Li Nanxing & Chen Liping Reveal Why They “Couldn't Maintain Eye Contact” When Filming Good Morning Sir
Li Nanxing, 58, and Chen Liping, 57, were real sweet as bashful lovers in 1989 Mediacorp classic Good Morning Sir, but did you know that the on-screen partners could barely maintain eye contact with each other while filming their scenes?
In the latest episode of Mediacorp talk show The Reunion, which sees cast members from classic dramas reunite, the Good Morning Sir stars continued their chat about everything that went on during filming.
As it turns out, Nanxing and Liping, who were 24 and 23 respectively then, attended the same drama training class at the then-Singapore Broadcasting Corporation and were already friends before they shot Good Morning Sir.
And while you’d think their friendship would make things easier when it came to acting with each other, it turned out to be quite the opposite.
In the drama, Liping plays Shen Rong, a ditzy teacher, who’s posted to teach at school in a fishing village, while Nanxing plays the village’s resident Chinese doctor, Zhou Wenjie. The two eventually fall in love as the drama progressed.
Rewatch the entire series on meWATCH here. The first episode is embedded as well. Our story continues below.
Nanxing shared that the mannerisms of his character was influenced by Liping, who “moved about a lot” as she acted.
The actor went on to reveal that he would laugh whenever he saw Liping do her signature “Aiyoyo” catchphrase.
“To be honest, we were from the same training course. We couldn’t maintain eye contact while talking,” he said, adding that they were too familiar with each other.
Host Lee Teng along with Good Morning Sir stars Hong Huifang, Jin Yinji and Wang Chang Li were tickled pink by Nanxing and Liping's anecdotes.
“I learnt how to avert my eyes [while acting] 'cos of her!” Nanxing exclaimed, while Liping vehemently offered up an explanation beside him.
“No! You did that [automatically] on your own!” she countered.
The 'real' teacher in Good Morning Sir.
The episode also featured former actor Xia Chuan, 81, who played Lin Jin Xi in the show. Xia Chuan was also the trainer for the drama training courses most artistes back then attended.
“Our achievements today are all 'cos of the guidance from Teacher [Xia Chuan],” Nanxing shared.
Photos: meWATCH
Watch the full episode below to find out how Huifang felt about being in an on-screen relationship with Xia Chuan, who’d taught her acting. You can also catch this reunion episode (and all subsequent ones) here on meWATCH.
