Favourite Chinese Dramas

Anime

2021 No Doubt In Us

Modern Drama

2023 Hidden Love

Period Historical Drama

2020 The Blooms at Ruyi Pavilion

2021 Jun Jiu Ling

2021 The Sword & The Brocade

2022 My Sassy Princess

2023 Destined

2023 My Uncanny Destiny

2023 Scent of Time

2023 The Inextricable Destiny

2023 The Legend of Anle

2024 Blossoms in Adversity

2024 In Blossom

2024 Jade's Fateful Love

2024 The Double

2024 The Princess Royal

2024 The Substitute Princess's Love

2024 The Unexpected Marriage

2025 Flourished Peony

2025 Perfect Match

2025 The Prisoner of Beauty (No.1 Absolute Favourite!!!)

2025 Under the Moonlight

2025 Youthful Glory

Lovely Runner (2024) Timeline Explanation

AMAZING CHEMISTRY!!!

Sweet, Touching & Sexy love story!!!

I absolutely adore this couple and can’t stop thinking about this show.  One productive thing from my obsessiveness is the below timeline explanation for fellow fans. But be warned, they are FULL of Spoilers!

Moving Abroad During COVID [Part 3 - Singapore To Thailand]

Thailand move happened on 26 Dec 2021, 

exactly 4 months after we left our home in Myanmar on 27 Aug 2021.

Just to recap a bit,

Due to visa renewal issues for Mister, we could no longer stay in Myanmar. His employer moved him from their Myanmar branch to the Bangkok HQ. However, preparing work visa documents and getting approval require 3-4 months time and we didn't want to risk overstaying that long in Myanmar so we moved to Singapore while waiting for all paperwork to be settled.  Bureaucracy is challenging to navigate as it is. When you add in Covid, it just gets tougher so below guide will hopefully make your life easier a tad bit if you are considering moving to Thailand.

Moving Abroad During COVID [Part 2 - Singapore]

Ahhh there are so many things I wanna share with you.

To start with the Covid issues, we arrived in Singapore with the unvaccinated status. As the differentiated measures were too strict (cannot enter malls and attractions, cannot dine in) for the unvaccinated, the first thing we did as soon as we completed our 2 weeks quarantine was get a jab. By Sep 2021, walk-ins were allowed and the process was so smooth.  From the time we stepped in for registration till we got out after observation, the entire procedure took around 45 minutes. We both got Pfizer for the first two doses and are thinking of getting Moderna for the booster.

Singapore is very strict about you checking in everywhere with the Trace Together app. By Oct 2021, the officials were even checking your vaccination status, upon entering shopping malls and attractions. There are always safe distancing ambassadors walking around, to ensure everyone was wearing face masks. Popular attractions like beaches in Sentosa require advanced booking on public holidays and weekends. We had to meet with friends and family in several small groups as group size limit were strictly enforced. For example, each household can host up to 5 unique visitors a day. So if you are visiting from a place where these measures are not strictly enforced, this may be a cultural shock for you though.

Moving Abroad During COVID [Part 1 - Myanmar to Singapore]

[As of 27 Aug 2021]

1 year 5 months

That's how long it has been since the first COVID patient was diagnosed in Myanmar (or Burma). 

And 7 months is how long the country was in chaos in the military took over.

Undeterred by these situations, we have stuck around at our home. 

Come August 2021, Mister's visa was expiring and despite trying to renew multiple times, our efforts were in vain. With the nightly raids by the military, even in the big city like Yangon, we didn't dare to overstay without proper visa and Form C documents. So in the last week of August 2021, we have come to accept the reality that we gotta move country. 

Once we have accepted that fact (which was an agonising and slow process - imagine leaving your home in such horrible circumstances, without slightest hint of when you can return), 

everything else which came after could only be summarised in one word - hectic.

🧳 Packing List for the 14-Day Singapore Hotel Quarantine 🏨

Other than the usual clothes, skin care products and toiletries, we feel these items should make it to your packing list for the 14-Day Singapore Hotel Quarantine 🏨 

1️⃣/ Daily medications 

2️⃣/ Face masks 

You gotta wear mask when opening the door 3 times a day to collect food left outside your room. 

