Samsui Women (TV series)
Samsui Women (Simplified Chinese: 红头巾, Traditional Chinese: 紅頭巾, literally "The Red Bandana") is a 24-episode historical drama produced by the Singapore Broadcasting Corporation in 1986. Starring Zeng Huifen, Huang Wenyong, Hong Huifang and Li Yinzhu. It details the travails of the Samsui women, who came from Sanshui, China to Singapore in search of work in the construction industry, and whose hard work have helped shape Singapore for years.
| Samsui Women | |
|---|---|
| 红头巾/紅頭巾 | |
| Genre | Period drama |
| Created by | Ching Git Yan (程洁茵） |
| Written by | Huang Yuxian (黄钰贤), Su Yin (苏殷） |
| Starring | Zeng Huifen Huang Wenyong Hong Huifang Li Yinzhu Li Wenhai Yang Lina Li Yongci Lin Meijiao Hong Guorui |
| Opening theme | "Samsui Women" (红头巾) by Sarah Chen |
| Ending theme | “Days under the Sun" (艳阳下的日子）by Sarah Chen |
| Country of origin | Singapore |
| Original language | Mandarin |
| No. of episodes | 24 |
| Production | |
| Producer | George Wu （吴乔颐） |
| Running time | approx. 45 minutes |
| Release | |
| Original network | SBC 8th Frequency (Now MediaCorp Channel 8) |
| Original release | 6 May – 13 June 1986 |
| Related | |
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Together with The Awakening, it is considered one of the greatest dramas produced by the SBC and catapulted veteran actress Zeng Huifen to stardom with her role as the hardworking and kind Ah Gui. The theme song was voted one of the top 5 favourite drama theme songs at the Star Awards 2007 25th anniversary special.
Cast
- Zeng Huifen as Dai Ah Gui[1]
- Hong Huifang as Dai Ah Xiu[1]
- Huang Wenyong as Su Ah Zhi[1]
- Li Wenhai as Ah Long[1]
- Li Yinzhu as Ying Jie[1]
- Wang Xiang Qin as Ah Bing
- Liao Lili as Ah Jin[1]
- Li Peijiao as Ah Yin[1]
- Steven Woon as Ah Zhi's Grandfather
- Yang Lina as Ah Jiao
- Bhumi Paul as Zhuang Haolin
- Li Yongci as Zhuang Quan
- Chen Meng as Mrs Zhuang
- Chong Kwong Fatt as Cheng Er Niu
- Tang Hu as Yi Ding Zhi
- Dai Peng
- Liang Baozhu as Ah Gui's grandfather
Production
The production team attempted to find the Samsui women to interview them about the past but could not locate them as they had mostly left their previous known living places in Chinatown, Singapore and only a few samsui women continued to work at constructions sites.[1] The team approached the Sanshui clan association which the samsui women are part of. Interviews with them remained difficult as they refused to talk much about their past.[1]
Release
Broadcast
The show runs from 6 May to 13 June 1986.[2]
References
- "The 'heroines' who wouldn't talk". The Straits Times. 2 May 1986. p. 6. Retrieved 22 October 2022 – via NewspaperSG.
- Leong, Weng Kam (19 June 1986). "Samsui Women tops most-watched list". The Straits Times. p. 15. Retrieved 22 October 2022 – via NewspaperSG.