The Journey: A Voyage
| The Journey: A Voyage (信约：唐山到南洋) | |
|---|---|
| Genre | Period drama |
| Written by | Ang Eng Tee 洪荣狄 |
| Starring |
Li Nanxing Elvin Ng Jeanette Aw Joanne Peh Desmond Tan Chris Tong Pierre Png Priscelia Chan Terence Cao Carole Lin Allen Chen |
| Opening theme | 家乡 by Alfred Sim |
| Ending theme | 月光光 by Liu Hui Qi |
| Country of origin | Singapore |
| Original language(s) | Chinese |
| No. of episodes | 31 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) | Chia Mien Yang 谢敏洋 |
| Running time | approx. 45 minutes (exc. advertisements) |
| Release | |
| Original network | MediaCorp Channel 8 |
| Original release | 25 November 2013 – 7 January 2014 |
| Chronology | |
| Preceded by | Disclosed |
| Followed by | Yes We Can! |
| Related shows |
The Journey: Tumultuous Times (2014) The Journey: Our Homeland (2015) |
| External links | |
| Website | |
The Journey: A Voyage (Chinese: 信约：唐山到南洋; literally: "A Journey: Tangshan to Nanyang, also known as A Voyage") is the first season of MediaCorp Channel 8's nation-building trilogy. Production started on July 2013. It premiered on 25 November 2013 and concluded on 7 January 2014. A total of 31 episodes aired during the period. It stars Li Nanxing, Elvin Ng, Desmond Tan, Jeanette Aw, Joanne Peh, Chris Tong, Pierre Png, Priscelia Chan, Carole Lin and Allen Chen as the main casts of the series.
The series is Channel 8's 2013 year-end blockbuster celebrating 50 years of television. It was also partly sponsored by the Media Development Authority of Singapore. The series recounts the travails of first-generation Chinese immigrants who set foot on the island of Singapore to seek their fortunes and future. The journey is one fraught with difficulties, one they must persevere to carve a niche they can call their own, build a new homeland and enjoy the fruits of their success.
This is the first periodical drama to use special effects (CGI) as some of the objects used in the 1920s are not readily available in the present. Some scenes in the series will also be filmed in Penang, Ipoh of Malaysia and Yongding District, China.
The series is one of three drama serials to tie-in for 3rd-highest-rated drama serial in 2013 (with It's a Wonderful Life and Break Free), with an average viewership of 835,000, behind C.L.I.F. 2 (with 901,000) and The Dream Makers (with 885,000).[1]
The Journey will culminate in Singapore’s nation building celebrations in 2015. Two more seasons - Tumultuous Times and Our Homeland - will be launched in 2014 and 2015 respectively.
Plot
Facing internal threats and foreign aggression, the social and political instability of 20th century China forces her people to leave their country in droves to seek a living in Nanyang. Hakka immigrant, Hong Shi (Desmond Tan), sails to Nanyang to work as a tin miner and lives a thrifty life. Three years later, he returns to his hometown to marry his childhood sweetheart, Lin Yazi (Jeanette Aw).
Shortly after their marriage, the couple returns to Nanyang by boat. Also on board, are two penniless Hakka brothers from Yongding, Zhang Tianpeng (Li Nanxing) and Zhang Tianying (Allen Chen), who seek to make a fortune in Nanyang. Unfortunately, Tianying has just gotten on board before he falls ill and passes out. Using the recent spread of contagious diseases as an excuse, the boatman is persistent to throw him into the sea, much to Tianpeng’s resistance. Hong Shi helps Tianpeng to deal with the boatman. In gratitude, Tianpeng swears an oath of brotherhood to Hong Shi. Tianpeng suspects that Tianying has contracted typhoid fever and is aware that Nanyang immigrants possess an effective medication for this disease. He pleads with the passengers from the first-class cabins for medicine but a wealthy Chinese, Zhang Guangda (Terence Cao), drives him away. Out of sympathy, Zhang Guangda’s new concubine, Bai Mingzhu (Chris Tong), secretly gives Tianpeng the medicine. For helping Tianpeng, Mingzhu was violated by Zhang Guangda. It turns out, Mingzhu was abducted by brigands and her father had actually hired Tianpeng to rescue her. After succeeding in doing so, Tianpeng falls in love with Mingzhu, but she was already espoused to someone else.