3️⃣/ A small bottle of disinfectant spray & wet wipes 

They will come in handy to clean all the luggages you have brought with you and the deliveries you receive in your hotel room as well! A small bottle will do since you can buy after the quarantine. 

4️⃣/ A small bottle of dishwashing liquid & sponge + utensils like fork, spoon, knife 

In our effort to be as environmentally friendly as possible, we try our best not to use disposable utensils. In addition, you eat better with proper fork and spoon right? You will then need a small bottle of dishwashing liquid! Some hotels provide it but you really don't know which hotel you will get so I would bring a 30ml bottle in case. 

5️⃣/ A small bottle of detergent liquid & plastic clothes hangers

We can send our clothes to the hotel laundry service but you might want to hand-wash your workout clothes and small items such as socks and underwear. Those items are easy enough to be washed in the bathroom and doing so can help as save money! As for the plastic hangers, hotels do provide them but some might be fixed in the wardrobe so you can't move them to hang your wet laundry 😞

6️⃣/ Hair dryer 

Hotels generally provide one but if you have a frizzy hair like me, its better to bring you own preferred hair dryer from home. 

7️⃣/ HDMI cable 

I am assuming you are bringing your laptop and travel adaptor. So with HDMI cable, you can watch your favourite shows on the huge hotel TV instead of the much smaller 13inch laptop screen. 

8️⃣/ Yoga mat 

While exercise equipment rental service is available, yoga mat is light and compact enough to be carried with you. I also prefer using my own, especially during the COVID time. But if you wanna rent, it’s $30 for 14 day. Interesting thing- PlayStation is also available for rental!

9️⃣/ FOOD!!! 

Other the usual like potato chips, I needed my Burmese food😅. Glenn packed his coffee machine and coffee powder as ordering a cup daily will cost minimum $5*14 days = $70!

Oh and it is more convenient if you can pack all these into 1 luggage so you only need to unpack one in the hotel room. Considering the space constraint, you will need to maximixe all the room available to you. That's it! If I miss out anything else, feel free to comment below. 

Stay sane during quarantine! 

Adios! 

xoxo 

Miss N

Korean Shows on Netflix 2020

While COVID-19 has affected several businesses negatively, streaming entertainment companies are one of the few who have benefited for this global pandemic.  While millions are affected by stay-home orders and lock-downs, we turned to service providers like Netflix to relieve our boredom. 

From the Hollywood-oriented series, firms like Netflix are striving to improve their range of product offerings. I am definitely glad to see more Asian dramas available on Netflix, which means we international fans no longer have to scower the Internet, searching high and low for the English subbed videos or suffer the restless wait for subbed videos to be released. 

My Favourite List (Thai Dramas / Lakorns) Part IV

Here is the final part of my favourite Thai drama list.

Piang Chai Khon Nee Mai Chai Poo Wised (When a man loves a woman)

After Wanida, I forgot about Thai dramas for a couple of years till I came across 

Sand Princess subbed videos on YouTube.  As I searched for more shows on YouTube, 

I chanced upon this gem, starring James Ma and Kimmy. 

Dr Wat and Nut encountered each other purely by chance which left our doctor 

enchanted. Of course, there were a couple of misunderstandings when they met again 

and Nut didn't know quite know what to make of the charming doctor. Should she give in 

to her growing feelings or should she be on guard and protect her heart from opportunists 

who approach her for her family's money?  Despite Nut's father liking Dr Wat, her distrust caused

their arranged marriage not to be as smooth-sailing as we would like. Witnessing how Dr Wat's

sincere heart has finally managed to break down all the walls Nut has built around her heart

will have you squealing with delight. Both of them have helped each other grow and learn to

love while embracing each others' faults. Forget butterflies, you will get the whole zoo 

in your stomach while enjoying those delightful scenes  between the two leads. 

Trust me, I have watched it 3 times so far. 

My Favourite List (Thai Dramas / Lakorns) Part III

Welcome back! 

