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SINGAPORE : Just colleagues. Not friends.
That simple off the cuff statement uttered 14 years ago by MediaCorp artiste Fann Wong in describing her relationship with co-star Zoe Tay in "The Golden Pillow" sparked off a media frenzy over the purported rivalry between the two queens of Caldecott hill who, since then, have not appeared together in a TV drama.
Not until now.
In the time between, one has married and the other has become a mother twice over. But the supposed off screen rivalry is still being milked, this time by the producers and scriptwriters behind "The Ultimatum".
Starring alongside the two divas is a star studded cast including Li Nanxing, Tay Ping Hui and Felicia Chin in whats being called the Channel 8 drama of the year, filled with twists and turns that will keep audiences glued to the series.
"The Ultimatum" revolves around the tale of two girls, Ye Yu Chen (Tay) and Fang Song Qiao (Wong) who were accidentally swapped at childbirth.
Growing up in very different households, a twist of fate sees their paths crossing more than 20 years later with Ye now the CEO of her father's large conglomerate company and Fang a gutsy lawyer who didn't enjoy such a cushy life.
From scenes shot on yachts to the historical sights of Macau, it's evident that the big stars have brought in the big bucks for the series.
"We even appeared in the Macau newspapers," said Tay who was in the city filming with Li for three days, which she adds was nothing like a holiday.
It certainly did seem a lot of hard work going by the sneak preview of the show where one of the most iconic scenes includes Tay holding Wong at gunpoint.
The rivalry in reel-life, was however visibly absent between Tay and Wong in real-life.
Seated next to each, the two were often whispering, laughing and sharing light-hearted moments throughout the show's news conference.
"We're better colleagues than before, we're friends," said Tay with a smile.
"Colleagues say 'hi' when they see each other but we haven't had the chance to interact that much. It's only finally now that we get the chance!"
With all the hype about the first collaboration between the two queens of Caldecott hill in 14 years, it's easy to forget that the leading men in the show who deserve more than some mention.
"The Ultimatum" also reunites golden onscreen couple Zoe Tay and Li Nanxing, last seen together in the iconic drama about gambling kings and queens - "The Unbeatables" (and its sequels).
Contrary to rumours, "The Unbeatables" and "The Ultimatum" have nothing to do with each other plot wise.
Though whether you'd call it coincidence or just getting an actor to do what he does best, Li does appear to be reprising the gambling king persona yet again.
In "The Ultimatum", the card shuffling, dice rolling, gambling king played by Li seems reminiscent of his character, Yan Fei in "The Unbeatables".
However, the actor promises that audiences will notice a difference.
Other leading man Tay Ping Hui isn't too hung up with the leading ladies taking major spotlight.
"The show is about Zoe versus Fann," remarked the actor sagely who plays a security manager by day and a thief by night in the TV show.
"They need the rest of us to make it work, so it's ok with me. I'm not that egotistical!"
Perhaps behind every successful woman is a leading man.
To decide whether it is the Caldecott Queens, the Gambling King or Tay the sage, who shines the brightest, catch "The Ultimatum" on Channel 8 starting this Wednesday at 9pm. - CNA/fv
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