[Discussion] Fondant Garden (翻糖花園)

[Aryael]

As expected - Hello amnesia! Need something to drag the episodes to 16 and so, amnesia (the FAVOURITE drama 'twist') comes in.

This drama is VERY typical of Asian romantic dramas with all the typical storyline and twists but in its TYPICAL-ness, it's actually quite good entertainment. So, 2 more weeks of Fondant Garden and we need to say adieu to yet another good entertainment. With K2H ended and Fondant coming to an end soon, I will be taking a sabbatical from Asian dramas to catch up with work, but I will still be quite active in discussion boards. Dear twin, will you help me keep abreast with the good dramas so I will not miss out too much while on 'sabbatical'? Thanks.

[Libradaj]

TWIN! I keep forgetting to watch the new episodes. I don't know why.

I shall make a running list of dramas to watch for you. Not sure I will do a good job but I will try! I may have to speed up just to go backwards. LOL

[matinthehat77]

Originally Posted by Aryael

The preview of Ep14... OMG! Here comes the climax of the story! My guess is that Han Ji really lost his memory this time with the fall he take in Ep14 or he would have pretended to lose his memory again. But the accident involving Han Ji will definitely band those who truly care for him together... hence, we are heading towards the ending soon. My guess is 15 or 16 episodes.

Dramawiki says 16.

Spoiler

What I am wondering is if he was really that mean before he met Han Ji. He wasn't portrayed that mean in the beginning, but it seems as if he is worse now that he really has amnesia.

[Aryael]

Looks like it is not 16 episodes... it will probably be 17 or 18 episodes. In episode 16, he regained his memory but they have to deal with the difficult granny. Typical Taiwanese drama for dragging it out... but it does give the story a complete package for a complete ending (with no lose ends). If it ends at 16, I was wondering how they were about to address the issue of the granny.

[Libradaj]

But, but... the preview for the next episodes says ending. Hmmmmm....

[Aryael]

Originally Posted by Libradaj

But, but... the preview for the next episodes says ending. Hmmmmm....

If they end it at 16, I REAAAAaaaally hope that they can squeeze in all the regained memory and tackling grumpy granny parts without the ending feeling rushed!!

[Libradaj]

I don't get the whole Granny thing but whatever. If he accepts his brother, and the father says yep, my kid. WTH Granny?? Always trying to save face.

[Regan12]

Originally Posted by Libradaj

I don't get the whole Granny thing but whatever. If he accepts his brother, and the father says yep, my kid. WTH Granny?? Always trying to save face.

Sounds like a good ending to me. Granny's going to have to suck it up and move on because dad and bro have already admitted it.

[Aryael]

Originally Posted by Libradaj

I don't get the whole Granny thing but whatever. If he accepts his brother, and the father says yep, my kid. WTH Granny?? Always trying to save face.

You'd be surprised to know that in Asia, what the elders say hold a lot of weight. Her son may be the CEO and owns the company but if she says no, he cannot say yes. It will be viewed as being unfilial and the Asian society scorns unfilial and unloyal characters. Furthermore, with his position in the society, he cannot be labelled as unfilial or ppl will lose respect and confidence in him, further enhancing the power his mother has over him.

If you'd watched those long historical chinese series on emperors and such, you'll realise the enormous power the emperor's mother (Empress Dowager) has over him and everything, even though he is the head of the country and the emperor. In Chinese history, there were many instances of how emperors became mere puppets because their mums (the Empress Dowagers) refused to allow the emperors the freedom to rule. There were a couple of really wise emperors who knew the power the future emperor's mothers had over the future emperor(s) and they actually ordered these women (who happened to be their empresses and/or concubines) murdered to ensure that their sons' future rule was not blocked by the ambitions of his mother(s). Even the last empress dowager of China, Empress Dowager Cixi, well-known for her cruelty and ambitions, dominated the rule of the throne to the extent that she ordered the execution of her own daughter-in-law (mother of the future emperor) to ensure that she continues to rule supreme and her son and grandsons were mere puppet to her rule. In the beginning of her rule, she did enforced some positive changes but as she got too influenced by her power, she lost her 'sanity' and became very cruel and corrupt. It was because of her that Hong Kong was lend to the British for 100 years and China lend Macau to the Portugists. It was because of her incompetencies that corruption was rife then, which weaken the government and which eventually lead to the destruction of the royal family. Until today, if you visit China and visit her tomb, you will see ppl passing by her tomb and spitting at it. This was how much the chinese still hated the Empress Dowager Cixi, even after so many generations have passed!!

Children brought up in Asian families are taught at a very young age that they are not allowed to speak over an elder and whatever their parents say, whether they agree to it or not, they have to obey. Discipline is tight in an Asian family, though nowadays, with the influence of western values of freedom and rights and parenting and the increased focus on career development, many modern Asian couples no longer parent their children the way their parents parented them. Even so, there is always an 'invisible' line Asian children NEVER crosses when it comes to their parents, elders and seniors. It is an unspoken rule, enforced by the culture and societal hierarki in Asia. This explains why many Asians I spoke to think that western kids are rude and were not taught boundaries and respect for the elders when growing up - which to some extent, I tend to agree.

[Aryael]

What a nice, sweet ending!
*Aryael immersing in the feeling of soft, sweet romance*
Ahh~~~!!!!!
Feeling ridiculously young and girlish!
I will miss my boys - Jung Min & Kingone! Saranghaeo!!!!! *fan girl screams*
This is the reason why I like these fluffly, sweet romance dramas. They make me feel younger and happier. Exactly what entertainment should be!