Have you been binge-watching lakorns and are back for more recommendations? Part III will be about period dramas, with the first two set around the 1960s and the third set in Ayutthaya Kingdom during the reign of King Narai (1656-1688).  

Neung Nai Suang (Only You in My Heart)

Yaya's character was raised by her aunt family as she lost both parents at a young age. Due to her chubbiness, she was bullied by James Ji during play dates between the two families. When they met again as adults upon James' return from Europe after completing his studies, Yaya remembered him and wanted nothing to do with him. James, on the other hand, couldn't recognise the beauty before him as a young girl who used to be bullied by him. So he was shocked when she refused to dance with him at a party and angry that she publicly embarrassed him - a popular dream guy for all the girls in town. The story follows them as he kept picking fights with Yaya.

My Favourite List (Thai Dramas / Lakorns) Part II

So how many dramas from my Part I review have you watched?

Shall we continue? This Part II is dedicated to one of my shipped couple Nadech-Yaya.

Rising Sun 2

As I didn't watch Rising Sun 1 with Mario and Taew, I was a bit confused in the first few episodes. Set in Japan, Nadech's character became the new Souryo of their Onitsuka family clan upon the death of his cousin.  To protect his betrothed Yaya (whom he also loves) during these uncertain times of leadership changes, Nadech distanced himself from Yaya for a few years. But of course, she didn't know the reason for his disappearance and thought he was just toying with her feelings.  

My Favourite List (Thai Dramas / Lakorns) Part I

Although diversity could be strength to explore creativity, I personally need romance, comedy, cute moments and happy endings in my dramas. If our tastes are the same, read on for my favourite list, which could be a gentle introduction for lakorn newbies.

Wanida 

Back in 2010, my Cambodian friend introduced me to my very first Thai drama called Wanida for their stunning outfits from 1940s/1950s. Aff's father is a loan shark who worries that his daughter won't be able to marry well due to his unfavourable reputation in society. Tik's noble family only has good name but no wealth to accompany it. When Tik's brother was unable to repay a large amount of money he owed to Aff's father, the latter demanded marriage to his daughter as a repayment. The drama followed Tik & Aff as they were forced into a contract marriage and slowly fell in love despite obstacles thrown at them by conniving ex-girlfriend and interfering mother-in-law.  Overreacting servants either provided comedic relief or cringe-inducing moments, depending on how you look at it. However, we witness how both Tik and Aff grew and matured through the the narrative. How a son's filial duty, a man's integrity as well as a woman's strong will and perseverance intertwined to create a story which  was cliche but nonetheless beautiful.

Due to lack of subbed Thai videos back then as well as the colossal success of Korean shows reignited by the popularity of Boys Over Flowers, I went back to the K-drama land. Fast forward to 2019, Korean shows available didn't quite capture my interest and I decided to watch highly acclaimed Thai movie Friend Zone. While the movie is by no means a standout with its own shortcomings in terms of story & character development, Baifern shines brightly with her charm. 

Food For Thought 8 [Rise of Thai Dramas]

Korea is out to challenge Hollywood's monopoly on the global entertainment market. Will there be anyone else to follow the meteoric rise of the Hallyu wave? Will Thailand (home of Blackpink's Lisa, 2PM's Nichkhun and GOT7's Bambam) rise to the occasion?

Even during my university days 10 years ago, Thai commercials form part of our case studies for marketing modules. After multiple trips to Thailand, I can also attest to the creativity of the people, as evident even in the souvenirs and snacks we bring back home.  Movies and dramas are putting effort to break out of the stereotype that their remarkable work is only in horror. Video-sharing platforms contributed to breaking down language barriers of non-Thai speaking fans.  Another unique aspect of the Thai entertainment industry is an abundance of mixed blood stars with their desirable, attractive features as well as the command of the English language to transcend communication barriers which allow them to easily connect with international fans. Social media is also helping stars to keep in touch with their fans directly. So, will we witness the rise of Thailand as Asia's next soft power?

