Let's Play Love

Let's Play Love PK爱情
Genre	Romance Dramedy
Directed by	叶佩娟
Starring	Huang Jing Lun Teresa Tseng James Seah Sora Ma Jeffrey Xu Julie Tan Romeo Tan Silver Ang
Opening theme	我们的Show by Huang Jing Lun
Ending theme	缘来有你 by Le Sheng 乐声
Original language(s)	Chinese
No. of episodes	20
Production
Producer(s)	Lai Lee Thin 赖丽婷
Running time	approx. 3 mins per webisode
Release
Original network	MediaCorp TV Channel U
Original release	4 April – 20 May 2011
Chronology
Followed by	Blk 88
External links
Official Website - Web Archive

Let's Play Love (PK爱情) is a Singaporean web series which was launched in April 2011. It was produced to celebrate xinmsn's 1st anniversary and is the first interactive web series produced by MediaCorp.^[1] Webisodes are available on xinmsn's Catch-up TV portal. It was also broadcast on Channel U.

The series is about the participants of a dating game show. Every five webisodes, netizens could vote on their favourite outcome and the next five webisodes are produced based on audience feedback. The webisodes are released only a week later to give the cast and crew time to film based on the online polls. The cast mainly consists of younger artistes such as Taiwan-based Singaporean singer Huang Jing Lun, Campus SuperStar 2006 runner-up Teresa Tseng and Star Search 2010 finalists Romeo Tan and Sora Ma as well as established MediaCorp artistes Bryan Wong and Michelle Chia.^[2]

Synopsis

A TV station organises a whole new reality show Let's Play Love, with the aim of selecting an individual who emerges the master of the game. Four males and four females from different backgrounds will come together to participate in the game. Through a series of missions, each individual will be challenged on their views towards love. Who will emerge as the winner to attain the title of Best Lover?

Cast

Contestants

• Huang Jing Lun as Ian 李秀衍 - A 24-year-old geeky computer engineer, he joined as a replacement for his friend who had backed out at the last minute. He is socially awkward and looks like an average Joe. Through a misunderstanding, he ends up falling for Xiaoyi.
• Teresa Tseng as Xiaoyi 晓奕 - The 22-year-old university graduate comes from a wealthy family and does not need to find a job. Trendy and sophisticated, she is quite self-conscious about her public image and reputation and displays a confidence Ian lacks.
• James Seah as Chengxi 承羲 - The 26-year-old is an advertisement designer. Confident and good-looking, he has been pursued by girls for most of life and yearns to find his own love rather than be matchmade with a girl.
• Jeffrey Xu as Nicholas - Clean-cut and suave, the 27-year-old stock broker is very self-conscious about his image and will do anything to get what he wants.
• Julie Tan as Isabelle - The 25-year-old insurance agent appears trendy and sophisticated but has a sensitive side.
• Sora Ma as Priscilia - After finishing secondary school, she became an air stewardess. Her slender frame and attractive looks often draw many admirers.
• Romeo Tan as Ash - Good-looking and well-built, the 22-year-old secondary school drop-out is a model and hopes to venture into the Chinese language entertainment industry despite his poor command of the language
• Silver Ang as Kimmy - Tomboyish and plain-looking, she claims to be 25 years old but is actually 33.

Production Crew

• Michelle Chia as Coco - Executive producer. The 37-year-old university graduate rules the crew with an iron hand. Anything contradictory to her opinions are met with a barrage of verbal abuse but she is willing to go the extra mile to please her superiors.
• Bryan Wong as Ou Yusen 欧宇森 - Show host. At 34, gone are his glory days but he refuses to admit it. His boisterous attitude often puts him in conflict with the headstrong Coco. He only starts taking the show seriously once he realised that he has regained his "market value" through the show.
• Mika Chung as Candice - The poly graduate is Coco's assistant producer. Unfortunately, she is simple-minded and is thus often used as a buffer by Coco and Yusen during their arguments.

Cameo Appearance

• Xiaxue^[3] - Xiaoyi's friend.

