Though personally, I'm
not crazy about Hong Kong singer and actor, Leon Lai, I do appreciate a lot of
his songs in addition to his sweet voice. My grandma is so obsessed with Leon
Lai that she called him her "契仔" (adopted son).
In case you're wondering
who Leon Lai is, as a singer, he is considered one of the "四大天王" (Four Big Heavenly Kings) meaning he is one of
the best Cantopop singers in the 1990s.
In 1998, Leon had an
album titled, "我這樣愛你" (I Love You Like This).
Within the album is a track with the same name. In 1998, the album won
the IFPI HK Platinum Disc award according to Wikipedia and also won
first place in Hong Kong Sales Volume for his EP album according to Yesasia.com.
As for
the song, in my opinion, the most memorable lyrics lie in the chorus part of the song.
“用最孤獨的心 換最溫柔的愛” (Using the most solitary of heart, in exchange for the most
tender of love)
This line emotionally hit me because of the image it created in my mind. It
makes me wonder what would have happened if the loneliest person exchanges his
mindset and heart for a beautiful, tender love.
“就算天涯海角 都可能覆蓋” (Given that the ends of
the earth also can overturn a lid
[probably meaning to overlap])
The
phrase, 天涯海角 (ends of
the earth), is sung with such emotional intensity in that listening to the phrase makes me
feel emotional. It makes me feel as though whoever is singing these lyrics is feeling hopeless. After analyzing the phrase, I think it means, “Given that the ends of
the earth also can overlap.”
I will now translate the song with not so much literal meaning
this time compared to my last lyrical translation. I hope you enjoy the song!
Song title:我這樣愛你 (I Like This Love You / I Love You Like This)
Music by: Choi Sun Wo
Arranged by: 雷頌德
Lyrics by:林夕
還要將 這雙眼如何俯瞰 ([I] Even
still take these pair of eyes in a way to look down)
然後才可 將猜疑都變信任 (And
then [I] can take suspicion, changing it all to trust)
還要將 雙手再如何拉緊 ([I] Even
still take these pair of hands in a way that I can tighten again)
不說話也可 和你熱吻 ([By] Not
speaking [I] also can passionately kiss you)
還要經 多少放任和寬恕 ([I] Even
still undergo so much indulgence and forgiveness)
然後才可 將安全感覺抱住 (And
then [I] can take secure feelings and embrace it)
還要經 多少次和諧相處 ([I] Even
still undergo so many times of harmoniously getting along)
不見面也可 學會獨處 (To not
see each other will also [make us] learn to be alone)
Chorus:
用最孤獨的心 換最溫柔的愛
(Using
the most solitary of heart, in exchange for the most tender of love)
我仍然盼待 何時才發現 (I
still look forward to it and wait when [I] then discover)
就算天涯海角 都可能覆蓋 (Given
that the ends of the earth can possibly overlap)
我們難道沒信心 這樣愛 (Could it be that we have no confidence [in] this type
of love)
還要講 多少對白來撫慰 ([I] Even
say so much dialogue in order to comfort)
難道言語 竟比內心更美麗 (Could
it be [that] talk surprisingly compared to inner feelings is even more beautiful)
還要將 多少愛埋藏心底 ([I] Even
still take so much love [and] bury [it at the] bottom of [my] heart)
感覺便會保留到下季 (The
feeling will appropriately be preserved until next season)
Chorus
I can't believe Leon sings this song in Korean too for his Korean concerts. His Korean sounds pretty good for me. According to my husband, the Korean lyrics are slightly different with a different story about a person pleading with his lover, asking his lover to open her heart. I rather would have the Cantonese lyrics as it is more emotionally meaningful to me. This is so appropriate for my blog, which focuses on both Hong Kong and Korean music.
Recently, there was an article on JayneStars.com that Shirley Kwan (關淑怡) had written in her Facebook that she wanted to
commit suicide due to feeling betrayed.
