It All Started With A Kiss

[beanybeans]

Actually, my main dialect is chowjownese, it's a smaller dialect (chao zhou hua), similar to taiwanese so I understand taiwanese pretty well. I also speak mandarin and cantonese too.

The e-show with mike and joe is called E-show I think. haha, that's the english name I've seen for it. Or E-news or something like that. anyone know?

here are a few links for you, but no subs for these ones, sorry

Ariel and Joe hosting e-news together (before they did ISWAK): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W91VwDwcbt4

Ariel and Joe in the MV "Practical Joke":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvKUiNvaFoc

I'm finding as I watch more interviews and stuff that Ariel looks prettier outside of her shows. She's way prettier than her characters in ISWAK and TWFX.

Thanks for the links, ellledubs. I actually started to do a little research of my own and i was able to download the ISWAK special with soft English subs from Ariel's forum. That's probably the only ISWAK-related thing that has English subs. Plus, i was able to get the e-news thing with Ariel and Joe. Despite me not understanding what the heck they're saying, i can see that they've got great chemistry from the very get go! The E Zuo Ju (Practical Joke) video with Ariel and Joe was also very cute. I love that song.

Did Mike and Joe do more than one e-show? Is that the same thing as the e-news thing that Joe and Ariel did?

So you can watch ISWAK straight then without subtitles. But i guess you prefer English subtitles huh? Must be nice. After this, it's making me want to learn at least Mandarin. I've always wanted to learn another Asian language but it's not like i really have the time.

I agree. Ariel is really pretty in real life. She's definitely grown on me.

[ellledubs]

Thanks for the links, ellledubs. I actually started to do a little research of my own and i was able to download the ISWAK special with soft English subs from Ariel's forum. That's probably the only ISWAK-related thing that has English subs. Plus, i was able to get the e-news thing with Ariel and Joe. Despite me not understanding what the heck they're saying, i can see that they've got great chemistry from the very get go! The E Zuo Ju (Practical Joke) video with Ariel and Joe was also very cute. I love that song.

Did Mike and Joe do more than one e-show? Is that the same thing as the e-news thing that Joe and Ariel did?

So you can watch ISWAK straight then without subtitles. But i guess you prefer English subtitles huh? Must be nice. After this, it's making me want to learn at least Mandarin. I've always wanted to learn another Asian language but it's not like i really have the time.

I agree. Ariel is really pretty in real life. She's definitely grown on me.

Actually, I watch ISWAK with simplified chinese subtitles cuz I want to get better at my simplified chinese since I arleady kinda know traditional. hehe, plus, as I said before, the english subs on my version are bunk.

I think it's the same e-show? Like, they seem to have different people host it each time but there are regulars like Mike and Joe. I'm not sure cuz I don't live in TW. Does anyone else know? Barbie Hsu (Da S) has a show too. It seems the people who host shows are also actors in dramas.

So far from what I've seen, I don't really understand why many fans have said that Joe and Ariel don't seem to be that close in real life in interviews and stuff. Maybe I'm missin' something?

What's the other Asian language that you know? You're from US right? I support you in whatever you want to learn! You can do it!

[beanybeans]

Actually, I watch ISWAK with simplified chinese subtitles cuz I want to get better at my simplified chinese since I arleady kinda know traditional. hehe, plus, as I said before, the english subs on my version are bunk.

I think it's the same e-show? Like, they seem to have different people host it each time but there are regulars like Mike and Joe. I'm not sure cuz I don't live in TW. Does anyone else know? Barbie Hsu (Da S) has a show too. It seems the people who host shows are also actors in dramas.

So far from what I've seen, I don't really understand why many fans have said that Joe and Ariel don't seem to be that close in real life in interviews and stuff. Maybe I'm missin' something?

What's the other Asian language that you know? You're from US right? I support you in whatever you want to learn! You can do it!

I feel the same way when it comes to Joe and Ariel. But i definitely don't understand what they're saying so maybe that's where i'm missing it. But despite that, they seem like they could be pretty close based on actions. Actions speak louder than words, right? Hmm, not really sure.

That would be cool if they had different celebrities host some of these shows that are on here in the U.S. It would really spice things up a bit.