Episodes

#	Title	Directed by	Written by	Release date
1	"Chapter 1"	TBA	TBA	January 4, 2011
The local broadcast station comes up with a new reality game show, Let’s Play Love, to find the ‘Best Lover’ through a number of missions. Four males and four females from different backgrounds join the programme for various reasons. Who will accumulate the most points in this race to be the ‘Best Lover’? Ian replaces his friend, who backed out last minute, and takes part in the game show Let’s Play Love. The first round of mission requires him to look for his ‘other half’. Just when he is certain Xiao Yi is ‘the one’, Xiao Yi faints due to her narcolepsy. Ian dashes forward to save her, spilling his bottle of water on her dress. Just then, Xiao Yi wakes up. When she tries to stand up, Xiao Yi accidentally knocks into Ian’s nose, which begins to bleed. Xiao Yi misunderstands Ian, believing that his nose bled because he was too excited after “taking advantage” of her. Xiao Yi angrily slaps Ian on the face.
2	"Chapter 2"	TBA	TBA	January 11, 2011
Yu Sen, the host of Let’s Play Love, decides to pair Ian with Xiao Yi and ends the show with the couple’s adorable first encounter. Executive producer of the programme Coco is furious over Yu Sen’s decision, but there is nothing she can do.Priscilia realises Ian is her ‘other half’, but despises him because he is not good-looking. In the midst of confusion, Priscilia exchanges her cue card with Xiao Yi’s. Cheng Xi, who is initially Xiao Yi’s ‘other half’, sees what happens, but chooses to ignore the change. To stay in the game, Cheng Xi becomes Priscilia’s part-time prince charming and the two pairs up successfully.
3	"Chapter 3"	TBA	TBA	January 18, 2011
Nicholas meets Isabelle in the middle of a crowd and confesses his love for her with a bouquet of roses. He had bought them after he noticed a tint of rose perfume on her. Isabelle feels that Nicholas’s confession was surprising but sweet. She asks Nicholas what if she isn’t a contestant. Nicholas romantically replied, “I didn’t give you the flowers because you’re a contestant. I really think you’re the girl I’m looking for. If you’re not a contestant, I’m willing to quit the game to be with you.” Isabelle is touched by his words. The couple stood out from the rest, becoming the most well-matched couple.
4	"Chapter 4"	TBA	TBA	January 25, 2011
Ash is a popular model with many fans. All brawn and no brains, Ash believes that he can get anyone he wants. The time is ticking, but Ash still could not find his ‘other half’. Kimmy is frustrated that Ash could not figure out the hints. Not only is she Ash’s ‘other half’, she is also a paparazzi, working undercover to get scoops on the game show. Before time is up, Kimmy bit the bullet and acknowledged Ash. The two become a couple.
5	"Chapter 5"	TBA	TBA	February 1, 2011
The eight contestants are finally paired together. Yu Sen criticised Let’s Play Love as a silly idea concocted by someone who had not been in love before. An infuriated Coco said that she would not be doing shallow programmes like this if she was not stripped off her status as a news anchor. Xiao Yi twists her ankle, but continues to demand Ian quits the game. At this moment, narcolepsy kicks in again and Cheng Xi appears and held her from her fall. Priscilia and Ian looks on with displeasure. Ash tells Candice, the assistant producer, that he does not want to be paired up with the tomboyish Kimmy. However, the model changes his attitude when he sees reporters. Ash says he will accept Kimmy regardless of her looks and job.It seems like only Nic and Isabelle are truly satisfied with each other. Yu Sen appears and prepares to announce the results for the first round…
6	"Chapter 6"	TBA	TBA	February 8, 2011
Following the matching done in the previous episodes, the male contestants will now bring their partners on their first dates. Whilst Xiao Yi only took part in the game in a bid to prove that she is up for the game of love, and has no Interest in Ian, the latter went all out to understand Xiao Yi's preference in order to create an unforgettable first date. However, Xiao Yi is attracted to the suave Cheng Xi. Cheng Xi plans the date with Pris halfheartedly. The latter tries to charm him to no avail and she begins to doubt herself.
7	"Chapter 7"	TBA	TBA	February 15, 2011
Ian discovers Xiao Yi's favourite food is instant noodles and tries to find the tastiest instant noodle available. To prove that she still has her charms, Pris tries to seduce Nic, again to no avail. Nic brings Belle to a high class restaurant. Belle appears distracted.
8	"Chapter 8"	TBA	TBA	April 5, 2011
Coco arranges for Ash to cook for Kimmy on their first date after Ash boasted that he is a good cook. However, it turns out that Ash is nothing close to one and results in Kimmy being hospitalised for food poisoning. To increase viewership for the show, Coco plans for Ash to display his tenderness by staying by Kimmy's side in the hospital. At the hospital, he eyes an attractive nurse and the production team is helpless. Xiao Yi attends her date with Ian. Will the geek win the fair maiden's heart?
