Paradise (Shui Yue Dong Tian)

Title: 水月洞天 (Shui Yue Dong Tian)/ Paradise
Episodes: 30
Broadcast network: CTV
Broadcast year: 2003

Cast
Yu Bo: Tong Bo
Yang Jun Yi: Tong Zhan
Max Zhang: Tong Xin
Ada Choi: Dou Dou
Monica Chan: Yin Tian Xue
Norman Tsui: Yin Zhong
Yang Guang: Zhao Yun

Synopsis
The story revolves around the journey and discovery of the three Tong brothers as they venture out of their mysterious hidden home (Shui yue dong tian). It all began the day when Tong Zhan and Tong Xin teleported from their home in order to fine a cure for their father’s sickness. With some struggle Tong Bo was able to return his brother’s home along with the suppose cure. However, he later discover that he have mistakenly brought an outsider (Dou Dou) home instead of his brother Tong Xin. But due to his father serious condition, the thought of searching of for Tong Xin was pushed aside. The cure was brought to their father but it did not improve his situation. It was then thought to be fake. In hearing that though, Dou Dou got angry and smashed it causing the whole of Shui yue dong tian to cover in ice. Dou Dou along with the two Tong brothers and their caretaker managed to escape from the disaster. From then, they venture out of Shui yue dong tian in hope of finding a way to save their clan. Along their journey, they soon discovered more of their past, fell in love, met new friends and enemies.

Plot:
The plot is centered around the mission to bring Shui yue dong tian out of ice age and to kill the evil villain (Yin Zhong) in order to prevent him from taking over the world. There are side stories about the two elder brothers discovering their first love. It show cases the constant struggle to balance between their responsibility to their people and being with their love ones. The plot moved at a steady paste with a well balance combination of dramatic sense and comedy. However there are certain parts where there are gaps and uncertainty that left the audience in the mist. Like for instance, the existence of Shue yue dong tian. It was said the Tong clan have lived in Shue yue dong tian for over 500 years with no contact with the outside world. The story doesn’t explain clearly the battle between Long Teng and Yin Zhong 60 years ago or how Long Tien descendant Long bo was brought into the care of the Tong Clan 20 years ago. It doesn’t explain why the Long clan was killed and how it had occurred. The time line was never explained properly. Further more, normally when a person is covered in ice they would die. However not in this case, when the ice melts every thing was alive again. Yet again, the story didn't explain why. On the other hand, the love stories are very enjoyable to watch with cute and comedic sense between the pairing. In addition, a strong reference of sibling love and royalty would leave the audience feeling bubbling and happy. Overall the plot is a rather light with some action in between the speed up the plot. It might lack some creativity, but the cute side plot makes up for it.

Character/Acting:
One of the strongest aspects of this series would have to be its loveable characters and great combination of skilled actors and actresses. They pulled the story together with their strong chemistry.

Yu Bo as Tong Bo
Bright, kind, gentle hearted and patient Tong bo is the eldest in the family. Born as Long bo, he was brought to the Tong clan for care when his family was killed 20 or so years ago. Growing up without knowing his real identity, he has grown to love and care for his two brothers. Even though he discovered his past, his love didn’t fade for the family but just grew stronger. He grew to love Dou Dou during their journey out of Shue yue dong tian, but due to his kindness, he caused a misunderstanding to Zhao yun and soon unleashed the monster within her. Tong bo is a very typical hero whom can give up everything to protect his love one. Yu bo did a good group portraying him. He was able to bring out all of Tong bo's likable features.

Yang Jun Yi as Tong Zhan
The second oldest among the three brothers, he’s a kind hearted person but has little patience and was some what hard headed. While watching the series, the audience comes to like him through his love for his brothers and determination towards loving Tian Xue. In their relationship, he was constantly blurred out of the picture and was normally the one chasing after their love. Yang Jun Yi did a pretty good job. Though I find him annoying at some parts it’s mostly due to the character he portrays and not the actor himself.

