118 (TV series)
| 118 | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | 要要发 |
| Genre |
Socio-drama Dramedy Musical |
| Written by | Ang Eng Tee 洪荣狄 |
| Directed by |
Wong Foong Hwee 黄芬菲 Foo Seng Peng 符之炳 Lin Mingzhe 林明哲 |
| Starring |
Chew Chor Meng Pan Lingling Chen Tianwen Liu Lingling Dennis Chew Xu Bin Hong Ling Chen Hanwei Ya Hui Sheila Sim Cavin Soh |
| Opening theme | 够力够力 by Jack Neo |
| Ending theme | See Music |
| Country of origin | Singapore |
| Original language(s) | Mandarin, with some English dialogue |
| No. of episodes | 255 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
Paul Yuen 袁树伟 Chong Liung Man 张龙敏 |
| Release | |
| Original network | MediaCorp Channel 8 |
| Original release | October 20, 2014 – October 16, 2015 |
| Chronology | |
| Followed by | Life - Fear Not |
| Related shows |
Hello Singapore (2014–present) Your Hand In Mine (2009 - 2010) |
| External links | |
| Website | |
118 also known as (要要发) is the first half-hour long-running drama series produced by MediaCorp Channel 8. It stars Chew Chor Meng, Chen Tianwen, Pan Lingling, Liu Lingling, Xu Bin, Chen Hanwei, Dennis Chew, Ya Hui, Sheila Sim, Cavin Soh and Carrie Wong as the main characters of the series, written by Ang Eng Tee and executive produced by Paul Yuen and Chong Liung Man. Set against the backdrop of a coffee shop in Tiong Bahru, the drama offers a light-hearted social commentary on current topics with relatable characters and incidents.[1]
Filming started in September 2014[2] and these episodes will have a short turnaround time so as to showcase the most recent topics, the first for the channel. Viewers will also be able to submit incidents around them as story ideas to be incorporated in the show. Viewers may call 63503118 to submit their ideas.[3]
The show replaced the second half of the 7.00 pm drama timeslot, airing weekdays from October 20, 2014, 7.30 pm to 8.00 pm, premiering together with news-current affairs programme Hello Singapore. The series is also partly sponsored by the Media Development Authority of Singapore.
On 7 February 2015, in the Love 97.2FM CNY Reunion Dinner 2015 event, it was announced that the series was picked up for an additional 80 episodes, from the initial 190 episodes, for a total of 270 episodes. It was confirmed that the series would be picked up for an additional 65 episodes for a total of 255 episodes.[4]
No new episodes were aired between 23 and 27 March 2015 during the period of National Mourning. The show is pre-empted to air the 'live' political forum Singapore Votes 2015 - Your Vote Matters on 1 September 2015; in return, 2 episodes were aired back-to-back on 11 September 2015.
Plot
Hong Daming (Chew Chor Meng) is a positive and generous man. As his coffee shop and house number are both "118", the people around him gave him the nickname of "118" (or 要要发), much to his delight. Together with his wife, Liu Meimei (Pan Lingling), he makes a living by running the coffee-shop, and are well known in Tiong Bahru. Whenever someone is in need, they would always seek out Daming for help.
His family lives in a 3-room flat, which was built in pre-war years, above the coffee shop. He has 4 children. The children are named Hong Shunfeng (Dennis Chew), Hong Shunshui (Xu Bin), Hong Jinzhi (Ya Hui) and Hong Yuye (Somaline Ang).
Having 6 people living in a 3-room flat is cramped-up enough, yet he also rents out a room to "Ah Niang", a middle-aged man whose original name is Li Weiliang (Chen Hanwei). Weiliang studied fashion design in France, but circumstances led him to simply run a stall in 118’s coffee-shop, selling dumplings with the recipe that his mother left for him.
