If Only I Could () is a Singaporean drama produced and telecast on Mediacorp Channel 8. The time-travelling series, which consists of 20 episodes, it stars Rui En, Paige Chua, Andie Chen and Elvin Ng as the main characters of the series.
Plot Chen Zhenhao (Rui En) struggles to keep her family together despite a disapproving mother-in-law, an easygoing husband too generous with his meagre earnings (Andie Chen), and a son with hyperactivity.
Huo Xiwen (Paige Chua) endures marital problems with her husband Huang Degang (Elvin Ng) and suffers a miscarriage after an accident.
Zhenhao is later diagnosed with breast cancer, and together with her former schoolmate and rival, Xiwen, who’s also seen her share of misfortune, the pair travel back in time to start their lives over and avoid all the mistakes they’ve made. But the two long-suffering wives realise they’re worse off than before.
Cast
Main cast Cast Role Description Episodes appeared Rui En瑞恩 Chen Zhenhao陈珍好 Wonder Woman (女神), Maniac Woman (女神经病) Auntie (2016) Jezza Cosmetics worker (2006) Zhenzhen Desserts Shop helper (2016) He Daxian's wife Hui Ling's rival in love Li Xiumei's daughter-in-law He Xiaoqi's sister-in-law He Zijun's mother Chen Zhenzhu's sister Ivan's sister-in-law Wen Fang's auntie Huo Xiwen's former schoolmate & enemy Went back to 2006 in Episode 3 Became Hui Ling's adviser for making Daxian like her Indirectly caused the third miscarriage of Huo Xiwen Went back to 2016 in Episode 18 Reconciled with Daxian in Episode 19 Unable to convince Xiwen from returning to 2006, leaving the show in a cliffhanger 1-20 Paige Chua蔡琦慧 Huo Xiwen霍希文 Villain in 2016 to Huang Degang Zee & Zee's AVP (2016) Jezza Cosmetics worker (2006) Huang Degang's ex-wife Huo Zhiyong and Zeng Wanjie's daughter Chen Zhenhao's former schoolmate & enemy Liu Kaiqin's best friend Had a miscarriage in 2006 due to falling down the stairs Had a miscarriage in Episode 2, caused by Andy and Flora Went back to 2006 in Episode 3 Had a miscarriage again later in the year 2006 after a car accident with Daxian; blamed Chen Zhenhao for it Went back to 2016 in Episode 18 Caused the deaths of Eddy and Degang, and Kaiqin's paralysis Heartbroken over Huo Zhiyong's death in Episode 20 Ignored Daxian and Zhenhao's persuasions and returned to 2006, leaving the show in a cliffhanger 1-20 Andie Chen陈邦鋆 He Daxian 何大先 Blowhard (大炮先) Handyman (2016 and 2006) Online clothes shop owner (2016) Chen Zhenhao's husband Hui Ling's love interest and childhood playmate He Zijun's father He Xiaoqi's elder brother Li Xiumei's son Chen Zhenzhu and Ivan's brother-in-law Wen Fang's uncle Hui Ling's love interest Prevented Chen Zhenhao's elder sister from falling down the stairs in the alternate timeline Was revealed to have gone back to 2006 in Episode 9 Went back to 2016 in Episode 18, and is revealed to be diagnosed with stage 3 prostate cancer Reconciled with Chen Zhenhao in Episode 19 Suffered relapses after an outing and when Xiwen decides to return to 2006, leaving the show in a cliffhanger 1-20 Elvin Ng黄俊雄 Huang Degang黄德刚 Main Villain Zee & Zee's CEO (2016) Jezza Cosmetics worker (2006) Property agency CEO (2016) Huo Xiwen's ex-husband Liu Kaiqin's husband Huo Zhiyong and Ceng Wanjie's ex son-in-law Huang Hongtao's foster son Learnt Xiwen was the mastermind behind the kidnaps, inadvertently getting killed by the flower pots in the house (Deceased – Episode 20) 1-20
Supporting cast Cast Role Description Episodes Appeared Tracy Lee 李美玲 Liu Kaiqin 刘凯芹 Huo Xiwen's best friend Huo Xiwen and Chen Zhenhao's colleague Huang Degang's mistress Paralyzed after she tried to seek help for Eddy when they are kidnapped 1-3, 5-20 Hong Huifang洪慧芳 Li Xiumei 李秀美 Gambler He Daxian and He Xiaoqi's mother Chen Zhenhao's mother-in-law Hui Ling and Meihua's neighbor Fell off the flat after being chased by the loanshark in the alternate timeline (Deceased - episode 11) 1-11 Li Wenhai李文海 Huo Zhiyong 霍志永 Jezza Cosmetics CEO Zeng Wanjie's husband Huo Xiwen's father Huang Degang's father-in-law Died from overdose of medication after his business went bankrupt in the original timeline Suffers from dementia after the death of Wanjie in the alternate timeline Died after committing suicide from the impact of the house acquisition (Deceased - Episode 3 and 20) 1, 3, 7, 9-20 Lin Meijiao林梅娇 Zeng Wanjie 曾婉洁 Huo Zhiyong's wife Huo Xiwen's mother Huang Degang's mother-in-law Died after suffering a stroke when Degang took Xiwen out in the original timeline Died from a stroke after learning Degang's extramarital affair