On the Fringe (1988 TV series) explained
On the Fringe is a Singaporean Chinese drama which was telecast on Singapore's free-to-air channel, MediaCorp Channel 8. It made its debut on 18 Apr 1988. This drama serial consists of 25 episodes,[1] and was screened on every weekday night at 9.30 pm.
Cast
- Li Nanxing as Chen Yong, the leader of the Roller Express gang. The lead role was originally offered to Eric Moo but was rejected by him.[2]
- Chen Bifeng as Meifeng
- Zheng Wanling as Dangna
- Duan Weiming as Xie Abao
- Yang Libing as Zhang Xiaohua
- Weng Jiahong as Haocai
- Zheng Geping
- Steven Woon
- Dai Peng
- Wang Xiuyun
- Chen Juanjuan
- Pan En
- Liang Tian
- Richard Low
- Wu Weiqiang
- Guan Xinyi
- Cai Ducui
- Li Yinzhu
- Li Gongyu
- Wang Changli
- Chen Tianxiang
- Zhu Zuquan
- An Zheming
- Huang Fa
- Zeng Yaofeng
- Liang Baozhu
- Zhang Jinhua
- Chen Meiguang
- Yan Bingliang
- Ye Shipin
Production
The drama's script is based on research from newspaper reports and interviews with students, teachers, social workers and probation officers.
Original soundtrack
The drama's theme song is 'On the Fringe' sung by Thomas Teo.[3]
Reception
The drama received both positive and negative feedback from the public, warning that "this drama serial, to a large extent, glamorises gangs and gangsterism"[4] while some said that it "enables adult viewers to understand the underlying cause... younger viewers realise the danger of hanging out with wrong people"[5] and "unveiling the problems of these teenagers... deterring them from getting involved with gangsterism".[6]
Notes and References
- News: Lam . Jenny . 15 April 1988 . THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS . 1 . . 5 September 2023 . NewspaperSG.
- News: Ho . Ai Li . 10 March 2019 . Singer Eric Moo turned down Li Nanxing's role in 1980s teen drama On The Fringe . subscription.
- News: 23 January 1989 . Thomas is no weakling . 19 . . 5 September 2023 . NewspaperSG.
- News: 31 August 1989 . Please rethink screening of On The Fringe . 26 . . 5 September 2023 . NewspaperSG.
- News: 5 September 1989 . On The Fringe helps viewers understand problem kids . 28 . . NewspaperSG.
- News: 5 September 1989 . Watch more to get better picture . 28 . . 5 September 2023 . NewspaperSG.
