My Friends from Afar

My Friends From Afar (Chinese: 知星人) is a 25 episode Singaporean drama produced and telecast on Mediacorp Channel 8.[1] This drama was Channel 8's featured year end offering for 2017. It stars Shaun Chen, Carrie Wong, Aloysius Pang and Paige Chua as the casts of this series.

My Friends From Afar
知星人
Also known asMFFA
GenreAlien
Romance
Comedy
Written byCheong Yan Peng 张彦平
Lim Gin Lan 林锦兰
Directed by苏妙芳 Su Miao Fang
马家骏 Ma Jia Jun
张愿庭 Cheong Yuan Teng
StarringShaun Chen 陈泓宇
Carrie Wong 黄思恬
Aloysius Pang 冯伟衷
Paige Chua 蔡奇慧
Opening theme平空地带 by The Apex Project
Ending themeThe Moment (那一刻) by Jean Goh & Cheeyang Ng
Country of origin Singapore
Original languageChinese
No. of episodes25
Production
Executive producerLeong Lye Lin 梁来玲
Production location Singapore
Running timeapprox. 45 minutes (excluding advertisements)
Release
Original networkMediacorp Channel 8
Original release4 December 2017 - 5 January 2018
Chronology
Preceded byWhile We Are Young
Followed by118 Reunion
Related showsMy Alien Girlfriend (2017)

Casts

AMIKUS Aliens

Cast Role Description Episodes Appeared
Sheila Sim
沈琳宸
Alien Queen
外星女皇

Alien Role: Basler (巴斯乐)

  • Queen of AMIKUS Planet
  • Gave aliens a mission to integrate into human world to secure a place on earth for aliens to live, and find alien traitor TA1-2345

Human Role:

  • Chen Fengjiao, Chen Xianglin and Chen Qingxia's aunty
1, 23 (voice)
24-25
Wang Yuqing
王昱清
Yang Zhongyong
杨忠勇

Alien Role: TA1-2345

  • Warrior and Traitor of AMIKUS Planet
  • Visited earth in 1983 with Chen Fengjiao and other aliens and steals Chen Fengjiao's kapi device

Human Role: Leonardo, Lazy Yong (懒皮勇)

  • Huang Lirong's husband
  • Yang Tiansheng's father
  • Yang Tianning's adoptive father
  • Chen Xianglin's adoptive father-in-law
  • Chen Yibei's Grandfather
1-10, 12-25
Brandon Wong
黄炯耀
Chen Xiaolong
陈小龙

Alien Role: TN8-5252, Tan Siao Loong

  • Nanny of AMIKUS Planet
  • Actual Age: 60 years old

Human Role: Uncle Long (龙叔)

  • Chen Fengjiao, Chen Xianglin and Chen Qingxia's father
  • Yang Tianning's father-in-law
  • Chen Yibei's grandfather

(Deceased - Episode 23)

1-10, 12-23
10 (Toggle Original Series - My Alien Girlfriend)
Carrie Wong
黄思恬
Chen Fengjiao
陈凤娇

Alien Role: RSY9-3870, Tan Fong Keow

  • Leader of AMIKUS Planet
  • Actual Age: 55 years old
  • Visited earth in 1983 with Yang Zhongyong and other aliens

Human Role: Long Legs (长脚怪), Ah Jiao (阿娇)

  • Chen Xiaolong's oldest daughter
  • Chen Xianglin's younger sister, Chen Qingxia's older sister
  • Yang Tianning's sister-in-law
  • Chen Yibei's aunty
  • In love with Yang Tiansheng
1-25
1-2, 10 (Toggle Original Series - My Alien Girlfriend)
Aloysius Pang
冯伟衷
Chen Xianglin
陈祥林

Alien Role: TP5-1487, Tan Xiang Lin

  • Servant of AMIKUS Planet
  • Actual Age: 55 years old

Human Role:

