My Guardian Angels

My Guardian Angels
单翼天使
GenreDrama
Written byChwee Chwee Goh
Yeow Tang
Directed byMartin Chan
Max Lim
StarringZoe Tay
Kym Ng
Hong Ling
Pierre Png
Country of originSingapore
Original languageMandarin
No. of episodes30
Production
ProducerBee Lian Teng
Original release
NetworkMediacorp Channel 8
Release6 April (2020-04-06) –
15 May 2020 (2020-05-15)

My Guardian Angels (Chinese: 单翼天使) is a Singaporean drama produced and telecast on Mediacorp Channel 8. It stars Zoe Tay, Kym Ng, Hong Ling and Pierre Png.[1][2][3] The series has received criticism for its portrayal of LGBTQ characters.[4]

The series was the most-watched local Chinese drama series in Singapore in 2020.[5] For her role in the drama, Tay won the Star Awards for Best Actress for the fourth time in her career, making her the first person to have won the award four times.[6]

Cast

Main

Supporting

Guest and minor

Controversy

A sub-plot involving a paedophilic gay basketball coach who had a sexually transmitted disease portrayed by Chase Tan was criticised by the LGBT community in Singapore for perpetuating the stereotype that gay men are paedophiles and have sexually transmitted diseases. The sub-plot was condemned by Action For Aids, a Singaporean non-governmental organisation "dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS infection", who stated that "The portrayal of gay men as paedophiles further perpetuates falsehoods that create further suffering among an already marginalised and stigmatised population." A second sub-plot involving parents, portrayed by Kym Ng and Brandon Wong, worrying about the sexual orientation of their son, portrayed by Benjamin Tan, and behaving in a homophobic manner, was also criticised.[7][8]

In response to the criticism, Mediacorp issued an apology, stating that it had "no intention to disrespect or discriminate against the LGBTQ community in the drama".[7] A spokesperson for the company stated that the first sub-plot was meant to "encourage young people to be aware of potential dangers and not be afraid to speak up and protect themselves", and that the second sub-plot was meant to " depict the real life struggles some parents face in communicating with their children on topics such as relationships and sexual orientation".[9]

References

  1. ^ Lim, Bryan (1 October 2021). "Kym Ng challenges TV queen Zoe Tay to an acting showdown". AsiaOne. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  2. ^ 李妙音 (20 December 2019). "与郑惠玉演母女 芳榕感谢阿姐耐心教戏". Lianhe Zaobao. Archived from the original on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  3. ^ "【狮城星闻】首次斗戏郑惠玉 鐘琴拼了". Kwong Wah Yit Poh. 16 September 2019. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  4. ^ "Singapore broadcaster sorry after TV show sparks LGBT anger". Agence France-Presse. 15 July 2020. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  5. ^ Tseng, Douglas (14 January 2021). "Zoe Tay's My Guardian Angels, English Soap Opera Kin Rule Mediacorp's List Of Most-Watched Dramas Of 2020". today. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  6. ^ Fam, Jonathan (19 April 2021). "Surprise Best Actress Winner Zoe Tay: "You Saw My Stunned Face Or Not?"". today. Archived from the original on 26 April 2021. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  7. ^ a b Lee, Jan (15 July 2020). "Mediacorp apologises for controversial paedophile character in Channel 8 drama My Guardian Angels". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 8 May 2024. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  8. ^ Teng, Yong Ping (13 July 2020). "Mediacorp apologises for TV drama containing negative gay stereotypes". yahoo!life. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  9. ^ "No intention to disrespect, discriminate LGBTQ community in My Guardian Angels drama: Mediacorp". CNA Lifestyle. 14 July 2020. Retrieved 2 December 2022.