If Only I Could (TV series)

*If Only I Could*
If Only I Could
Also known as	Begin Again (重來) ; Through the Years (回到那些年)
	十年…你还好吗？
Genre	Time-travel ; Suspense ; Romance
Written by	Lim Gim Lan 林锦兰 ; Kao Lie Boon 许丽雯
Directed by	Loo Yin Kam 卢燕金 ; Chen Yi You 陈忆幼 ; Martin Chan 陈金祥
Starring	Rui En ; Paige Chua ; Andie Chen ; Elvin Ng
Ending theme	Best Moment in Life (最美的时光) by Alfred Sim ; (No commentaries for News Tonight)
Country of origin	Singapore
Original language	Chinese
No. of episodes	20 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producer	Chong Liung Man 张龙敏
Production location	Singapore
Editor	林锦兰，许丽雯
Running time	approx. 45 minutes (exc. advertisements)
Original release
Network	Mediacorp Channel 8
Release	31 May –; 27 June 2016
Related
	The Truth Seekers; The Dream Job;

If Only I Could (Chinese: 十年…你还好吗？) 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.^[1]^[2]^[3]^[4]

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 playmate Chen 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 officer Huang Degang's foster father Fired 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

Awards and nominations

Star Awards 2017

If Only I Could was nominated for 5 categories; the series won only the Best Theme Song. Said award was later nominated in the Asian Television Award but did not win.

The Star Awards are presented by Mediacorp.

Star Awards – Acting Awards
Accolades	Category	Nominees	Result
The Road to Star Awards 2017 Episode 1	Best Screenplay	Lim Gim Lan & Kao Lie Boon	Nominated
Star Awards 2017 Awards Ceremony
	Best Theme Song 《最美的时光》	Alfred Sim	Won
	Best Evergreen Artiste Award	Hong Huifang	Nominated
	Best Actor	Andie Chen	Nominated
	Best Actress	Rui En	Nominated

Asian Television Award

Asian Television Awards
Year	Category	Nominated work	Result
Asian Television Awards 2017	Best Theme Song	《最美的时光》by Alfred Sim	Nominated

Trivia

This was Elvin Ng's second villainous role since The Ultimatum (2009).^[5]^[6]
Rui En's first role as an aunt.^[7]^[8] 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.^[9]
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.

References

^ Tammi Tan (17 May 2016). "Accident saga taught Rui En to appreciate loved ones more". Toggle. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
^ "瑞恩笑谈增肥压力大不愿再为角色牺牲" (in Chinese). Toggle. 18 May 2016. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016.
^ May Seah (17 May 2016). "'All of us have regrets': Rui En". Today Online. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
^ May Seah (30 May 2016). "Andie Chen the anti-idol". Today Online.
^ Toh Zi Yi (20 May 2016). "Elvin Ng: From goody-two-shoes to playboy". Toggle. Archived from the original on 22 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
^ Dion Tang (20 May 2016). "黄俊雄自认有爱情滋润床戏多很尴尬" (in Chinese). Toggle. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
^ "Rui En gets 'dolled down' for If Only I Could". Toggle. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
^ "瑞恩素颜"增胖"演安娣陈邦鋆明年再攻台" (in Chinese). Toggle. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
^ "Tracy Lee to study early childhood education". Toggle. 13 November 2015. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2016.

[1] Tammi Tan (17 May 2016). "Accident saga taught Rui En to appreciate loved ones more". Toggle. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.

[2] "瑞恩笑谈增肥压力大不愿再为角色牺牲" (in Chinese). Toggle. 18 May 2016. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016.

[3] May Seah (17 May 2016). "'All of us have regrets': Rui En". Today Online. Retrieved 18 May 2016.

[4] May Seah (30 May 2016). "Andie Chen the anti-idol". Today Online.

[5] Toh Zi Yi (20 May 2016). "Elvin Ng: From goody-two-shoes to playboy". Toggle. Archived from the original on 22 May 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.

[6] Dion Tang (20 May 2016). "黄俊雄自认有爱情滋润床戏多很尴尬" (in Chinese). Toggle. Archived from the original on May 30, 2016. Retrieved 22 May 2016.

[7] "Rui En gets 'dolled down' for If Only I Could". Toggle. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2016.

[8] "瑞恩素颜"增胖"演安娣陈邦鋆明年再攻台" (in Chinese). Toggle. 3 November 2015. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2016.

[9] "Tracy Lee to study early childhood education". Toggle. 13 November 2015. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 5 April 2016.

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