Yes, i'm from the U.S. I'm Vietnamese so that's the other language i know. I usually watch series dubbed in Viet but i realize that i prefer to hear the original language and read subtitles. Though i'd also much rather prefer listening to the actors' real voices too. So i'm not too thrilled when i find out it's not even their real dubbed voices. Hmm, as i continue to watch ISWAK, it motivates me more and more to learn Mandarin. Thanks for your support, ellledubs.

[ellledubs]

I feel the same way when it comes to Joe and Ariel. But i definitely don't understand what they're saying so maybe that's where i'm missing it. But despite that, they seem like they could be pretty close based on actions. Actions speak louder than words, right? Hmm, not really sure.

That would be cool if they had different celebrities host some of these shows that are on here in the U.S. It would really spice things up a bit.

Yes, i'm from the U.S. I'm Vietnamese so that's the other language i know. I usually watch series dubbed in Viet but i realize that i prefer to hear the original language and read subtitles. Though i'd also much rather prefer listening to the actors' real voices too. So i'm not too thrilled when i find out it's not even their real dubbed voices. Hmm, as i continue to watch ISWAK, it motivates me more and more to learn Mandarin. Thanks for your support, ellledubs.

yea, i really don't understand the dubbing business.. like, I don't think any hollywood films are dubbed and neither are the shows. That's why I don't get why the drama series in china/tw/kor/japan, etc have to be dubbed sometimes by a different person when the original acting is in the right language. is it because the sound equipment they have isn't that great?

have you finished iswak? how do you like it?

[beanybeans]

yea, i really don't understand the dubbing business.. like, I don't think any hollywood films are dubbed and neither are the shows. That's why I don't get why the drama series in china/tw/kor/japan, etc have to be dubbed sometimes by a different person when the original acting is in the right language. is it because the sound equipment they have isn't that great?

have you finished iswak? how do you like it?

Yeah, it just doesn't make sense to me. How are you supposed to determine whether these actors/actresses' acting is good if you can't hear their real voices? But luckily this is not the case with ISWAK. I love hearing what everyone really sounds like. The one i'm particularly fond of is Joe's.

So is dubbing more of a ancient series thing? Or do they do that with modern series too?

I'm really close to finishing ISWAK. I think i'll be finishing it tonight. I'll tell you my thoughts when i'm done.

And just curious, so how many times has everyone watched ISWAK by now? It sounds really popular when it comes to rewatching.

[ellledubs]

Yeah, it just doesn't make sense to me. How are you supposed to determine whether these actors/actresses' acting is good if you can't hear their real voices? But luckily this is not the case with ISWAK. I love hearing what everyone really sounds like. The one i'm particularly fond of is Joe's.

So is dubbing more of a ancient series thing? Or do they do that with modern series too?

I'm really close to finishing ISWAK. I think i'll be finishing it tonight. I'll tell you my thoughts when i'm done.

And just curious, so how many times has everyone watched ISWAK by now? It sounds really popular when it comes to rewatching.

haha, I agree. I simply love Joe's speaking voice (I've heard he's definitely not a singer though. haha) I think that's why I appreciate his acting too.

yea i'm not sure why some things are dubbed and some not. by dubbed, I mean with diff people for the actors. I thought before it was a mainland china thing or maybe a lack of good sound equipment, but then it happens for series in TW too, probably not as often though. But you're onto something, cuz it seems ancient series are more likely to be dubbed. And you're so right, because a lot of acting comes from the delivery of the lines, so how are they any good if you don't even know if they can deliver a line?

well, I've almost watched ISWAK twice and sometimes I'll watch some parts with my little brother to explain what's going on to him. haha

Have others watched it more than once??

[rumikochan]

beanybeans - I rewatched this serie right after I was done the first time. Then afterward, I rewatched it again twice few months later. So, 4 times for me since last January. Can't wait to see ISWAK2

[lysil]

For me, I just watched it once... But I rewatched some parts a few times, like all the parts where he kissed her... Kiyaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!! Next time, I will borrow my cousin's VCD and watch it in Cantonese!!

[beanybeans]

have you finished iswak? how do you like it?