The boat finally arrives in Nanyang. For no apparent reason, Hong Shi is framed for a robbery-murder case and remanded in prison. Out of desperation, Yazi seeks help with a Nyonya, Zhang Huiniang (Joanne Peh) and her “elder brother” Zhang Dong’en (Elvin Ng) as they work hand in hand to prove Hong Shi’s innocence. Dong’en is Zhang Guangda’s nephew. His father, Zhang Guangping (Desmond Shen), married a Nyonya, Huang Zhenniang (Carole Lin) years after his wife died. When Zhenniang married into the Zhang family, she brought along her god-daughter Huiniang, who being younger than Dong’en, addresses him as “elder brother”. The two of them were initially at loggerheads, but gradually grew closer. However, being “siblings” prevent them from overstepping the boundary. Dong'en's aunt, Han Xiuxiang (Priscelia Chan) is jealous.
Hong Shi returns to work as a tin miner after his release, while Yazi, like the other Hakka women, becomes a “dulang woman”, panning tin for a pittance. The mine owner not only plants opium at the mine area for profits, he also exploits his miners by enticing them into sex, gambling and opium-smoking to recuperate the wages he pays out to them. To help his relative repay gambling debts, Hong Shi is also lured into gambling and eventually incurs a huge debt of $600. At the same time, Supervisor Heilong (Pierre Png) lusts after Yazi’s beauty and attempts to possess her by destroying Hong Shi.
Tianying meets Huiniang and is mesmerised by her. Believing that he is an honest and simple man, Huiniang recommends a job to him in a medicinal herbal store, where he develops a master-disciple relationship with the elderly herbalist, Chen Kuang (Li Wenhai). The old master imparts prescriptions from his lifelong research to Tianying, exhorting him to produce affordable medicines to benefit the toiling masses. Tianpeng assists Tianying in establishing the business of manufacturing medicinal products which he markets tirelessly until they become a household name. The brothers never forget to donate money to charity and uplift the standard of life in their hometown.
Hong Shi becomes a fugitive after being framed by Heilong. He abandons himself to despair and is reduced to being a beggar living in the mistaken belief that Yazi has deserted him for Heilong…
Zhenniang helms the company when Zhang Guangping dies suddenly, while Zhang Guangda is indignant and schemes to take over it. Zhenniang grooms Dong’en painstakingly, sending Huiniang and him out to the School of Hard Knocks. Going through weal and woe together can only strengthen their relationship, and Dong’en realizes that his feelings for Huiniang have grown to be more than that for a “sister”…
Dong’en and Tianpeng lead an expedition into the deep forest in search of tin mines, and unexpectedly discover the legendary “Lost Granary of Tin Nuggets”, which purportedly makes one rich overnight. Dong’en returns home “in triumph”. He grows to be more mature by day and Zhenniang is pleased that he is competent to succeed in the family business. Zhang Guangda continues to plan on seizing the map to the tin mine from his nephew. Dong’en accepts an arranged marriage and prepares to visit his ancestral village to tie the knot, Huiniang is dejected. While Zhenniang accompanies Dong’en to the village to meet his prospective wife, Zhang Guangda finds his chance to harm them… With the family business already in his hands, Zhang Guangda spares no time to harm Dong’en. Suffering from mercury poisoning, Dong’en waits in agony for an opportunity to retaliate. He vows to regain his parents’ hard-earned business and to secure a life partner for Huiniang…
Cast
Main cast
| Cast | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Li Nanxing | Zhang Tianpeng 张天鹏 | Bai Mingzhu's husband Zhang Tianying's elder brother Zhang Yan's father Hu Jia/Zhang Jia's paternal uncle Hong Shi's sworn brother Cuiying's love interest and fiancé (Cuiying died before they could get married) Zhang Dong'en and Lin Yazi's best friend Heilong and Zhang Guangda's sworn enemy In love with Bai Mingzhu and married her in the end |
