Hero (2016 TV series)

Hero
大英雄
GenreFamily
Dramedy
Written byAng Eng Tee 洪荣狄
Directed bySu Miao Fang 苏妙芳
Loo Yin Kam 卢燕金
Wong Foong Hwee 黃芬菲
StarringShaun Chen
Chen Hanwei
Jesseca Liu
Opening theme格外精彩 by Janice Yan
Ending theme借你一点泪 by Power Station
等一等爱情 by Bonnie Loo
守护你 by Bonnie Loo
Country of originSingapore
Original languageMandarin
No. of episodes30 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producerJasmine Woo 邬毓琳
Production locationsDakota Crescent, Singapore
Running timeapprox. 45 minutes (exc. advertisements)
Original release
NetworkMediacorp Channel 8
Release29 November 2016 (2016-11-29) –
9 January 2017 (2017-01-09)
Related

Hero (Chinese: 大英雄) is a Singaporean blockbuster drama produced and telecast on Mediacorp Channel 8. It stars Shaun Chen, Chen Hanwei and Jesseca Liu as the main casts of this series, and also features cameo appearances by Zoe Tay, Rebecca Lim, Xiang Yun, Jack Neo, Carrie Wong and many more.

Plot

[edit]

The story revolves around the lives of Zhou Fada, Ye Xiaoying and Zhang Weixiong, whom are the three ordinary characters who grew up in Dakota Crescent, a series of interesting, exciting and personal stories will unfold…

Zhou Fada, also known as Big Brother, is a man with a strong sense of justice, loyalty and compassion. He always likes to help his neighbours handle the problem in need. But because of his overzealous and reckless character, his good intentions often turn out to cause more trouble than help.

Ye Xiaoying is Fada's uncle, who always dreams of achieving phenomenal success in life, but he never did live up to his dreams as he is essentially just a slacker. He is very good at keeping out of trouble, by tactically avoiding tricky situations. His motto in life is: A man's greatest power is not his fists, but his tongue. He believes that being good with words can help one sail through career and relationships smoothly, but the fact is, his career and love affairs are almost always on the rocks.

Zhang Weixiong is a manly name, but the owner of the name is actually a cute girl. When her mother was pregnant with her, the ultrasound scan showed that it was a baby boy, so her father went to the fortune teller and got her this dashing manly name. Who would have expected that it was a baby girl! But they went along with the name “Wei Xiong” after all. Weixiong is just like her name; she has great ambitions and a gusty character, and people in the neighborhood see her as the future elite. Unfortunately, that is just her pretense. She is actually very timid and cowardly, but she believes that in order to survive in this dog-eat-dog world, you will have to “never say die”. So even though she is crumbling from fear inside, she would always put up a strong front, and her strong-headedness always gets her into trouble. If not for the help of Big Brother Fada, with this personality, she might have much consequences to suffer.

This three characters, together known as “The Great Hero”, are the three musketeers of the neighbourhood, and from them, we will get to know many other members of Dakota Crescent, and also their inspiring, interesting and heart-warming stories.

Cast

[edit]
  • Jin Yinji as Granny Swordswoman 侠女阿嫲
  • Chen Hanwei as Ye Xiaoying, Granny Swordswoman's son
  • Shaun Chen as Zhou Fada, Granny Swordswoman's grandson
  • Zhu Xiufeng as Granny Mahjong 麻将婆
  • Brandon Wong as Zhang Zhiming 张志明, a security officer
  • Pan Lingling as Xiao Jiahui 萧家慧, Zhang Zhiming's wife who is suffering from dementia
  • Jesseca Liu as Zhang Weixiong 张伟雄, Zhang and Xiao's daughter, a lawyer
  • Ian Fang as Zhang Weikang 张伟康, Zhang and Xiao's son
  • Zhu Houren as Ou Sihai 区四海
  • Andie Chen as Ou Jinguang 区金光
  • Youyi as Xiuzhen 秀珍, daughter of Auntie Teochew and Ou Jinguang's wife
  • Paige Chua as Ou Jinxuan 区金萱, Ou Sihai's daughter
  • Nicholas Lim 林道锐 as Boy Boy 小冬瓜, son of Ye Xiaoying and Ou Jinxuan
  • Chen Tianwen as Guan A-li 关阿礼, Huang Lili's ex-husband
  • Aileen Tan as Huang Lili 黄丽丽, Guan A-li's ex-wife, a cleaner
  • He Ying Ying as Guan Meiyu 关美玉, elder daughter of Guan A-li and Huang Lili
  • Bonnie Loo as Guan Meimei 关美美, younger daughter of Guan A-li and Huang Lili, a cleaner
  • Ng Suan Loi 黃晶晶 as Granny Cardboard/Cha Kwee Kiao 纸皮婆, Luo Bei's mother, a cardboard collector
  • Peter Yu as Luo Bei 罗北, a taxi driver

Other characters

[edit]
Cast Role Description
Sheila Sim
沈琳宸
Fan Fangfang
范芳芳

Fann Wong (范文芳)/Fang (芳)/Shh (嘘)