Then, Shirley disappeared somewhere,
leaving her son in the care of a nanny. Shirley, already in her 40’s,
experienced a career slump after she took a break from the industry to rear her
son by herself. The absent father of Shirley’s child remains a mystery.
Apparently, after Shirley decided to come back to restart her career, many
doors were slammed in her face and she wrote on her Facebook that her own
manager, who she considered one of her close friends, betrayed her. Shirley
then wrote an angry rant on Facebook and then simply disappeared, shocking the
celebrity world and the public who thought she went to go suicide.
Almost a day later, Shirley was found and returned home. What a close
call. Perhaps she did not suicide because she still had to live for her son’s
sake. Even if that was true, I am so glad Shirley is back and alive. I consider
her one of the greatest Hong Kong singers of the 90’s.
All this Shirley Kwan thinking has led me to one of my favorite Shirley
Kwan songs, “Forget Him.” Perhaps, Shirley should forget all the people who
betrayed her and look at the bright side. Either way, this song is very
soothing and sedating.
The song is actually originally sung by
Teresa Teng (鄧麗君) who included the song in her first album, "势不两立" (1980). Teresa's sweet voice made the song sound so sad combined with what I feel are the sounds of a typical Italian song with a mandolin instrument.
Fifteen years later, Shirley remade the song and included it in her 1995 tribute album, "'EX' All Time Favourites." The song was also included in the HK movie, "Fallen Angels" starring Leon Lai and Michelle Reis.
Shirley made the newly updated song so tranquilizing. I especially like the bridge part where she simply sings “Da da da...” etc. The drone-like music combined with the lyrics makes it sound even more depressing like someone who can't free him or herself out of the "loop" of depression.
My other favorite parts of the song are these lines:
從來只有他(All along, [there was] only him) 可以令我欣賞自已([Who] can cause me to appreciate myself) 更能讓我去用愛(Moreover can allow me to use love again) 將一切平凡事變得美麗([To] take all ordinary matters [and] change [them
into something so] beautiful)
Well, judging by these lyrics, this person was really great, but the
title of the song says to forget him. Sounds heart-wrenching, right?
Enjoy the video. HK music videos are nothing to rave about, but try to enjoy the music at least.
Again, when I translate, I like to translate literally so that you can
see what the actual words mean. There are other websites that will translate
this song in a more understandable format. I will post one of them below. I
like to take a different approach. Enjoy both versions.
忘記他
忘記他曲：黃霑詞：黃霑編：Donard Ashley
忘記他等於忘掉了一切(To forget him is the equivalent to forgetting
[and] parting [with] everything) 等於將方和向拋掉([It’s] The equivalent of [my] future direction and
facing abandonment [loss],) 遺失了自已(To carelessly lose myself)
* 忘記他等於忘盡了歡喜(To forget him is the equivalent to forgetting happiness
completely) 等於將心靈也鎖住([It’s] The equivalent of [my]
future internal spirit also locked 同苦痛一起(similar to [enduring] bitter pain together) 從來只有他(All along, [there was] only him) 可以令我欣賞自已([Who] can cause me to appreciate myself) 更能讓我去用愛(Moreover can allow me to use love again) 將一切平凡事變得美麗([To] take all ordinary matters [and] change [them
into something so] beautiful) 忘記他怎麼忘記得起(To forget him, How [can I] successfully forget?) 銘心刻骨來永久記住(inscribe heart, engrave
bone [meaning unforgettable] has come, forever remembered) 從此永無盡期(From now on, forever no end
date)
Repeat *
Now, here are some translated lyrics from the justsomelyrics.com website. These lyrics are easier to understand if you want a quick translation. The Chinese lyrics have romanization as well:
English:
Forgetting him
Means forgetting everything
That means losing my sense of direction
I lost myself.
*Forgetting him
Means forgetting all the happiness
That means locking up my heart
Living with sorrow and pain
It was only him
who made me treasure myself
and let me use love
to change all simple things
and make them attractive
Forget him
How could I forget
Unforgettable, I will remember forever
and ever.