Okay, i've been done with ISWAK for about a week now but haven't gotten around to posting my thoughts on it until now. I think the series is really cute overall. I got hooked and stayed hooked throughout. Though some of the scenes were overly dramatic and pathetic for Xiang Qin. Like the part where she was balling because Zhi Shu was moving out so that he could live on his own. I think i might've shed a tear but not burst out crying like that. Also, i think she was crying really hard too when she thought that Zhi Shu was living with Pei Zi Yu after she followed them home one night after their work shift was over. I admit it is sad to see your love interest possibly living with one of your enemies but that's a big deal so i would have to find out first before i get all worked up over it. But i guess this is Xiang Qin we're talking about and she definitely is a silly girl who a lot of times does things without thinking first. Anyway, it was kinda hard to watch some of those scenes where you clearly see there must be some kind of misunderstanding or that Xiang Qin is overreacting and needs to get a grip on herself.

Although i guess Zhi Shu had somewhat of an interest in her, he was still really mean to Xiang Qin. It's like it makes him feel better when he's being condescending to her like when he and his fiancee run into Ah Jin and Xiang Qin at the zoo near the end. I know she loves Zhi Shu but i don't know how she can still harbor feelings for someone who acts cold like that to her. There was a bit of warmth at times from Zhi Shu but nothing breakthrough. We could see his smirks and grins which showed that he probably liked Xiang Qin but he didn't let her know that. You know, i've always liked Ah Jin but it made me like him even more when he was trying to pass that cooking exam just so that he could have an accomplishment that Xiang Qin would be proud of. Ah Jin was really sweet and dedicated to Xiang Qin to the very end and i was quite touched by that. Though his marriage proposal was a bit sudden, i think that if i were Xiang Qin, i would eventually start to notice Ah Jin more and probably fall for him. I have to say Jiro Wang was really cute as Ah Jin. Of course, it had to take a "you don't know what you got until it's gone" incident for Zhi Shu to realize something. And i'm glad that Xiang Qin was able to break through that wall that Zhi Shu put up for himself. Don't get me wrong, i definitely like Zhi Shu and i'm glad that it was a happy ending but i couldn't help but wonder what i would do if i were Xiang Qin. Well, i'm too shy of a person to be giving out love letters in the first place any way.

I wish there were more sweet moments between Zhi Shu and Xiang Qin. But i guess that's what ISWAK 2 is for. Here's hoping. I also watched the ISWAK special right after finishing the series. When they got to the part where they were randomly drawing names to reenact certain scenes, i notice that the clip of the scene where Zhi Shu suddenly kissed Xiang Qin while she was kneeling at that old guy's office to ask for reconsideration of the two companies' partnership, it was a more extended kiss on the lips. Whatever was shown in the actual series was more of a quick smack on the lips. I guess they did several takes and picked that one to put into the series. The clip of the same kiss shown in the special was a heck of a lot nicer. Why couldn't the nicer/sweeter kiss be in the series instead? Geez.

Anyway, i can't wait for ISWAK 2 to see how things develop between Xiang Qin and Zhi Shu.

[beanybeans]

haha, I agree. I simply love Joe's speaking voice (I've heard he's definitely not a singer though. haha) I think that's why I appreciate his acting too.

I heard Joe's not a singer either. But yeah, i definitely can't get enough of that voice. I'm gonna have to eventually check out some of his other series too.

[ellledubs]

Hey beanybeans!

Thanks for your thoughts.
I thought ZS was mean sometimes too, but I totally think it's cuz of his inner struggle. (haha, I took film class and I'm into English lit so I'm highly analytical.. might look too much into things. haha) He's got this hard shell and I think when he started having feelings for XQ it was like, high confusion for him and I know some people who react mean when they like someone. It's kind of weird but true. I also think he didn't want anything to happen with XQ because it's what his mom wants and his entire life he was struggling to find his own plans and dreams and not fulfill theirs. I thought his character was way more complicated than most people think. I think Joe did a great job of conveying those inner feelings without many words or expressive emotions. You can always tell everytime that he really did like XQ, he's just a major procrastinator who had to figure out his own life first, which is what XQ helped him do.

Ah Jin was ok. I thought he was kinda cute, but I felt that he was annoying too. He was a bit much. I would feel too smothered if I were XQ.. and it makes sense why XQ never liked him and was so intrigued with ZS. Girls don't usually like being smothered.. spoiled maybe, but not smothered. lol

XQ was a bit too much at times, that's for sure. Soemtimes I felt myself going, omg, you're crazy girl! But somehow I was always on her side and tho sometimes she was annoying, I totally was rooting for her til the end. The craziest thing is that Ariel looked kinda plain and homely in that series, yet outside of it, she is so pretty! It's kind of great how she managed to play the role and look the role too.