Weiliang was not the only addition to the cramped flat. Later, Meimei’s elder sister – Liu Jiejie (Liu Lingling) – and her family also came to live with 118 when her husband’s business failed. Daming’s own younger sister, Hong Shanshan (Sheila Sim), and her daughter also came to live with him "temporarily" when her husband disappeared mysteriously. Kind-hearted by nature, Daming felt that they must have come to him because they were at their wit’s end. He would rather make room for them by having his own sons sleep in the living room, than to chase them away heartlessly.
As such, the story unfolds with this myriad of personalities living under the same roof and hanging around the 118 coffee-shop, where many dramatic yet comedic events took place…
"118" presents the positive side of a Singaporean – passionate, practical, caring, resilient, faithful, tolerant and forward-looking – while also touching on the lesser side of our personalities. Through the dramatic play of events, we are able to see ourselves in the many characters, who are in fact a mirror of the good and bad sides of all of us.
Opening sequence (ep 1-127)
The sequence begins with all the skyscrapers and the HDB flats unfolding from the city skyline to the 118 coffeeshop.
In the coffeeshop, we can see Hong Daming's family - Daming brewing coffee, Meimei sweeping the floor, their children talking to each other with Jinzhi preparing breakfast, Yuye making up and Shunshui talking on the phone. The scene folds to Weiliang standing outside a restaurant and bowing down, holding a tray of dumplings on his right hand. At this time, Shanshan and Viveka (Sun Yi En) enters the scene on a bicycle, surprising Weiliang and spilling the dumplings. Shanshan attends to Viveka; at this time, Weiliang covers his nose with his finger, due to her smelliness. When Zhigao (Cavin Soh), on his taxi arrives and is calling, Weiliang and Shanshan start to look away from each other. Later, Meimei and Jiejie, the Ang Mo Kio sisters, perform at 118 getai.
Later, Shunfeng is seen strolling happily in a back alley, and starts to run when Meiyou (Roy Li) chases him in hot pursuit. In the nick of time, Shunshui arrives in his car as they run along the HDB corridor, during which Shunfeng hops on the car and they escape. Back at the coffeeshop, Jinzhi is seen tossing noodles at her wonton noodle stall. Later outside, Jinzhi and Yuye see Zhihao (Charles Lee) arriving with a pizza on his hand, and spins when Jinzhi kicks his bum. Jinzhi and Zhihao recognize each other. At the park, Weiliang sees Max Chan (Benjamin Heng) and Sijia (Priscelia Chan) walk past together hand-in-hand, and is heartbroken.
Shanshan appears by Weiliang's side to try to cheer him up. Meanwhile, Tiancheng (Chen Tianwen), Jiejie, and Zhenhui (Nick Teo) are seen moving with luggages; with Jiejie handling the bulk of them. Tiancheng, with only his phone in hand, tells Jiejie and Zhenhui to hurry up. At the same time, Shunshui offers Ada (Chloe Wang) tickets for two to watch a film; Ada takes the ticket and steps one of her high heels on Shunshui, after which, brings him closer and kissing him. This creates a heart-shaped love (paper-fold) which flies all the way to Keke (Dawn Yeoh) and Clinton's (Zhang Zhenhuan) residence, where they have wine at the balcony.
The sequence ends with the cast outside the coffeeshop and celebrate after the logo for 118 is being decorated.
Opening sequence (ep 128-255)
There is a new opening sequence for the show beginning from episode 128. Instead of beginning from the city skyline, it goes into the HDB buildings and then to the 118 coffeeshop. Cast who did not appear this time round were Ada and Max Chan, while new additions to the sequence are Ke'ai (Carrie Wong), Jiabao (Lawrence Wong), Meizhen (Sora Ma) and Jingui (Yeo Thiam Hock).
