7 types of Singaporeans that span all eras
Long Long Time Ago 2 continues the adventures of long-suffering housewife Zhao Di in the 70s, and is the sequel to last month’s Long Long Time Ago. If you’ve watched the film, you’ll notice something peculiar about Singapore – no matter what time period you’re in, you’ll always see the same few types of Singaporeans. It’s like they’re somehow a part of Singapore’s DNA.
That’s one of the reasons why Long Long Time Ago 2 resonates with us so much. No matter how old you are, you’re bound to have encountered these characters in your daily life. Your best friend might even be one of these Singaporeans (though I certainly hope he’s not the Complain King!).
So here are seven Singaporeans that you’ll see in Singapore, no matter what year it is.
1. Pantang Kia
Ah Kun (Mark Lee) with his father, the Pantan Kia Si Shu (Wang Lei) and Ah Ma (Ng Suan Loi) in Long Long Time Ago 2. Credit: Golden Village Pictures
You know this guy – he’s the kind who’s so particular about his seat at the mahjong table, and woe betide the unfortunate person who taps him on the shoulder during a game! Pantang means superstitious in Malay, and that’s what Si Shu is like in the film. He even forbids Zhao Di from addressing him as father (as seen in Long Long Time Ago) because he’s worried it’ll bring him bad luck!
2. Complain King
Ah Feng (Charmaine Sei) looks at Complain King Ah Kun (Mark Lee), with disapproving Ah Ma (Ng Suan Loi) in Long Long Time Ago 2. Credit: Golden Village Pictures
Ah Kun is the typical Complain King in Long Long Time Ago 2. He always has something negative to say, and nothing is good enough to please him. Seriously, this is the kind of person who’ll find something to complain about winning a million dollars, like say the taxes or the forms he has to fill in. Modern day keyboard warriors are the Complain Kings of our generation.
3. Hardworking Housewife
Ah Feng (Charmaine Sei) curls the Hardworking Housewife Zhao Di’s (Aileen Tan) hair in Long Long Time Ago 2. Credit: Golden Village Pictures
The heroine of the story is Zhao Di, and she endures beatings, scoldings, slander and many many other trials with nary a complaint. Sometimes you wonder what she did to deserve any of this. Still, she’s a steadfast woman who brings up her children properly and is always there for her good-for-nothing brother. She’s a housewife in that she does all the chores, but she’s also a stoic breadwinner, even going to coal mines to work. Bet you didn’t know we had coal mines back then!
4. Taichi Master
Can you tell which of these kids is a Taichi Master in Long Long Time Ago 2? Credit: Golden Village Pictures
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and Ah Kun’s children are just like him in how they manage to divert blame from themselves. Taichi Masters are also frequently seen at work, where they can magically unburden themselves of any duties by loading it on to another person. Responsibility is not in the dictionary of a Taichi Master.
5. Ah Beng with a Heart of Gold
Ryan Lian is Ah Long, the Ah Beng with the Heart of Gold in Long Long Time Ago 2. Credit: Golden Village Pictures
Ah Bengs are a dime a dozen (or should we say, a ten-cent coin a dozen) in Singapore, just like Ah Long. But for many of them, that crude, brash exterior hides a good-hearted fellow who’ll make sure you get the best bang for your buck. Today’s handphone shop guy is a typical Ah Beng with a Heart of Gold, making sure that you don’t pay exorbitant amounts for repairing your cracked handphone screen (seriously, just check out how much the official customer service centre will charge you).
6. Doting Ah Ma
Ah Ma (Ng Suan Loi) is also a Doting Ah Ma, n Long Long Time Ago 2. Credit: Golden Village Pictures
We’ve all got a grandmother like this. She’s always got some food ready for you, and she’ll be there whenever you need her. She protects her grandchildren even from their parents! The Doting Ah Ma may be thrifty, but don’t underestimate her – she’s frequently got a motherlode of cash stashed somewhere in a biscuit tin under her bed!
7. Misunderstood Dad
Osman (Suhaimi Yusof) is the Misunderstood Dad in Long Long Time Ago 2. Credit: Golden Village Pictures
Fathers have it tough. They’re often the disciplinarians of the family, and that tough persona means it’s hard to connect with your children sometimes. Poor Osman finds himself in a similar situation in Long Long Time Ago 2, but when you see him talk about his estranged child with tears in his eyes, you can’t help but feel that it’s really an unfortunate misunderstanding.
Poster for Long Long Time Ago 2. Credit: Golden Village Pictures
For more Singaporean archetypes that have stood the test of time, catch Long Long Time Ago 2 in cinemas! Support local, and learn about how our forefathers made the great transition to HDB flats in the film!
Credit: Golden Village Cinemas
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