世にも奇妙な物語 ~ New Perspectives Towards Marriage

It all started this autumn, when I stumbled upon a Japanese SP on "世にも奇妙な物語" also called "世界奇妙物语" or "Strange Tales in the World". The SP consists of 4 short stories, each lasted only about 20 odd minutes. Very short, concise, short and sweet. I like! You probably already know that though I am a drama addict, I am quite picky about the dramas I watch. For instance, I don't really like long dramas. I like dramas which wrap up under 20 episodes. Actually, 15 is a nice number, as I usually find plots draggy halfway.

Back to "世にも奇妙な物語". It is a series by Fuji TV. And it starts way back from 1990! It has more than 10 years of history! The stories may be fantasy, sci-fi, horror, romance... but something in the story is definitely out-of-ordinary. Some are really awesome. Unexpected endings. Touching. *sniff* Or intriguing. *sets me thinking* All these action under 20 odd minutes. :D

Recently, there is quite a number of online commentaries and discussions on low birth rate, low marriage rate and even low dating rate in Japan. Whether it's true a not, it's quite controversial (referring to dating rate). I guess universally, developed countries all face the same problem of falling birth rate and later marriages. Singapore alike.

And the following 3 stories which I stumbled upon, actually brought some interesting insights or new theories on the topic of marriage. Something for your mind to chew on...

世にも奇妙な物語 2013 秋の特別編 仮婚
When we talk about marriage, we must first find a life partner we would like to settle down with. Mmm.. what is your ideal spouse like? No idea? How about having a role-play first to find out which type you are compatible with?

I like the twist in the ending! Unexpected!


Start from 2:23.



世界奇妙物語 2012 秋季特別篇 同坐一桌的戀人

Next, you have found someone. But is she/ he really "The One"? The following story sheds some light on how to identify him/ her.

Pretty touching. Like! Ah.. if only identifying "The One" is as simple as that in the story.

世界奇妙物語 2000 結婚模擬程式

Found him/ her. Now, we would like to embark on our next chapter- getting married. But first, let's get a wedding planner. Wow.. their services are so varied nowadays that they even provide simulation service of marriage life. But is it good to have a peek first? Mmm.. I wouldn't even if there's such a service in reality.

What's more! Takashi Kashiwabara 柏原崇 is starring in this story. I missed his dramas, since his work as 入江 直樹 Irie Naoki in "イタズラな Kiss" in 1996.

So what are your thoughts?

Actually each short movie tells a story behind the marriage/ dating scene in the society then. 肉食女？ 素食男？ 离婚？ 爱情长跑？What's our role in a marriage? It led me thinking for a while. Hope they have brought new perspectives to you too. (^_^)

Wedding Banquets Around Asia (Almost)

Today at my Japanese class, sensei discussed about wedding ceremonies with us.
We mainly talked about the wedding banquets, and stopped just there, as there are just so many differences across countries!

Japanese-style
First sensei and fellow classmates shared on Japanese wedding banquets. Here are some surprising facts I've picked up during the discussion:

• The guest has to pay for the banquet
• The guest will also give a monetary gift (similar to our hongbao)
• The gift ranges from 10,000 yen (approx S$150+) to 30,000 yen (approx S$450+)
• The most popular amount is 30,000 yen though
• Do not give just 2 dollar notes for the gift (eg. two 10,000 yen notes), as that signifies breakup; 2 separate paths
• After the banquet, the guest will collect a 'gift hamper', consisting of wine, tableware, cake, etc, as gift from the wedding couple
• The number of guests is lesser than a typical Singaporean wedding ceremony
• The wedding couple will have their meal on stage, with the rest of the guests offstage, eating at other tables.

Hong Kong-style
Next, our Hong Kong classmate shared on Hong Kong wedding banquets.
He only has one word to share... and that is 'Mahjong'!
There will be 3 hours of mahjong before the banquet, and another 3 hours of mahjong after the banquet.
The actual banquet? It's 2 hours.

Myanmese-style
We then asked our Myanmese classmate if the wedding banquet has the custom of 'yam seng'- a very popular item at wedding banquets (my Japanese sensei has shared that she was rather surprised by this culture when she first attended a Singaporean wedding. The loud 'yam seng' startled her :P)
And, yup, there's 'yam seng', which they called it 'gam pai', and no, there is no long dragging of the 'yam'.

Indonesian-style
Our Indonesian classmate next shared on Indonesian wedding banquet. They are usually held in huge ballrooms. There are no tables, and it's buffet-style. Mmm... this has been picked up by the local crowd too, as I've attended a few of such weddings. Anyway, she said this style was used, as most wedding banquets are crowded with many guests.
In addition, the wedding couple will shake hands with the guests after the banquet (that's the same as ours)
Shake again before the guests arrived at the party after the banquet.
And shake again after the guests leave the party.
You will need very strong hands and a lasting smile for a wedding ceremony :P

And with that, we concluded our discussion on wedding banquets around Asia.
Very interesting indeed!

Beautiful Imperfections

Have you watched this new TVC?



Another of Yasmin Ahmad's production. :) I love her works.
It always touches my heart.

After I first heard her talk at one of the new media seminars which I attended, I immediately went back and googled for her works in Malaysia.

My favourite was:



I liked her very simple thread of thought which is being conveyed through very heartwarming storylines. A single message and a very simple storyline, which is able to touch the hearts of masses. Not easy at all.

This time, there's a social media campaign together by MCYS (Think Family) with the launch of this TVC (the last was Family). There's a facebook competition to find the Beautifully Imperfect Couple. It's pretty interesting to see how the mechanism works and how it ends. It is using the 'like' mechanism of the facebook platform as a voting mechanism. The more people who liked your submission, the higher chance you'll win the contest.

"In the end, it's these little imperfections that made it perfect for you. And to my beautiful children, I hope that one day you too find yourselves life partners who are as imperfect as your father was, to me."
- Quoted from the TVC

Think... family :)

Fair Marriages?

Came across this paper: 'Fair Marriages:' An Impossibility

Tried to understand and deciper all the various mathematical notations and equations but without avail... probably because I have not revisited my math nor stats for a few years already :P

Nevertheless, here's the outcome of the paper:
The authors have proven that there are marriage markets where no amount of money can guarantee the existence of a fair allocation.

Mmm.. after some thought, probably this is not a surprise. Afterall most marriages started from love, and love itself is not a rational product. Thus, how can an irrational product be fair then? There'll bound to be a party which gives more than the other.