Lai Shing Nam and Yuan Zi Yi

[juicyy]

[Contains mini spoilers]

I just finished watching "Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain" and I can't help but relate Athena Chu's character, Yuan Zi Yi, to Michelle's Lai Shing Nam character. By the way, I highly recommend this series to anyone who hasn't seen it. Nie Yuan, the lead actor, is so handsome and the entire series was a breathe of fresh air from TVB. Don't get me wrong, TVB is great but it gets tiring seeing the same old faces and formulas over and over.

Anyways, let me start off my saying besides Michelle, Athena is one of my favorite actresses. She's stunning and aging doesn't seem to affect her one bit, kind of like Gigi Lai...and I'm sure Michelle will also fit into the ageless category in the future. Athena was perfect for her role as was Michelle for hers. Both actresses played their character so wonderfully, capturing the soul and bringing LSN and YZY to life.

Athena conveyed her character, Yuan Zi Yi, brilliantly and her chemistry with the main actor was perfect, just like RM in LWVB. Besides RM, Nie Yuan and Athena have truly touched me, sort of reminding me that chemistry still exists in series. After RM went their separate ways, I felt like no one else could capture the true essence of love and romance on-screen until I've seen Athena and Nie Yuan. Of course RM is still my favorite couple ever but Athena and NY comes quite close. You'll know what I'm talking about if you watch the series =)

Yuan Zi Yi is a very beautiful, playful, and intelligent woman...very similar to Lai Shing Nam. They both have a very moving personal story and both loved their man unconditionally. Yet tragically, they shared the same fate. I guess dying in the arms of the person you love is the most blissful way to end your life but on the other hand, the person holding you is experiencing the worst pain his heart could ever endure. Hu Fei's thunderous roar after witnessing his wife's death was so heart wrenching, you could feel the anger, fear, and hurt in his voice. I haven't been so deeply touched by a death scene since Shing Nam died in Sai Wai's arms. Sai Wai's reaction to Shing Nam's death was less dramatic, but you could still tell his heart was being torn into pieces through the emotional gaze in his tearful eyes. The 2 couples just played out their part so well, you can feel the emotions they are trying to convey to the audience.

There were many parallels in the death of both women. They both died from poison, they both married right before their death, and both died in their lover's arms. The 2 male characters were also very similar, except Hu Fei knew he was in love with Yuan Zi Yi since the beginning and Sai Wai didn't discover Shing Nam was the true love of his life until the very moment before her life ended. I just don't understand why they can't just end up together! I guess the "Titanic Effect" is very effective since people tend to remember tragic endings more than happy ones.

Michelle's Lai Shing Nam was also very similar to Gillian Chung's character in "Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain", except I wasn't moved at all by Gill's performance so I found it hard to relate them together. Come to think of it, I think Michelle would have been perfect in Gill's role and if I was director, I would have totally sought out Michelle to play Cheng Ling Su (I would cast Mich as Yuan Zi Yi if Ray was playing Hu Fei though =P).

All in all, I just adore how sweet and captivating the love story of both the couples were. Although they didn't end up together, you still get the satisfaction knowing that "she" was the one "he" truly loved and vice versa. The two female lead in each movie were perfectly chosen for their parts. Watching "Volant Fox" made me really miss LWVB. If you haven't seen this series, you really should. I don't think you'll be disappointed if you're a fan of wuxia type series. But let me warn you, it's a total tear jerker but the martial arts choreography was really well done and the scenery was beautiful. The entire series was well worth staying up for and the love story between Hu Fei and Yuan Zi Yi will leave you breathless.

And if you're Vietnamese, you can watch the entire thing online for free at forum.vuilen.com/showthread.php?t=52469.

Oh and I think I just developed a major, major crush on Nie Yuan. He's so hot, almost as hot as Kevin Cheng (almost) =P. Nie Yuan was so cute in this series and his character was so dreamy. If a man loved me as much as Hu Fei loved YZY then I would be the happiest girl ever. OMG I hope I get to see more of him, I can't get over it. Sorry, you guys are probably sick of my gushing, I don't know why I spent so much time writing about this series but I was so excited I had to let it out somewhere. Oh yeah, despite all the good things I said about this series, the ending was crappy >.< But you can't have everything right?

[MYR Admin]

It has been long since such constructive discussion is held, good job juiccy.

A very observant analysis, and though I've not watched that series, you certainly gave me the urge to give it a try if they have such a chemistry, because like you, I've not seen chemistry more heartwrenching than the one of RM's LWVB.