All in all, I'm a big fan of ISWAK and it can been a great stepping stone for me into TW modern series. So far some others haven't impressed me much though, but this one surely shines! I can't wait for ISWALK 2, hopefully it doesn't ruin the whole ISWAK, since sequels tend to do that! ISWAK was so funny too, hope 2 is the same!

plus watching this and getting back into modern prepares me for My Lucky Star! haha

love ISWAK! love Ariel! love Joe!!

Here are some pix just to decorate this forum a bit:

[ellledubs]

[beanybeans]

Okay, and now here's an important message:

For all the fans of ISWAK, Ariel Lin, Joe Cheng, Jiro Wang, or anyone else in the series, please vote at d-addicts if you want SUBLimes, a fansubbing group dedicated to TW idol dramas, to make one of their future subbing projects ISWAK 2.

So please register/log in at d-addicts to vote. If you're not already registered, don't let the registration process deter you from voting. Every vote counts!

And most importantly, here's the link where you can vote: http://www.d-addicts.com/forum/viewtopic_45128_0.htm

[shachong]

At first when i began watching this drama i wasn't too sure if i was going to like it.... but THEN i became addicted to it! Definitely definitely recommend people to watch this drama! The entire cast is awesome -- i love the entire BIG Jiang/Yuan FAMILY the most ... oh soo cute LOLz... and Xiang Qin's daydreams are sooo funny i crack up just thinking about them.
Ariel and Joe are awesome!! And the ending was hilarious! im just brimming with compliments for this drama i think i finished watching it in -- 2 or 3 days... HAD to stay up to finish it of course

btw- has anyone watched ISWAK 2 yet??? trying to find it on youtube.. not there right? hahaha

[beanybeans]

Hey beanybeans!

Thanks for your thoughts.
I thought ZS was mean sometimes too, but I totally think it's cuz of his inner struggle. (haha, I took film class and I'm into English lit so I'm highly analytical.. might look too much into things. haha) He's got this hard shell and I think when he started having feelings for XQ it was like, high confusion for him and I know some people who react mean when they like someone. It's kind of weird but true. I also think he didn't want anything to happen with XQ because it's what his mom wants and his entire life he was struggling to find his own plans and dreams and not fulfill theirs. I thought his character was way more complicated than most people think. I think Joe did a great job of conveying those inner feelings without many words or expressive emotions. You can always tell everytime that he really did like XQ, he's just a major procrastinator who had to figure out his own life first, which is what XQ helped him do.

Ah Jin was ok. I thought he was kinda cute, but I felt that he was annoying too. He was a bit much. I would feel too smothered if I were XQ.. and it makes sense why XQ never liked him and was so intrigued with ZS. Girls don't usually like being smothered.. spoiled maybe, but not smothered. lol

XQ was a bit too much at times, that's for sure. Soemtimes I felt myself going, omg, you're crazy girl! But somehow I was always on her side and tho sometimes she was annoying, I totally was rooting for her til the end. The craziest thing is that Ariel looked kinda plain and homely in that series, yet outside of it, she is so pretty! It's kind of great how she managed to play the role and look the role too.

All in all, I'm a big fan of ISWAK and it can been a great stepping stone for me into TW modern series. So far some others haven't impressed me much though, but this one surely shines! I can't wait for ISWALK 2, hopefully it doesn't ruin the whole ISWAK, since sequels tend to do that! ISWAK was so funny too, hope 2 is the same!

plus watching this and getting back into modern prepares me for My Lucky Star! haha

love ISWAK! love Ariel! love Joe!!

So you're an English lit person huh? I'm completely opposite of you. LOL. Anyway, but thanks for the detailed analysis of Zhi Shu's complex character. I do agree that Joe did a great job showing the man vs. self conflict that he had. His facial expressions hit it right on showing his inner struggle. I'm just glad that Zhi Shu was able to figure out what he wanted in the end and did not let his pride get the best of him.

I guess i'm more fond of Ah Jin because i really like Jiro Wang. I'm not too sure if i would exactly feel this way if it were someone else playing that character. So yeah, i guess i'm being biased. I wouldn't mind being smothered by Jiro.