  • Came from China to look for job in Singapore
  • Chen Bangqing's ex-girlfriend and enemy
  • Ou Jinguang's love interest
Henry Thia
程旭辉
Steven Villain
  • Pervert who took Zhang Weixiong's undergarments
  • Accused Xiao Jiahui of being promiscuous and tried to take liberties with her
  • Granny Mahjong's playmate
Teddy Tang
唐崧瑞
Jack Chan

Villain

Jack Neo (梁志强)/Jack (小Jack)

  • Zhang Weixiong's classmate and love interest
  • Threatened Zhang Weixiong with her nude photos
James Seah
谢俊峰
Chen Bangqing 陈邦庆 Main Villain of the series
Qing (阿庆)/Chen (小陈)
  • Fan Fangfang's ex-boyfriend and enemy
  • Granny Swordswoman's tenant
  • Brought a drunken Fan Fangfang to a hotel and offered her to Mr Liu
  • Framed Ye Xiaoying and caused him to be jailed, Fan Fangfang and caused her to be deported
  • Attempted to kill Fan Fangfang but eventually it gotten himself a severe accident in episode 28
Mervyn Lee
李岳杰
Potty Mouth
臭口王
  • Former Gambler
  • Ye Xiaoying's rival
  • Ah Jiao's husband
Desmond Ng
黄振隆
Walter Lu

Bin Trasher (踢桶男)/Mr Lu (陆先生)

  • In love with Guan Meimei, but rejected by her family
Marcus Mok
莫健发
Eric Old Pervert (老乌龟)
  • Guan Meiyu's sugar daddy
Joy Yak
易凌
Jiao
阿娇
  • Potty Mouth's wife
  • Attempted suicide in episode 11
王慧莹 Auntie Teochew 潮州嫂
马天凌 Mr Liu
刘总
  • Chen Bangqing and Ye Xiaoying's boss
Zhang Yaodong
张耀栋
Zhang Zhentian
张振天

Cameo appearances

[edit]
Cast Role Description
Carrie Wong
黄思恬
Alexia
  • The three Charlie's Angels
Ya Hui
雅慧
Betty
Felicia Chin
陈凤玲
Cathy
Chew Chor Meng
周初明
Wei Ge 伟哥
Oh Ling En
胡菱恩
Student 中学学生
Dennis Chew
周崇庆
Auntie Lucy
  • Reprised her role from Paris and Milan
  • Granny Mahjong's playmate
  • Was owed debt by Granny Mahjong
Tay Ping Hui
郑斌辉
Rice King 饭王
Kym Ng
钟琴
Fishball Girl 鱼丸妹
  • Zhou Fada's friend
  • Sold some fishballs to Zhou Fada
Mark Lee
李国煌
Long Ge 龙哥
  • A mover boss who gave a job to Zhou Fada
Terence Cao
曹国辉
Xie Xian 谢贤
  • Xiao Jiahui's secondary school classmate
  • Gave Xiao Jiahui a lift home in his branded car
Jack Neo
梁志强
Liang Po Po 梁婆婆
  • Reprised her role from Comedy Night/Comedy Nite
  • Met Guan Meiyu in the Public Toilet
Zhang Zhenxuan
张振煊
George Pu
  • Ou Jinxuan's ex-boyfriend
Xiang Yun Quan Min'er
权敏儿
  • Zhou Fada's biological mother
  • Suffered from a terminal disease
  • (Deceased - episode 13)
Zoe Tay Deborah
  • Zhang Weikang's sugar mummy
  • Alex's wife
Wang Yuqing Leo
Guo Liang Alex
  • Zhang Weikang's offender
  • Deborah's husband
Rebecca Lim Herself
  • Actress
Richard Low Old fogey 老鬼
Huang Biren He Xuemei
何雪美

Tigeress (老虎)/Mdm Hor

  • Reprised her role as a prison officer from Tiger Mum
  • Mistook Ye Xiaoying for Antonio Chen Hongyu, who also appeared in Tiger Mum
Jeremy Chan John
Michael Huang Liar
Jayley Woo Bonnie

Flat-chested (莫尼)

  • Zhang Weikang's ex-girlfriend
Sora Ma Herself
  • Actress
  • Went to Guan Meimei's concert in Episode 28
Desmond Tan Himself
  • Actor
  • Went to Guan Meimei's concert in Episode 28
Zheng Geping Bonnie父亲
  • Bonnie's father
Kenneth Chung Himself
Hong Ling Herself
  • Actress
洪偉文 Mr Hong
洪编剧


Production

[edit]

Dakota Crescent is one of Singapore's earliest housing estates, built in 1958 by the Singapore Improvement Trust (SIT), which preceded the Housing and Development Board (HDB). In July 2014, it was decided that the housing estate would be redeveloped under the HDB's SERS scheme and all residents would have to relocate by 2016.[1] This prompted a campaign by activists for its conservation,[2] work of art to be created about it[3][4] and also media coverage given to Dakota Crescent.[5]

This drama series was produced also as a means of kick-starting the commemoration of 35 years of Singapore-produced Chinese-language television in Singapore. As part of this, Mediacorp's famous Chinese-speaking comedy icons, such as characters Auntie Lucy (played by Dennis Chew) from Paris and Milan and Liang Po Po (played by Jack Neo) from Comedy Night/Comedy Nite, will be making cameo appearances in this drama.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]

Imaging sessions were done in end-April and early-May 2016, while the first scene was shot on 23 May.[14][15] On 30 July 2016, in the nineteenth season of The Sheng Siong Show, it was also announced that Power Station will be performing the drama's ending theme. They were in Singapore to promote their "Next Station" world tour which will be held on 27 August.

