The Lead

For other uses, see Lead (disambiguation).

The Lead
第一主角
Genre	Drama Media Industry Romance Period
Written by	Phang Kai Yee 彭凯毅 Lim Gim Lan 林锦兰
Directed by	Loo Yin Yam 卢燕金 Oh Liang Cai 胡凉财 Lin Mei Na 林美娜 Wong Foong Hwee 黄芬菲
Starring	Rebecca Lim Shaun Chen Andie Chen Julie Tan
Opening theme	初衷 by Tay Ping Hui
Ending theme	1) 谈到爱 by Ling Kai 2) 记得 by JJ Lin 3) 亲密爱人 by 王芳
Country of origin	Singapore
Original language	Mandarin
No. of episodes	30
Production
Executive producer	Winnie Wong 王尤红
Production locations	Singapore Indonesia
Running time	approx. 45 minutes (excluding advertisements)
Original release
Network	Mediacorp Channel 8
Release	22 May (2017-05-22) – 30 June 2017 (2017-06-30)

The Lead (Chinese: 第一主角) is a 30-episode Singaporean drama produced and telecast on Mediacorp Channel 8. The show is Channel 8's mid-year blockbuster for 2017 to remember Mediacorp at Caldecott Hill and to celebrate 35 years of television dramas. It stars Rebecca Lim, Shaun Chen, Andie Chen and Julie Tan as main cast.

Plot

Ah Zhen (Rebecca Lim) has three childhood friends, Guang Hui (Shaun Chen), De Ping (Andie Chen) and An Ya (Julie Tan). Like Ah Zhen, they also love watching drama, and yearned to be seen on the TV screen. The four friends even made a pact together: To make it big in the drama scene, to play the lead character in a drama someday!

After graduating from secondary school, the four friends joined the TV station's acting classes, and all of them, except Ah Zhen, were selected to join the TV station as actors. Even though she was disappointed, Ah Zhen refused to give up, and began a journey full of hardships in the local drama scene.

Initially Ah Zhen worked alongside her father Xiao Hu (Chen Hanwei), who was a martial art stuntman. Unfortunately she was clumsy and always got injured, so she had to switch to being an extra. But even as an extra, she always somehow got in the way and was disliked and shunned by the production team. But Ah Zhen refused to leave the TV station, and found herself a job in the Costume department.

Childhood friend Guang Hui clinched his first lead role, and An Ya and De Ping had also taken up supporting roles, yet Ah Zhen was still struggling to survive. She switched from department to department: make-up, Props, Radio... trying to find a path for herself, but it seems like she was drifting further from her original dream of becoming an actress. Luckily at that time, she met her savior, the then “Ah-jie” of local drama scene, Chen Xiang Rong (Xiang Yun), a woman whom Ah Zhen saw as her own mother. Under the help of Xiang Rong, Ah Zhen managed to get a small supporting role in her first ever drama debut.

Since then, Ah Zhen began her career as a freelance actor, taking part in a number of classic productions. But Ah Zhen was insistent in her own method of acting, which many others could not agree to. By then, Guang Hui was already a popular rising star, and An Ya was radiant and eye catching after her cosmetic procedure, so the two co-starred in a few dramas, and they became the best on screen couple of their time. Ah Zhen was happy for her friends’ achievements, but she couldn't help but feel a little heartbroken. Actually, Ah Zhen has always been fond of Guang Hui since her teenage years, but Guang Hui never really noticed her.

At the lowest point in Ah Zhen's life, and she felt like she was abandoned by the entire world. But with encouragement from her friends, she eventually got up on her feet again. This time, Ah Zhen decided to focus on her job behind the scenes instead!

Working as the assistant producer was the turning point of Ah Zhen's life. As she had worked in various departments previously, she had contacts everywhere in the production team, making life as an AP easier. She took part in various popular dramas, and with a brush of luck, she always managed to accidentally create epic scenes in the dramas. Eventually, she worked her way up to a director.

