Title: The Little Nyonya ()

Production Year: 2008 (Mediacorp)

Length: 34 episodes
Cast(s): (Im going to split them into generations).
1
st
Generation
* Xiang Yun Tianlan
* Yan Bingliang Huang Yuan
* Lin Meijiao Guihua
* Li Yingzhu Old Madam Chen
2
nd
Generation
* Jeannette Aw Huang Juxiang
* Pierre Png Chen Sheng
* Dai Yangtian Yamamoto Yousuke
* Ng Hui Ah-Tao
* Apple Hong Huang Meiyu
* Darren Lin Huang Jincheng
* Pan Lingling Xiufeng
* Cynthia Koh Xiujuan
* Chen Xiang Chen Gong
* Desmond Sim Charlie Zhang
3
rd
Generation
*Jeannette Aw Yamamoto Yueniang
* Qi Yuwu Chen Xi
* Zzen Chang Robert Zhang
* Eelyn Kok Huang Zhenzhu
* Joanne Peh Huang Yuzhu
* Andie Chen Huang Tianbao
* San Yao Liu Yidao
4
th
Generation
* Zzen Chang Zuye
5
th
Generation
* Nat Ho Jonathan Li Xiuwen
* Felicia Chen Anqi
Storyline
The serial covered a very complex familys relationship with the Peranakan culture as the
backdrop. The whole story focused on the life of Huang Juxiang and her descendents. Born to a
wealthy Peranakan family, Juxiangs life was anything but smooth. Turn deaf and mute at the
age of 8, she spent most of her youth in the familys kitchen and served the entire family as a
maid. On the eve of her arranged wedding, she ran away from home for she didnt want fate to
control her life (she was about to be married off to well-known cunning man, Charlie
Zhang). Falling in love with a young Japanese man, she finally saw a ray of happiness.
Unfortunately, that happiness was destined to be a short one. At the height of WWII in Singapore
and her husband returned to Japan with no news.
After Juxiangs death, the entire storyline move toward Yueniang, her daughter with Yousuke.
Much like her mother, Yueniang too was subject to the life as a servant at the Huangs. Her
outgoing and brave characters attract the young heir of a wealthy Peranakan family, Chen Xi.
Yueniang and Chen Xis relationship was the highlight point from episode 10 through the end of
story. Traditions and family responsible brought the relationship anything but a smooth journey.
The complex storyline would probably best describe through the characters.
Characters
Tianlan
She is Juxiangs mother and Yueniangs maternal grandma. In her youth, Huang Yuan took a
fancy of her and forced himself onto her. When Huang Yuans mother knew about it, she forced
Huang Yuan to make Tianlan as his 2
nd
mistress. Old Madam Huang loved this daughter-in-law
and Juxiang. Unfortunately, after Old Madam Huang passed on, Tianlan and Juxiang were
treated as maids in the family.
Guihua
Huang Yuans 1
st
wife is the woman who full with jealousy and selfishness. Her jealousy was
even more obvious when dealing with Tianlan and Juxiang. She is also the one that insisted
Meiyu married to Chen Sheng. She spoiled her only grandson rotten and suffered from stroke
after she found out that Tianbaos involvement in Chen Shengs death.
Huang Meiyu
She is the daughter of Huang Yuan and Guihua. In her younger days, she was a kind peranakan
lady who more than once tried to prevent her cousins from bullying Juxiang. However, her
jealousy started when she realized that Juxiang excelled over her in almost anything especially
cooking and embroider skills. She was especially hated Juxiang when Chen Sheng chose the
latter over her. Although she eventually got married to Chen Sheng, she was leading the life of a
living-widow.
Huang Jincheng
The only son in the Huang family was a man with a weak character. He fancied her cousin,
Xiujuan but afraid of trouble with family, he married her older sister, Xiufeng, instead. As he get
older, his afraid-of-trouble attitude often prevent him to take care of his family business. Later in
life, he was also got caught in an affair with Xiujuan, who was just returning from England.
