BEST ACTOR 最佳男主角
We say: Terence Cao as Zhang Guangda (The Journey: A Voyage)
I have to say, there were numerous times we almost threw our stuff to our 45" TV screen. Terence's portrayal as the evil and cunning Zhang Guangda is so real you would never believe! His great performance did not only gain likes but hates as well. Plus, being a 6-time nominee, it's high time he win this award. And, it is obvious, he had a certain level of acting skills if not he wouldn't even be nominated. So, judges, whoever you are, let him win this award, letting him graduate in his own yearbook of acting school is the least you could do.
Dark Horse: Pierre Png as Hei Long (The Journey: A Voyage)
Well, I have no words for the darkness Hei Long went through during his childhood, which made him who he was when he grew up. He is evil but like Pierre says himself: "黑龙不是坏人 (Translation: Hei Long is no baddie)". But, my mother did mentioned (and we agreed) that Pierre was acting evil and nice (only to Yazi) at the same time. So, you could never hate him a 100%, and hence, not a success in being evil. However, we couldn't ignore the hard work he put into the drama. His script was even exhibited in the museum during the TV50 event to show how much work he has to do in order to read and act according to the script. Plus, being a 4-time nominee, he has an equal chance of winning.
As for Bryan's acting as Liu A-man in Gonna Make It, it was very well portrayed. He could stand a chance winning too but I think the baddies should win this time round.
Chen Hanwei's role as Yu Fan in The Dream Makers was pretty much flat, his acting was good but the role was flat itself. Plus, as a 4-time Best Actor, it's time for him to give the opportunity to other actors.
Qi Yuwu's acting as Jason Lam in The Dream Makers was natural, especially his love chemistry with Zhao Fei-er and the vastly emotional scene that occurs after Fei-er decided broke up with him. Other than that, the rest was utterly normal (as in the role). Plus, he won Best Actor once, so I think he should give way to the seniors this year.
BEST ACTRESS 最佳女主角
We say: Jeanette Aw as Zhao Fei-er (The Dream Makers)
Yes, we are fans of Jeanette. But this time, I have to clarify that we have valid reasons to say why she should bag the Best Actress award this year. To strengthen my choice, I have the Queen of Cadelcott, Zoe Tay and 4-time Best Actor Chen Hanwei to back me up. Not to forget Bryan Wong and many others too!
Being a 6-time nominee (just like Terence Cao), she too had a certain level of acting skills no doubt. But Zhao Fei-er brought Jeanette to another level, a level she never stepped on before. She is well known for being able to portray roles similar to Huang Juxiang, Yamamoto Yueniang, Yao Jianhong or Lin Yazi (I don't call them "damsel-in-distress" because most of these characters have a tough personality) very well. But Fei-er is an ambitious C-lister who would do anything it takes to achieve her goal. She is unlike Yazi, who is kind enough to trust Hei Long. Fei'er trusts no one but herself. She could even betray her best friend Fang Tonglin and forgo her 9-year long relationship with her childhood sweetheart Jason Lam just to achieve her goal. However, we couldn't deny that we hated and symphatised her at the same time. It's like we understand why she is doing all this, why is she so persistent in her goal despite having to hurt so many people who loved and cared for her. So that's why I think she stands a great chance in winning this time round.
But, even if she didn't win this time round (as we are afraid of getting disappointed again, just like Jeanette would), we want to let her know, she is already a winner for her performance, there is no need for physical evidence. Just keep up to good work and get it next time round.
Dark Horse: Chen Liping as Yao-Zhu Kangli (The Dream Makers)
As a veteran, no doubt she is running for this award. My mother once told me, right after the series ended its run, that Yao-Zhu Kangli and Zhao Fei-er would be nominated for Best Actress for the actresses' ability to act well in such versatile roles. No doubt Liping did a great job as a wife of a man who had multiple extramarital affairs and a mother of a child who suffers from autism. Not to forget, she is a high-level executive at work, and hence, she has to juggle her emotions all around to portray this character well. And of course, she did it. However, I have to comment that the chemistry between Kangli and Jianguo is a little lacking near the end of the series, which is when they both reconcile. They don't seem natural as a loving couple; but when they are against each other, that chemistry is out of our imagination! So, if Jeanette weren't to win, she would definitely be next in line.
As for Rui En's portrayal as Fang Tonglin in The Dream Makers, it was actually not bad. Besides a little overacting for the comedic scenes (maybe due to the demand of the scriptwriters or directors) and the slight lacking of sparks between Tonglin and Jason, the rest was actually well done. But I still think Rui En suits serious roles more, which explains why she deserves to win Best Actress (Star Awards and Asian TV Awards) for Unriddle 2 no doubt.
Rebecca Lim's first attempt for a dual role character Guo Weiqian & Huang Yixin in Sudden is quite successful I would say, At least you won't go thinking: "Oh no, this is so wrong. Should have replaced her for someone else." I was impressed by her acting actually, she was in my list of Best Actress nomination since the day all 2013 dramas finished airing. However, there is still lots of room for improvements I would say, so take this nomination as a motivation to improve, Rebecca. I believe you would score this award one day!
Finally, Chris Tong's acting as the pitiful concubine of Zhang Guangda, Bai Mingzhu from The Journey: A Voyage was a performance which deserves a thumbs-up as well. But I think pitiful roles like this are usually the weaker links in the competition (just like Jeanette's roles as Juxiang, Yueniang and Jianhong in The Little Nyonya and Together respectively, Liping's role as Xiaogu in The Golden Path or Zoe's role as Liu Zhaodi in Devotion). So EPs, please give Chris a role which is vastly different from her personality yet not weak and pitiful. This actress deserves some recognition as well, just like any of the above actresses.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR 最佳男配角
We say: Guo Liang as Yao Jianguo (The Dream Makers)
He is a host but yet he was able to portray a role which requires an actor to disperse his inner feelings into good use. And Guo Liang, with little acting experience, did well in it. Well if you were to compare him with Bryan's nomination as Liu A-man, then he will not stand a chance but among his own fellow competitors, he had a 50% chance I would say.