As the years go by, many things were no longer what they used to be. The TV station separated into two competing stations, and the friendship between the four broke down. Guang Hui was leading a wasted life, gambling and drinking away, and losing money in unsuccessful investments, eventually leading to a broken family. After separating from Guang Hui, An Ya took to the international screen, but was faced with aftereffects of excessive cosmetic surgery, threatening her acting career. De Ping was involved in a sex scandal and was fired by the TV station, and even ended up in jail for 2 months.

Seeing that their friendship was severely challenged, Ah Zhen, the only one who has not changed, tried very hard to bring the other three back together. After all these ups and downs, will the perseverance of Ah Zhen eventually recover the lost friendship between them?

Ah Zhen has always been secretly loving Guang Hui, but she always misses the opportunity to bring their friendship to another level. How will their relationship end up? An Ya and Guang Hui were the promising couple, but love grew into hate, and they went separate ways, though they never truly forgotten each other. Will they ever reconcile? Ah Zhen and De Ping are friends in times of need, supporting each other faithfully through all these times. Will their relationship eventually bear fruit?

Will this complicated four-sided relationship finally come to a happy ending?

Cast

Main cast

Cast	Character	Description	Episode Appeared
Rebecca Lim 林慧玲	Lin Meizhen 林美真	Ah Zhen (阿真) Younger version portrayed by Isabel Yamada Wardrobe Assistant and Make-up Department Employee ~> Assistant Producer ~> Director Childhood friend with Xie Guanghui, Hong Deping and Fang Anya Lin Xiaohu and Liu Xinyu's daughter Deng Yongkang's half older sister TV station's substitute	1, 6, 24, 27–28, 30 (Younger Version) 1- 30
Shaun Chen 陈泓宇	Xie Guanghui 谢光辉	Younger Version Portrayed by Damien Teo Childhood friends with Lin Meizhen, Hong Deping and Fang Anya Lin Bixia's son Fang Yahua's grandson Fang Anya's boyfriend (broke up in Episode 14) Huang Mei Na's husband in Episode 18 (Divorced before Episode 25) TV station's actor	1, 6, 11, 16, 24, 26–28, 30 (Younger Version) 1- 30
Andie Chen 陈邦鋆	Hong Deping 洪德平	Younger Version Portrayed by Ivan Lo Childhood friends with Lin Meizhen, Xie Guanghui and Fang Anya TV station's actor Taxi driver Uncle Hong and Auntie Hong's nephew	1, 6, 24, 27–28, 30 (Younger Version) 1–10, 12-30
Julie Tan 陈欣淇	Fang Anya 方安雅	Younger Version Portrayed by Toh Xin Hui Childhood friends with Lin Meizhen, Xie Guanghui and Hong Deping Fang Guodong and Zhao Meili's daughter TV station's actress	1, 6, 24, 27–28, 30 (Younger Version) 17 (Voice) 1–7, 9–15, 19-30