Xiujuan
The younger of the two, Xiujuan and Jincheng had mutual affection with each other. However,
the family decided to marry her older sister, Xiufeng, to Jincheng instead. The firm believer of
womens freedom, she dislikes the complex peranakans traditions and rules. She ran away to
England by herself, much to her parents dismay. She returns years later and started the affair
with the married Jincheng.
Xiufeng
She is Huang Jinchengs wife. Under influence of her mother-in-law, Guihua, she was also
treated Yueniang badly. Eager to marry off one of her daughter to Chen Xi, she and Meiyu tried
their best to separate Chen Xi and Yueniang.
Huang Juxiang
She is the youngest daughter of Huang Yuan. Born to the 2
nd
mistress, she has no standing in the
family compare to her siblings. She spent her youth in the kitchen and treated as a servant. As a
deaf and mute, she was often bullied by her half siblings and their cousins. Despite her disability,
she is blessed with cooking and embroiderys talents. Those were the must-have abilities in those
day young Nyonya. Her beauty often attracted many wealthy peranakan Baba, very much to
Guihuas displeased.
Yamamoto Yousuke (Shan Ben Yang Jie)
He is a young Japanese photographer who gets intrigued with peranakan culture after he came
across their dining china. He decided to travel to Malacca to know more about the culture. By
chance, he got invitation to the Huangs for tok panjang. He was attracted to Juxiang at the
first sight. When he knew that lecherous Charlie Zhang had intention on Juxiang, he rescued her
twice from Charlie and married her. A doting husband and father, he was forced into Japanese
Army when he returned to Japan to visit his father. 8 years passed, he became an army deserter
but fought his way back to Malacca to find his wife and daughter. It was unfortunately that both
he and Juxiang died in the hand of Japanese Army when they invaded Singapore.
Ah-Tao (Tao Jie)
She is the most loyal servant to Tianlan, Juxiang, and later on Yueniang. Guihua crippled her
when the former found out that Ah-Tao represent Tianlan to marry off Juxiang to Yousuke.
When she was fired from Huangs, she followed Yueniang and served her well into her 90s.
Old Madam Chen
The matriarch of Chen family is an old nyonya who hold a firm believe that a good daughter-in-
law should excel in cooking and embroiders skills. In matriachs Peranakan culture, she is the
head of family and also the decision marker in the household. She decided who her grandsons
and great-grandson should marry.
Chen Sheng
Chen Gongs younger brother and Chen Xis uncle is the youngest grandson in his generation.
Born with a silver spoon in his mouth, Chen Sheng lived his youth worry about nothing. Failed
to be with the woman he truly loves Juxiang (because in his own word too timid to fight),
Chen Sheng entered a marriage life that was deemed to be a failure from the very start. Under
family pressure, he married Meiyu (Juxiangs half-sister). After married, Chen Sheng ignored
Meiyu and when he met Juxiang again, he took care of her and her daughter, Yueniang, when
Yousuke was away in Japan. Doted on young Yueniang he regarded her as his own child. When
WWII hit Singapore, Chen Sheng under Yousukes pleas took mother and daughter on board
the ship for England. Chen Shengs displeased toward Meiyu escalated to hate when he knew
that Meiyu and Guihua threw Juxiang and Yueniang overboard. Years later, when they returned
from England, Chen Shengs spent his days away with drinking and singing Malay pantun.
Although he reunited with Yueniang later in his life, Chen Sheng was still full of regret over
Juxiangs fate. His happy-go-lucky attitude was actually a mask for his lonely life as he spent the
rest of his life in regret. Chen Shengs love toward Juxiang stayed true until his last breath.
Huang Zhenzhu
She is a very spoiled and pampered daughter of Jincheng and Xiufeng. She stayed quiet when
her own sister, Yuzhu, was raped by Robert Zhang in front of her. In that way, she would have
married to Chen Xi instead. Zhenzhu is also a hypocrite girl who can behave like two different
individuals in a matter of second. When she was eventually able to marry to Chen Xi, her fate in
Chens was very much like her paternal aunt, Meiyu being constantly ignored.