Max Zhang as Tong Xin
He’s a powerful yet naive character that couldn’t tell the difference between good and evil. He’s the youngest in the family being born with a gift to learn powerful magic, but because of his mental condition, the Tong clan has agreed to keep his power constrained. However, when he accidentally drink blood from the snake Yin Zhong owns, he somehow thinks that Yin Zhong is his master and he started to obey and protect him. This causesTong Xin to cause a lot of harm to his own loved ones. Max Zhang did a fare job portraying a strong yet innocently cute Tong Xin. Though I find he overacted some of the cute parts since I don’t find him ‘cute’ in any way. You aren’t likely to like this character due to his stubbornness and stupidity though you still sympathize with him because of his mental condition and his love for his brothers.

Ada Choi as Dou Dou
Dou Dou is an innocent and naive character. Before she meets Tong Bo, her life revolved around her family. But after meeting Tong bo, her life seems to completely revolve around him. You will come to love her for her numerous scarifies for Tong bo, but yet still get irritated about her stupidities and overly protective attitude towards Tong bo. Ada once again did great with her character portrayal. Her chemistry with Tong bo is another great point about this series. Their cuteness and sweet sense is very enjoyable to watch.

Monica Chan as Yin Tian Xue
Reserved, bright, powerful and mysterious, Tian Xue is the only daughter of the Yin Hao. Even knowing that Yin Xue has better qualities then her brother, Yin Hao still takes little notice of his daughter. In proving her ability, Yin Xue secretly learned Yin zhong Martial arts. This caused her to develop a deathly sickness that later become a great issue between her and Tong Zhan. Monica was able to bring out all aspect of this character with such charm that you could not help but like her and sympathize her.

Norman Tsui as Yin Zhong
Pure evil and wickedly bright, Yin Zhong is the main villain in this series. He was once a member of the Tong tribe, but when he was discovered to be practicing the Long family martial arts, he was banish from the tribe. Those hard times have cause his beloved daughter to die. From that period on, he changed his name and strived to get revenge. It was not explain in the series but somehow Yin Zhong has practiced his power to a stage of immorality. He somehow killed his descendent and replaced him as the second brother of the Yin family. Norma Tsui is another great cast in this series. He was able to make audience hate his character yet pity him through his love for his daughter. However it’s quiet strange how he loves his daughter dearly yet could killed off his other descendent.

Yang Guang: Zhao Yun
A self centered and greedy person, Zhao yun is a minor villain in this series. The plot suggests that in the beginning her heart was evil when she asked for more payment for herself instead of sharing it with her family. But it was not until she mistakenly thought that Dou Dou took Tong bo away from her that her real nature started to show. Yang Guang must have done a very good job at this, because by the end of the series I hated her character to death and could not imagine her in any other role. I must congratulate her on that one despite how much disliked this character.

Props/Costume:
This has to be the weakest aspect of the series. For a series that set in accent times, the costume and hair especially of the girls are very modern. I also have a great dislike towards the hair for the main character particularly Tong bo. But I must say the male costume is convincing enough. Another downside is the filming location for Shue yue dong tian. It’s supposed to be a paradise, yet there are particular shots that look more like desert than paradise. Some filming places are also too modern.

Music:
The sound track for this series is not bad. The theme songs and sub theme song both of which are sung by Yu bo, are quite lovely and addictive. The background music though isnot spectacular, but good enough to support it’s chosen sense quiet well.

Editing/Graphic:
The graphics are poorly done considering that it was a series created in 2003. It’s quite disturbing that it looked so fake. But the editing went smoothly, and the final production flowed well.

Overall enjoyment:
Despite some poor aspects that make it look like it was a cheaply done production, the series is still quite enjoyable to watch. I give it all to the actors and the chemistry between them.

Recommendation:
If you are a person who enjoys sweet relationships and light hearted series, this will be the one for you. The relationships in here are too perfect that it will give you butterfly. If are you looking for good acting or are fans of the some actors themselves then I recommend it. If not then you might felt bored from the lack of creativity in the main plot and the poor graphics, sensory and costume.