| Elvin Ng | Zhang Dong'en 张东恩 | Zhang Guangping's son Old Madam Zhang's grandson Zhang Guangda's nephew Huang Zhenniang's stepson Zhang Huiniang's stepbrother Zhang Tianying's best friend and rival in love Zhang Tianpeng's best friend Charlie Zhang's sworn enemy In love with Zhang Huiniang Died from mercury poisoning that was poisoned by Zhang Guangda in Ep 31 Younger version played by Ivan Lo (Deceased - Episode 31) |
| Desmond Tan | Hong Shi 洪石 | Stone Lin Yazi's husband Hong Dangyong and Hong Minghui's father Zhang Tianpeng's sworn brother Heilong's sworn enemy and rival in love |
| Jeanette Aw | Lin Yazi 林鸭子 | Hong Shi's wife Hong Dangyong and Hong Minghui's mother Zhang Tianpeng's best friend Heilong's love interest |
| Joanne Peh | Zhang Huiniang 张蕙娘 | Zhang Tianying's wife Hu Jia/Zhang Jia's mother Zhang Min's adoptive mother Huang Zhenniang's adopted daughter Zhang Guangping's stepdaughter Old Madam Zhang's step granddaughter Zhang Dong'en's stepsister In love with Zhang Dong'en Zhang Tianying's love interest and she married him in the end Younger version played by Chloe Ng |
| Chris Tong | Bai Mingzhu 白明珠 | Zhang Tianpeng's wife Zhang Yan's mother Zhang Guangda's second wife/concubine Old Madam Zhang's daughter-in-law Huang Zhenniang's best friend Cuiying's rival in love Bullied by Han Xiuxiang but reconciles with her in the end In love with Zhang Tianpeng and remarried to him in the end |
| Pierre Png | Heilong (Wang Feilong) 黑龙 (王飞龙) | Secondary Antagonist/Secondary Villain Hong Shi's sworn enemy and rival in love Zhang Tianpeng's sworn enemy Cuiying's ex-lover In love with Lin Yazi Died from falling off the cliff after Lin Yazi threw a huge rock at him which caused him to fall to his death (Deceased - Episode 31) |
| Terence Cao | Zhang Guangda 张广达 | Main Antagonist/Main Villain Han Xiuxiang and Bai Mingzhu's husband Old Madam Zhang's youngest son Zhang Guangping's younger brother Zhang Dong'en's uncle Zhang Tianpeng, Huang Zhenniang and Cuiying's sworn enemy Died after Heilong slashed and shot at him in the end (Deceased - Episode 30) |
| Carole Lin | Huang Zhenniang 黄珍娘 | Zhang Guangping's wife Old Madam Zhang's daughter-in-law Zhang Dong'en's stepmother Zhang Huiniang's adoptive mother Zhang Guangda and Han Xiuxiang's sworn enemy Bai Mingzhu's best friend Died from poisoning after Zhang Guangda instigated someone to poison her food (Deceased - Episode 29) |
| Priscelia Chan | Han Xiuxiang 韩秀香 | Semi-antagonist Zhang Guangda's first wife/principal wife Old Madam Zhang's daughter-in-law Huang Zhenniang's sworn enemy Bullied Bai Mingzhu but reconciles with her in the end |
| Allen Chen | Zhang Tianying 张天鹰 | Zhang Huiniang's husband Zhang Tianpeng's younger brother Hu Jia/Zhang Jia's father Zhang Min's adoptive father Zhang Yan's paternal uncle Cheng Kuang's apprentice Zhang Dong'en's best friend and rival in love In love with Zhang Huiniang and married her in the end |
Zhang (Tianpeng) family
| Cast | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Li Nanxing | Zhang Tianpeng 张天鹏 | See Main Cast |
| Chris Tong | Bai Mingzhu 白明珠 | See Main Cast |
| Allen Chen | Zhang Tianying 张天鹰 | See Main Cast |
| Joanne Peh | Zhang Huiniang 张蕙娘 | See Main Cast |
Zhang (Dong'en) family
| Cast | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Zhu Xiufeng | Old Madam Zhang 张母 | Zhang Guangping and Zhang Guangda's mother Huang Zhenniang, Han Xiuxiang and Bai Mingzhu's mother-in-law Zhang Dong'en's grandmother Zhang Huiniang's step grandmother Had a stroke after learning about Huang Zhenniang's death which resulted in her being paralyzed (Died prior to Tumultuous Times) |
| Desmond Shen | Zhang Guangping 张广平 | Huang Zhenniang's husband Old Madam Zhang's eldest son Zhang Guangda's elder brother Zhang Dong'en's father Zhang Huiniang's stepfather Died after Heilong strangled him to death (Deceased - Episode 11) |