In the living/dining room, Tiancheng, Jiejie, Shanshan, Viveka and Zhenhui are having dinner at the table together. The scene zooms out to show Weiliang (in facial mask), Jinzhi, Daming (seated), Meimei (seated), Shunfeng, Shunshui and Yuye (seated) at the couches, where Jinzhi breaks a huge wind. At 118 Street, Shunshui calls Ke'ai off for being stupid. They see Keke at the other corner, harassed by Clinton's apologies and sweet-talking.
Weiliang, Sijia, Shanshan and Viveka are happily together at the park, with Zhigao standing at a corner. Jinzhi expresses her concern when Meiyou hurts himself at his provision store. Meimei comes with Daming and picks up an argument with Meiyou. At the food centre, Shunfeng senses Jiabao and Meizhen walking together happily behind him. Shunfeng is disappointed, and Jiabao expresses his delight. At the back alley, Tiancheng is so obsessed with money so much to the point where Zhenhui, Jiejie, Keke and Ke'ai get peeved and ignore him.
In the kitchen, Daming sings a love song for Meimei; Shunfeng enters and gives them a bouquet of flowers. Shunshui, Jinzhi and Yuye, who are also gathering behind, gets surprised. Down at Pizza@119, Jiabao sees Zhihao reunited with Jinzhi and Yuye and quarrels with him, irritating Tiancheng. Tiancheng serves pizza and coffee; the setting changes to show the cast having breakfast at the coffeeshop.
After Daming and Meimei greet everyone, they gather everyone outside the coffeeshop, as the logo for 118 is being decorated, to celebrate.
Cast
Hong (Daming) family
| Cast | Role | Description | Episodes Appeared |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chew Chor Meng 周初明 | Hong Daming 洪达明 | 118 / Fa-ge (发哥 / 明哥), Lobang King Liu Meimei's husband Hong Shunshui's father Wang Shunfeng, Hong Jinzhi and Wang Yuye's adoptive father Hong Shanshan's elder brother Li Weiliang's landlord Owner of the "118" coffee-shop Viveka's godfather Vivian's adoptive father and godfather Assistant Liaison Officer of the Neighbourhood Watch Zone Arranged by Simon's steward to visit Shunshui in the room, and got locked in episode 116, later requested a call to the "118" coffee-shop Younger version portrayed by Liang Qicheng Teenage version portrayed by Xu Bin | 1-15, 17, 19-28, 30-38, 41-44, 46-50, 52-55, 58-61, 63-68, 70-74, 76-80, 82, 84-94, 96-122, 124-130, 139-255 |
| Pan Lingling 潘玲玲 | Liu Meimei 刘媚媚 | Small Ang Mo Kio, Mrs 118 / Aunt Fa (发嫂 / 明嫂) Hong Daming's wife Hong Jinzhi and Hong Shunshui's mother Wang Shunfeng and Wang Yuye's adoptive mother Liu Jiejie's younger sister Viveka and Vivian's godmother Hong Shanshan's sister-in law Li Weiliang's landlady Zhang Meiyou's ex-lover Lady Boss of the "118" coffee-shop Younger version portrayed by Huang Shi Qing Teenage version portrayed by Foo Fangrong | 1-36, 38-39, 41-48, 58-61, 63-68, 70-74, 76-82, 84-94, 96-255 |
