Saw this short documentary-style TV program on Channel 8 last night. Actually the TV was just left on after the News program, and in fact it was not even something I’d normally follow. The TV program was about the struggles of a young Singaporean man, 30 years of age, an aspiring amateur song-writer but also full-time cobbler, and how he finally succeeded in finding his purpose for living.
There was a few things which I found to be quite remarkable.
The young man in the program mentioned that he used to loathe the weekend family gatherings (looked like a big family) because it was very noisy and seemed utterly pointless to him at the time. Now, he treasures every moment, because like he said: you never know how much longer such times or people will last for, after all. He also made a discovery while learning the craft of cobbling from his father. His father makes the best use of his limited tools and skills, yet he is always complaining the lack of this or that. Finally the most important realisation he came to, while sitting there watching his father work as pedestrians walk past them along the busy Orchard Rd (one of the premiere shopping streets in Singapore), is that he is willing to do anything. There is nothing that is too humbling or too humiliating for him to do, if the opportunity comes up. He is both happy and comfortable with himself. I really admire his courage and conviction.
This is a production from mainland China, after a string of adaptations from Hong Kong and Taiwan, since 1983. Seriously though, I have not watched any China-produced TV series for a long time, always having the impression that they are usually of inferior quality – which may have been true even as of 2-3 years ago. However, I was utterly stunned and impressed by the quality of production – camera, special effects and acting – with this series after having watched just 1 episode!