# The Homecoming (TV series)

The Homecoming (Chinese: 十三鞭; literally: Thirteen Strokes) is a Singaporean Chinese TV drama series telecast on MediaCorp TV Channel 8. It made its debut on 3 April 2007 and ended its run on 30 April 2007. The series ran for a total of 20 episodes. Several of the cast had also appeared in The Undisclosed, which aired in 2006.

## Cast
### Main cast

* Li Nanxing as Dong Weihong
* Constance Song as Sessy
* Rayson Tan as Chen Hanyuan

### Supporting cast

* Zheng Geping as Huang Zhenfa
* Vivian Lai as Qianyi
* Brandon Wong as Lai Guoqiang
* Ye Shipin as Ah Long Jiu
* Ong Ai Leng as Sandy

## Synopsis

Dong Weihong returns to Singapore from the US with his nine-year-old son, Ryan. He catches up with his old buddies Chen Hanyuan, Lai Quoqiang and Huang Zhenfa to reminisce their past friendships. Weihong, who is currently unemployed, helps out in Zhenfa's automobile business while Hanyuan is a successful lawyer and Guoqiang earns a living by being a professional "scapegoat" for criminals. Before long, old feelings of betrayal start brewing among them when they recall their past.
The four friends were convicted of arson and sentenced to imprisonment and caning several years ago. Weihong, Guoqiang and Zhenfa each received three strokes of the cane while Hanyuan received four strokes. He was the one who instigated his friends to commit arson and that effectively made him the mastermind. However, no one else will know the truth unless one of his three friends have betrayed him during the investigation. Hanyuan is deeply traumatised by the experience and vowed to find out who betrayed him. In order to take his revenge, Hanyuan resorts to unscrupulous means and causes harm to those around him.
A complex love relationship develops between Hanyuan, Sessy, Weihong and Qianyi. Qianyi is a childhood friend of Weihong and has been in love with him for a long time but Weihong does not reciprocate. Hanyuan and Sessy are married and Weihong's return threatens their marriage as Sessy still has some feelings for Weihong. As his mind slowly deranges, Hanyuan begins to suspect his wife and Weihong and believes that Weihong is the one who betrayed him.

## Awards and nominations

The other dramas that are nominated for Best Drama are Like Father, Like Daughter 宝贝父女兵, Mars vs Venus 幸福双人床, Metamorphosis 破茧而出 and The Peak 最高点. The other dramas that are nominated for Best Theme Song are Jeff Wang 王建复 — The Peak 最高点 (《并肩的方向》) A-do 阿杜 — Kinship 手足 (《逃离》) Chew Sin Huey 石欣卉 — The Greatest Love of All 爱.特别的你 (《多一点爱》) Honour and Passion 宝家卫国

### Star Awards 2007

| Award | Nominee | Result |
| Best Supporting Actor 最佳男配角 | Brandon Wong 黄炯耀 | Nominated |
| Young Talent Award 青平果奖 | Jarren Ho 何俊扬 | Nominated |
| Best Drama Serial 最佳电视剧 | — | Nominated |
| Best Theme Song 最佳主题曲 | 《风的肩膀》 | Nominated |
| Top 10 Villains poll | Chen Hanyuan (played by Rayson Tan) | Won |

## Viewership Ratings

| Week | Date | Average Number of audience in 5 weekdays (Rounded to the nearest thousand) |
| Week 1 | 3 April 2007 to 6 April 2007 | 582, 000 |
| Week 2 | 9 April 2007 to 13 April 2007 | 596, 000 |
| Week 3 | 16 April 2007 to 20 April 2007 | 621, 000 |
| Week 4 | 23 April 2007 to 27 April 2007 | 635, 000 |
| Last episode | 30 April 2007 | 672, 000 |