Especially for international fans like me, when it comes to TV dramas, our focus is on Korean, Taiwanese and Japanese shows.  We don't have an inkling on what to make of Thai dramas or lakorns as they are called. Will the shows be too over the top with cartonnish characters? Are the storylines interesting enough to pull us in till the end? Will there be enough eye candies? Well, some dramas do have cartoonish characters and ear shattering screeches, especially from supporting cast. But there are a wide range of storylines to meet everyone's tastes.  As for eye candies, you have nothing to worry about in that department. If you don't believe me, just click on below links of my favourite actors / actresses. Some of them have sizzling chemistry that we couldn't help but wish for them to date in real life like James Ma-Kimmy, James Ji-Bella and Nadech-Yaya.

James Ma 
Kimmy 
James Ji 
Bella 
Nadech 
Yaya 
Mik 
Baifern 

My favourite shipped couple 1: James Ma & Kimmy

Food For Thought 7 [Asian Entertainment Industry & Its Soft Power]

With the current COVID19 situation, our daily lives have grounded to a halt, or at least slowed down to various extents. Travel plans were cancelled, non-essential services shut down, office workers were recommended to work from home and parents had to homeschool their children. But of course, this post is not about COVID19. We would actually like to escape from the barrage of virus-related news articles, bombarding us from various channels.

Personally, I no longer have to wake up early as my yoga studio is closed. Due to the mandate to work from home, there was no need to commute to and from office during peak hours.  House renovations were going at a turtle pace in order to avoid crowd of workers. In any case, government approval for our new house was taking longer than usual since workforce was cut down to around 50%. So, my weekend errands were cut down and you can imagine how much time I suddenly have at my disposal.

If left to my own devices, I probably would be in pyjamas all day, sitting on a couch, working on my macbook without regular meal times compared to being dictated by a more structured day in office. But fret not, I have my own guardian who ensured I wake up by 8am and get ready for the day as well as eat meals at proper times. 

Anyway, back with the issue of dealing with extra time, what do you guys do to occupy your day, especially if you do not have children or pets to take care of?  Other than working from home and doing yoga, I have been indulging myself by watching dramas! You thought wrong if I meant Korean dramas, as the current phase I am in means I can't get enough of Thai Lakorns (dramas / soap operas). 

When my hubby remarked on my change in taste, it got me thinking about Asian soft power.  Hollywood has always dominated entertainment industry. What about Asia with our vastly diverse yet nonetheless intriguing cultures? Culture has bearings on dramas, movies, songs and artists which are essentially products of entertainment industry, wielding soft power, not just domestically but internationally upon export.  

Food for Thought 6 [COVID19 - Blessings in Life]

COVID19

Coronavirus

Novel Corona

There is an avalanche of news articles about this pandemic so I believe we don’t need another introduction. This outbreak has affected our daily lives as we know it. 

Suddenly, simple pleasure of taking a walk in the park could become a criminal offence, punishable with both fine and jail term. 

Governments around the world recommended us to observe social distancing and to stay at home as much as we can. #StayHome is a trending hashtag all over social media. There are ardent advocates for lockdown to prevent further spread of this infectious yet invisible nemesis. Healthcare professionals stay at work for us so we have to stay home for them.

Deutschland - Day 1 (25 April - 7 May 2016)

Although I slept quite a bit during the long journey, it couldn't be compared to a sound sleep in warm, cozy bed.  Sleepy, tired me was jolted awake by the crisp, fresh air of Frankfurt. Temperature was probably around 10C but it felt more frigid due to the constant frosty wind. Even the 5 min walk from office (training venue) to a bakery for breakfast had me shivering. My trainer could tell straight away that I was a 100% tropical girl :D 

Since my flight landed at 6:00am, it was too early to check-in to hotel. Plus, our training was scheduled to begin at 8:30am, so the toughest thing for Day 1 was me trying really hard (but sometimes in vain) to stay awake (=_=) . All the snacks in office helped hehe 

Our partner company got us season pass for public transport (€25.70 for adults for 1 week ticket) so that's how we will be getting around for the next 2 weeks. You should consider getting it if you are going to be in the city for at least 4-5 days and plan to get around with public transport since single ticket cost €2.75 one way.

