Love triangles, complicated friendships and betrayal spice up Love is All Around You.

HEARTBREAK and betrayal sparking off a whirlwind romance that leads to a fairytale wedding in just seven days? That is how Love is All Around (Ai Zai Ni Zuo You), a 26-episode romantic drama on Ntv7 begins.

The heart-warming offering will take viewers on a roller-coaster ride, with storylines that revolve around love triangles, complicated friendships, interfering in-laws, and such. Romance, in all its guises, abounds as three good-looking, young couples discover each other as they ride the merry-go-round of love.

This Mandarin series is another joint collaboration between Media Prima and Singapore’s MediaCorp Studios. Spurred by the success of their other productions, this drama also features an all-Malaysian cast.

Matters of the heart: Ming (who plays Zhuang Jiwei) and Apple Hong (Fu Xiao Xiaoyue) in Love is All Around.

Malaysian actress Zhu Mi Mi, who is based in Hong Kong, plays Feng Jiao, the overbearing matriarch of the Zhuang family. The loud and hilarious Zhu says this is the first time she’s acting in a Malaysian drama.

“This drama series can be considered my debut in Malaysia. I’ve been filming dramas in Hong Kong and even China, but not here.

“My heart has always been here so I’m glad to be back on home ground. Shooting schedules in Hong Kong can be so packed. Here in Malaysia, it’s not as bad. I even have time to go shopping,” says Chu at a press conference in Kuala Lumpur recently.

“I play a very traditional woman. Since my son Ji Wei (played by Ming) has been going out with Kai Qi for such a long time, I’ve always regarded her as my daughter-in-law.

“When he ends up marrying another girl, Xiao Yue (Apple Hong), I am naturally upset. So, I give her a tough time.”

Taking on his first leading role, Ming plays the sentimental and romantic Zhuang Ji Wei. Last seen in Falling in Love, the soft-spoken singer, actor and host also sang the theme song.

“Filming took three months. Compared to making music, it’s been quite demanding and stressful. There were a few scenes which required me to fa pi qi (vent anger). Since, I’m not one with a temper, I had to do those scenes several times.”

Singapore-based Hong plays the idealistic Fu Xiao Yue, a tour guide who is dumped by her cheating boyfriend, when the story begins.

“Xiao Yue is actually a lot like me. She fervently hopes to meet her Prince Charming. Unfortunately, her impetuosity results in her ending up with an unsavoury character.”

William San and Eunice Ng, who previously played a charming couple in Falling in Love, team up again in Love is All Around.

Former beauty queen-turned-actress Ng portrays Zhuang Mei Mei, a typical 30-something single career woman.

San, who co-hosts Dating Celebrity on Ntv7, plays designer Fu Xing Han, a playboy who eventually falls for Mei Mei.

“In this drama, I may be quite the gentleman with the ladies. But, I also plan for a future with my beloved wife.”

Ng Ming Hui plays the bubbly little sister, Zhuang Xiao Ai. “My most unforgettable scene involves an exciting wire-act. I only found out about it when I got to the set. I had to jump off a building ...”

Melvin Sia provides some comic relief as fashion designer Zhang Yu Fan, who is also Xiao Ai’s best friend. “Yu Fan may be effeminate but he likes girls all the same. Although we begin as friends, Xiao Ai and I eventually become a couple.”

Love is All Around makes its debut on Ntv7 at 9.45pm today. It airs from Mondays to Thursdays at the same time.

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