Supporting cast

Cast	Character	Description	Episode Appeared
Xiang Yun 向云	Chen Xiangrong 陈湘蓉	Liu Xinyu's best friend Lin Xiaohu's girlfriend TV station's actress	1–10, 17–25, 30
Chen Hanwei 陈汉玮	Lin Xiaohu 林小虎	Liu Xinyu's husband Lin Meizhen's father Chen Xiangrong's boyfriend TV station's stuntman, calefare and substitute	1–6, 9-25, 30
Terence Cao 曹国辉	Guo Liwei 郭立威	Main Villain TV station's actor Pretends to like Lin Meizhen to make use of her Befriends Xie Guanghui to exploit him of his money Likes Huang Mei Na and secretly has an affair with her	10-22
Jasmine Sim 沈家玉	Huang Mei Na 黄美娜	Supporting Villain Na Na (娜娜) TV station's Ah Jie/actress Likes Guo Liwei and secretly has an affair with him Pretends to like Xie Guanghui to exploit him of money Xie Guanghui's Ex-Wife	14–16, 18-22
Cynthia Koh 许美珍	Chen Qiulian 陈秋莲	TV station's director ~> Head of Drama producer and director Resigned from TV Station	16, 18–20, 22–23, 25, 27-28
Kym Ng 钟琴	Liu Xinyu 刘心雨	Lin Xiaohu's wife Chen Xiangrong's best friend Lin Meizhen and Deng Yongkang's mother	19-25
Zheng Geping 郑各评	Fang Guodong 方国栋	Uncle Curly Hair (卷毛叔) TV station canteen boss Zhao Meili's husband Fang Anya's father	1–2, 4, 6–7, 9–10, 12–15, 17–21, 26-30
Cassendra See 薛淑珊	Zhao Meili 赵美丽	Auntie Fang (方姨) TV station canteen lady boss Fang Guodong's wife Fang Anya's mother	1, 7, 10, 13–15, 17, 19, 21, 26-30
Jin Yinji 金银姬	Fang Yahua 方亚华	Guanghui's Grandmother (光辉的阿嬷) Xie Guanghui's paternal grandmother Lin Bixia's mother-in-law Died from stroke (Deceased ~ Episode 26)	1-6, 8–12, 14–15, 18, 21–23, 25-26 26-27, 30 (flashback)
He Yingying 何盈莹	Jing Jing 晶晶	Villain but repented TV station's actress/ future Ah Jie Disliked and envied by Fang Anya	19–23, 29-30
Michael Huang 黄仲昆	Ma Xinghai 马兴海	TV Station's Head of Drama producer and director Retired from the TV Station in Episode 18	1–8, 12, 15-18

TV Station's Celebrities/ Extras

Cast	Character	Description	Episode Appeared
Rebecca Lim 林慧玲	Lin Meizhen 林美真	See Main Cast
Shaun Chen 陈泓宇	Xie Guanghui 谢光辉	See Main Cast
Andie Chen 陈邦鋆	Hong Deping 洪德平	See Main Cast
Julie Tan 陈欣琪	Fang Anya 方安雅	See Main Cast
Chen Hanwei 陈汉玮	Lin Xiaohu 林小虎	See Supporting Cast
Xiang Yun 向云	Chen Xiangrong 陈湘容	See Supporting Cast
Terence Cao 曹国辉	Guo Liwei 郭立威	See Supporting Cast
Jasmine Sim 沈家玉	Huang Meina 黄美娜	See Supporting Cast
He Yingying 何盈莹	Jing Jing 晶晶	See Supporting Cast
Elizabeth Lee 李巧儿	Xue Bing 雪冰	TV station's actress	7-9
Li Wenhai 李文海	Zheng Jiang 郑将	Hong Kong actor	16-17
Alvin Tho 卓汉隆		TV Station's actor
		TV Station's freelance actress Been raped by Hong Deping that was set up by Guo Liwei	17
Eugene Tay 郑建龙		TV Station's freelance actor	5,16
Fang Rong 符芳榕	Yao Yao 瑶瑶	TV station's actress	19-20

TV Station's Heads

Cast	Character	Description	Episode Appeared
Zheng Geping 郑各评	Fang Guodong 方国栋	See Supporting Cast
Cassendra See 薛淑珊	Zhao Meili 赵美丽	See Supporting Cast
Marcus Mok 莫健发	Adam	TV Station's Overall In-Charge	17–18, 25
Michael Huang 黃仲崑	Ma Xinhai 马兴海	See Supporting Cast
Cynthia Koh 许美珍	Chen Qiulian 陈秋莲	See Supporting Cast
Wang Yuqing 王昱清		TV Station's Head of drama script/ story writer	1, 28
Michelle Tay 郑荔分		TV Station's Head of Wardrobe	8-10
Wallace Ang 洪圣安	Qiang-Ge 强哥	TV Station's make up department in-charge	10–11, 16, 18
Uncredited		TV Station's stylist Hong Deping's passenger	28
Uncredited	Mr Soh	Head of TV's Station departments	28

