Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Chinese: 天公疼憨人) is a 2023 Singaporean dialect drama series starring Chen Hanwei, Richie Koh, Yvonne Lim, Kym Ng, Zhu Houren, Seow Sin Nee, Ke Le, Richard Low, Andie Chen and Hong Huifang. The series is the fourth collaboration between the Ministry of Communications and Information (MCI) and Mediacorp. It premiered on 21 July 2023 and airs every Friday at 11.30am on Channel 8.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7]
| Whatever Will Be, Will Be | |
|---|---|
 Promotional poster | |
| Traditional Chinese | 天公疼憨人 |
| Simplified Chinese | 天公疼憨人 |
| Literal meaning | "Heaven dotes on the simple-minded" |
| Hanyu Pinyin | Tiāngōng téng hānrén |
| Genre | |
| Screenplay by | Liu Qingpeng |
| Story by | Liu Qingpeng |
| Directed by | Gao Shuyi |
| Starring | |
| Opening theme |
|
| Country of origin | Singapore |
| Original language | Mixed dialects (primarily Singaporean Hokkien) |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 20 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Ye Peijuan |
| Cinematography | Peng Jinchen |
| Editor | Wu Xuexian |
| Running time | 45 minutes |
| Production company | Mediacorp |
| Original release | |
| Network | Channel 8 |
| Release | 21 July 2023 – 2023 |
Cast edit
Main and supporting edit
- Chen Hanwei as Liu Bishan
- Kym Ng as Zheng Huiyao
- Yvonne Lim as Liu Bizhen
- Richie Koh as Liu Birang
- Zhu Houren as Liu Dafu
- Andie Chen as Lin Guangjian
- Seow Sin Nee as Zhang Meiqi
- Hong Huifang as Su Fangfang
- Richard Low as Hu Nanshan
- Liu Lingling as Hao Yingjin
- Ke Le as Zeng Xiaoxiao
Guest appearances edit
- Darren Lim as Ah Wen
- Mark Lee as Du Zhenping
- Chen Tianwen as Homeowner
- Jaspers Lai as Ray
- Kenneth Kong as Shop manager
- Bukoh Mary as Manager Chen
- Qiu Shengyang as Tutor Zhang Guosheng
- Chen Shucheng as Tissue Man
- Bryan Wong as Manager Ho
- Marcus Chin as Lei Wang
- Zhu Xiufeng as Feng Lian
- Dennis Chew as Zheng Cheng
- Pierre Png as Policeman
Production edit
Richard Low and Lin Ruping served as dialect coaches and consultants for Whatever Will Be, Will Be. The series marked getai host and singer Lee Pei Fen's debut acting role on screen in her 30-year showbiz career.[8]
Filming wrapped in early May 2023.[9]
Awards and nominations edit
| Accolades | Category | Nominees | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Star Awards 2024 | Best Supporting Actor | Andie Chen (as Lin Guang Jian) | Pending |
| Best Actor | Chen Han Wei (as Liu BiShan) | Pending |
References edit
- ^ "Richie Koh gets fluent in Hokkien for new dialect drama Whatever Will Be, Will Be". CNA Lifestyle. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "'We have a lot of bed scenes': Chen Hanwei teases new dialect drama with Kym Ng". AsiaOne. 7 March 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "《天公疼憨人》歧视对白惹议 | 早报". www.zaobao.com.sg (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "陈汉玮相信"天公疼憨人" 许瑞奇：不能只等老天眷顾 | 早报". www.zaobao.com.sg (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "忧方言失传 朱厚任盼本地有更多方言剧时段 | 早报". www.zaobao.com.sg (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "方言剧《天公疼憨人》见面会 吸引3500人到场支持". 8world (in Chinese (Singapore)). 5 July 2023. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "方言剧7月开播 许瑞奇演"憨人" | 早报". www.zaobao.com.sg (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "出道30年首次拍剧 李佩芬：超紧张 | 早报". www.zaobao.com.sg (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "娱乐吃瓜：林湘萍和老公"耍花枪" 方言剧杀青不舍有原因 | 早报". www.zaobao.com.sg (in Simplified Chinese). Retrieved 23 July 2023.