| Carole Lin | Huang Zhenniang 黄珍娘 | See Main Cast |
| Terence Cao | Zhang Guangda 张广达 | See Main Cast |
| Priscelia Chan | Han Xiuxiang 韩秀香 | See Main Cast |
| Chris Tong | Bai Mingzhu 白明珠 | See Main Cast |
| Elvin Ng | Zhang Dong'en 张东恩 | See Main Cast |
| Joanne Peh | Zhang Huiniang 张蕙娘 | See Main Cast |
Hong family
| Cast | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Desmond Tan | Hong Shi 洪石 | See Main Cast |
| Jeanette Aw | Lin Yazi 林鸭子 | See Main Cast |
| TBA | Hong Dangyong 洪当勇 | Hong Shi and Lin Yazi's Son Born by the river near the tin mine where they worked. |
Other cast
| Cast | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Wayne Chua | Cuiying 翠英 | Cuirong's younger sister Zhang Tianpeng's fiancée (Cuiying died before they could get married) Heilong's ex-lover Bai Mingzhu's rival in love Zhang Guangda's sworn enemy Killed by Heilong (Deceased - Episode 16) |
| Li Wenhai | Chen Kuang 陈匡 | Zhang Tianying's master Died from an illness (Deceased - Episode 19) |
| Louis Wu | Charlie Zhang 查理章 | Antagonist/Villain A rich tycoon Zhang Dong'en's sworn enemy Originally had an engagement with Zhang Huiniang, but the engagement was break off after his unscrupulous and unethical acts were discovered Died after Heilong shoots a bullet right to his forehead (Deceased - Episode 30) |
Episodic synopsis
For a more comprehensive synopsis, see List of The Journey episodes.
| No. in series | No. in season | Title | Original air date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Episode 1" | November 25, 2013 PG Some Disturbing Scenes |
| Taking place in the 1920s, Shitou and his newly wedded wife, Yazi, boards a ship that is travelling from China to Nanyang. On board the same ship, two brothers, Tianpeng and Tianying face trouble with the crewmen. Shitou and Yazi extend their helping hand without hesitation. In gratitude, Tianpeng swears an oath of brotherhood to Shitou. Shitou suspects that Tianying has contracted typhoid fever. Hence, Shitou brings Tianpeng to look for a rich merchant on board who has the cure. Much to Tianpeng’s astonishment, the rich merchant, Zhang Guangda, is his sworn enemy. | |||
| 2 | 2 | "Episode 2" | November 26, 2013 PG |
| Back in his hometown, Guangda marries Mingzhu. Knowing Guangda isn’t a good soul, Tianpeng urges Mingzhu not to marry him. However, Mingzhu’s father has already accepted the betrothal gifts and there is no turning back. Tianpeng leaves and unfortunately, meets Guangda again on board the ship. Guangda humiliates Tianpeng, and Tianpeng takes it all in, in hope to save his brother’s life. Mingzhu stands out to help Tianpeng. | |||
| 3 | 3 | "Episode 3" | November 27, 2013 PG |
| Guangda and Mingzhu arrive at Nanyang and are received by their nephew and niece, Dong’en and Huiniang. Huiniang discovers that Mingzhu has been abused by Guangda and threatens to file a lawsuit against him. Afraid, Guangda promises never to hit Mingzhu again. | |||
| 4 | 4 | "Episode 4" | November 28, 2013 PG |
| Shitou is being framed for a robbery-murder case and remands in prison. Yazi meets a swindler on her way to Shitou and almost lost her chastity. Fortunately, Huiniang comes to her rescue. Out of desperation, Yazi seeks help with Huiniang and Dong’en as they work hand in hand to prove Shitou’s innocence. Eventually, Shitou is released and Yazi is filled with gratitude towards the siblings. | |||
| 5 | 5 | "Episode 5" | November 29, 2013 PG |
| When Tianpeng and Tianying set up their business of selling medicine on the streets, a gang of triad members came looking for trouble. In the process, Tianying injures himself and Huiniang brings him to a western medical hall. The novelty of the medicines on display caught Tianying’s attention and he starts to gain interest. Huiniang encourages Tianying to be a disciple of the medical practitioner and he agrees. As a result, Tianpeng and Tianying go their separate ways. | |||
| 6 | 6 | "Episode 6" | December 2, 2013 PG |
