The healing of Hearts
BY SERENE FOO
May 31, 2001
I NEVER knew that dubbing could make such a big difference for a show.
Last week, I watched the newly-dubbed medical drama, Healing Hearts, on Channel U.
At least I stopped cringing and went a step further to find out more about a patient's infatuation with the boyish ER doctor - played by Stephen Fung (right, with Evelyn Tan).
I remembered the disastrous first episode.
Having previously observed Stephen and Singaporean Bryan Wong film a hilarious scene in Hongkong, I was looking forward to the serial's debut in Singapore.
I even got my mum to watch it with me.
Fifteen minutes into it, mum deadpanned: "Call me when it's 9pm," and left me alone in front of the TV.
(By the way, mum is a big fan of the other medical serial, Healing Hands, on Channel 8, which aired at 9pm.)
Turned out the dubbing of Healing Hearts was very flat and unnatural.
The acting was acceptable, but with such strange voices, I found my concentration slipping.
On the other hand, Healing Hands' cast was charismatic. (Although both serials had similar storylines, revolving around doctors and lawyers.)
Housemates Lawrence Ng, Bowie Lam and William So displayed great chemistry on screen. Their constant jibes and friendly banter were fun to watch.
So after feedback about the poor dubbing of Healing Hearts, Channel U spent a hefty $80,000 to re-dub the series.
As of last week, it's the new improved version you are watching.
Some of you may feel that the money should have been spent on newer and better programmes. But I think it's worse if viewers gave up on the series totally. With no feedback, it'd be harder for future productions to improve.
But I watched and found out later that:
1. Bryan still sounded strange (maybe because we all know his real voice)
2. The chemistry between Kenny Bee and Stephen Fung is missing
3. Jackie Lui's biceps are too distracting!
4. Babelicious Kristy Yeung's acting is nowhere near the feisty Ada Choi's , of Healing Hands
But that's a different story altogether.