  • Chen Xiaolong's son
  • Chen Fengjiao's and Chen Qingxia's older brother
  • Yang Tianning's husband
  • Chen Yibei's father
  • Yang Zhongyong and Huang Lirong's son-in-law
  • Yang Tiansheng's brother-in-law
  • Became pregnant after being kissed by Tianning when she was drunk
1-25
1-2, 10 (Toggle Original Series - My Alien Girlfriend)
Toh Xin Hui
杜芯慧
Chen Qingxia
陈青霞

Alien Role: Your Highness (公主), Tan Ching Sia

  • Future Queen of AMIKUS Planet
  • Actual Age: 10 years old

Human Role: Green Prawn (青虾)

  • Chen Xiaolong's youngest daughter
  • Chen Fengjiao and Chen Xianglin's younger sister
  • Yang Tianning's sister-in-law
  • Chen Yibei's aunty
  • Zhou Guanjun's ex-classmate
1-4, 6-20, 22-25
10 (Toggle Original Series - My Alien Girlfriend)
Shaun Chen
陈泓宇
Yang Tiansheng
杨天生
Younger Version portrayed by Lin Daorui (林道锐)

Alien Role: TA1-2345

  • Unbirth Child of AMIKUS Planet
  • Actual age: 5 and 36 years old

Human Role: Durian King (榴莲王), Leopard King (猎豹王)

  • Yang Zhongyong and Huang Lirong’s son
  • Yang Tianning’s half-biological younger brother
  • Chen Fengjiao’s boyfriend
  • Chen Xianglin's brother-in-law
  • Zhou Zhiqiang’s bestfriend friend
  • Liang Simin’s ex-boyfriend
  • Liu Lianmei’s love interest

(Half alien, Half human)

1-25
5 (Toggle Original Series - My Alien Girlfriend)
Zemily Leaw
廖婕汝
Chen Yibei
陈依贝

Alien Role: VH9-6868

  • Child of AMIKUS Planet

Human Role:

  • Chen Xianglin and Yang Tianning's daughter
  • Yang Zhongyong, Huang Lirong and Chen Xiaolong's grand-daughter
  • Yang Tiansheng, Chen Fengjiao and Chen Qingxia's niece

(Half alien, Half human)

24-25
Naomi Yeo
杨慧诗
EmilyAlien Role:
S(TC). 6-78910
  • Citizen of AMIKUS Planet
  • Actual Age: 55 years old

Human Role:'

  • Dean's girlfriend
  • Thomas's ex-girlfriend
  • Owner of a Well known coffee shop
1-10 (Toggle Original Series - My Alien Girlfriend)
UncreditedAlien Role:
TD5-62710
  • Follower of AMIKUS Planet
1
Alien Role:
CX3-1462
  • Follower of AMIKUS Planet
1
Alien Role:
PR2-5347
  • Pilot of AMIKUS Planet
1

Yang (Zhongyong) Family

Cast Role Description Episodes Appeared
Wang Yuqing
王昱清
Yang Zhongyong
杨忠勇
See AMIKUS Aliens
Adele Wong
王筱惠
Huang Lirong
黄丽蓉
  • Yang Zhongyong's wife
  • Yang Tianning and Yang Tiansheng's mother
  • (Deceased after being unable accept Yang Zhongyong to be an alien and involved in a hit-and-run accident)
5, 24-25
Paige Chua
蔡琦慧
Yang Tianning
杨天宁
Younger Version portrayed by Natelie Tan
Complain Queen (抱怨女王)
  • Huang Lirong's daughter
  • Yang Tiansheng's half-biological older sister
  • Chen Xianglin's wife
  • Chen Yibei's mother
  • Yang Zhongyong's adoptive daughter
  • Chen Xiaolong's daughter-in-law
  • Chen Fengjiao and Chen Qingxia's sister-in-law
  • Zhou Zhiqiang's childhood friend
  • Li Hengxing's ex-girlfriend
1-25
Shaun Chen
陈泓宇
Yang Tiansheng
杨天生
See AMIKUS Aliens
Zemily Leaw
廖婕汝
Chen Yibei
陈依贝
See AMIKUS Aliens

