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This is a show that the whole of Singapore are watching (except for a few traitors).
This show will win awards all over the world. That is for sure.
Little Nyonya, big ratings
Fans are drawn to the hard-luck serial for its strong plot and depiction of Peranakan culture By jocelyn lee
The Little Nyonya, starring Qi Yu Wu and Jeanette Aw, is the most popular Chinese drama serial in the past eight years. -- PHOTO: MEDIACORP
The Chinese drama serial about a long-suffering Peranakan woman, The Little Nyonya, has chalked up a viewership rating of 26.3 per cent as of Monday night, beating the 22.5 per cent rating for the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
This means one in four viewers is tuning in to the Channel 8 show every night. Which means as many people watch the show each night as they did the tense women's table-tennis team final at the Beijing Olympics in August, where Singapore lost to the China team.
The 34-episode show is the most-watched Chinese drama serial in the past eight years and has beaten shows such as last year's top-rated drama serial Like Father Like Daughter, which had a rating of 20.5 per cent.
The show debuted on Nov 25 and the storyline spans over 70 years, starting in the 1930s.
Actress Jeanette Aw plays both the lead character Yue Niang and her mute mother Ju Xiang. Both overcome the odds despite being ostracised and tortured by their relatives.
Fans of the Cinderella-like serial are addicted to what they describe as a captivating plot and depiction of the rich Peranakan culture.
Tax associate Kee Hui Tian, who does not usually watch local Chinese dramas, now schedules her appointments to end before 9pm daily so she can rush home to catch the show.
The 23-year-old says: 'This drama serial has an intense and complex plot which involves many different generations and I try to watch every episode so I won't miss any important part.'
Another fan, administration executive Ong Ah Chew, 52, has even thought of skipping her folk dance classes on Monday and Friday nights so she can stay home to watch the show.
She says: 'It allows me to know more about Peranakan culture, which is very interesting. It is a refreshing topic for a local drama and a huge departure from the usual modern love stories on television.'
The serial has also attracted Peranakans in Singapore.
Mr Peter Wee, 62, first vice-president of The Peranakan Association Singapore, says the younger generation of Peranakans here are curious about their own history and culture and are watching the show as it provides them with glimpses of the past.
He adds: 'The show has helped to revive and raise awareness about aspects of the Peranakan culture, such as the beautiful costumes and traditional snacks, which have slowly been lost over the years.'
The team responsible for the show is elated by its success.
Aw says: 'I am appreciative of the chance to act in this role and I had put in a lot of effort. I am very happy that it is well-received by the public.'
Scriptwriter Ang Eng Tee, 48, who had written award-winning local dramas Holland V (2003) and Stepping Out (1999), says: 'I came up with this theme because the Peranakan culture is unique to Singapore and Malacca and I wanted to let more people know about it.
'It is a fresh subject for a local Chinese drama because we have not done anything like this before. I was taking a risk and now I am glad I did it.'
[email protected]
This show will win awards all over the world. That is for sure.
Little Nyonya, big ratings
Fans are drawn to the hard-luck serial for its strong plot and depiction of Peranakan culture By jocelyn lee
The Little Nyonya, starring Qi Yu Wu and Jeanette Aw, is the most popular Chinese drama serial in the past eight years. -- PHOTO: MEDIACORP
The Chinese drama serial about a long-suffering Peranakan woman, The Little Nyonya, has chalked up a viewership rating of 26.3 per cent as of Monday night, beating the 22.5 per cent rating for the closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
This means one in four viewers is tuning in to the Channel 8 show every night. Which means as many people watch the show each night as they did the tense women's table-tennis team final at the Beijing Olympics in August, where Singapore lost to the China team.
The 34-episode show is the most-watched Chinese drama serial in the past eight years and has beaten shows such as last year's top-rated drama serial Like Father Like Daughter, which had a rating of 20.5 per cent.
The show debuted on Nov 25 and the storyline spans over 70 years, starting in the 1930s.
Actress Jeanette Aw plays both the lead character Yue Niang and her mute mother Ju Xiang. Both overcome the odds despite being ostracised and tortured by their relatives.
Fans of the Cinderella-like serial are addicted to what they describe as a captivating plot and depiction of the rich Peranakan culture.
Tax associate Kee Hui Tian, who does not usually watch local Chinese dramas, now schedules her appointments to end before 9pm daily so she can rush home to catch the show.
The 23-year-old says: 'This drama serial has an intense and complex plot which involves many different generations and I try to watch every episode so I won't miss any important part.'
Another fan, administration executive Ong Ah Chew, 52, has even thought of skipping her folk dance classes on Monday and Friday nights so she can stay home to watch the show.
She says: 'It allows me to know more about Peranakan culture, which is very interesting. It is a refreshing topic for a local drama and a huge departure from the usual modern love stories on television.'
The serial has also attracted Peranakans in Singapore.
Mr Peter Wee, 62, first vice-president of The Peranakan Association Singapore, says the younger generation of Peranakans here are curious about their own history and culture and are watching the show as it provides them with glimpses of the past.
He adds: 'The show has helped to revive and raise awareness about aspects of the Peranakan culture, such as the beautiful costumes and traditional snacks, which have slowly been lost over the years.'
The team responsible for the show is elated by its success.
Aw says: 'I am appreciative of the chance to act in this role and I had put in a lot of effort. I am very happy that it is well-received by the public.'
Scriptwriter Ang Eng Tee, 48, who had written award-winning local dramas Holland V (2003) and Stepping Out (1999), says: 'I came up with this theme because the Peranakan culture is unique to Singapore and Malacca and I wanted to let more people know about it.
'It is a fresh subject for a local Chinese drama because we have not done anything like this before. I was taking a risk and now I am glad I did it.'
[email protected]