9	"Chapter 9"	TBA	TBA	April 12, 2011
Cheng Xi and Pris arrives at the romantic setting for their date and discovers Xiao Yi. The latter discovers she has gone to the wrong place and dashes off with embarrassment. Pris comments that Cheng Xi must be disappointed that his real princess has run away. Cheng Xi shows a nonchalant expression. Xiao Yi arrives at the beach for the date with Ian. Ian presents her with the gifts he had painstaking prepared for her. As he charms her with a song, her narcolepsy kicks in.
10	"Chapter 10"	TBA	TBA	April 19, 2011
It starts to pour after Xiao Yi fell asleep, Ian carries her from the beach in search of shelter. He brings Xiao Yi to the marquee where Cheng Xi and Pris is. He then runs off in the rain to get a hot drink for Xiao Yi to warm her up. Seeing the drenched Ian, Xiao Yi is quietly touched. The production team receives a secret letter claiming Cheng Xi is gay and Pris is promiscuous. Seeing the opportunity, Coco asks Ash to seduce Cheng Xi to test the latter's sexual orientation. She threatens that Ash may bear the blame for causing Kimmy's food poisoning if he refuses.
11	"Chapter 11"	TBA	TBA	April 26, 2011
Pris is surrounded by reporters, who questioned her on the complicated relationships she shared with various contestants. Pris appears flustered. During the commotion, Ian appears in his scooter and saves Pris.Ian tries to comfort Pris. The latter realises that Ian is actually adorable and wants to take a picture with him. Ian agrees and the two moved closer for a photo. However, Xiao Yi witnesses the scene and feels horrible. She turns to leave.Ian rushes forward and tries to explain to the angry Xiao Yi, but he does not know what to say. At the same time, Xiao Yi receives Chengxi’s call and in a fit of anger, agrees to meet him. A despondent Ian does not know what to do to make Xiao Yi like him.On the other hand, Xiao Yi and Chengxi meet for a movie. Chengxi is secretly pleased with himself when he takes Xiao Yi’s hand during the movie. Then, he realises Xiao Yi has actually fallen asleep…
12	"Chapter 12"	TBA	TBA	October 25, 2011
In the theater, an embarrassed Xiao Yi wakes up after a nightmare. Chengxi finds out that Xiao Yi actually prefers comedies to melodramas. At the same time, Ian drags Pris to a fashion store and hopes that Pris can transform him into a fashionista like Chengxi. Just when Pris is dressing Ian, Chengxi and Xiao Yi enters the store. Xiao Yi sees the intimacy between Ian and Pris and turns to leave. Chengxi confesses his liking for Xiao Yi and attempts to kiss her. Xiao Yi realises that Chengxi is not her Prince Charming and leaves dejectedly. Then, Ian turns up in front of Xiao Yi in his new image and hopes that Xiao Yi would give him a chance. Xiao Yi angrily says that she will never like him. Ian turns and walks away sadly. Xiao Yi finds his back view familiar…
13	"Chapter 13"	TBA	TBA	November 1, 2011
Ash arrives at a club and advances towards Chengxi purposefully. A drunk Chengxi mistakes Ash for Xiao Yi and confesses his feelings to Ash. Ash begins to suspect if he himself is a gay. At the same time, the production crew realises that Belle was the one who wrote and sent the anonymous letters. The show proceeds to its third round of competitions. Contestants are divided into two groups. Each group is to perform a short skit to test their chemistry with each other.During the skit, Xiao Yi is at a loss when facing Chengxi’s romantic gestures. Ash complains about acting as a werewolf. Nic and Belle exit the makeup unit hand-in-hand and believe that Ash has caught them together.Nic peeks at Ash from time to time. He is worried that Ash found out about his relationship wit Belle. However, Nic’s actions cause Ash to wonder if he is really gay …
14	"Chapter 14"	TBA	TBA	November 8, 2011
Skit performances begin. Ian, acting as Romeo, appears in front of Juliet’s (played by Pris) tomb and wants to see her. Chengxi, as the earl, blocks his way. In order to stop Ian, Chengxi draws out his sword and the two begin to fight. Chengxi uses this chance to let all his anger out and fights Ian.Backstage, Xiao Yi worries an accident will occur and rushes out to protect Ian. Chengxi nearly loses his control when he sees that. Although Ian finally returns to Pris’s side, but he keeps forgetting his lines. Pris keeps reminding Ian crossly.At the final moment when Ian is supposed to kiss Pris, he hesitates and turns to Xiao Yi. Xiao Yi wants Ian to kiss Pris, as the show has to go on. However, Xiao Yi’s narcolepsy acts up suddenly…
15	"Chapter 15"	TBA	TBA	November 15, 2011