Shin Eun Gyung as Kim Dang Ja
Ryu Soo Young as Choi Gi Chan
Choi Jung Yoon as Han Young
Byun Jung Soo as Na Dol Soon
Yoo Gun as Seo Joon Soo
Chae Min Seo as Kim Se Yeon
Park Sang Min as Kim Yoon Suk
Year: 2007
Episodes: 16
Network: SBS
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Wehaiyo Synopsis:
Kim Dang Ja (Shin Eun Gyung), a senior editor working at
a fashion magazine, is at the period in her life where she believes she can
raise a child on her own without a husband. Who needs a husband who would
probably bring her heartache anyway? When she was younger, her father ran away
from the family so love must not exist in her world. After doing extensive
research on possible candidates who can give her the perfect baby, Dang Ja
nearly gives up because of her pickiness. One day, Dang Ja sees Choi Gi Chan
(Ryu Soo Young) who was briefly on TV as a botonomy expert. She marks him as
the man with the perfect genes and does an extensive background check to
confirm it. The problem is Gi Chan is an innocent gentleman with no thoughts on
dating or women and maintains his honorable, squeaky clean image. Dang Ja
pursues Gi Chan relentlessly, but perhaps in her heart, Gi Chan can be more
than just a sperm giver.
Meanwhile, Dang Ja has two friends who are both already
married. One friend is Han Young (Choi Jung Yoon) whose image of her perfect
family is shattered when she finds out that her husband Kim Yoon Suk (Park Sang
Min) is cheating on her and demands a divorce. Yoon Suk believed Young became
such a boring woman and a typical housewife after marriage. With their son
caught in the middle, Young does all in her power to save the marriage even if
it hurts her pride, but it only infuriates Yoon Suk even more. In desperation, Young
asks Seo Joon Soo (Yoo Gun), a younger model to agree to be her
boyfriend to spark jealousy in Yoon Suk. At the same time, Young forced Yoon Suk to live in their home for one year before she grants him a divorce. Young
and Joon Soo’s plan does not seem to work at first, but Yoon Suk gradually
feels infuriation when he sees his wife with another man. Joon Soo, who becomes
naturally protective of Young, unknowingly starts to fall for Young as well.
Reasons to watch it:
I’m a huge fan of Ryu Soo Young so I have a soft spot for
watching him. I especially liked his drama, Rebirth.
In this drama, Bad Couple, Ryu Soo
Young is the perfect gentleman. The part where he plays the
stab-the-knife-between-the-fingers game in order to resist the aphrodisiac he
was given was hilarious. The part where Dang Ja tells Gi Chan that he has bad
sex skills was hilarious as well. Frankly, I’m shocked this was broadcasted on
Korean television.
This is one of the dramas where the side storylines are
more interesting than the main storyline. I was totally addicted to the
storyline of Young, the helpless housewife who was losing her husband to another
woman and Joon Soo, a young, rich model who didn’t feel the need to be tied
down by a woman. At first, Joon Soo refused to do something so immoral such as
to act and pretend to be some older ajumma’s (older, married lady’s) man.
Besides, he has better things to do with his high-class life. More and more
situations happen and Joon Soo finally begins to feel Young’s pain and agrees
to help her. At first, it was a robotic relationship where Joon Soo has a
switch on and off button to act in front of Yoon Suk, Young’s husband. Joon Soo
even calculated it down to punching Yoon Suk in the face to arouse Yoon Suk’s
jealousy and anger. Before you know it, Joon Soo is very dedicated to Young and
loves her despite their age gap and purpose of their relationship. Joon Soo
became so serious, he waited on a bench outside Young’s apartment for days until
Young accepts him. On the other hand, Yoon Suk decides to turn a new leaf and
become the husband he is meant to be, but is it too late and will Young take
him back? While watching this series, I was rooting for Young and Joon Soo all
the way.