| Guangda's first wife, Xiu Xiang, threatens to commit suicide as he kept the truth from her of going back to his hometown to marry a second wife. Zhenniang, Xiu Xiang's sister-in-law, dissuades her from doing so. Xiu Xiang laments that they are unable to bear children for the Zhang family because the Zhang family has committed countless of sins. The master of the Zhang family made a fortune by engaging in swine trading; Dong'en and Huiniang are not his biological children. | |||
| 7 | 7 | "Episode 7" | December 3, 2013 PG |
| It is time for Mingzhu to meet her mother-in-law. Guangda brings Mingzhu home and Xiu Xiang creates a huge commotion again. She splashes kerosene oil onto Guangda and threatens to burn the whole family alive. To appease the situation, Zhenniang steps forward and gives Xiu Xiang a tight slap leaving her jolted. | |||
| 8 | 8 | "Episode 8" | December 4, 2013 PG |
| Xiu Xiang plots to remove Mingzhu from the Zhang family, but is discovered and exposed by Huiniang. Zhenniang asks Dong’en about his earlier learning experience in business at Singapore, but he is unable to give a fruitful answer. On the other hand, Huiniang shares about how much she reaps from it. But Zhenniang believes that Huiniang will not be able to contribute to the family business as she would have to get married someday. Tianpeng and Shitou join hands to make a living while Yazi became a “dulang woman”, panning tin for a pittance. | |||
| 9 | 9 | "Episode 9" | December 5, 2013 PG |
| Shitou’s uncle, Ah Shui, is detained and beaten badly by his supervisor, Heilong, for stealing. As a result, Ah Shui suffered fatal injuries. Heilong expects Shitou to pay his uncle’s debt of $600 or else his uncle will be thrown into a lake of crocodiles. | |||
| 10 | 10 | "Episode 10" | December 6, 2013 PG |
| Cuiying’s husband suffered minor injuries during his mining work but dies soon after. It is rumored that he had a conflict with Heilong. Tianpeng finds out that the gambling den has been cheating the gamblers off their money. Shitou advises Tianpeng not to interfere with this matter lest he offends the gambling den owners. Tianpeng promises Shitou that he will not lay foot in the gambling den ever again. | |||
| 11 | 11 | "Episode 11" | December 9, 2013 PG |
| Guangping finds out about Guangda’s plan to start an opium farm and sends someone to burn the farm down. Guangda tries to stop Guangping and as both were struggling, Guangping falls down the mountain valley. Heilong goes alone to check on Guangping and strangles him to death. Upon hearing the news of Guangping’s death, Zhenniang suffers a big blow and faints. Xiuxiang uses the opportunity to suggest that Mingzhu cursed Guangping to death. | |||
| 12 | 12 | "Episode 12" | December 10, 2013 PG |
| Cuiping is touched by Tianpeng’s sincerity and both agree to marry each other. As Tianpeng follows Heilong to Ya Sha (looking for new tin), Heilong looks for a chance to kill him. However, Tianpeng is on guard against Heilong and manages to escape this death ordeal. Tianpeng guesses that Heilong’s attempted murder was because of Cuiping, but he denies. He reveals that he wants to dominate the mine and asks Tianpeng to join him. | |||
| 13 | 13 | "Episode 13" | December 11, 2013 PG |
| Heilong pushes Tianpeng into man-eating swamp when Tianpeng rejects Heilong’s offer to conquer the mine. Meanwhile, Guangda seizes the opportunity to take his brother's business into his own hands, after the latter's death. Zhenniang sees through his plan and exhorts Guangda to mentor Dong’en to learn the ropes of running a business. She expresses that ultimately, Dong’en would have to take over the business one day and advises Guangda not to encroach on it. | |||
| 14 | 14 | "Episode 14" | December 12, 2013 PG |
| To resist the arranged marriage, Huiniang decides to run away from home and asks Mingzhu for help. Mingzhu admires Huiniang’s courage and decides to assist her. In the night, Huiniang manages to escape from the Zhang family with Mingzhu’s help. However, little did Mingzhu expect that Zhenniang would catch her red-handed. | |||
