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5 March 2002
For Immediate Release
Kids United: Debut of Local Kids Drama Topped Ratings on Kids Central!
After a successful first season, series 2 of the local kid’s drama, ‘Kids United’ has made a smashing comeback on MediaCorp TV12’s Kids Central as its debut episode scored the coveted top placing on Kids Central’s ratings chart on 3 March 2002. The episode attracted 4.8% people aged 4 and above (P4+) and 17.4% people aged 4-12 (P4-12) beating in its path, strong international titles such as ‘Pokemon Series 2’ (4.5% P4+, 12.5% P4-12) and ‘Butt Ugly Martians’ (3.4% P4+, 11.7% P4-12) which was shown on Kids Central the same morning. At 4.8% P4+, ‘Kids United’ also made Kids Central the ratings winner amongst all terrestrial free-to-air channels during its broadcast.
In fact, the local drama for kids performed so well that it was the top programme on Kids Central for people aged 4-12 for the entire week! The 20-episode series was produced by Dream Forest Productions.
The first series of ‘Kids United’ was Highly Commended at the Asian Television Awards 2001 for Best Children’s Programme. Besides the loveable boys, who now command an ardent fan following, the new series introduces a new female lead and a new actor for the role of Benson Tan.
Carla Ling-May Dunareanu plays Joey Leong, a new character in the series. Joey’s mother died of cancer when she was five and she was brought up by her father. Due to her father’s influence, she is quite boyish in appearance. She doesn’t have a lot of friends but found an instant connection with the boys and they became fast friends. Joey is more of the voice of reason among the gang but not a smart Aleck the ways the boys are, although she can crack a joke at their expense.
Born in Essen, Germany, Carla is 13 years of age and started drama school at the age of ten. Carla’s film debut was in Sandi Tan’s ‘Gourmet Baby’, which will be the opening film for this year’s Singapore International Film Festival.
Kenneth Lim plays Benson Tan, the leader of the group and is often heard saying ‘Listen to me, listen to me…’. As a champion of his school’s essay writing competition, he is often heard correcting grammar mistakes made by his friends.
‘Kids United’ was one of the first locally produced English language dramas for kids. Back by popular demand, the series aims to highlight how modern day children cope with the pressures and social issues in a light hearted and humourous way. Through trials, the kids continue to grow together by providing one another support in their pre-pubescent experiences. Once again, the special friendship amongst the group offers a heart-warming backdrop as the friends learn to tackle the issues they face.
Catch Kids United on Kids Central, every Sunday at 9.30am.
Attachment: Programme Objective and Characters
For more information, please contact:
Jessie Lim
Assistant Promotions Manager
Kids Central, MediaCorp TV12
jessie_lim@mediacorptv12.com
Tel: 65-6420-8587
Fax: 65-6225-0966
Adeline Lim
Assistant PR Manager
Corporate Services
MediaCorp TV12
Tel: 65-6420-8657
Fax: 65-6220-3881
adeline_lim@mediacorptv12.com
Programme Objectives:
‘Kids United’ Series 2 continues to delight audiences by dramatising and bringing forth the lessons learnt in childhood through the lives of 5 good friends. The series depicts the everyday realities faced by these 5 children; both in good and bad times. By not building the themes around any fantasy, puppetry or imaginary scenario, the series’ realistic portrayal of issues which children can relate to will definitely touch the hearts of both the young and the old.
Social issues that concern children are the focal point of this series, particularly on their relationships between the parents, friends and teachers. The series will highlight on how modern-day children cope with the pressures of growing up; peer pressure, parents’ expectations, school life, examinations, ECAs, being outcast by others and inferiority complexes. Each episode will be built around one such issue and sets to show how the children overcome these obstacles both mentally and physically.
Kids United Characters
Benson Tan, 11, Chinese:
Studying in Pri. 5, thinks of himself as the leader if the group, and is often heard saying “ Listen to me, listen to me…” As a champion of his school’s essay writing competition, he is often heard correcting grammar mistakes made by his friends. Benson and his younger brother, Nelson, live in a condo with their parents.
Nelson Tan, 9, Chinese:
Studying in Pri. 3, Nelson is the younger brother of Benson, mischievous, curious and often irritates his friends by asking them “Tell me why? Tell me why?” His innocence and ignorance would also land him in troubles at times, and it is the other 3 who would get him out of trouble.
Fauzi bin Salleh, 10, Malay:
Studying in Pri. 4, handsome, bi-spectacled, set high standards for himself and is afraid to falter. He lives in a 5-room with his elder sister, Fauziah, who’s studying in sec 2 and always gets ‘A’s. His father is a technical engineer and his mother, a teacher. He comes across as the most timid of the 4, and is always very wary of his actions and its consequences.
Thomas DeMello, 10, Eurasian:
A friend and classmate of Benson, Thomas is the only child in the family. He is an active, jovial child who is clumsy at times. He loves to eat but is always generous to share his snacks with the others. Thomas’s parents are bankers and they live near Benson in a nice house and he always has the most money. His outgoing character would land him in troubles sometimes.
Joey Leong, 11, Chinese: (New character in Season 2)
Joey Leong is slim, pretty, very feisty, smart and independent. She doesn't have a lot of friends but found an instant connection with the boys and so they've become fast friends. She's more the voice of reason among the gang but not a smart Aleck the way the boys are, although she can crack a joke at their expense.
Her mother died of cancer when she was five and since then, she's been brought up by her father and various nannies and aunts. Because of her father's influence, she's quite boyish in appearance but not a tomboy. She's got a ponytail and has dresses but dungarees (or jeans) and a tee shirt suit her just fine. She never received a Barbie doll as a child but grew up on Lego and construction sets.
As she grew older, she wanted to fill the role of the mum of the household and so learnt cooking from a nanny (and an aunt). She isn't fabulous in the kitchen but can cook a edible meal.
She likes sports and can play soccer and tennis and swim and climb. She took up Shaolin kungfu because as an only child and without much parental guidance, she felt vulnerable and taking the class gave her confidence and self-reliance. She doesn't hesitate putting the kungfu moves on the guys if they get out of line. And she'll give you an extra chop if you call her Josephine.
Because she lacks a mother, she enjoys spending time with Mrs Tan. Benson and Nelson of course, find it weird that anyone would want to spend time with their mother. In addition, because she lost her mum to cancer, Joey is sensitive to people who are ill. But she tries her best not to let people see her sensitive side. Unusual for a girl but it's something she unconsciously learnt from her dad.
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