In the evening after class, one of the managers drove us to Motel One at Frankfurt Messe as I have luggages.  That's real kind of them since flagging a cab would easily set me back by €30.00 AND I didn't know how to give directions! It was a clean hotel, located close to underground train station (U-Bahn service, Line U4, Festhalle / Messe Station) as well as a shopping centre (Skyline Plaza).  Both the bed and pillows were comfortable!  

After unpacking just what I needed for the night (I couldn't happily unpack everything since I needed to move to another branch of the same hotel chain for 1 night, something about this place not having room for the entirety of my stay), I headed out to explore the neighbourhood. Europa-Allee was a pretty quiet district with the main attraction being Messe convention and exhibition centre.  Otherwise, there are just a few office buildings with  a couple of residential areas as well as rapid transit stations (S-Bahn service, Line S3 & S4, Galluswarte Station & Messe Station).  

Weather was getting more biting with light drizzles so I rushed back to hotel. Feeling a bit hungry, I stopped by Skyline Plaza for takeaway Chipotle dinner.  Recee of this mall turned out to be quite satisfying as there were several shops ranging from supermarket, drug stores, clothing shops like Zara, H&M to food court. 

Here is the vlog of my first day.   Pardon the quality as I'm just familiarising myself with making videos (O.O)

Let's call it a day and good night everyone!

Adios!

xoxo

Miss N

Deutschland - Schengen Visa Application for Product Training (25 April - 7 May 2016)

When I received an email about product training course in Germany, I was both excited and anxious.  Excited because it means a trip to Europe!! Wheeeeeeeeeeeee 

But at the same time, I was quite anxious since I would be alone and it was a place totally foreign to me! I mean I have been to quite a few places in Asia.  Outside of this continent, Mister and I visited the States together and that's it.  

Other than unfamiliarity,  I was distressed about EU visa application, thanks to my Myanmar passport.   Travel agents were also reluctant to apply visa for me since their business will be blacklisted by the respective embassies if I overstay in Europe.  So I decided to apply visa and buy air ticket on my own, and hotel accommodation will be handled by the training organiser.  If you are like me and need a visa, let me walk you though the process, which was quite painless if you could provide all  required documents.

Travelogue to Guangzhou - Farewell (March 2016)

On our last day, we had time to pack and go out for leisurely breakfast before having to flag towards the airport.   

We were out of hotel by 9am and apparently, it was too early for shopping centres to open haha so we took a stroll around the neighbourhood!

Travelogue to Guangzhou - Free and Easy Day Tour (March 2016)

On 5 March, my dad agreed to just spend 2 hours at the fair to let me indulge in a bit of sightseeing in Guangdong province's capital.  Thank god for that.  I have had enough of the bland exhibition food and jostling crowd packed into Pazhou halls.

Travelogue to Guangzhou - Free and Easy Shangxiajiu (March 2016)

We flew in on 1 March 2016 and departed on 6 March.  With the exhibition going on from 2 March to 5 March, there wasn't much time left for sightseeing.  

On our first day, we hopped over to the renowned Shangxiajiu pedestrian street.  Officially opened in 1995, Shangxiajiu is the first of its kind among shopping streets dedicated to pedestrians only.  I think you can purchase with peace of mind for items with prices written down.  On the other hand, for items without price stickers, try to bargain, especially since you can find similar items in the hundreds of shops lining the Shangxiajiu pedestrian street. 

How to get there:

ChangShou Station on Metro line 1

Exit D2

Beginning of Shangxiajiu pedestrian street, where you can indulge in some bargain hunting for everything from clothes, shoes, accessories, souvenirs to even luggages (in case you end up buying too many to carry :D)

Travelogue to Guangzhou - Exhibition days (March 2016)

Despite the proximity of Myanmar to China, I had never been to the world's most populous country till now. There are 3 huge dental exhibitions a year in China, held at the nation's 3 biggest cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.  Given the availability of direct flight from Yangon as well as Guangzhou's not so harsh temperatures in March, I and my dad attended 2016 Dental South China Exhibition held at the capital of Guangdong province.