| Alt Name: | The Unforgettable Character
| ||||||||
| Country: | Taiwan | ||||||||
| Director: | Liu Li-li | ||||||||
| Story: | Chiung Yao | ||||||||
| Developer: | Tsou Mien-wen | ||||||||
| Screenplay: | Lin Chiu-yu | ||||||||
| Producer: | Ping Hsin-tao | ||||||||
| Opentheme: | "Yiran Zai Shui Yi Fang" (依然在水一方) performed by Chiang Shu-na | ||||||||
| Endtheme: | "Yi Ren Zai Shui Yi Fang" (伊人在水一方) performed by Hung Jung-hung | ||||||||
| Cinematography: | Hu Hai-shan | ||||||||
| Editor: | Tseng Jung-lin | ||||||||
| Runtime: | 45 minutes | ||||||||
| Num Episodes: | 40 | ||||||||
| Network: | Chinese Television System |
One Side of the Water is a 1988 Taiwanese television drama series produced by Ping Hsin-tao, based on the 1975 film The Unforgettable Character and its associated 1976 novel, both written by his wife Chiung Yao. The series stars Chiung Yao regulars Chin Han (who portrayed a different character in the 1975 film) and Leanne Liu in the leading roles.
The story is set in the 1980s, instead of the 1970s as in The Unforgettable Character. When Chu Chih-keng brings orphaned girl Tu Hsiao-shuang to his family, everyone welcomes her with open arms—except Chu Chih-keng's wife Lee Hsin-pei, since only she knows that Chu Chih-keng has loved Tu Hsiao-shuang's late mother Kao Hsu-pai. Chu Chih-keng's son Chu Shih-yao takes an immediate interest in the hard-working, forbearing and considerate Tu Hsiao-shuang, and Tu Hsiao-shuang also develops feelings for him. The problem is Chu Shih-yao is too hesitant to break up with the sweet Tso Chiao-jou who is crazy about him. In fact Chu Shih-yao has never loved Tso Chiao-jou romantically, rather he treats her like a younger sister, because the Chus and Tsos have been close for several decades. He and Tso Chiao-jou are involved in an accident: he becomes crippled for life while she suffers a major head injury. Meanwhile, Lee Hsin-pei blames everything on Tu Hsiao-shuang and drives her out.
Given Tso Chiao-jou's severe injury, Tu Hsiao-shuang and Chu Shih-yao both realize their romance is forbidden, so Tu Hsiao-shuang marries the aspiring writer Lu Yu-wen while Chu Shih-yao marries the aphasic Tso Chiao-jou. Despite their bet efforts, their marriages prove much more difficult than they have ever imagined. Chu Shih-yao's marriage falls apart when Tso Chiao-jou realizes that he still loves Tu Hsiao-shuang, while Lu Yu-wen's immaturity, tantrums, and gambling habits also destroy his union with Tu Hsiao-shuang.
| Title | Singer | Lyricist | Composer | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Yiran Zai Shui Yi Fang" (依然在水一方) (translation: Still On One Side of the Water) | Chiang Shu-na | Chiung Yao | Shih Chun-peng | Opening song |
| 2 | "Yi Ren Zai Shui Yi Fang" (伊人在水一方) (translation: The Lover Is on One Side of the Water) | Hung Jung-hung | Liu Chia-chang | Ending song | |
| 3 | "Zai Shui Yi Fang" (在水一方) (translation: On One Side of the Water) | Lee Pi-hua | Lin Chia-ching | ||
| 4 | "Liu Meng Ci" (留夢詞) (translation: Words to Retain a Dream) | Chen Hsin-yi | |||
| 5 | "Ai de Bei Ge" (愛的悲歌) (translation: Sad Song of Love) | Chen Yang | |||
| 6 | "Ni Wo de Jiaoyin" (你我的腳印) (translation: Footprints of You and Me) | Chiang Shu-na | Yu Chung-min | insert song |
The drama's ratings were not as good as expected, in part because of Chiang Ching-kuo's sudden death in January 1988.[1]