TV Station's Instructors Directors/ Reporters/ Producers

Cast	Character	Description	Episode Appeared
Rebecca Lim 林慧玲	Lin Meizhen 林美真	See Main Cast
Guo Liang 郭亮	Li Wei 李伟	TV station's acting class instructor	1-2
Louis Wu 伍洛毅	Ken	TV Station's director	4-5
Ryan Lian 廖永谊	No Role	TV Station's director	7
Tay Ping Hui 郑斌辉	Himself	Star Awards' emcee	13-14
Chase Tan 陈锦宏	Chase	TV Station's assistant director Lin Meizhen's assistant	18–19, 21-24
Kenneth Chung 钟坤华	No Role	TV station's director	19
CKay Lim 林志强	Xu Zhiguang 许志光	TV Station's Executive Producer Been resigned from TV Station	19–22, 27-28
Bukoh Mary 巫许玛莉	Mary	TV Station's reporter	27
Fraser Tiong 张家奇	No Role	TV Station's director

Others

Cast	Character	Description	Episode Appeared
Zhu Xiufeng 朱秀凤	Sister E 鹅姐	Chen Xiangrong's friend	3-4
Jaslyn Theen 汤妙玲	Lin Bixia 林碧霞	Villain Gambler Xie Guanghui's mother Fang Yahua's daughter-in-law Used to be Lin Xiaohu's love interest Steals away Xie Guanghui valuables but was caught by Lin Xiaohu	10-16
Hu Wensui 胡问遂		Villain Loanshark Lin Bixia's subordinate	12-15
Benjamin Tan 陈俊铭	Eric Hong	Villain Boss of Hollywood Movie Company Cheated Fang Anya all this while because he is unhappy to know that she only have feelings for Xie Guanghui	12–13, 22, 26-28
Charlie Goh 吴清樑	Jack	Villain Loanshark	20-26
Dylan Quek 郭景豪	Jay	Villain Loanshark	20-26
Teo Sili 张思丽	Auntie Hong 洪婶	Hong Deping's aunt	22, 27
Hoong Kuo Juey 洪国锐	Uncle Hong 洪叔	Hong Deping's uncle	22, 27
Larry Low 刘龙伟	Xiao Ma 小马	Film/movie film crew	23
Nick Teo 张鈞淯	Deng Yongkang 邓永康	Liu Xinyu's son Lin Meizhen's half younger brother	25
Uncredited	Mr Li 李先生	Been knocked by Hong Deping's car and hospitalized	26-28
Uncredited	No Role	Helped Xie Guanghui at a shore and escort him find a place to stay in Tanjungpinang (Indonesia)	27-28
Alston Yeo 杨峻毅	No Role	Helped Xie Guanghui at a shore and escort him find a place to stay in Tanjungpinang (Indonesia)	27

Original Sound Track (OST)

No.	Song Title	Singer(s)
1)	初衷 (Main Song for the series)	Tay Ping Hui
2)	谈到爱	Ling Kai
3)	记得	JJ Lin 林俊杰
4)	亲密爱人	王芳

Awards and nominations

Star Awards 2018

The Lead is up for 5 nominations.

The other drama serials also nominated for Best Theme Song nomination with Dear DJ, Life Less Ordinary, Dream Coder & When Duty Calls.

It won 3 out of 5 nominations. It swept almost all the awards except for Best Director and Best Theme Song.

The Star Awards are presented by Mediacorp.

Star Awards – Performance Awards
Accolades	Nominees	Category	Result
Star Awards	Loo Yin Yam	Best Director	Nominated
	Damien Teo	Young Talent Award	Nominated
	Isabel Yamada		Won
	Tay Ping Hui	Best Theme Song 《(初衷)》	Nominated
	Chen Hanwei	Best Supporting Actor	Won
	Rebecca Lim	Best Actress	Won

Development

• Filming began in November 2016 and wraps in March 2017

See also

• List of MediaCorp Channel 8 Chinese drama series (2010s)
• List of The Lead (TV Series) episodes