Huang Tianbao
The only grandson of the Huangs, he was spoil rotten by his grandma. He is the man with
ambition but unfortunately lack of capability and often finds his own culture background to
be a nuisance. While his grandpa firmly believes with their relationship with Chens, Tianbao
was constantly at odd with him and sided with Robert Zhang. Under Roberts influence, he hired
assassinate on Chen Sheng. Robert also often made Tianbao as scapegoat for all his dirty works.
His good-for-nothing attitude brought much disappointment for Huang Yuan who expected
Tianbao to expand the family business, much like Chen Xi does with Chens business.
Yamamoto Yueniang
The only daughter of Juxiang and Yousuke inherited her mothers good look and excellent skill
in embroidery. She was shy of 8 years old when both her parents died in war. Left with no other
choice, she travelled from Singapore to Malacca in search of her maternal grandma, Tianlan.
Unfortunately, at Huangs she led the life that were of her grandma and mother as a maid. Fate
brought her and Chen Xi together through a bowl of chicken soup. Yueniang mistake him as
Chens driver and unknowingly befriend the heir to Chens fortune. When Chen Xi was
kidnapped by Charlie Zhang, Yueniang indirectly get kidnapped together since Chen Xi claimed
her as his fiance to protect her. Through the ordeal, the duo felt in love with each other and
Chen Xi promised to make her his wife if they managed to escape. Alas, rules and old traditional
prevented the two love birds to be together.
Chen Xi
The sole heir to the Chens fortune is a western-educated Baba (Male Peranakan). His good look
and family fortunes made him the most eligible bachelor among the Peranakan families in both
Singapore and Malacca. Found his true love in Yueniang, he fought hard to be together with her.
However, his journey was anything but a smooth sail. Zhenzhus jealousy and Huangs
selfishness created yet another large obstacle for Chen Xi and Yueniang. While he eventually
forced to marry Zhenzu, his marriage much like his uncle, Chen Sheng was a failure from the
beginning. Chen Xi especially hated Zhenzhu when he found out that she ignored Yuzhus plea
when the latter was raped by Robert Zhang.
Huang Yuzhu
The sweet and kind younger daughter of Jincheng and Xiufeng is the total opposite of her selfish
older sister. She never regarded Yueniang as maid, instead she taught Yueniang how to speak
and write English. She also helped Yueniang to get together with Chen Xi even though she
herself liked Chen Xi. Alas, all her kindness was repay with a tragic end. After she was raped by
Robert Zhang, she was forced to marry to him. Robert never treated her well and even went as
far as offered her to another man. Lost her will to continue living, Yuzhu was eventually forced
into mental breakdown condition.
Liu Yidao
He is a butcher who refused to be part from his ever-present butcher knife. Although he appeared
boisterous, he is actually a loyal man and a filial son. In her death bed, his mother wanted him to
marry Yueniang. He then tries too full fill the wish by wooing Yueniang. He even went as far as
killing a tiger to show his sincerity. However, Yueniang stubbornly refused his affections. Both
later become sworn siblings and Yueniang help him to become a wealthy businessman.
Charlie Zhang
The westernized Baba is a very cunning and evil man who buys and torture young girl at his
pleasure. A cunning business, he resorted many dirty tricks to get his way. His big enemy in
business was Chen Gong. So during the election for President of Commerce, Charlie arranged
for Chen Gongs son kidnapping to distract the latter. In the end, he was accidentally killed
during the gun fight between his son and Tianbao.
Robert Zhang
As cunning as his father, he is the exact replica of his father in characters. He tortured Yuzhu
both mentally and physically that drove her to madness. He also made use of Tianbao to do all
his dirty works.
Zuye
He is actually the son of Yuzhu and Robert Zhang. The mentally breakdown Yuzhu almost killed
him when he was a newborn. For Yuzhu, he is the remainder of his evil father. After Yuzhu
refused to acknowledge him, Yueniang adopted Zuye and raised him as her own. Zuye will later
become a lawyer and a father to two sons and a daughter, Anqi.
Anqi
She is the latest generation of the Huangs. Return from Canada, she visited Yueniang her
grandmother in Malacca to escape from a relationships setback. Instead, she learned many
stories from Yueniang that she never heard before. Much to her shock, she found that she is
actually the grand daughter of Robert Zhang and Yuzhu.