A post screening session was conducted at Dakota Crescent's Care and Friends Centre. The cast of Hero - Shaun Chen, Jesseca Liu, Chen Hanwei, Bonnie Loo, Paige Chua, Ian Fang, Sheila Sim, Youyi, He Yingying, Aileen Tan, Brandon Wong and Jin Yinji were present. The first episode of the show was also broadcast there.

Original Sound Track (OST)

[edit]
Song title Song type Lyrics Composer Performer Producer
The Extraordinary 格外精彩 Opening theme song 王振声 周以力 Janice Yan 阎奕格
Tears 借你一点泪 Sub-theme song 姚若龙 郑楠 Power Station
Wait For Love 等一等爱情 乐声 邓碧源 Bonnie Loo 麦如丽
Watching Over You 守护你 高飞 Benny Wong

Accolades

[edit]

The series has the most nominations in Star Awards 2017, and won two, which was Best Supporting Actress and Drama Serial.

Year Ceremony Category Nominees Result Ref
2017 Star Awards Best Director Wong Foong Hwee Nominated
Best Screenplay Ang Eng Tee Nominated
London Choco Roll Happiness Award Shaun Chen Nominated
Bioskin Healthiest Hair Award Desmond Ng Nominated
Best Actor Shaun Chen Nominated [16]
Best Actress Jesseca Liu Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Andie Chen Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Paige Chua Nominated
Pan Lingling Nominated
Bonnie Loo Nominated
Aileen Tan Won [17]
Best Evergreen Artiste Award Aileen Tan Nominated [16]
Best Drama Serial Won [17]
2019 Asia Rainbow TV Awards Outstanding Leading Actress in Comedy Jesseca Liu Won [18]
Outstanding Comedy Won

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Dakota Crescent tenants hit by news of redevelopment". Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  2. ^ ""Group pushing to save Dakota Crescent"". Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  3. ^ "Community theatre show puts spotlight on Dakota Crescent and its residents". Archived from the original on 29 June 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  4. ^ "Overwhelming response to Drama Box's site-specific performance in Dakota Crescent". Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  5. ^ "5 things to remember about Dakota Crescent". Retrieved 13 December 2016.
  6. ^ ""绚耀"咖啡馆悄悄开业 刘子绚《大英雄》首次挑战搞笑角色" (in Chinese). Channel 8 News and Current Affairs. 26 May 2016. Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  7. ^ "陈泓宇:新剧角色取名自"达哥打弯"感荣幸 拍完戏急着回家看孩子" (in Chinese). Channel 8 News and Current Affairs. 26 May 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  8. ^ "Auntie Lucy重出江湖 客串重头剧《大英雄》" (in Chinese). Channel 8 News and Current Affairs. 27 May 2016. Archived from the original on 4 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  9. ^ "陈汉玮挺脊柱骨伤口拍戏 为母亲祈福改吃素" (in Chinese). Channel 8 News and Current Affairs. 27 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  10. ^ "梁婆婆重出江湖 梁志强新片拒当导演?" (in Chinese). Toggle. 11 June 2016. Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  11. ^ "郑斌辉赴中国演蒙古大汗 陈泓宇与妻女分房睡" (in Chinese). Toggle. 18 June 2016. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016.
  12. ^ Tammi Tan (16 July 2016). "No sugar mummies for Ian Fang". Toggle. Archived from the original on 17 September 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  13. ^ "刘子绚望办海滩婚礼 郑惠玉"吃"嫩草方伟杰" (in Chinese). Toggle. 16 July 2016. Archived from the original on 26 July 2016.
  14. ^ "刘子绚否认下个月结婚 陈泓宇望携妻女拍广告" (in Chinese). Toggle. 29 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 June 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  15. ^ "陈邦鋆下月搬家迎接小公主 黄炯耀晒儿破家变传闻" (in Chinese). Toggle. 17 May 2016. Archived from the original on 30 May 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  16. ^ a b Fam, Jonathan (23 January 2017). "Star Awards 2017 Nominations Revealed!". 8days. Retrieved 24 July 2025.
  17. ^ a b Yip, Wai Yee (13 March 2017). "The Life Interview with actress Aileen Tan: From sexy to auntie". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 28 September 2023.
  18. ^ Lam, Min Lee (14 January 2019). "Big wins for Jesseca Liu, Kym Ng, and local hosts at Asia Rainbow TV Awards 2019". AsiaOne. Retrieved 5 August 2025.
Preceded by
The Dream Makers (season 2)
2015-16
Star Awards for Best Drama Serial
Hero
2016-17
Succeeded by
When Duty Calls
2017-18