Bolin Chen & Tian Xin announce Golden Bell Nominations – YAY Zai Zai!

Last night I saw hkctvdramas’ post on Tumblr about confusion between CN and TW dramas which got me thinking – is Home / The Other Shore 1945 (回家) going to be included in the Golden Bell nominations this year because I wasn’t sure whether it’s a Taiwanese production, Chinese production… or a CN/TW collaboration production so it would be?

So when the nominations list came out this afternoon I got my answer! This year, the nominations were announced by Bolin Chen (last year’s Best Actor) and Tian Xin (2011’s Best Actress) as a part of the Taipei Television Festival – an event dedicated to showcase (kind of like an exhibition) Taiwanese productions to the world.

This year, Flavors of Life (含笑食堂) leads the race with nine nominations, followed by Home (回家) and Falling (含苞欲墜的每一天) with eight nominations. Notably, Mag Hsu (writer of In Time with You) was the head writer of this year’s An Innocent Mistake (罪美麗) which also had six nominations including Best Actor (Mo Tzu Yi) and Best Actress (Lin Chen Xi).

Some news have mentioned this year, the focus is no longer on ‘idol dramas’, with many lesser known actors and dramas nominated. One of the bigger / more popular dramas missing from the list is Two Fathers, which only received a nomination in Best Marketing. Mag Hsu says she’s pleased about this because it means the line between ‘idol dramas’ and ‘serious/normal dramas’ no longer exists? <– hrm… really?

It does seem the ‘star power’ of this year’s awards will come from the Variety Show categories, but for me – I would really love to see Vic Zhou / Zai Zai take Best Actor this year! (yes I’m still bitter he didn’t win for Black & White…) Funny that he will be up against Long Shao Hua (龍劭華) who is nominated for the third year in a row, both times losing to younger actors (Wilber Pan & Bolin Chen). Even as the more ‘senior’ person and you would think more mature, the media has reported that he was quite bitter about it both times. He even proclaimed “The Golden Bell Awards are shit” the year Wilber Pan won. I wonder what he’ll say if he loses again! LOL.

Anyway, this might just give me the push needed to pick up Home again. Whilst I really liked the first five episodes – the historical background, the great production values, interesting story… but I know it’s going to be a heartbreaking story. Kind of the same reason I didn’t keep watching A Good Wife – just didn’t really feel like watching a depressing drama at the time. But then, the other ones I watched instead (I’m looking at you Dragon Gate and Love Around) have turned out pretty terrible so poor judgement that was!

Speaking of A Good Wife – I take it since it hasn’t finished airing it’s not eligible yet? Tian Xin said ‘watch out’ for next year’s awards because she would really hope to get a nomination!

OK, so I was keeping a close eye on the nomination announcement itself because of OBVIOUS REASONS. But gees, I’m sorry to say that double breasted jacket does nothing (for anyone!) Bolin Chen! I will keep dissing double breasted jackets at every chance I get! What is that outfit your’re wearing! Were you even trying?

As for Tian Xin, I like the colours, but I don’t know… not sure about the shoes, it’s just… argh. I’m a bit disappointed.

Some more pictures (they are not motivating me to find more HD quality ones!) ><

You can find the full nominations list here. The awards ceremony will be held on the 25th October.