| 15 | 15 | "Episode 15" | December 13, 2013 PG Some Sexual References |
| Tianpeng escaped death and tries to find his way out of the forest. He decides to follow the sound of streaming water that could possibly lead him out of the forest. He accidentally falls into a small stream and discovers rice grains in it. He is elated and believes that this is the legendary place that is known to be the 'tin ore granary'. | |||
| 16 | 16 | "Episode 16" | December 16, 2013 PG |
| Upon Guangda’s request, Heilong approaches Cuiying and invites her to spend the night with Guangda. Cuiying readily agrees with the intention of killing Heilong on the way to avenge Tianpeng. However, she fails… | |||
| 17 | 17 | "Episode 17" | December 17, 2013 PG |
| Chen Kuang sends Tianying to test out and observe how the newly formulated medicine would take effect on patients. However, Tianying searches high and low for patients but to no avail. Out of desperation, he hurts himself to test out the effectiveness of the medicine! | |||
| 18 | 18 | "Episode 18" | December 18, 2013 PG |
| Dong’en and Huiniang sets up a trap for Charlie Zhang to trick him into signing the deal. On the other hand, Zhenniang decides to make a personal trip down to Singapore to call off the wedding. Before she leaves, she instructs mother Zhang and Xiuxiang to take good care of the pregnant Mingzhu. But Xiuxiang spikes Mingzhu’s food that may cause her a miscarriage. | |||
| 19 | 19 | "Episode 19" | December 19, 2013 PG Some Violence |
| Xiuxiang’s misdeeds are exposed. In a fit of anger, Guangda physically abuses her and decides to divorce her. Xiuxiang pretends to be regretful and Zhenniang helps her to plead with Guangda. As she kneels before the family to express regret and apologies for her action, thoughts of revenge starts to form in her mind… | |||
| 20 | 20 | "Episode 20" | December 20, 2013 PG Some Drug References |
| After Shitou gets addicted to opium, Heilong instructs Ah She to release him. Ah She deliberately tells Shitou that Yazi sacrificed herself for him as she allowed Heilong to bathe for her. Shitou turns into a fury upon hearing Ah She’s words. When he reaches home, he sees Yazi drenched and thinks she sold herself. Yazi is hurt that he does not trust her. | |||
| 21 | 21 | "Episode 21" | December 23, 2013 PG |
| As Mingzhu visits the temple with Old Madam Zhang and Zhenniang, she sees Tianpeng in a dire state. He was stabbed and left at the entrance of the temple. Mingzhu asks Zhenniang to help Tianpeng and so he is sent to the hospital. Mingzhu also instructs Ah Yin to send some money over to the hospital for Tianpeng. Xiuxiang finds out about what Mingzhu has been doing for Tianpeng. | |||
| 22 | 22 | "Episode 22" | December 24, 2013 PG |
| Heilong instructs Ah Song to stage a robbery at the mine and let Shitou take the rap. After which, Heilong kills Ah Song and confesses to Shitou that he likes Yazi, and suggests that if only Shitou dies, the helpless Yazi can rely on Heilong for her living. Shitou tries to escape, but unfortunately, his vehicle rams into the lake. | |||
| 23 | 23 | "Episode 23" | December 25, 2013 PG |
| Dong’en announces to the workers at the mine that he is the relative of Zhang Guangda and needs their support to help expose Heilong’s many misdeeds. He also declares that Shitou is innocent and that all of them need to bring Heilong to justice. Heilong sees that Dong’en is opposing him and decides to kill everyone else who opposes him in a fire. | |||
| 24 | 24 | "Episode 24" | December 26, 2013 PG |
| Guangda finds out that Mingzhu has been secretly giving aid to Tianpeng and angrily confronts her. Mingzhu explains that she is merely helping the needy Tianpeng and that there is nothing going on between them. However, Guangda does not believe her and agitates Mingzhu which leads to a miscarriage. Mingzhu is disappointed in Guanda and gives up hope in him. | |||
