Lawrence's younger sister, played by Kiki Sheung.

I LOVED this series, and highly recommend it. Everyone looked so young back then. Lawrence, Teresa, Kiki, Francis. Yammie Lam was so beautiful back then. The storyline isn't anything special, but the acting makes up for it. Plus, the themesong is a classic song sung by Danny Chan. Watch it if you have time.

[honloo]

It just does not make sense. How can Lawrence Ng Kai Wah end up liking Teresa Mo when he already got Yammie Nam? Yammie Nam was 10000% better than Teresa Mo. Lawrence was just a lucky guy.

[阿Mei]

^^^ Actually, I can see why Lawrence picked Teresa. Even though Yammie was prettier, Teresa was more likeable. In terms of personality, Teresa wins. Teresa was more mature, while Yammie seemed kind of catty and childish.

Yammie is the type who wants the guys to chase after her, and make them "wait", like deliberately not answering calls even though she knew who was calling her, or even with the meeting the parents incident. Lawrence kept asking her to go to his place to meet his parents and family, and she came up with an excuse like she was sick or something. Afterwards, she showed up unexpected. I don't know if she wants attention, if she wants to be spoiled, and whatnot. Since she's so used to guys telling her that she's pretty, and she knows that she is, she expects to get what she wants, when she wants it. I think she treated Lawrence as a "conquest" because she said at one point, even after her feelings for him disappeared, she would rather keep him than give him up to Teresa. It killed her knowing that she lost to Teresa.

Teresa, on the otherhand, is "interesting." As Lawrence said in the show, as he got to know her better, he finds out that there is more to her than just meet the eye. She has many qualities that are attractive. Plus, I think the two of them are alike in certain ways. I thought they were way more compatible than Lawrence with Yammie.

[honloo]

I understand, but still I prefer Yammie to win as she was extremely gorgeous. Yammie’s personality was not bad. It was just that because she looks so attractive, there were just so many guys going after her.

I can also understand why she would make them wait and not answering the calls. This is kind of a “proof” on how persistence a guy who is interested in her. We must understand this is not a mutual relationship. It was Lawrence who goes after her. Yammie is Lawrence’s dream girl! Yammie only decided to give this guy a chance.

About the sudden appearance in meeting his family, I don’t think she wants attention. She’s got attention everyday. Again, she finally decided to give this guy a chance. Nobody ever blame her and the whole family loves her.

Of course, Yammie has some attitude but that’s because she was a hot girl. Sure, Lawrence slowly has some feelings towards Teresa, but giving up Yammie for that was really not reasonable.

Yes, Lawrence is more compatible with Teresa, but I think the person who should do the dumping is Yammie, not Lawrence. I really hate the part when Yammie was trying few clothes at the boutique and Lawrence was disinterested. I was like “Hello, your dream girl is here”.

[阿Mei]

^^^ Picking someone to win because they're gorgeous is completely shallow. The only reason why Lawrence and Yammie didn't work out was because they were not compatible at all. Yes, Yammie was his "dream girl" because she was beautiful. That was it. It was all about the looks. I would say he was more infatuated with her, and lusted after her because of her looks. After he got to know her better, he realized that they were not compatible at all. That's good enough reason to break up in my book.

However, I would have to say that if Teresa hadn't been in the picture, Lawrence and Yammie may not have broken up, or Lawrence would not have dumped Yammie. Yammie may have dumped him, but not the other way around. Lawrence may not have been happy, but he would have stayed with her because that's the type of person he is. He's someone who doesn't really like "changes." He's not spontaneous. It's the same routine for him everyday. His sister said it because when she made a statement about how he's the type of person who would eat even if he isn't hungry because it was time to eat, or something like that. That's just who he is. If they had stayed together because of that, that would not be a healthy relationship. Lawrence would have been what most people would call "whipped."

Yammie and Lawrence breaking up was totally reasonable. It was mainly because of their incompatibility, partly because of her attitude (excusing someone for their attitude because they're hot? That's unreasonable), and partly due to Teresa. After they have fights, she would just ignore him and not answer his calls. She didn't even give him a chance to explain himself. Lawrence was looking for someone who he can spend the rest of his life with, someone who he can talk to. He even said it himself, Yammie is really attractive, but that's just it. Teresa, on the otherhand, has many layers to her. It makes perfect sense how everything turned out in the end.

We must understand this is not a mutual relationship. It was Lawrence who goes after her. Yammie is Lawrence’s dream girl! Yammie only decided to give this guy a chance.

If it wasn't a mutual relationship, then it was doomed from the beginning.

[honloo]

No, I am not saying that Yammie and Lawrence should not break up. I think they should, because they are really not compatible. But, to say that the problem is with Yammie because of her attitude I think is not right. Yes, Yammie was beautiful but she was not just all about looks. Yammie’s character was attractive and lovely. That is why at the end her so called “brother” ends up with her. This guy who has been with many beautiful woman end up with her Yammie because she was not just a pretty face. I think they should live happily ever after.

