October 12, 2018, 02:56 PM 
Fans of Mediacorp's 2008 hit show The Little Nyonya might be pleased to know that a remake for the Chinese market is currently in the works.
The remake will be jointly produced by Changxin Pictures (长信影视), G.H.Y Culture & Media (Singapore) (建信文化传媒), and iQiyi (爱奇艺).
Filming has started and will continue until end of January 2019. The show will air in 2019 via iQiyi, a video website service provider in China.
While the new series retains its original writer, only two members from the Mediacorp cast will remain -- Xiang Yun and Dai Xiangyu (previously known as Dai Yangtian).
Main cast members of the remake
The main cast will feature a mix of actors from Singapore, Taiwan, and China, including both fresh and seasoned faces.
Matriarch Chen: Previously played by Li Yinzhu. Now played by Xiang Yun.
Juxiang/Yueniang: previously played by Jeanette Aw, now played by Xiao Yan (Shane).
Chen Xi: Previously played by Qi Yiwu. Now played by Kou Jia Jui.
Gui Hua: Previously played by Lin Mei Jiao. Now played by Yue Lina.
Huang Yuzhu: Previously played by Joanne Peh. Now played by Ye Yuhong.
Chen Sheng: Previously played by Pierre Png. Now played by Darren Chiu Kai Wei.
Dai Xiangyu (previously known as Dai Yangtian) reprises his role as Yamamoto Yousuke.
Huang Tianbao: Previously played by Andie Chen. Now played by Jeffrey Xu.
Ah Tao: Previously played by Ng Hui. Now played by Fang Chengcheng.
Some photos from their lensing ceremony:
Courtesy of G.H.Y Culture & Media (Singapore).
Courtesy of G.H.Y Culture & Media (Singapore).
First China series to be directed by Singaporeans
Despite this being a Chinese effort, the directors (Chia Men Yiang, Wong Kuang Yong) and writer (Ang Eng Tee) attached to the remake are Singaporeans.
Both Chia and Ang had previously worked on the 2008 original.
The stylist for the show is Chinese artist Chen Minzheng, whose representative works can be seen in lavish works like Snow Flower and the Secret Fan and the costume drama Empresses in the Palace (甄嬛传) -- both of which aired in 2011.
Lavish costumes and sets aside, whether or not the show is historically accurate is another matter altogether.
Case in point: a Peranakan scholar/author on Peranakan fashion we spoke to questioned the authenticity of the head gear that Xiang Yun wore at the lensing ceremony.
Via The Celebrity Agency Instagram page.
He said that it looks like it could be inspired by the Penang Peranakan nyonyas in the early 20th century, but it was usually "a simple bun ornamented with five or seven hair pins", unlike that "full bouquet" on her head.
He also added that the choice of jewels and way they were worn are not "true to Peranakan style".
For example, Xiang Yun's heart-shaped kerosang (brooch) should be pinned just below the collar, but hers was pinned too far below.
Well, guess we'll be waiting till the screening to find out if the show doesn't skimp on historical and cultural accuracy.
But right now, the real burning question on our mind is "Who's playing super-villain Charlie Zhang?"
[related_story]
Cast comparison images by Mediacorp and G.H.Y Culture and Media (Singapore). Cover image by G.H.Y Culture and Media (Singapore).
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