I was still supporting Xiang Qin too despite her desperate measures. Though i have to admit, at some points in the series, i didn't really feel as much sympathy for her. Plus, i was getting a bit tired of watching her chase Zhi Shu like crazy. That's why i would totally get a kick of seeing Zhi Shu get jealous if someone was hitting on Xiang Qin. I'm hoping that will happen in ISWAK 2!

By the way, i have to thank you, ellledubs, for recommending ISWAK to me. I totally love the series, plus it paved the way for me to start watching modern series again. I never thought of watching Taiwanese series either but this one did it. And of course, if it weren't for ISWAK, i wouldn't have known about Joe and gotten to really like him.

[beanybeans]

At first when i began watching this drama i wasn't too sure if i was going to like it.... but THEN i became addicted to it! Definitely definitely recommend people to watch this drama! The entire cast is awesome -- i love the entire BIG Jiang/Yuan FAMILY the most ... oh soo cute LOLz... and Xiang Qin's daydreams are sooo funny i crack up just thinking about them.
Ariel and Joe are awesome!! And the ending was hilarious! im just brimming with compliments for this drama i think i finished watching it in -- 2 or 3 days... HAD to stay up to finish it of course

btw- has anyone watched ISWAK 2 yet??? trying to find it on youtube.. not there right? hahaha

I love the Jiang family too! Well, more the mom and dad since i thought the little brother, Yu Shu, was a bit much with his meanness. I also really like the chemistry that the Jiang parents had with Xiang Qin's dad. I don't like it when one of the parents is mean and vicious. That usually makes the series more pleasant to watch.

Yeah, the dream sequences were really funny too. I'm sure they all had a great time trying to film those scenes too. Must be nice!

In terms of ISWAK 2, i don't think they started filming it yet. I think that they're supposed to start filming in March, which is real soon. Ariel also has to film Legend of the Condor Heroes but because of Hu Ge's accident, they had to postpone it a bit. But i'm hoping that she'll film ISWAK 2 first since i can't wait to watch it. By the way, if you haven't already done so, please go vote for ISWAK 2 to be subtitled in English at: http://www.d-addicts.com/forum/viewtopic_45128_0.htm. You have to register at d-addicts first to vote. I can't wait for ISWAK 2 to come out, which means more Zhi Shu and Xiang Qin shenanigans.

[beanybeans]

This is for any Fahrenheit (Fei Lun Hai) fans in here who saw ISWAK already or i guess who are interested in watching ISWAK. Jiro Wang played a big role as Ah Jin but the rest of members made guest appearances in ISWAK too.

Aaron Yan played Ah Bu, the boyfriend of Chun Mei, Xiang Qin's friend with the high pitched voice. He was the one who almost ran Xiang Qin and her two friends over with his car.





These screencaps are from when Chun Mei thought that Ah Bu was cheating on her. She ran into him while shopping for him. It turns out Ah Bu was shopping with his aunt who was visiting him.

[beanybeans]

As for Wu Zun and Calvin Chen, their appearances weren't as big as Aaron's. Wu Zun and Calvin didn't appear until the end at Xiang Qin and Zhi Shu's wedding.

You can see Wu Zun eating under the tent in the background while Chun Mei, Liu Nong (Xiang Qin's two friends) and their respective boyfriends are talking in the foreground. You can see Wu Zun looking down at his food on the far left. He's the guy in the purplish-blue shirt.




And then when Aaron (he's in the very front on the far left) shifts over to his left a bit, you can see Calvin eating in the background. Calvin's the one in the black shirt. So both Wu Zun and Calvin are basically eating side by side under the tent. LOL.

[beanybeans]

Okay, and here are several more screencaps of Wu Zun and Calvin Chen. Besides, eating at the wedding, both Wu Zun and Calvin carried umbrellas and walked with the bride and groom.

Wu Zun was on the bride's side, standing behind Pei Zi Yu (Tiffany Xu). You can't really see his full face but you can make out that that's Wu Zun under the umbrella.




And then Calvin helped out a bit more by bringing several umbrellas and walking along side the groom, Zhi Shu.





I think it's funny that one ends up on the bride's side while the other one ends up on the groom's side. I guess they wanted there to be a balance.

[GuGu]

The wedding was memorable.