(Written after watching Episode 1 and before a full-blown marathon that ended in the wee hours of the morning)

Out of boredom and curiosity, I decided to watch one of my housemates’ Meteor Garden VCD collection. I was never a fan of this series when it first came out. I was in college then and didn’t really come home on time to know about the exploits of Shan-Tsai, Hwa Tse Lei, Dao Ming Si, and the two other guys (Ooops). I couldn’t understand why EVERYONE loved them, and neither could I care less. So one summer afternoon years later, I decided to give them a chance and see what the fuss was all about.

After watching the first episode, I found it a little too slow-paced for my liking, but interesting nonetheless. I think Shan-Tsai’s the kind of girl some of us would even aspire to be: someone who stands up against her bullies and whatnot. Then again, it’s kind of sad how she just yields to her parents’ wishes by studying in a prestigious school she doesn’t even want to attend. But that’s a different story altogether.

I found myself abhorring Dao Ming Si with a passion. Yes, ladies, I know he’s a looker and all that, but the way he treated Shan-Tsai was just . . . horrible. We all know he was a spoiled brat who had too much money to give away, but puh-leeze!

One particular scene that caught my fancy was when Shan-Tsai was kidnapped by Dao’s “alipores” and given extra special beauty treatment (Then again her looks didn’t really change much after that so-called makeover). Shan-Tsai demands why she’s being held prisoner. Dao responds by giving her promises of wealth and popularity and all that. . . in exchange for being his girlfriend.

Of course, Shan-Tsai’s not one to fall into that kind of trap.

I like this scene in particular because I got reminded of the way I deal with things and with people, especially if circumstances don’t go my way. I even am reminded of my motives in doing things. In a previous scene Vanness Wu’s character makes a bet with Dao for him to win Shan-Tsai’s heart. Evidently, Dao didn’t have the best of intentions. He tried to win his end of the bargain by forcing Shan-Tsai to go out with him. Of course, that got her miffed all the more—so much so that when he saved her from the wrath of the “popular girls” in the second episode, Shan-Tsai expressed her hatred for Dao very colorfully and graphically.

It got me thinking: have I been treating others right with love and respect? Or have I been forcing them to yield to what I want to do? Being a positive influence to the people around us entails having the right motives and doing the right actions.

Thankfully, I am still learning how to do these things, and hopefully be able to apply what I learn.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I still have to finish episode two.

(O baby baby baby, my baby baby. . .)