They way I see it, Lawrence would not be interested in Teresa if he had not had Yammie. He will still be thinking about Yammie day and night. Sometimes, guys are like that. They would do everything they could to get their “dream girls” and later break up with them because they have already “conquered” them. Maybe they want to try something new or different.

Guess what I am trying to say is I don’t like it when they blamed Yammie’s attitude for this. Yammie’s attitude is ok if you know how to appreciate her. She makes life more interesting. I can really understand Yammie’s frustration when she realizes Lawrence was interested in Teresa. She must be thinking “Gosh, out of all the woman in this world, how could she lost to Teresa?”.

Yammie’s character was very frank and honest. She did ask Lawrence many times is he is interested in Teresa. If Lawrence would have admitted that, the break up will be better. He kept on going out with Yammie and think about another woman. Yammie has every right to be upset.

[阿Mei]

What I'm trying to point out is that Yammie's attitude was NOT the main reason they broke up. They broke up because they were not compatible, not because of Yammie's attitude. It didn't matter if she had an "attitude" or not because in the end, they were not compatible, and if two people are not compatible, then of course they will break up. If they had stayed together, then they would not have been happy at all. If Teresa had not been in the picture, Lawrence would have stayed with Yammie because he's the type of person who doesn't like changes. My guess is that they would have never lasted, and Yammie would have dumped him.

I didn't think Yammie's character was anything special. It was really flat actually. She was just a pretty face, that's it. You never get the feeling that she was really into Lawrence. When she was jealous of the time spent between those two, it all seemed really forced. Also, she's actually a really shallow character. The only reason why she was pissed when she lost to Teresa was because she thinks she's way better looking, and she can't believe that any guy would give her up.

Yes, it may have been seen as a "conquest," but if they had been truly compatible, Lawrence would not have left Yammie for Teresa. From the show, Lawrence doesn't seem like the type of person who is after a conquest. That would be his friend, Yammie's "god-brother"/boyfriend at the end. Lawrence was the type who probably never even kissed a girl before, let alone have a girlfriend. That's why his friend was teasing him about the kiss Grace (the old secretary) gave him at her farewell party.

Yes, Lawrence should have handled the situation better, but he was confused himself. It was his first real relationship (maybe his first ever), and he didn't know what to do. Also, he was conflicted by the feelings he had for Teresa, as seen in his talks with his younger sister Ah Dong. I think Teresa made him realize that what he's looking for in a relationship is more than just his partner's good looks.

[honloo]

I don’t know why it always seem that good looking girls, especially those who know they are good looking and proud of themselves always end up as being shallow.

Remember Teresa had an ex-boy friend too. At that time, Teresa looks really terrible. Her boyfriend dumped her and Lawrence was not interested in her at all. Later, Teresa had a new look with no contact lenses, make up, etc. Her ex-boy friend was interested again, and Lawrence began to notice her. In a way, these two guys were shallow too.

So, it is really not about Teresa has better character or deeper personalities. If Teresa would have remained the same in terms of physical looks, Lawrence will not be interested at all. When Teresa appearance improved, her character changed. She became more confident. Better looking girls are more confident. Just like Yammie.

The beginning of the relationship between Yammie and Teresa were very different. For Yammie, Lawrence didn’t know her at all. He saw a drop dead beautiful lady by accident and go all out to chase her. Of course, there will be less character development. Teresa was different. She works in Lawrence’s company and they got to know each other first before any kind of relationship.

About “The only reason why she was pissed when she lost to Teresa was because she thinks she's way better looking, and she can't believe that any guy would give her up.” I believe this is exactly what she was thinking and I didn’t think it was wrong to think like this.

Not everybody will appreciate Yammie’s character, but some will. I know, she was proud of herself, catty, easily jealous, competitive, etc. That is not flat or non-special characters. In fact, characters like this make a relationship more interesting.

[阿Mei]

Remember Teresa had an ex-boy friend too. At that time, Teresa looks really terrible. Her boyfriend dumped her and Lawrence was not interested in her at all. Later, Teresa had a new look with no contact lenses, make up, etc. Her ex-boy friend was interested again, and Lawrence began to notice her. In a way, these two guys were shallow too.

Her boyfriend left because he couldn't stand how his life was going nowhere. He was passed over for a promotion, and he was tired of the same routine he goes through everyday with her. Yes she didn't look that great at the beginning, but it didn't help that she led a really boring lifestyle. She did not change at all since everyday was the same routine. In all the years they dated, she kept the same hairstyle and wore the same clothes. Every morning they would have the same ham and egg sandwich. For lunch, it would be the same box lunches eaten at the same location. Every weekend, they would have dinner with her mom and then go out to see a movie or something like that. After that, it would be a ride on the trolley/tramcar. He tried hinting to her about making some changes, but she didn't understand. She thought that by changing the breakfast sandwich, or taking the Siu Ba instread of the trolley would make things better. He was fed up with that type of lifestyle because it was going nowhere, so he left for the Philippines to try to make something of himself.

