Dream of Colours

How long? 7 tapes, 20 episodes
Starring: Myolie Wu, Tse Kwan Ho, Rain Li, Melissa Ng, Lai Lok Yi, Kenneth Ma

Brief overview:
This series is about Myolie who is immature and can't concentrate on studies, so when she returns to HK her father keeps pestering her about going to school. They have many arguments, then Myolie's grandpa tells his protege, Nick Yau (Tse Kwan Ho), to give her a job as his assistant (he is a renowned fashion designer). Myolie then realises her true potential as a designer, develops feelings for Nick Yau, matures and begins a career in designing.

Comments:
If you thought the outline above made the series seem concise and void of typical TVB characteristics, you're wrong. Throughout the first 5 tapes, the story detailed Ella's (Myolie's friend who works in the company with them) evil antics in sabotaging Myolie's designs etc to further her own career. It wouldn't have been so bad if
Ella could act, but pitifully she doesn't pull off the important villain role, and her remorse at the end is as corny as it gets.

Rain Li (Myolie's other friend) acts in a corny way as well, making "peace" signs and shouting 'yeah!' every chance she gets. But I have to admit that she has improved enormously from her role in "Lofty Waters Verdant Bow."

Kenneth Ma plays Nick Yau's long lost brother, and he doesn't make a favourable impression on viewers with his goofy grin and gullible personality.

Lai Lok Yi (Myolie's brother) is charming as Rain's enemy then boyfriend, but his role is so small that you forget he even had a part in the series.

The only reason I'm giving this series 1.5 stars (otherwise it would score 1 star) is because of Myolie and Tse Kwan Ho. Kwan Ho's laid back, relaxed method of acting is very good and shows he has a lot of experience. (He has mainly built a career in theatre, not on TV). My only criticism is that he may have UNDERACTED a little. Myolie is as good as in "Triumph In The Skies", but I dont think she is very effective as an immature girl (a bit annoying really). I think she should stick to optimistic and 'mature for her age' roles.

Chemistry between Nick and Myolie? Surprisingly, it exists to some extent. What is it about Myolie that makes her have chemistry with older men? (Francis Ng in "Triumph In The Skies"). But unfortunately, there was not much romance between them (typical TVB has to devote time to tension relief, notably Rain and Lai Lok Yi's bickering.)

The only romantic parts were:

1. When Nick shouted at Myolie for plagiarising and when she broke down and cried, he came and comforted her just with a hand on the shoulder (of course she didn't plagiarise, she was set up by Ella).

2. When Nick grabbed Myolie as she was leaving (last episode) and hugged her. He wrote a message for her which said he would wait for her as she went to fulfill her dreams. She wrote a message to him that said: she is really happy to know that the prince loves her, but she wants to swim out into the sea to see the world, then she'll return to him.

The ending was the only reason I liked this series. If it ended typically happily ever after then I would give it a below average rating.

My Recommendation?
Watch this series if you like Myolie, and give Tse Kwan Ho a try because he is quite good. If you don't like Myolie, don't even bother, but if you're in the mood for romance, watch the last tape/episode only!