| Dennis Chew 周崇庆 | Wang Shunfeng 王顺风 | Wang Fudi's son Wang Fuhai's nephew Hong Daming and Liu Meimei's adopted son Wang Yuye's elder brother Hong Jinzhi and Hong Shunshui's adopted brother Hong Shanshan's adopted Nephew Viveka's god-brother Vivian's adopted brother and god-brother Kopi boy that works in "118" coffee-shop Chen Meizhen's ex-classmate & boyfriend Likes Xu Zhen and Chen Meizhen Younger version portrayed by Alston Yeo | 1-6, 8, 10-23, 25-36, 38, 41-45, 47-50, 52-60, 62-66, 68-79, 81-82, 84-120, 122, 124-126, 128-255 |
| Ya Hui 雅慧 | Hong Jinzhi 洪金枝 | Just-so-happens (恰恰好) Zhang Meiyou and Liu Meimei's daughter Hong Shunshui's elder sister Hong Daming's adopted daughter Wang Shunfeng and Wang Yuye's adoptive sister Hong Shanshan's adoptive niece Viveka's god-sister Vivian's adopted sister and god-sister Zhang Jiabao's and Li Zhihao's love interest Zhang Jiabao's childhood friend Wonton noodle stall owner Wang Yu Ye's rival in love Found out she is Zhang Meiyou's biological daughter in episode 140 | 1-18, 20-32, 34-36, 38-39, 41-45, 47-68, 70-78, 80-255 |
| Xu Bin 徐彬 | Hong Shunshui 洪顺水 | Small Lobang King, Simon, Water, Stay Away From You (生人勿近), 118 Junior (小118) Hong Daming and Liu Meimei's son Hong Jinzhi's younger brother Wang Shunfeng and Wang Yuye's adoptive brother Car dealer and property agent Hong Shanshan's nephew Viveka's god-brother Vivian's adopted sister and god-brother Liked Ada and Keke Simon's, Zhihao's and Clinton's rival in love In love with Zhang Ke'ai Engaged to Zhang Ke'ai Accused of molesting a female customer, and got locked by Simon's steward in the room in episode 116 | 1-3, 6-8, 10-16, 20-22, 25-27, 32-36, 38-41, 44-45, 47-48, 50-51, 54-59, 62-64, 68-69, 71-72, 75, 77, 79, 82-84, 86-93, 96-100, 103-107, 109-113, 116-124, 127-255 |
| Hong Ling 洪凌 | Wang Yuye 王玉叶 | Julie, Just-younger-sister (恰妹妹), NG18 Wang Fudi's daughter Wang Fuhai's niece Hong Daming and Liu Meimei's adopted daughter Wang Shunfeng's younger sister Hong Jinzhi and Hong Shunshui's adopted sister Hong Shanshan's adoptive niece Viveka's god-sister Vivian's adopted sister and god-sister Polytechnic student Zhang Ke Ai and Hong Jinzhi's rival in love Plays Situ Huixin in Life - Fear Not | 1-3, 6-7, 10-16, 20-22, 24-26, 30-32, 36-38, 41-42, 45, 47-48, 50, 52-58, 63-66, 68, 71-73, 76, 81-82, 89-106, 108-113, 115-123, 125-138, 140, 148-255 |
Zhang (Tiancheng) family
| Cast | Role | Description | Episodes Appeared |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chen Tianwen 陈天文 | Zhang Tiancheng 张天成 | Supporting Antagonist of part two Old Zhang (老张) Liu Jiejie's husband Zhang Ke Ke, Zhang Ke Ai and Zhang Zhenhui's father Former owner of Pizza@119 Jiahui's ex-husband Li Weiliang's enemy Met with a hit-and-run accident with Cardboard Granny in episodes 124 and 125 Revealed Jinzhi to be Zhang Meiyou's biological daughter in episode 140 Went to jail for a month Returned early on parole Claimed that he had developed inner energy after his release | 4-5, 8-15, 18, 20-21, 23, 28, 30, 33-34, 37, 40, 44, 46, 48-58, 61-64, 67-70, 72-76, 80, 82-85, 87, 90-92, 94, 99-103, 105-106, 108, 110-118, 120-121, 124-126, 128-150, 159-255 |