He is a host but yet he was able to portray a role which requires an actor to disperse his inner feelings into good use. And Guo Liang, with little acting experience, did well in it. Well if you were to compare him with Bryan's nomination as Liu A-man, then he will not stand a chance but among his own fellow competitors, he had a 50% chance I would say.
Dark Horse: Jeffrey Xu as Xu Xiaodong (Marry Me)
If you could recall, Jeffrey won Best Supporting Actor with the same role in the Asian TV Awards 2013. If he would share the same fate like Rui En and Aileen Tan, who both won in both the Star Awards and the ATA for the same roles, then he would definitely score his first award this time.
He did very well in portraying Xiaodong. It was very natural, but it's maybe because of Xiaodong shares similar personalities with Jeffrey (like he said so himself) which is why he is able to portray this role so well. So if it's not Guo Liang, then it's Jeffrey.
As for Dennis Chew's acting as Fang Yuanren in The Dream Makers, it was enjoyable seeing him acting as comedic role. But, there are some moments which he over-reacts, plus he had experiences acting funny (like Aunty Lucy or any hosting he does), this role is not as challenging as any other roles nominated here if compared.
Shaun Chen's role as Du Zhanpeng in The Dream Makers was pretty much flat, though his acting was good especially when he had to manage his feelings well being the person who fonds Tonglin and the VP of artiste management at the same time. But, I think this is not a winning role but still a great performance done I would say.
Zhang Zhenhuan's acting as Ye Zhibin in Break Free was good. But what I feel is that the role is not memorable enough. Though Zhenhuan himself mentioned he did better as Zhibin than as Yao Wuji in Together, I still think the latter left a deeper impression in me. What he needs is a even more memorable role to act in, Mediacorp EPs, please take my suggestion seriously.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS 最佳女配角
This hardworking actress has just been recognised for her breakthrough performance in The Journey: A Voyage by receiving the Rocket Award a few days ago. What's more to say?
Her performance as Xiuxiang made me forget who Priscelia is. As an actress who usually have timid roles (and some cunning roles), she definitely deserves more than a Rocket Award for her stellar performance in The Journey: A Voyage. In that drama, she is hateful, just because she only has hatred in her head. She did nothing but torture Mingzhu; she is no doubt the no.3 baddie in the drama. However, you pity her when you try to hate her. Why? Because her dreadful husband made her who she was. Maybe Priscelia should thank Terence if she manage to win this award. They have that awesome EVIL chemistry, just like what we saw in the Star Awards 20 Show 1.
Dark Horse: Xiang Yun as Zhang Cuiyan (Beyond)
Who else to win if it's not Priscelia? No doubt it would be the four time winner Xiang Yun. Xiang Yun successfully portrayed the role of a low self-esteem mother, Cuiyan to a daughter who she thought is mentally unstable. I have nothing but the word "natural" to describe her acting. Plus, her mother-daughter chemistry with Jeanette was awesome. That's all I've got to say. So, she would definitely be the next in line if it's not Priscelia.
Hong Huifang's performance as the slightly slutty Fu Meili in Love at Risk was well done but the role is a little too flat and dull to score another win for the two-time winner.
Aileen Tan's role as Seetoh Yan in C.L.I.F. 2 was another job well done for Aileen. But, the only part which is memorable and catchy enough is when she finds out her son became a wanted criminal and the mixed feelings she had as a police and a mother at the same time. That's about all.
Last but not least, Rebecca Lim, the only actress who scored a double nomination in the acting category, acting as Lisa Xiao in The Dream Makers, a very open-minded woman who faced prejudices from all others due to her open personality. Rebecca did a great job in portraying Lisa (definitely better than her role than Zhang Xueqin in Yes We Can) but I think her role Lisa is a weaker contender compared to the two we have chosen above. She is definitely an actress with great potential, I foresee her having great achievements in the near future.
BEST DRAMA 最佳戏剧
Hitting the top with viewership ratings, and the nominations (& wins in Show 1) they had in this year's Star Awards, no doubt The Dream Makers would win Best Drama this year. Not to forget the stellar casting of the drama, this definitely is a plus point to all the above.
Dark Horse: The Journey: A Voyage
If the story line is the only thing we need to compare, The Journey would deserve a win no matter what. Historical dramas with semi-fictional stories has that magnet which keep viewers attracted (especially those who are interested to know more about their ancestors). Though the ratings are at 2nd overall (combining Toggle Catch Up and on TV), the drama is lacking on nominations in this year's award show. The drama is actually very well planned overall with another set of stellar casts, however the bad editing and not-so-surreal special effects during certain points of the drama has been negatively contributing to this award.
As for the rest of the nominated dramas Beyond, C.L.I.F. 2 & 96°C Cafe, they all have great story lines but they were not as sophisticated as the blockbusters, which are more deserving for a win than the rest.
That's all for our predictions. Catch the 20th installment of Star Awards this coming Sunday at the following time slots and channels respectively.
Broadcasting Channels and Time - 27 April 2014 (Sunday)
Singapore - Channel 8
5:30 PM (Walk of Fame) & 7:00 PM (Awards Show)
Singapore - Channel U
10:00 PM (Post-Show Party)
Malaysia - Astro AEC (CH301) & Astro Quan Jia (CH308)
7:00 PM (Awards Show)
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