Reasons not to watch it:
Basically Ryu Soo Young plays a near-perfect character
Choi Gi Chan in Bad Couple. I felt
bad for him the whole time since it's clear that Dang Ja takes advantage of him. Even after he found out he was setup and used by
Dang Ja so many times, he always forgave her and kept pursuing her despite his
arranged engagement to his childhood friend. Even though he truly loved Dang
Ja, I felt like Dang Ja ruined his life.
There is really little to like about our main character, Dang
Ja. She is too selfish. She wants to have a baby with a man only for his sperm. She pursues Gi Chan relentlessly and
shamelessly to get him into bed and succeeds after many attempts. It was only
after the second sexual encounter did she get pregnant. The tactics she used
were so off-putting from her shameless sexual behavior, to creating a flower
that doesn’t exist to entice Gi Chan on a trip to forcing him to stay in a
hotel room with her that I almost gave up watching the series. After Dang Ja
used Gi Chan, she tries to dump him in hilarious ways like telling him that she
had so many ex-boyfriends, but it keeps backfiring since Gi Chan sees right
through her lies.I feel really bad for
Gi Chan. Every time Dang Ja wants to break up with Gi Chan, she can do it
because she’s a power woman who is confident. I couldn’t stand Gi Chan being
hurt so many times. I had no sympathy for Dang Ja when Dang Ja had a tumor and had to give
up the baby. I simply feel like they don’t deserve each other.
The trio friendship of Dang Ja, Young, and Dol Soon is
very weak. The only scenes where all three women were actually together were at
the beginning of the drama and at the end of the drama. Usually, Dol Soon acted
as the person who was truly concerned with both Dang Ja and Han Young. Dang Ja
and Han Young aren’t exactly the best of friends as they often criticize each
other truthfully. Dol Soon is the glue the holds this friendship together.
Favorite Couple and Chemistry Factor:
Young and Joon Soo – Usually I’m not a fan of younger
guy, older woman relationships, but this one works! I can generally see them
together and loving each other for the rest of their lives. At first, it seems
to be an impossible relationship as Han Young is married with a child and Joon
Soo is an independent, young man, but Joon Soo slowly changes his feelings for
Han Young. His presence makes Han Young look and act younger and it’s a shame
that she gave up that spirited life after marriage. Joon Soo helped Young get
her confidence back by helping her find a job working in a clothing shop. When
they finally kissed outside in the rain after Joon Soo relentlessly waited for
Han Young to accept him, I went wild. After Yoon Suk decides to become Han
Young’s husband again, relationships became unclear. Would the audience accept
a breakup of a Korean family?
Favorite Scenes:
When Gi Chan played the stab-the-knife-between-the-fingers game to thwart his temptation towards Dang Ja during his stay in the hotel room.
When Dang Ja told Gi Chan he was bad at sex. Gi Chan's expression was priceless.
When Joon Soo stood out in the rain and kissed Han Young.
Least Favorite Scenes:
Ever single scene where Dang Ja tries to engage Gi Chan
into doing immoral things like act sexually, pretend to go on an island to look
for a nonexistent flower, to staying in a hotel and go to bed with her.
When Dang Ja rejects Gi Chan’s advances, telling him
hurtful things when he finally begins to willingly pursue her.
When Dang Ja would rather die than to abort the baby.
If you liked this drama, then consider watching these Korean dramas:
Get Karl! Oh Soo Jung - I haven't finished this drama yet, but it's about a woman with high expectations who pursues a man who she previously thought was too fat and a loser. She realized after many years that this "loser" had become a handsome and powerful man.
Queen of Reversals - I also haven't finished this drama yet, but it's about a woman who had a great job, but left it to get married to a weak man. She then is forced to return back to the workforce to the same office battle zone when times get tough.
Queen of Housewives - To be honest, I haven't seen this drama yet, but it looks like it would fit as a recommendation as well. I will review this again when I actually watch it.