I have to mention WM's scene was quite touching too, except it lost out a lil due to Hai Tang being already dead, but all the depression of Yi Dao was nevertheless felt. WM's chemistry differ in that, the death scene did not allow them to share their last moments or breaths or vows together, in LWVB, Seng Nam gave her blessings to Sai Wai, where Sai Wai was only in time to accept her vow but was too late to return her his.

Well, I was just wondering what to watch these days, now I have one in mind!

[juicyy]

Hi Rain! I agree, WM's scene was also really memorable but I somehow wasn't touched by it as much as I was touched by RM's scene. Maybe I'm being biased or maybe I just think dying in the arms of the person you love is much more moving. But you're right, WM didn't really get a chance to spend her last moments of breath together, but you could still tell Wallace really loved her and how hurt he was. I bought it, I just wasn't as moved by it like in LWVB =P

LOL I'm sure you won't be disappointed if you give Fox Volant a try, but it is pretty long and like I said, the ending was disappointing...I much preferred the ending in LWVB. Hope to hear your opinion on the series soon, I felt like I was the only one watched it >.< haha. I just can't get over Athena and Nie Yuan...so so cute. In the future, maybe RM and AN could be paired up in the same series =D

[Katniss]

Juicyy thanks for your recommendation. I might give that series a try when I find the time. BTW I've never heard of that site you gave to watch Viet series. I normally watch at Film4viet. Is it a better website?

I've always been fond of Athena too, especially in the remake of The Legend Of The Condor Heroes (1994). I didn't watch Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain, so I can't compare.

I also agree with Rain that WM story was quite touching as well. I have to say that I liked the love story of WM more than RM in LWVB. But I loved the ending of RM more than WM.

RM's ending was definitely more emotional. I remember watching the ending and getting so pissed off at Raymond. I thought Raymond deserved to be alone at the end. He realized everything too late and now has to live with the guilt that he contributed to Michelle's death. Call me mean, but that guy deserved it. Michelle was truly selfless and he was soo BLIND. And I agree with Juicyy that Michelle died in a blissful way. All she wanted was to be loved by Raymond, for him to know that she would never harm him, and to be his wife. She got her wishes in the last moments of her life, and that was beautiful.

Man, this really makes me want to re-watch LWVB again. I enjoyed reading your insights Juicyy, very interesting points you brought up. I'll def. watch that series later, it sounds like a touching series.

[Drift]

I would disagree with juiccy and agree with shortie more becuz i thought that the WM thing was more deep and touching. The RM thing was touching too but what made me not like as much as WM is that sai wai rays char didnt realize that he loved shing nam mich's char until she is dying in his arm. I think sai wai char is not for certain who he really loves because he kept liking one person n then the next not like wallace character that stay faithful to one person. I think the way athena died in that serie was so wack i mean to die wen ur almost saved becuz some girl is such an idiot is just lame. It made me dislike the whole serie n then i quit after that episode.

[juicyy]

shortie703 said:

Juicyy thanks for your recommendation. I might give that series a try when I find the time. BTW I've never heard of that site you gave to watch Viet series. I normally watch at Film4viet. Is it a better website?

I've always been fond of Athena too, especially in the remake of The Legend Of The Condor Heroes (1994). I didn't watch Fox Volant of the Snowy Mountain, so I can't compare.

I also agree with Rain that WM story was quite touching as well. I have to say that I liked the love story of WM more than RM in LWVB. But I loved the ending of RM more than WM.

RM's ending was definitely more emotional. I remember watching the ending and getting so pissed off at Raymond. I thought Raymond deserved to be alone at the end. He realized everything too late and now has to live with the guilt that he contributed to Michelle's death. Call me mean, but that guy deserved it. Michelle was truly selfless and he was soo BLIND. And I agree with Juicyy that Michelle died in a blissful way. All she wanted was to be loved by Raymond, for him to know that she would never harm him, and to be his wife. She got her wishes in the last moments of her life, and that was beautiful.

Man, this really makes me want to re-watch LWVB again. I enjoyed reading your insights Juicyy, very interesting points you brought up. I'll def. watch that series later, it sounds like a touching series.

LOL I'm not really sure which site is better, you could try both =D. I usually just watch series online only to get the basic idea and then I tell my mom if it's worth her coupons =). I prefer laying on the couch with a bag of chips instead of slouching in front of my computer lol.

You brought up a really good point. I felt more moved by the death scene in LWVB partly because I was so angry with Raymond for being so ridiculously stupid but I also felt sympathy for him at the same time. I think anger and sympathy are strong emotions, that's why LVWB had a bigger impact on me, as opposed to WF since the only thing I felt was sympathy for Wallace...