Zhang (Huimei) Family

Cast Role Description Episodes Appeared
Zhu Xiufeng
朱秀凤
Zhang Huimei
张慧妹
Auntie Huimei (慧妹姨)
  • Zhou Zhiqiang's mother
  • Xu Xinmei's mother-in-law
  • Zhou Guanjun's grandmother
1-17, 19-25
Yao Wenlong
姚彣隆
Zhou Zhiqiang
周志强
Supporting Villain but repented
Younger Version portrayed by Brient Ong (黄盅艺)
(Fake) , Dogs & Cats Killer (狗猫杀手)
  • Zhang Huimei's son
  • Xu Xinmei's husband
  • Zhou Guanjun's father
  • Yang Tianning's childhood friend
  • Yang Tiansheng's bestfriend
  • Turned evil after being humiliated by Steve and made use of the Chen Family (AMIKUS Aliens) to regain his family reunion
  • Lured Chen Xiaolong and Chen Qingxia to the gambling dent to Sister Shark
  • Stole the Kapi and indirectly killed Chen Xiaolong

(Arrested-Episode 24)

    2-24
    Eelyn Kok
    郭蕙雯
    Xu Xinmei
    许欣梅
    • Zhou Zhiqiang's wife
    • Zhou Guanjun's mother
    • Zhang Huimei's daughter-in-law
    • Steve's girlfriend/affair/employee
    2-4, 6-15, 17, 21-23, 25
    Alston Yeo
    杨峻毅
    Zhou Guanjun
    周冠军
    Ace Chou Guanjun
    • Zhou Zhiqiang and Xu Xinmei's son
    • Zhang Huimei's grandson
    • Chen Qingxia's ex-classmate
    2-4, 6-7, 9-15, 17, 20-25

    Liang (Sanbo)'s Family

    Cast Role Description Episodes Appeared
    Tan Tiow Im
    陈天祥
    Liang Sanbo
    梁三伯
    • Suffered from dementia
    • Liang Siyuan and Liang Simin's father
    15-17
    Brendon Kuah
    柯迪宏
    Liang Siyuan
    梁思源
    Xiao Yuan (小源)
    • Liang Sanbo's son
    • Liang Simin's brother
    16-17
    Mei Xin
    美心
    Liang Simin
    梁思敏
    Xiao Min (小敏)
    • Liang Sanbo's daughter
    • Liang Siyuan's sister
    • Yang Tiansheng's ex-girlfriend
    1, 6, 10-11, 15-17, 22

    Well Known Cafe

    Cast Role Description Episodes Appeared
    Trevor Tham
    谭志杰
    Dean
    • Emily's boyfriend
    • Employee of a Well known cafe
    1-10 (Toggle Original Series - My Alien Girlfriend)
    Louis HillyardThomas
    • Ex first boyfriend to Emily
    1-10 (Toggle Original Series - My Alien Girlfriend)

    National Environment Agency (NEA)

    Cast Role Description Episodes Appeared
    Wallace Ang
    洪圣安
    Li Hengxing
    李恒兴
    Villain
    Star
    • National Environment Agency boss
    • Yang Tianning's ex-boyfriend, ex-online boyfriend and boss
    • Tricked Yang Tianning that he is an alien and did not told her he has a wife, causing Yang Tianning to be his mistress
    • Taking revenge on Yang Tianning by posting "nude photos" of her
    1, 6-7, 10-14, 16-18
    5 (voice)
    Paige Chua
    蔡琦慧
    Yang Tianning
    杨天宁
    1-25
    Sherraine Law
    罗翊琦
    Fu Yayue
    傅雅月
    Moon (月亮) 1, 6-8
    Aloysius Pang
    冯伟衷
    Chen Xianglin
    陈祥林
    1-25
    Carrie Wong
    黄思恬
    Chen Fengjiao
    陈凤娇
    1-25