| Liu Lingling 刘玲玲 | Liu Jiejie 刘洁洁 | Big Ang Mo Kio, My Curse from the Star (来自衰星的你), Jiejie Liu Zhang Tiancheng's wife Zhang Zhenhui's mother Liu Meimei's elder sister New owner of Pizza@119 from episode 114 Younger version portrayed by Huang Jia Qi Teenage version portrayed by Leron Heng | 4-5, 8-14, 18, 20-22, 28, 30, 33-34, 37, 39, 44, 47-59, 61-64, 67-73, 75, 80, 83-85, 87, 90-92, 94, 99-102, 105-106, 108, 111-114, 116-117, 132-255 |
| Dawn Yeoh 姚懿珊 | Zhang Keke 张可可 | Ms Gorgeous (美女老师), Chocolate (巧克力) Zhang Tiancheng and Jiahui's daughter Zhang Ke Ai and Zhang Zhenhui's elder sister Clinton Li's girlfriend Shunshui's mentor Shunshui's love interest Zhang Ke Ai and Ada's rival in love Hong Shunshui's partner in work and in their aim to get their first 1 million before 30 | 8-11, 18, 23-24, 39-40, 44, 47-48, 51, 54-57, 62, 67-69, 83-84, 86, 91, 93, 100, 102-103, 106, 110, 114, 119, 122, 142-255 |
| Nick Teo 张鈞淯 | Zhang Zhenhui 张振辉 | Tommy, Mr Irritating Zhang Tiancheng and Liu Jiejie's son Zhang Ke Ai's older brother Zhang Keke's younger brother Eve's ex-boyfriend, Vivian's love interest Private university student Previously involved in a money laundering case, but turned into prosecution witness | 8-14, 18, 20-22, 28-30, 44, 47, 49-51, 54, 64, 67, 73, 79-80, 82, 84-85, 87, 90, 94, 97, 100-101, 105-106, 108-113, 116-118, 123, 133-145, 160, 162-255 |
| Cast | Role | Description | Episodes Appeared | Sheila Sim 沈惠怡 | Hong Shanshan 洪姗姗 | Small Durian (小榴莲), King Kong Hong Daming's younger sister Hong Shunshui's Aunt Wang Shunfeng, Hong Jinzhi and Wang Yuye's adoptive aunt Vivian's adoptive Aunt and God-aunt Liu Meimei's sister-in law Alex's ex-girlfriend Li Weiliang's love interest | 18-20, 22-26, 29, 32, 34, 36-37, 41-43, 46-50, 53-54, 56-57, 60-62, 65-68, 70, 76-77, 81-82, 84-93, 95-96, 98, 102, 104-112, 115, 118-121, 123-181, 200, 207-255 | Sun Yi En 孙艺恩 | Viveka Lee | Little Imp, Dog Poop (狗大便) Alex Lee's daughter Hong Shanshan's stepdaughter/younger sister Hong Daming and Liu Meimei's god-daughter Wang Shunfeng, Hong Jinzhi, Hong Shunshui, Wang Yuye and Vivian's god-sister Diagnosed with autism Li Weiliang and Lin Zhigao's frenemy | 9-10, 12-26, 29, 32, 34, 36, 41-43, 46-50, 53-54, 57, 61-62, 68, 70, 76, 82, 85-86, 90-91, 93, 96, 98, 102, 105, 109-112, 121, 124, 144-255
Lin (Zhigao) family
Li (Chengfeng) family
Li (Zhihao) family
Chen (Meizhen) family
Zhang (Jiabao) family
Zhang (Meiyou) family
Other characters
Tiong Bahru Market / Food Centre
Cameo appearance (appearing from ep 1-127)Note: Only credited cameos are listed.
Cameo appearance (appearing from ep 128 onwards)Note: Only credited cameos and notable cast are listed. [5][6]
Cast who left before episode 127
Music
Trivia
Inconsistencies
Accolades118 has the third-most number of nominations for Star Awards 2016, with 11 nominations in 10 award categories. The series has at least one nomination in every performance award for drama programmes. Along with Crescendo, The Dream Makers II, The Journey: Our Homeland and Tiger Mum, it is one of the five dramas to be nominated for both the Best Drama Serial and Best Theme Song. The series won its only technical category, the Best Set Design for Drama Programme award.
See alsoReferences
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