The Price of Peace

The Price of Peace is a Singaporean television drama set in Japanese-occupied Singapore during World War II. It starred Rayson Tan, Xiang Yun, Chen Shucheng, Jacintha Abisheganaden, James Lye, Lina Ng, Christopher Lee, Ivy Lee, Carole Lin and Ryan Choo. It was first aired on TCS Eighth Frequency (now MediaCorp Channel 8) on 30 June 1997. Although the drama was originally in Mandarin, an English-dubbed version was also broadcast on TCS Fifth Frequency (now MediaCorp Channel 5) in 1999. The drama has been rerun on MediaCorp Channel 8 several times since its premiere and its last airing was in August 2013. The series is based on a 1995 book of the same title (published by Asiapac Books), which contains numerous first-hand accounts of war veterans and eyewitnesses. Starting 1st August 2020, it was made available for streaming on Netflix along with over 100 Singapore-made films and series.

The Price of Peace
Title card
GenrePeriod drama
Written byAng Eng Tee
Chong Liang Sin
Guo Yude
Directed byLoo Yin Kam
StarringRayson Tan
Xiang Yun
Chen Shucheng
Jacintha Abisheganaden
James Lye
Lina Ng
Christopher Lee
Ivy Lee
Carole Lin
Ryan Choo
Opening themeThe Price of Peace (和平的代价) performed by Sebastian Tan
Country of originSingapore
Original languagesMandarin
English (dub)
No. of episodes32
Production
ProducersKok Len Shoong
Au Yuk Sing
Running time45 minutes per episode
Release
Original networkTCS Eighth Frequency
TCS Fifth Frequency
Original release30 June 
19 August 1997 (1997-08-19)
Chronology
Related showsIn Pursuit of Peace (2001)
A War Diary (2001)
External links
Website
The Price of Peace
Traditional Chinese和平的代價
Simplified Chinese和平的代价

Plot

Outline

The plot is divided into seven parts, each focusing on distinct themes and events.

#TitleEpisodesDescription
1Unity in Adversity
风雨同舟
1–13This part introduces Japanese aggression in China during the Second Sino-Japanese War and depicts the major relief efforts undertaken by the Chinese community in Singapore and Malaya under Tan Kah Kee's leadership. Some featured historical events include the workers' strike at the Dungun tin mine and the Burma Road recruitment drive.
2Eve of the Storm - 1941
暴风前夕 - 一九四一年
13–18This part depicts escalating tensions in Singapore prior to the Japanese invasion. Some featured historical events include the establishment of air raid precautions in Singapore.
3Defending Singapore
保卫新加坡
18–23This part depicts the Japanese invasion of Malaya and Singapore. Some featured historical events include the establishment of the Overseas Chinese Mobilisation Council and the Battle of Singapore.
4Mass Screening
大检证
23–25This part depicts the Sook Ching Massacre and Lim Bo Seng's establishment of a guerrilla network under Force 136.
5Lim Bo Seng and Force 136
林谋盛与一三六部队
26–29This part depicts Force 136's espionage activities in Malaya and the heroic deeds of Elizabeth Choy, along with a glimpse of daily life in Japanese-occupied Singapore.
6Lim Bo Seng's Death
林谋盛之死
29–32This part depicts Lim Bo Seng's capture and death at the hands of the Japanese, and the heroic deeds of Sybil Kathigasu.
7The Price of Peace
和平的代价
32This concluding segment depicts the Japanese surrender and the honouring of Lim Bo Seng.

Synopsis

On 7 July 1937, the Marco Polo Bridge Incident sparks off the Second Sino-Japanese War as Japan launches a full invasion on China. Dida Cheng, a deserter from the Chinese army, flees to Malaya, where he meets Cuicui, a Chinese opera actress, and Hideko, a Japanese woman. The three of them are drawn into a complex love triangle. Xie Guomin, an anti-Japanese activist, and Zhou Wenlong, the asthmatic son of a tailor, both fall in love with the porridge vendor Wang Qiumei. After Wang is publicly humiliated by an evil businessman, she is saved by Zhou and decides to marry him. However, she is already secretly pregnant with Xie's child. Their relationships become very strained.

After the Japanese occupied Singapore in 1942, the Sook Ching Massacre takes place when thousands of Chinese deemed to be anti-Japanese activists are rounded up and executed. Following his arrest by the Kempeitai, Xie Guomin becomes a hanjian and informer after succumbing to the enemy under torture. On the other hand, Dida Cheng becomes a resistance fighter and an ally of Force 136, and he continues to fight the Japanese invaders to liberate Singapore.

Historical figures such as the war heroes Lim Bo Seng, Elizabeth Choy and Sybil Kathigasu, the philanthropist Tan Kah Kee, as well as notorious Japanese military figures such as Ishibe Toshiro and Yoshimura Ekio, are also featured as semi-fictional characters in the drama.

Cast

Main cast

Other cast

  • Chen Guohua as Zhang Ada
  • Hong Huifang as Wang Jinfeng
  • Brandon Wong as Fang Qinghua
  • Ken Tay as Zhou Ren
  • Chunyu Shanshan as Miura Kiyoe
  • Guo Yikai as Ishibe Toshiro
  • Wang Jinlong as Yoshimura Ekio
  • Wang Kangwei as Zhuang Huiquan
  • Xu Bing as Gan Choo Neo (Yan Zhuniang)
  • Yang Yue as Konoe
  • Li Shuyi as Ji Qiuxiang

Music

The opening theme song, which shares the same title as the series, was sung in Mandarin by Sebastian Tan (Chen Ruibiao). The main theme of the 1997 Hong Kong film The Soong Sisters is also extensively used in the series.

Filming locations

The series was shot on location in Singapore at the now-defunct TV World in Tuas, Tan Teck Guan Building, Danish Seamen's Church, St. Andrew's School, Chung Cheng High School (Main), The Chinese High School, and HQ Tanglin Barracks (Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building), among others. Extensive filming was also done in Ipoh, Malaysia.

1997 Accolades

The Price of Peace received the following awards and nominations at the Star Awards in 1997.

AwardNomineeResult
Best Actor
最佳男主角
Christopher Lee
李铭顺
Won
James Lye
赖兴祥
Nominated
Best Actress
最佳女主角
Carole Lin
林晓佩
Won
Best Supporting Actress
最佳女配角
Hong Huifang
洪慧芳
Won
Best Supporting Actor
最佳男配角
Chen Guohua
陈国华
Nominated
Chen Shucheng
陈澍城
Nominated
Best Drama Serial
最佳电视剧
N/AWon
Best Theme Song
最佳主题曲
和平的代價 by Sebastian TanWon

See also

Preceded by
Tofu Street
1996
Star Awards for Best Drama Serial
The Price of Peace
1997
Succeeded by
Stand by Me
1998
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