AFTER the success of his 2000 romantic comedy Summer Holiday, Hong Kong filmmaker Jingle Ma had always wanted to make another movie showcasing the pristine beaches of Malaysia.

Summer Holiday grossed HKD21mil (RM8.46mil), became the second best-selling film after Needing You in Hong Kong and was nominated in four categories at the 20th Hong Kong Film Awards.

However, Ma’s dream only materialised some 11 years later and it is in the form of his latest release Love You You.

Considered a sequel of sorts to Summer Holiday, Love You You retains some of the elements that made its predecessor an enduring success.

Beach ‘holiday’: The Jingle Ma-helmed Love You You, starring Eddie Peng and Angelababy, was filmed on the beaches of Lang Tengah, off Terengganu.

While its predecessor was in Cantonese and starred Hong Kong pop diva Sammi Cheng and Hong Kong-based Taiwanese Mandopop heartthrob Richie Ren, Love You You is in Mandarin and features Taiwanese heartthrob Eddie Peng, 29, and Hong Kong-based Angelababy, 22, (also known as Yeung Wing).

The story revolves around pretty Xia Mi (Angelababy) and hunky You Lele (Peng), who fall for each other despite initial misgivings.

Xia Mi hates the sea because there’s where she lost her parents. But the law firm where she works assigns her to investigate island resort operator You for alleged fraud and other illegal practices. Watch the sparks fly between the two as they uncover each other’s secrets.

“The story is more touching this time. The beach is just as breathtaking and the scenery just as magnificent. I like this movie a little bit more. It’s more cinematic and the plot is thicker. Personally, I like movies that move me so this one works better for me,” said Ma in a phone interview from Hong Kong.

Love You You’s leading lady Angelababy added: “Moreover, the response has been very encouraging and the feedback we’ve received online has been quite positive, too.”

Notably, the romantic comedy showcases the clear waters and sandy beaches of the tropical islands off Malaysia’s beautiful east coast. The movie was shot entirely at Lang Tengah Island, located between Redang Island (where Summer Holiday was filmed) and Perhentian Island off Terengganu.

Filming in Malaysia was almost like a beach vacation for Peng, who “loved the wonderful weather”.

“What I loved most were the azure skies and emerald waters. You can swim in the sea all day and there’s no one to bother you. And, the water is especially clean and clear.”

Angelababy also gushed about how she really liked the place. “You can see the oceanbed, near the harbour. I even saw a marine turtle. And the sky was full of stars at night. It was so beautiful.

“One day, we were returning to the main island where we were staying from another island. And, we looked up at the sky and saw that it was covered with stars that were so close together. It was as pretty as wallpaper. We also saw the Big Dipper. City dwellers like us have never seen such a lovely sky. At that moment, I felt so fortunate and content with my life,” shared Angelababy.

“And, that moment came right after a crying scene. So, I felt it was all worth it. As a newcomer like myself, crying scenes are actually very difficult. I’ve to feel a lot of pain inside in order to cry. But, director Ma was very helpful and gave me a lot of guidance.

“In one scene, where I had to sit in front of the computer and cry, director Ma was right beside me telling me stories until tears rolled down my cheeks.”

Praising his young leads, Ma said: “They’re the golden pairing of the new generation. These days, it’s not easy to get good actors in their 20s, so these two are a good bet. They’re the future of Chinese cinema so my expectations are very high.”

Angelababy said she enjoyed working with Peng, whom she described as a very humorous fellow.

“On the set, Eddie is extremely popular with the ladies. Many of the make-up and costume crew would find all sorts of excuses to try and get close to him. As an actor, he’s very diligent and works hard preparing each scene.”

Peng too enjoyed teaming up with the actress who is easy-going.

“It’s fun working with Baby as she is a bubbly girl with a boyish personality.

“This movie’s a romantic comedy and my character’s a rugged and rebellious chap with a kind heart. He’s definitely a very appealing character. I hope I can be as dashing and care-free,” offered Peng, who has been nominated for Best Actor at the upcoming 48th Golden Horse Award for his role as a gymnast in Taiwanese sports movie Jump Ashin!.

Like Summer Holiday, which features homegrown Mandopop stars like Michael Wong and Aniu as guitar-strumming beach boys, Love You You also includes local actors Steve Yap (as You’s scheming half-brother), Alvin Wong (You’s spineless sidekick) and Bernard Hew a dishonest agent).

The movie soundtrack features the smooth vocals of Singaporean Mandopop singer-songwriter JJ Lin. – Seto Kit Yan

Love You You opens in local cinemas tomorrow.

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