    Other Casts

    Cast Role Description Episodes Appeared
    Priscilla Lim
    林茜茜
    Liu Lianmei
    刘莲梅
    Durian Girl (榴莲妹)
    • In love with Yang Tiansheng
    1, 3-4, 6-8
    Larry Low
    刘龙伟
    Brother Shark
    鲨鱼哥
    Villain
    • Loanshark and Prostitute Agency's boss
    • Drugged Chen Fengjiao and threw Yang Tiansheng into the sea

    (Arrested-Episode 12)

    1-4, 10-12
    Joyce Ng
    黄婉婷
    Zhao Yan
    赵燕
    3, 10-11
    Le Yao
    乐摇
    Sister Shark
    鲨鱼姐
    Main Villain
    • Loanshark and Prostitute agency's lady-boss
    • Vandalised Yang Tiansheng's delivery truck
    • Made use of Zhou Zhiqiang to lure Chen Xiaolong and Chen Qingxia to the gambling den and killed Chen Xiaolong.
    • (Arrested-Episode 24)
    4, 13, 21-24
    Teddy
    唐崧瑞
    Dave ChuYounger version portrayed by Kaidon Lee (李景延)
    • In love with Chen Fengjiao
    • Ms Wong's piano student
    8-9, 11, 15-18
    Liu Junhong
    劉峻宏
    SteveVillain
    • Xu Xinmei's affair
    • Humiliated Zhou Zhiqiang and abused Zhou Guanjun
    8-9, 12, 14-15, 17-21,
    Carrie Wong
    黄思恬
    Ms Wong
    黄老师
    • Dave Chu’ piano teacher
    • Resembles looks to Chen Fengjiao
    • (Deceased - mentioned by Dave Chu)
    18

    Original Sound Track (OST)

    No. Song Title Singer(s)
    1)平空地带
    (Main Song for the series)
    The Apex Project
    2)那一刻Jean Goh 吴思佳
    Cheeyang Ng 黄智阳

    Reception

    Lianhe Zaobao, in a review of the show, said that, while some episodes in the middle of the series were not bad, and the premise of aliens integrating into human society was interesting, the last ten episodes suffered somewhat from focusing too much on love affairs of the young people, causing the plot to become predictable and drawn-out. The review also suggested that the alien aspect of the show was a gimmick because the script would have been equally valid had the aliens been replaced with recent immigrants, questioning whether it might have been an improvement to include more memories or details from the aliens' home world and society.[2]

    Awards & Nominations

    Star Awards 2018

    My Friends From Afar is up for 6 nominations & it has the second most nomination for Star Awards 2018.

    The other dramas are nominated for Best Drama Serial with Mightiest Mother In Law, When Duty Calls , While We Are Young & Have A Little Faith.

    It did not win a single award.

    The Star Awards are presented by Mediacorp.

    Star Awards – Performance Awards
    AccoladesNomineesCategoryResult
    Star Awards 2018 Creative Achievement Award Ceremony 专业奖项颁奖礼Cheong Yan Peng 张彦平 & Lim Gin Lan 林锦兰Best Screenplay
    最佳剧本
    Nominated
    Star Awards – Acting Awards
    AccoladesCategoryNomineesResult
    Star Awards 2018 Awards Ceremony 红星大奖2018颁奖礼 Young Talent Award
    青苹果奖
    Toh Xin Hui
    杜芯慧
    Nominated
    Best Supporting Actor
    最佳男配角
    Brandon Wong
    黄炯耀
    Nominated
    Best Actor
    最佳男主角
    Shaun Chen
    陈泓宇
    Nominated
    Best Actress
    最佳女主角
    Carrie Wong
    黄思恬
    Nominated
    Best Drama Serial
    最佳电视剧
    N/A Nominated

    See also

    List of MediaCorp Channel 8 Chinese drama series (2010s)

    References

    1. "知星人 My Friends From Afar, Debuts 4 December 2017, Every Mon - Fri 9pm, Channel 8". Singapore Hardware Zone. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
    2. "着重儿女情长 "外星人"少了喜感". Lianhe Zaobao. Retrieved 16 January 2018.
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