Absolute Darling

Absolute Darling

Promotional poster for Absolute Darling
Also known as 絕對達令
Genre Romance
Based on Absolute Boyfriend 
by Yuu Watase
Directed by Liu jun Jie (劉俊傑)
Starring Jiro Wang
Ku Hye-sun
Kun Da
Opening theme "Mr. Perfect" by Fahrenheit
Ending theme "假装我们没爱过" (Pretend We Have Never Loved) by Jiro Wang
Country of origin Republic of China (Taiwan)
Original language(s) Mandarin
No. of episodes 20
Production
Producer(s) Wang Xin Gui (王信貴)
Location(s) Taiwan
Running time 90 minutes
Production company(s) GTV
Broadcast
Original channel FTV, GTV
Picture format NTSC
First shown in Taiwan
Original run 8 April 2012 – 1 July 2012
Chronology
Preceded by Skip Beat!
Followed by Once Upon a Love
Related shows Zettai Kareshi
External links
GTV official website
Absolute Darling
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese 絕對達令
Simplified Chinese 绝对达令
Japanese name
Kana 絶対彼氏

Absolute Darling (simplified Chinese: 绝对达令; traditional Chinese: 絕對達令) is a Taiwanese romance drama television series based on the original manga novel Absolute Boyfriend by Yuu Watase. Jiro Wang, member of Taiwanese boy band Fahrenheit played Night Tenjo's role while South Korean actress Ku Hye-sun played Riiko Izawa.[1][2][3]

Cast

Note: Characters' names displayed as "in-drama Taiwanese name / original Japanese name"

Actor Character
Jiro Wang Night/Henry (萬奈特) / Night Tenjo
Ku Hye-sun Guan Xiao Fei/Alice Guan (官筱菲) / Riiko Izawa
Kun Da Yan Zong Shi (嚴宗史) / Soushi Asamoto

Synopsis

Guan Xiao Fei has never had a boyfriend and has been rejected by every guy who she ever confessed to. When she returns a lost cell phone to a strange salesman, she mentions wanting a boyfriend. To show his gratitude to her, the salesman named Lei Wu Wu gives her his business card and tells her to go to his company's website, Kronos Heaven. At the Darling Store section of the site, Xiao Fei could create her own customized absolutely perfect lover. Having fun with the idea and not realizing what it really means, she sets her preferences and makes an order, intending to keep it for the free 2-day trial and then return it.

The next day, she is shocked when her new lover arrives. Following the instructions, she kisses him to activate him and later gives him the name "Nai Te" (taken from the model name Nightly 01). Just after exactly 48 hours has passed, the salesman appears at her door to inform her that she did not return the product within the 48-hour trial period. Therefore, Xiao Fei must pay 100,000,000 NTD for Nai Te, which is already a generous 70% off discount since she is the first buyer of the product. Later, as Xiao Fei struggles with finding part-time work, Lei Wu Wu is able to negotiate a deal with his company. The fee would be written-off if she helps them to collect data about how women think and feel to help perfect future models. The only other condition is that she will have to keep Nai Te's identity a secret. If she accidentally says it, then she would have to pay the fee.

Xiao Fei must now hide Nai Te's true nature from everyone. She soon finds herself in a love triangle between Nai Te and her childhood friend Zong Shi when he confesses his feelings for her. As Xiao Fei spends more time with Nai Te, Nai Te starts to develop real human emotions, which allows him to truly love Xiao Fei. Who will Xiao Fei choose as her absolute boyfriend?

Production

It was announced at a press conference on October 5, 2010 that a live-action adaptation of Absolute Boyfriend will be filmed,[4] starring singer-actor Wu Chun as "Night" and Korean actress Ku Hye-sun as "Riiko."[5] On May 3, 2011, Jiro Wang replaced fellow Fahrenheit band member Wu Chun as the male lead of the drama series.[6] The series premiered on April 1, 2012 on FTV.

Broadcast

Channel Country Debut date Finale date Broadcast date & time Info
FTV Taiwan Taiwan 8 April 2012 Sundays, 9.40pm
GTV Taiwan Taiwan 14 April 2012 Saturdays, 10.30pm
MediaCorp Channel U Singapore Singapore 8 April 2012 Sundays, 9.30pm
ABS-CBN Philippines Philippines 24 June 2013 16 August 2013 Monday-Friday, 5:00pm The most-watched Taiwanese Drama in Philippines in 2013.

This is the first GTV idol drama to air in Singapore first before its premiere in Taiwan, although the Singapore broadcast didn't include bloopers/behind the scenes.

Reception

Formosa TV (FTV) (民視) Ratings
Episode Original Broadcast Date Average Rank Remarks
1 8 April 2012 1.00 5 This includes bloopers.
2 15 April 2012 0.91 5
3 22 April 2012 0.92 5
4 29 April 2012 0.76 3
5 6 May 2012 0.67 3
6 13 May 2012 0.67 3
7 20 May 2012 0.64 3
8 27 May 2012 0.70 2
9 3 June 2012 0.58 4
10 10 June 2012 0.60 3
11 17 June 2012 0.81 2
12 24 June 2012 0.66 3
13 1 July 2012 0.86 3
Average 0.75 -

Source:China Times

Ratings (Philippines)

References

  1. Lee, Gyeong-Ho (8 March 2012). "Ku Hye Sun appearing in pink pajamas in a Taiwanese drama series Absolute Darling". Star News. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  2. Sunwoo, Carla (10 March 2012). "Ku Hye-sun to star in magic world with custom-order boyfriends". Korea JoongAng Daily. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  3. Choi, Eun-hwa (24 April 2012). "Author of Absolute Boyfriend Comic Applauds Gu Hye Sun′s Acting". enewsWorld. Retrieved 2012-05-01.
  4. "吳尊當機器人男友 與具惠善譜戀曲". The Epoch Times (in Chinese). 6 October 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  5. "吳尊具惠善《絕對達令》現場照公開 吳尊王子很帥". CRI Online (in Chinese). 22 October 2010. Retrieved 2010-12-22.
  6. "汪東城難甩背後靈 聞吳尊一派恍神". Apple Daily (in Chinese). 3 May 2011. Retrieved 2011-05-03.

External links