Jonathan Li Xiuwen
Hongkongs native who grew up in Canada is Anqis classmate. He likes Anqi and follows her
all the way from Canada to Malacca. Fascinate with Anqis Peranakan background, he tries to
persuade old Yueniang to let him write her story as graduate thesis.
My Comments
Jeannette Aw ( Huang Juxiang and Yamamoto Yueniang)
* Jeannette has come a long way since the beginning of her career. Juxiang is a deaf-mute and
Jeannette brings out the character of this ill-fated young nyonya very well. Being the traditional
nyonya at that time, Juxiang has to be obedient and subtle. The sign language that is being used
with Juxiang couldnt be as complex as modern day. That is because Juxiang didnt have the
chance for formal education. A job well done for Juxiangs portrayal.
* Juxiang and Yueniang shares the same look, at the very least during their younger days. Its
quite hard to portray both mother and daughter as the same time. Yueniangs character is very
stubborn even as a young child. She is so stubborn that she dared to demand Japanese to return
her fathers body to her so she can bury her parents together. Yueniangs stubbornness continued
to the rest of her life, especially when her grandma is concerned. Juxiang and Yueniang shared
the same look, yet their characters are different in certain aspect. Juxiang can left the house and
be with Yousuke, while Yueniang cant do the same with Chen Xi. The dilemma that facing two
different women is very well portrayed by Jeannette.
Qi Yuwu Chen Xi
Chen Xi might appear as a playboy but he is actually a devoted man toward Yueniang. The
dilemma that Chen Xi faced is anything but small and the burden he has to carry isnt light
either. Too choose between love and responsible is main theme in Chen Xis life. Qi Yuwu is
one talented actor. He managed to bring out the Chen Xi that with each episode past, youre
with him to figure out what will be the next step and rooting him to be with Yueniang.
Pierre Png Chen Sheng
Pierre brings out so much surprise to me since his last drama, Shining Stars. It is not only his
Chinese is improving, the way he portrays character is also improving. Pierre put up a wonderful
job in portraying happy-go-lucky Chen Sheng who spends his days away in the company of
drinks and pantun and yet at the same time, he is the man with a burden of lifetime regret.
Pan Lingling Xiufeng
It has proven to be difficult for mother of two to act as 18 years old. At the first glance, it didnt
look very convincing as 18 years old, but come to think about it , who else can be playing 18
years old Xiufeng and switch to Pan Lingling 3-4 episodes later? I personally think Pan Lingling
is okay for 18 years old. It is not 100% perfect but it is quite okay for couple short episodes.
Cynthia Koh Xiujuan
She sort of reprisal her role in Stepping Out as the rebel character in the drama. Xiujuan is a
stubborn, borderline willful nyonya. Cynthia Koh played out this character well from a willful
young nyonya in early episodes to the mature regretful woman at the end. A very meaningful last
scene for Cynthias character.
Dai Yang Tian Yamamoto Yousuke
Im not very familiar with this newcomer, so I can really comment a lot about him. There is one
thing for sure, every time Yousuke graced the screen, I am hook to him and his storyline. With
the look of a prince charming, Dai Yang Tian brings out just that of Yousuke, a prince charming
for Juxiang.
Apple Hong Huang Meiyu
MyMyisnt she an evil lady? Apple is great at bringing evil Meiyu out in the character. Her
stares and glances are so cold that they chilled your spine. Yet , at the same time, I see a
miserable lady that is constantly ignored by her husband.
Joanne Peh Huang Yuzhu
She fit the obedient, shy, and soft spoken nyonya to a T. Her every movement and bearing was
truly brought out the character of shy Yuzhu. Joanne Peh portrayal as early life Yuzhu doesnt
really surprise me because she has similar roles in the past. It is the later part of her storyline that
Joanne surprised me with her acting skill. She was great during the scene inside the hut. It is a
totally different Yuzhu that she was in first half of the series.
Andie Chen Huang Tianbao
Im not very familiar with this newcomer, Andie Chen. I cant really comment about him.
Nevertheless, his Tianbao was realistic enough that I heard my cousin scolding him for being
good-for-nothing every time he graced the screen, especially when he shared the screen with
Robert Zhang.