| 25 | 25 | "Episode 25" | December 27, 2013 PG |
| As Heilong burns the workers’ dormitory, he sends people to block the exits so that no one can escape. In the midst of the chaos, Tianpeng and Huangzhong arrive at the scene and Heilong’s plot stands exposed. Heilong hurriedly coerces Dong’en to flee with him, and Tianpeng follows. Heilong wants to kill Dong’en, but finds himself trapped at the lake of crocodiles. | |||
| 26 | 26 | "Episode 26" | December 30, 2013 PG Some Disturbing Scenes |
| When Guangda knew that the fire that destroyed the Poppy Garden and Opium Factory was the works of Zhenniang, he confronts her with fury. Zhenniang blames it on his own selfishness of desiring to gain benefits at the expanse of others and affirms that she will not allow Guangda to sink deep into his wrongdoings any longer. Guangda starts to harbour thoughts of murdering Zhenniang. | |||
| 27 | 27 | "Episode 27" | January 1, 2014 PG |
| Dong’en gets kidnapped and Zhenniang goes into a fluster and Guangda steps out to help in the situation. However, the mastermind behind this kidnap is Guangda and his real plan was to keep the ransom and kill Dong’en. Eventually, Zhenniang sees through his evil schemes and knew that he is lying. Zhu Fangpi saves Dong’en and Zhenniang feels utterly disappointed in Guangda. | |||
| 28 | 28 | "Episode 28" | January 2, 2014 PG |
| Old Madam Zhang goes back to her hometown to pick a wife for Dong’en. Dong’en says that as long as Old Madam Zhang, Zhenniang and Huiniang are happy with the lady, he would agree to marry her. Huiniang becomes exceptionally picky and it seems as if none of the ladies are up to her standard. Dong’en knows that Huiniang is unsettled about him getting a wife. Although both of them appear to be siblings, however, they know how they feel for each other. | |||
| 29 | 29 | "Episode 29" | January 3, 2014 PG |
| During Zhenniang’s farewell meal, Dongsheng gatecrashes and with Guangda’s help, manages to poison Zhenniang’s beverage. As Zhenniang is on the ship, the poison takes effect on her, and she dies. When Mother Zhang receives the grievous news, she suffers a stroke and became paralysed. Guangda and his wife takes over the household and forces Dong’en to surrender information of the rice granary to him. | |||
| 30 | 30 | "Episode 30" | January 6, 2014 PG |
| Guangda starts abusing Mingzhu and Dong’en and hurts them very badly. Dong’en says that the map that he gave to Guangda is a counterfeit, Guangda gets mad and locks Dong’en up, forcing him to reveal the location of the rice granary. Dong’en wouldn’t budge, thus, Guangda forces poison water down Dong’en’s throat. | |||
| 31 | 31 | "Episode 31 (Season Finale)" | January 7, 2014 PG |
| Dong’en has been poisoned but he chooses to keep it from Huiniang, he lies to her that he wants to go back to his hometown to get married. He also tries to match make Huiniang and Tianying. Huiniang gets upset and agrees to marry Tianying as an act of protest towards Dong’en as he leaves her. Huiniang has a nightmare about Dong’en vomiting a pool of blood, telling her he is leaving... | |||
Overseas broadcast
According to series premiere date:
| Country | Network(s) | Series premiere | Timeslot |
|---|---|---|---|
 Malaysia | Astro Shuang Xing | December 12, 2013 - January 23, 2014 | Mondays to Fridays 16:30 pm (UTC+08:00) Repeat Mondays to Fridays 15:30 pm |
| Astro AEC | TBA | Mondays to Fridays 20:30 pm (UTC+08:00) | |
| Astro Quan Jia HD | |||
 Indonesia | MediaCorp 8 International | Mondays to Fridays 19:00 pm (UTC+07:00) | |
 Cambodia | PPCTV Channel 9 | September 28, 2014 | Mondays to Sundays 12:00 pm and 21:00 pm(UTC+07:00) |
Trivia
- Huang Biren was slated to star in this series, but she had to turn down the role weeks before filming commenced because a painful 10 cm cyst had grown in her kidney.[2][3] Her role, Huang Zhen Niang, has since been taken by Carole Lin.