The second group begins to perform their skit Twilight. Delicate Belle needs warmth, but Nic, the vampire, cannot give her that. At the same time, Ash appears. Just as he is about to hug Belle, Nic stops the guy and hugs Belle instead, shocking everyone.Nic tells Belle that he cannot tolerate other men touching her and wants Belle to promise him that she will be with him forever. Belle does not know what to do. However, Nic does what he did, only because he wants to be in the limelight. Belle hesitates under Nic’s urge. Ash becomes jealous of Belle, as he hopes he is the one in Nic’s arms. Candice quickly pushes Kimmy on stage, causing Kimmy to knock into Ash accidentally. To prove that he is not gay, Ash kisses Kimmy…
16	"Chapter 16"	TBA	TBA	November 22, 2011
Xiao Yi does not understand why Cheng Xi withdrew from the competition. Cheng Xi tells her that three is a crowd, leaving Xiao Yi at a loss. On the other hand, Nic goes to Coco angrily and demands to know why he lost to Ash in the polls, despite performing better than Ash. Nic lambasts the competition for being unfair and threatens to leave the contest. Belle says that she will follow Nic’s decision. After Nic and Belle left the competition, Belle is afraid that her secret -- that she was the person who sent anonymous letters to the production team -- would be exposed. Nic assures her and promises to marry her once this is over. Kimmy overhears the couple’s conversation. At the same time, someone appears and demands Nic to repay his debts. Belle begs him and he lets Nic off for the time being.
17	"Chapter 17"	TBA	TBA	November 29, 2011
Kimmy is hesitating if she should give Nic and Belle up, when she realises someone else had already exposed the couple’s relationship. Nic is the one who gave up his own secret. Nic explains that he and Belle became a couple after they met on the competition and initiates to leave the contest. Coco stops Yu Sen from exposing Nic and Belle, fearing that they would really withdraw from the competition. At the same time, Kimmy is about to reveal evidences, which proved that Nic and Belle knew each other before the competition, when she is exposed to be an ‘undercover’. Kimmy is then disqualified from the contest.
18	"Chapter 18"	TBA	TBA	December 6, 2011
Ash misunderstands, thinking that Kimmy left the contest because he lost, and believes that Kimmy is in love with him. Ash then helps Kimmy to transform her image. However, he is attracted to the beautiful Kimmy and ends up wooing her.On the other hand, Pris, who had lost earlier in the game, receives a Facebook invitation from Chengxi and feels better immediately.There are only four competitors left in Let’s Play Love. Ian, Xiao Yi, Nic and Belle are challenged to see who will the first one to win a kiss.
19	"Chapter 19"	TBA	TBA	December 13, 2012
Xiao Yi is upset that the production crew separated her and Ian and makes her pair up with Nic. Ian misunderstands and thinks that Xiao Yi cares whether she wins or loses, leaving the latter disappointed. Belle does not want to be on the same team as Ian, and wonders if Nic could really kiss someone he does not love. Nic explains that whatever he does is for his future with Belle. The round officially begins. Belle asks Ian to let her win the competition as she really needed the cash prize. On the other hand, Nic admits that he cannot kiss Xiao Yi because he is really in love with Belle. However, because of his love for Belle, the competition has to go on…
20	"Chapter 20 (Finale)"	TBA	TBA	January 11, 2013
Both Belle and Nic try to talk Ian and Xiao Yi into withdrawing from the competition. Yu Sen shakes his head upon seeing that Coco only cares about viewership. In the end, Xiao Yi, Ian and Belle withdraw from the contest, crowning Nic the winner of the game. Nic is elated with his win, but Belle tells him that their relationship is over. Ian and Xiao Yi speak over the phone. Xiao Yi tells Ian that she hopes he would play “Fated to be You” with her again. If they meet in five minutes, she will date him. The clock is ticking. At the end of five minutes, will Ian meet Xiao Yi?

Reception

The series received a positive reception from many netizens for its innovative format. It was the first of its kind ever produced in MediaCorp history.^[4] Its success led to the production of Blk 88, Singapore's first animated web series and i.Rock which stars Derrick Hoh, Keely Wee, Cavin Soh, Chen Yixi and Darren Lim.

Notes

The "PK" in the Chinese title (PK爱情) means "versus" in colloquial Mandarin Chinese. It was originally derived from the Cantonese profanity puk gaai (Chinese: 仆街). The term has entered common usage in China, Singapore and Malaysia and is no longer considered a profanity in those countries. In a local context, it means to go bankrupt or lose out in a deal.

References

1. "MediaCorp launches its first interactive idol web-drama". MediaCorp. 8 March 2011.
2. "Star Search finalists join Huang Jing Lun in xinmsn web idol drama". xin.msn.com. 8 March 2011.
3. "Singapore blogger Xiaxue to cameo on 'Let's Play Love'". xin.msn.com. 29 March 2011.
4. "《PK爱情》迈入尾声 续集有望？" (in Chinese). xin.msn.com. 20 May 2011.

External links

• Official Website - Web Archive