with Kaiqin in the alternate timeline (Deceased - Episode 16) 1, 4, 6, 9-10, 12-14, 16 Chen Fengling陈凤凌 Chen Zhenzhu陈珍珠 Chen Zhenhao's elder sister Ivan's ex-wife Wen Fang's mother Zhenzhen Desserts Shop owner (2016) 2, 4-15, 17-19 Andi Lim林伟文 Ivan Chen Zhenzhu's ex-husband Wen Fang's father Tried to assault Chen Zhenhao in Episode 15 for ruining his plan to extort her sister's money, and harmed Daxian 7-8, 14-15 Shanice Koh许抒宁 Wen Fang文芳 Younger version portrayed by Sun Yi En Chen Zhenzhu and Ivan's daughter Chen Zhenhao's niece 2, 4, 7-10, 14 Shawn Tan 陈凯轩 He Zijun 何梓俊 He Daxian and Chen Zhenhao's son He Xiaoqi's nephew Li Xiumei's grandson Diagnosed with hyperactivity Did not exist in the alternate timeline 1, 3 Donald Chong 张俊豪 Eddy Does not exist in the original timeline Huang Degang and Liu Kaiqin's son Died from an asthma attack after he and Kaiqin were kidnapped (Deceased - Episode 20) 18-20 Hayley Woo胡佳嬑 He Xiaoqi 何小琦 He Daxian's younger sister Li Xiumei's daughter Chen Zhenhao's sister-in-law 3, 6, 9-12, 16-19
Cameo/special appearance Note: Only credited cameos are mentioned. Cast Role Description Episodes Appeared Youyi有懿 Hui Ling 惠玲 Online clothes shop co-owner (2016)In love with He Daxian (one-sided love)He Daxian's neighbour and playmateChen Zhenhao's rival in love 3, 6-7, 12-16, 18-19 Rynn Lim 林宇中 Lin Sen 林森 Restaurant owner (2016 and 2006)In love with Huo Xiwen (one-sided love)Chen Zhenhao's love interest in the past 3, 5-6, 8-14 盧佳俊 Loanshark 大耳窿 Kidnapped He Daxian and Ah B after they lent them $500 1 郭锦荣 Loanshark 大耳窿 Kidnapped He Daxian and Ah B after they lent them $500 1 林秀莲 Meihua 美花 He Daxian and Chen Zhenhao's neighbour who lives below them 1 Esther Low 刘慧娴 Flora Huang Degang's mistress 1-3陈斯伦 Andy Went bankrupt after Huang Degang and Huo Xiwen refused to renew a contract with him Caused Xiwen's miscarriage after seeking revenge on her 1, 3 Ric Liu 刘晋旭 Ah B 阿B Coffeeshop worker He Daxian's friend 1-3, 6, 10-12 Dick Su 苏才忠 Mr Teo Huang Degang's subordinate 3 陸韦杰 Alex Chen Zhenhao's blind date 4 卢冠耀 Eric Huo Zhiyong's subordinate 4, 11, 15, 17 Hoong Kuo Juey 洪国锐 Huang Hongtao 黄鸿涛 Security officerHuang Degang's foster fatherFired by Jezza Cosmetics in Episode 4 4-5, 13
Original soundtrack Song title Song type Performer Lyricist Composer Song Arranger / Producer Provided by 最美的时光 Theme Song Alfred Sim 沈志豪 Pierre Zhang 张乐声 Jim Lim 林倛玉 Jim Lim 林倛玉 Funkiemonkies Pte Ltd
Accolades Accolades Category Nominees ResultRef The Road to Star Awards 2017 Episode 1 Best Screenplay Lim Gim Lan & Kao Lie Boon Star Awards 2017 Awards Ceremony Best Theme Song 《最美的时光》by Alfred Sim Best Evergreen Artiste Award Hong Huifang Best Actor Andie Chen Best Actress Rui En Asian Television Awards 2017Best Theme Song《最美的时光》by Alfred Sim
Trivia This was Elvin Ng's second villainous role since The Ultimatum (2009). Rui En's first role as an aunt. She puts on 4 kg just for this role to make her role looked more realistic. Rui En, Paige Chua, Elvin Ng and Andie Chen previously starred in Code of Honour (2011). Then, Rui En was Andie Chen's younger sister and in love with Elvin Ng, while Paige Chua was Chen's admirer. For this drama, there is a reshuffle; Paige Chua pairs up with Elvin Ng, while Rui En pairs up with Andie Chen. This also marks the second time the "RuiVin" pair do not play an onscreen couple, after C.L.I.F. 3 - Then, Rui En was paired up with Li Nanxing, while Elvin Ng was paired up with Tracy Lee first, then Sora Ma. This was Elvin Ng and Tracy Lee's fourth collaboration after No Limits, C.L.I.F. and C.L.I.F. 3. This was Tracy Lee's first drama in terms of filming schedule (second chronologically, after Peace & Prosperity) after converting her full-time Mediacorp contract to a per-project one. This move is to allow her to study early childhood education. This was Malaysian singer Rynn Lim's second Singaporean drama since The Beginning (2007). This was the first instance of which a theme song is arranged at the end of each episode during the credits. There are two ending sequences in this series - one that begins with Xiwen and another that begins with Daxian. Excluding the first episode, this was the 14th series where News Tonight commentaries are not announced. The Series reran on weekdays on 5.30pm at Mediacorp Channel 8, succeeding The Dream Makers II. The title card, as well as shots from the time-traveling tunnel, was shot at the tunnel near Alexandra Technopark.
See also List of programmes broadcast by Mediacorp Channel 8 List of If Only I Could episodes
References