Lawrence initially hated her not because of her look, but because of how her and her friend mistaken him for a pervert, especially after he was almost robbed at this prostitute's place. After that, it seemed like every time they met, something bad would happen. He perceived her as being bad luck, and that's why his nephew called her "Hak Jie Jie". He wasn't attracted to her immediately after she got a make-over. He began to show an interest in her after learning more about her, like how her boyfriend left her, how she has to take care of her family. He didn't lust after her for her looks like he was with Yammie.

So, it is really not about Teresa has better character or deeper personalities. If Teresa would have remained the same in terms of physical looks, Lawrence will not be interested at all. When Teresa appearance improved, her character changed. She became more confident. Better looking girls are more confident. Just like Yammie.

The beginning of the relationship between Yammie and Teresa were very different. For Yammie, Lawrence didn’t know her at all. He saw a drop dead beautiful lady by accident and go all out to chase her. Of course, there will be less character development. Teresa was different. She works in Lawrence’s company and they got to know each other first before any kind of relationship.

Right before she improved her looks even more, Teresa and Lawrence's relationship turned for the better after she got drunk and spilled details of her life to him, and after her friend yelled at him about the way he was treating her. After that, he felt bad about the poor evaluation and tried to make up for it. They formed a friendship that just gradually developed into something more.

After Lawrence and Yammie started going out, there wasn't any character development either. Lawrence said it himself that Yammie is all looks but no substance during his conversation with his sister. What you see is what you get. Just looks. They had nothing in common. They were just incompatible, which is why they didn't last.

About “The only reason why she was pissed when she lost to Teresa was because she thinks she's way better looking, and she can't believe that any guy would give her up.” I believe this is exactly what she was thinking and I didn’t think it was wrong to think like this.

You would call that being confident, but a lot of people would say that girl is shallow, conceited, stuck on herself, etc. for thinking that. To a lot of people, it's actually not an attractive quality. Some may even consider it a turn-off.

Not everybody will appreciate Yammie’s character, but some will. I know, she was proud of herself, catty, easily jealous, competitive, etc. That is not flat or non-special characters. In fact, characters like this make a relationship more interesting.

Again, there are people who won't consider someone like her a suitable lifelong partner. It may make a relationship "interesting," but I think that's probably short term. In the long run, it won't work.

[honloo]

Hi, first of all, I really wish to say I enjoy this exchange of views with you.

I especially appreciate Yammie’s character when she thinks “The only reason why she was pissed when she lost to Teresa was because she thinks she's way better looking, and she can't believe that any guy would give her up”, because this person is very real in the way she think and behave. If this is a real person, and she knows she’s beautiful and everybody say so, and lots of guys are going after her, this will be the exact kind of feeling she would have when she thought about losing to someone like Teresa.

I think if Yammie behave otherwise, it would have been a very fake character like many people these days. For example, she can act like, well I am not that pretty actually and Teresa is not bad too. Or she can act like she loves Lawrence so much that she wouldn’t care about anything else. She can even act like she hurt so much and start crying when Lawrence chooses Teresa.

If Yammie would have behaved this way, people will begin to pity her and think it was wrong for Lawrence to choose another girl when his existing girlfriend is so lovely and beautiful.

Yammie’s character started of very differently. She was a girl who almost every guy wants her. To me, Yammie going out with Lawrence does not mean it will end up in marriage. Yammie just didn’t mind giving him a try and this is not wrong.

I think the primary difference between Lawrence and the 2 girls were the way the relationship started. Yammie and Lawrence started of with physical attraction while Teresa and Lawrence started of with communication.

I agree that Yammie and Lawrence are not compatible and had nothing in common but to say Yammie’s character is all about looks and no substance, I do not agree. Yammie and Teresa’s character are certainly different. But I think Teresa’s character is too serious and boring. Going out with Yammie would be fun and exiting. Yammie is just a character who is confident and not afraid to speak up her mind, and she knows what she stands for.

[阿Mei]

Hi, sorry for the late response. I didn't have much time online yesterday to post a response here. I do enjoy this conversation we're having.

I'm not saying that Yammie is necessarily wrong in feeling frustrated for losing to Teresa because she perceived Teresa as being less prettier than her. Yammie can feel that way because that's the type of person she is. Unfortunately, in the eyes of many, that makes her a very shallow and conceited person, someone's who's stuck on herself. Some people may like a person like her, others don't. It's a matter of perspective.

Yammie may not be thinking of marriage when she first started going out with Lawrence, but Lawrence, or more specifically his family, were most likely already thinking of marriage. His entire family was so excited when he got a girlfriend. His parents already thought of her as their future daughter-in-law. They were definitely rushing him to get married, and even went as far along as giving him the family house out in the countryside. For a guy who has been a bachelor for so long, now that he got his dream girl, I'm sure marriage is on his mind.

[honloo]