Candice Tan

In a fictitious dynasty inspired by ancient China, Princess Ruo Hua longs for a life beyond the rigid expectations of royalty. A passionate gourmand with a curious spirit, she secretly slips into the imperial kitchens at night to learn the art of cooking from the palace chef. Her quiet adventures take an unexpected turn when a wounded general is brought into hiding within the palace after a brutal conflict. Despite the danger, the compassionate princess chooses to help and protect him, revealing a quiet courage and selflessness beneath her gentle nature. Through shared meals, late-night conversations, and small acts of kindness, an unlikely bond begins to blossom between them. As their worlds slowly intertwine, the princess discovers that love, destiny, and true strength can emerge from the most unexpected places.

128 CIRCLE tells the stories of hawkers at a Food Centre in Singapore that has been at the heart of the community’s lives for almost four decades. These are the people – the human faces – behind the familiar food staples we have grown up with, and grow old with, in our neighbourhood. And these are stories of the ups and downs, the inspiration and the perspiration, of the challenges and the joys of being at the beating heart of a cultural heritage that has endured from the early days of Singapore’s history.