I think I will watch LVWB again when I have the time. Right now, I'm so swamped with hmwk, it's sick =(

[juicyy]

jhnc said:

I would disagree with juiccy and agree with shortie more becuz i thought that the WM thing was more deep and touching. The RM thing was touching too but what made me not like as much as WM is that sai wai rays char didnt realize that he loved shing nam mich's char until she is dying in his arm. I think sai wai char is not for certain who he really loves because he kept liking one person n then the next not like wallace character that stay faithful to one person. I think the way athena died in that serie was so wack i mean to die wen ur almost saved becuz some girl is such an idiot is just lame. It made me dislike the whole serie n then i quit after that episode.

I think the fact that Sai Wai didn't know Shing Nam was the one he truly loved until the very end made things even more emotionally touching. If you know you love a person since the very beginning then you can spend every moment of every day with them or thinking about them, not feeling like you wasted any time. But realizing you truly love someone only when you're on the verge of losing them is probably the worse feeling you can experience. Raymond probably felt like he wasted all the time searching for the answer when it right there in front of him, only to lose it in the end. Yi Dao was lucky enough to create happy memories with Hai Tang as a couple while Sai Wai spent Shing Nam's last days being mad at her. You could say Wallace had no regrets while Sai Wai was engulfed in it. Imagine what he must have felt like...Sai Wai was probably so mad at himself, making LWVB more touching and memorable. You hated and was so angry with Sai Wai but you can't help feeling sorry and being happy for him for realizing the truth at the same time. But that's just my opinion...that scene almost made me cry and I never cry in movies...come to think of it, I've never actually cried in a movie =P

[Katniss]

Drift made me realize something too...

Michelle's death in WF was NOT necessary. I mean if Michelle just didn't say anything to Gao Yuen Yuen, she could have survived. Why did she have to reveal everything right there? I felt like there was a bit of injustice. I could have done without the death part. Her death didn't prove or show anything.

Where as RM in LWVB, Michelle's death was totally necessary in order for Raymond to finally realized his close-minded stupid way of thinking. It was also necessary to show how much Michelle loved him as well as killing the bad guy. ARGH! Stupid Raymond...hehe I mean Michelle's whole life was full of loneliness with no freedom. She found the one guy that she could give her whole heart to, only to be returned with disappointment and ultimately her death.

I guess it just boils down to the life of Hai Tang and Shing Nam. Although Hai Tang's family was murdered, she grew up with Ya Peng and Yi Dao who cared deeply for her and also had a father figured. She had an important status.

Whereas Shing Nam's life was more tragic. She was an orphan and grew up in a hostile environment. She was constantly controlled and groomed to be a ruthless assassin. Her life was further tragic due to a man that did not appreciate her and all her sacrifices. She never had a home and never felt love (until the very last moment of her life).

I guess when it comes to the more emotional death, it would be Shang Nam. Her whole life was just a tragic story. My heart really reached out to her.

But when it comes to my favorite character overall, it would be Hai Tang. Shing Nam is a close 1st.

[juicyy]

Hmmm I think my favorite character is Meng lai Kwan in Eternal Happiness. She had a happy family and actually had a happy ending =D But yeah, I don't think I've ever disliked the characters Michelle played...actually I wasn't too fond of her character in LITCOL but she looked so pretty in the costumes.

[Baby-G]

Yeah in the WM scene I totally cried even after watching it several times, but in the RM one I cried even harder. And Michelle's voice in canto was like............... SO EMOTIONAL that I really wanna put her in the emo group. Anyways, I'm still voting for WM^^ Yes, as uaual. The Baby-G everyone knows.

Ah, dun misunderstand. I love RM too. Buthen think again, to everyone in MYR, wouldn't it be weird if Baby-G the WM fanatic all of a sudden loves RM more than WM? Right?

Ok anyway Michelle's just good with any guy. If you ask me about the ending, I'll rate Michelle and Eric's in LZ2 the best. AND I'M STILL BLAMING WALLACE FOR ALLOWING ERIC TO SNATCH THAT KISS AWAY!! I HATE WALLACE HUO but I love him as well^^

Oh and btw, I recently just created a new fanfic which I have completed typing out on notepad just that the other computer does not have internet connection.

winglin.net/fanfic/unicorn<<--(it has tons of cast and I'm still a lil confused myself)

OMG I'm so sorry I got too carried away. I know all this nonsense is irrevelant to this thread but it's just that I miss MYR too much and I'm literally typing away like a fool.

So sorry!!

[Dots]

hey, i have watched Lofty waters Verdant bow

[Dots]

rm was sooooo touching but i havent watched the worlds finest!