Eelyn Kok Huang Zhenzhu
I believe the only time that I seen her once as not-so-annoying character was in The Peak as
Christopher Lees girlfriend. Her characters were annoying in Woman in Times and The
Kinship, but she was a super annoying character as Huang Zhenzhu. Shesh! I was so ready to
shoot off not-so-nice comments every time Zhenzhus displayed her spoiled-rotten
attitudes! However, I have to say that it is not an easy job to play such a hate character and let
the audiences hate that character so thoroughly. Convincing act from Eelyn Kok!
Zzen Chang Robert Zhang & Zuye
A junior version of Charlie Zhang much like his father -, Zzens portrayal also make me want
to punch arrogant and evil Robert every time he appeared on screen. That sly eyes and devil
smiles of him really get to my nerve! Wonderful job by Zzen! As for Zuye, Zzen didnt appear
until the very end when he returned to Malacca to pay respect to his mother, Yueniang, with his
sons and daughters-in-laws. Zuye appearance at the last scene did answer some lingering
question of was Yuzhus baby belong to Robert (remember, the evil Robert did offered Yuzhu to
another man). Take one look at Zuye and youll find the answer to the question.
The veterans
A good serial can never lack the present of veterans actors/actress. Sometimes when they graced
the screen, we kept thinking that they looked familiar yet we cant recall their names. Thats
because they have great acting skills but simply not as popular as their young counterparts.
Xiang Yun Tianlan & Older Yueniang
Its quite rare to see Xiang Yun in such of timid character of Tianlan. The veteran actress didnt
disappoint audience once again with her skill. There was a minor setback in her character as
older Yueniang. Boy! She was talking so slow as old Yueniang. I know that Yueniang was a soft
spoken young nyonya in her early days, but it was way too slow in speech as she grows older. At
the very least, I think so J
Li Yinzhu Old Madam Chen
Li Yinzhu did a wonderful job with her facial expression especially in one particular scene where
both Chen Sheng and Meiyu brought her Rempah Udang. Now, for all we know that the
Rempah Udang which Meiyu supposedly made and the one which Juxiang supposedly
made are one of the same. However, Li Yinzhu managed to turn her expression so that audiences
felt that the one Juxiang made was truly the prefect piece. Outstanding!
Lin Meijiao Guihua
If I have to choose the Most Evil among the females, Ill definitely choose her. Heres another
wonderful actress with great facial expression. Guihua didnt really have to carry a lot of
conversations to show off her evilness. It was really just a subtle evil smile here and there. Lin
Meijiaos one devil stare is enough to send chill your spine and you know that Guihua is
planning up her next devilish plan.
Chen Xiang Chen Gong
Im not even sure when was the last time he graced the screen. It is sure been ages. Its good to
have him back, even as a small supporting role.
Desmond Sim Charlie Zhang
Even after 11 years absent from the screen, he hasnt lost his touch in acting. This guy is so good
that I really wanted to punch him everything Charlie Zhang graced the screen.
Yan Bingliang Huang Yuan
Its definitely not easy to be Huang Yuan. In between of overly-jealous wife, spineless son, and
good-for-nothing grandson, Huang Yuan had his hands full. He needed to be stern as the head of
family, but in Peranakan matriarchs culture, most of the time he left household decision making
to Guihua. He was helpless as he watched his entire wealth failed in the hand of his son and
grandson. It was quite ironic that the one person that retrieves the wealth back was the
granddaughter that he once refused to acknowledge. Wonderful portrayal of Huang Yuan by Yan
Bingliang!
Favorite Couple(s)/ Pairing(s)
1. Chen Xi and Yamamoto Yueniang
Everything about them started with a bowl of chicken soup. One is the neglected-
treated-as maid granddaughter and the other one is the young-handsome-only heir
prince charming. The very one person that the Huangs wishes Chen Xi never know her
existence was Yueniang and yet fate brought them together despite the human
obstacles. Mistaken him as Chens driver, Yueniang slowly fall in love with Chen Xi
and vice versa. From the very start, Chen Xi determined not to follow his uncles
footstep in heart affair and even ready to elope with Yueniang. Alas, the relationship
was really never meant to end happily ever after. At the end of the day, both Chen Xi
and Yueniang have to lead a different path of love life away from each other.
