The Little Nyonya sequel Emerald Hill ousts K-Drama from Netflix’s top spot

Mediacorp’s blockbuster period drama Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story is off to a strong start.

The loose sequel to the broadcaster’s 2008 hit The Little Nyonya premiered its first three episodes on Netflix on March 10. It quickly became the streaming platform’s most-watched series in Singapore.

It overtook the hotly anticipated K-drama When Life Gives You Tangerines, starring popular South Korean singer-actress IU and actor Park Bo-gum, which was at No. 2.

Emerald Hill is also streaming via mewatch Prime, and will be available on mewatch on March 17. It will air on Channel 8 on weekdays at 9pm from March 19.

Emerald Hill centres on the Zhangs, a Peranakan family in Singapore in the 1950s to 1970s. The sprawling cast celebrated the chart-topping feat on their various Instagram accounts on March 11.

Tasha Low, 31, who plays the series’ primary protagonist Xinniang, reposted a screenshot of the series topping Netflix’s chart in Singapore on Instagram Stories. She wrote: “Thank you everyone for your support. Please continue watching.”

Chantalle Ng, 29, who plays Xinniang’s nemesis, retweeted Low’s story and said: “Number 1, baby.”

Ferlyn Wong, 33, who plays another central character, posted a photo of her Netflix screen with an emoji of happy tears.

In an interview with Chinese-language news outlet Lianhe Zaobao on March 11, the trio were thrilled about the series’ performance.

Low said she watched the first three episodes with Ng and added that they discussed whether the 30-parter might get into Netflix’s top 10 list.

“I can’t believe we topped the list. I’m very honoured and thankful, and hope that everyone continues to support the show because the story is only going to get more exciting,” she said.

Ng said: “I’m so happy, but also in disbelief that we got No. 1 when it just premiered on Netflix. Hopefully, people keep watching, since I first make an appearance in Episode 6.”

Wong added: “I’m very comforted and proud about it, because from preparation to filming to the show’s actual premiere, the entire cast and crew put their everything into finishing this drama.”

Male lead Zhang Zetong, who plays Xinniang’s love interest Zuye, also posted a screenshot of his Netflix account showing the series topping the chart. He wrote: “Number one.”

The 32-year-old inadvertently revealed his viewing preferences in the screenshot, which recommended him a slew of Japanese anime, to which he added: “Kindly ignore my anime (recommendations).”

He also showed a clip of himself walking on a treadmill while streaming the series.

Actress Zoe Tay, 57, who plays the Zhang family matriarch, posted videos on Instagram Stories of herself enjoying the show on an iPad while at a hair appointment. She also uploaded photos of herself with the star of the original The Little Nyonya, Jeanette Aw, with both of them in sarong kebaya.

Aw, 45, has a cameo in the sequel as the adoptive mother of Zuye.

This article was originally published in The Straits Times.