E-925
Soup and Fried
Hats off to the wise, unknown regulator who banned Chinese showrunners from indulgently long seasons.
Fry Me to the Moon (yes, quite punny) is a walking advertisement by the Sichuan Tourism Board that would have likely overstayed its welcome under the past regime. However — in the new era — coming in at 24 episodes, it was tightly plotted, superbly cut and highly enjoyable. It singlehandedly cured me of my snobbery towards the Slice of Life genre. There is something to be said for low stakes and cheery —especially in 2024!
Fry Me to the Moon (FMTTM) is about Chuan Bai Lo. It’s a restaurant representing an idealised communal, relaxed, distinctly Sichuanese (which means numba one in China! (and the world!!!)) depiction of a dying China. Literally dying. Gu Da Peng (Zhang Guo Li), the restaurant’s head chef and owner is indebted and fatally ill. But he carries on, smiling through it all, hoping against hope that a changing world will leave his oasis untouched. That was not to be! Capital was coming.
The relentless march of capitalism’s drive for efficiency —turning all that was once solid into mist!— arrives in sleepy Chengdu in the guise of Liang Qing Ran (Charmaine Sheh). She’s the regional boss of Zhongting Capital, and she’s got a plan for Chuan Bai Lo that is at odds with the traditional view of what a restaurant should be.
Chuan Bai Lo must change. The question is how? FMTTM takes a side, and I very much enjoyed its story. I had minor quibbles over business terminology and the acting is merely competent, but everything is forgivable when you’re having fun. And that I did. So, yay!
I’ll flag that it’s a chick-flick —written and directed by women. I swear I did needlework unprompted afterwards! If you’re cooties-averse, this definitely isn’t for you. Otherwise, stellar! Also, Gu Man Ting —one of the show’s triumvirate of leads — is played by Li Chun. . .you know, Chun Li from Street Fighter! I ain’t got no jokes, sorry. Ahh, but Gu Man Ting was the best part of the show. At least, I think so. She’s its emotional core. And since princess-type characters aren’t easy to like, I think the show wouldn’t work with a less likeable actress in the role. Bravo, casting director!
Fry Me to the Moon (yes, quite punny) is a walking advertisement by the Sichuan Tourism Board that would have likely overstayed its welcome under the past regime. However — in the new era — coming in at 24 episodes, it was tightly plotted, superbly cut and highly enjoyable. It singlehandedly cured me of my snobbery towards the Slice of Life genre. There is something to be said for low stakes and cheery —especially in 2024!
Fry Me to the Moon (FMTTM) is about Chuan Bai Lo. It’s a restaurant representing an idealised communal, relaxed, distinctly Sichuanese (which means numba one in China! (and the world!!!)) depiction of a dying China. Literally dying. Gu Da Peng (Zhang Guo Li), the restaurant’s head chef and owner is indebted and fatally ill. But he carries on, smiling through it all, hoping against hope that a changing world will leave his oasis untouched. That was not to be! Capital was coming.
The relentless march of capitalism’s drive for efficiency —turning all that was once solid into mist!— arrives in sleepy Chengdu in the guise of Liang Qing Ran (Charmaine Sheh). She’s the regional boss of Zhongting Capital, and she’s got a plan for Chuan Bai Lo that is at odds with the traditional view of what a restaurant should be.
Chuan Bai Lo must change. The question is how? FMTTM takes a side, and I very much enjoyed its story. I had minor quibbles over business terminology and the acting is merely competent, but everything is forgivable when you’re having fun. And that I did. So, yay!
I’ll flag that it’s a chick-flick —written and directed by women. I swear I did needlework unprompted afterwards! If you’re cooties-averse, this definitely isn’t for you. Otherwise, stellar! Also, Gu Man Ting —one of the show’s triumvirate of leads — is played by Li Chun. . .you know, Chun Li from Street Fighter! I ain’t got no jokes, sorry. Ahh, but Gu Man Ting was the best part of the show. At least, I think so. She’s its emotional core. And since princess-type characters aren’t easy to like, I think the show wouldn’t work with a less likeable actress in the role. Bravo, casting director!
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