- Originally, the first season was planned to have 30 episodes. One additional episode was added for a total of 31 episodes. Due to the celebration of TV50, the drama was pre-empted on 31 Dec 2013.
- Allen Chen's debut drama series.
- Li Nanxing collaborates with Pierre Png for the third consecutive time in this series (the previous two being Beyond and C.L.I.F. 2).
- The season will mark the third pair-up between Elvin Ng and Joanne Peh, after A Life of Hope and Happily Ever After.
- This show was adapted as a comic and has been selling at Popular Bookstores since March 2014, targeting at primary and secondary students. The comic showcases the best of the series, and is promoted by the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning.
- In episodes 7-28 and from episode 97 onwards of 118, Dennis Chew calls Li Feihui "Terence Cao".
- Huang Biren is seen watching from her tablet the scene where Heilong is struggling to crawl in the riverside after getting his right leg eaten by the crocodile in episode 20 of Tiger Mum.
Star Awards accolades
A Voyage garnered 12 nominations for 10 awards in the Star Awards, behind The Dream Makers. It won two of them, the Best Director and Best Actor awards.
| Nominee / Work | Award | Accolade | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chloe Ng Ying En 黄颖恩 | Star Awards 20 Show 1 红星大奖20 | Young Talent Award 青苹果奖 | Nominated |
| Ivan Lo 卢楷浚 | Nominated | ||
| 《家乡》 by Alfred Sim 沈志豪 | Best Theme Song 最佳主题曲 | Nominated | |
| Chong Liung Man 张龙敏 | Best Director 最佳导演 | Won | |
| Ang Eng Tee 洪荣狄 | Best Screenplay 最佳剧本 | Nominated | |
| Desmond Tan 陈泂江 | Favourite Male Character 最喜爱男角色 | Nominated | |
| Joanne Peh 白薇秀 | Favourite Female Character 最喜爱女角色 | Nominated | |
| Pierre Png 方展发 | Star Awards 20 Show 2 红星大奖20 | Best Actor 最佳男主角 | Won |
| Terence Cao 曹国辉 | Nominated | ||
| Chris Tong 童冰玉 | Best Actress 最佳女主角 | Nominated | |
| Priscelia Chan 曾诗梅 | Best Supporting Actress 最佳女配角 | Nominated | |
| The Journey: A Voyage 信。约： 唐山到南洋 | Best Drama Serial 最佳电视剧 | Nominated |
See also
- List of MediaCorp Channel 8 Chinese Drama Series (2010s)
- List of The Journey episodes
- The Journey (trilogy series)
References
- ↑ "C.L.I.F. 2 is 2013’s most-watched Ch8 drama". xinmsn Entertainment. 17 February 2014.
- ↑ "黄碧仁患病辞演重头大剧". 20 May 2013.
- ↑ "2 more MediaCorp stars hit by health problems". 20 May 2013.
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