Nevertheless, it was believed that the feeling that they once have for each other still
lingered to their old age.
2. Chen Sheng and Huang Juxiang
Although this pair didnt get the happy ending, there was the existence of wonderful
friendship between the pair. She was the one that Chen Sheng wanted as his wife but,
alas, it was never meant to be as she was a deaf-mute. It was Chen Sheng who took care
of Juxiang and young Yueniang when Yousuke was back in Japan. Meanwhile, Juxiang
repaid him with his favorite Rempah Udang. It was pure innocence gratitude from
Juxiangs side. For Chen Sheng, however, his love for Juxiang from the very moment
he saw her, stayed true until his last breath.
3. Yamamoto Yousuke and Huang Juxiang
Much like Chen Sheng, Yousukes affection toward Juxiang was love at the first sight.
He protected her from lecherous Charlie Zhang and bravely married her while knowing
he would offend Charlie Zhang and the Huangs. There were more than one pairing in
the serial, but how many of them truly enjoy a happy period? This pair was the only one
that truly in love with each other. Alas, it was a very short period of happiness but it
was a happy period nevertheless.
Favorite/Memorable Scene
1. The short period of happiness between Yousuke and Juxiang. It was very sweet.
2. Bickering scenes between Chen Xi and Yueniang prior to her knowledge of his real
identity. It was cute and adorable.
3. When Yueniang was forced to marry Liu Yidao and he insisted her to consummate the
marriage. The dialogues and Liu Yidaos expressions were plain hilarious!
4. This one was not much of favorite. It was more of a memorable one. The scene after
Yueniang sang pantun to Old Madam Chen and quickly left after the latter woken up.
When Chen Xi realizes that Yueniang already left, he ran after her in the present of his
father, Meiyu, and Zhenzhu. It was very much to Zhenzhus annoyance. Prior to that
scene, Chen Gong was never happy with the idea of his son and Yueniang together.
However, in that scene after Chen Xi left, Chen Gong gave Zhenzhu the look of I cant
help you. Its entirely up to my son now.
The Ending
The most talk about part of The Little Nyonya. Some say it was a disappointment and while
some say it was understandable. Personally, after 32 episodes of hoping and crossing my fingers
for Chen Xi to end up with Yueniang, I am TRULY annoyed with the last 2 episodes. Yet, at the
same time I do understand why the writer created such an ending. Again, I was truly annoyed but
I still can understand, given the time period of the serials when cultures were more in
conservative side especially in Asia regions. Half way through the serial, I was so curious about
Anqis surname. Now, when come to think about it, the surname will totally gave way the rest of
the story because if Anqi was a Chen than we would know who her grandpa was or the surname
was something else, we would also pretty much guess the ending. Smart move for the writers not
to put the Anqis surname!
My Questions/Answers on the loopholes
1. Yueniang and Paul: too fast? Developing in too short period of time? Or maybe Im just
like (I believe) the rests of Chen Xi/Yueniang fans, too bias to accept this pairing?
2. Wheres Yuzhu? Is she well? Was she dead? I doubt she will be 100% well but there was
no definite ending as for her fate.
3. Where was Paul? The tablet that sit next to Yueniang? Was that of Pauls? Maybe.
4. I noticed this at the very last scene. Call me picky but it is really just for fun on my side.
Back in episode 1, the pictures next to Juxiangs portrait was of Xiufeng, Jincheng and
their children. Fast forward to episode 34, at the same place and same Juxiangs portrait,
the pictures was of Huang Yuan and Guihua at each side.
Overall
I love this serial as a whole! Ok, lets minus the ending from the equation. Other than that, the
serial was a perfect combination of culture/tradition and romance. There were also a good blend
of veterans actors/actress and the newcomers. I was totally glued to my computer every night
waiting for the sneak previews (I have to watch through MobTV). Its been quite a while since
Mediacorp produced such a successful and good quality drama serial.