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Kopitiam

  • TV Series
  • 1998–2003
  • TV-14
IMDb RATING
7.7/10
51
YOUR RATING
Joanna Bessey, Tan Jin Chor, Douglas Lim, Mano Maniam, and Kin Wah Chew in Kopitiam (1998)
Comedy

After her father's death, Marie inherits his old coffee-shop. She renovates it and calls it "Kopitiam". Her friends, Steven, a hairdresser, and Joe, an aspiring actor help her out. An annoyi... Read allAfter her father's death, Marie inherits his old coffee-shop. She renovates it and calls it "Kopitiam". Her friends, Steven, a hairdresser, and Joe, an aspiring actor help her out. An annoying Singaporean lawyer, Susan, also joins the ride.After her father's death, Marie inherits his old coffee-shop. She renovates it and calls it "Kopitiam". Her friends, Steven, a hairdresser, and Joe, an aspiring actor help her out. An annoying Singaporean lawyer, Susan, also joins the ride.

  • Stars
    • Joanna Bessey
    • Mano Maniam
    • Tan Jin Chor
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.7/10
    51
    YOUR RATING
    • Stars
      • Joanna Bessey
      • Mano Maniam
      • Tan Jin Chor
    • 4User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Episodes94

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    Top cast21

    Edit
    Joanna Bessey
    • Marie Tan
    • 1998–2003
    Mano Maniam
    • Uncle Chan
    • 1998–2003
    Tan Jin Chor
    • Uncle Kong
    • 1998–2003
    Douglas Lim
    • Steven…
    • 1998–2003
    Rashid Salleh
    • Joe
    • 1998–2003
    Kin Wah Chew
    • Kee Tat
    • 1998–2003
    Lina Teoh
    • Susan Lau
    • 1998–1999
    Jo Jo Struys
    • Cate…
    • 2002–2003
    Bernie Chan
    • Sheila Tan
    • 2002–2003
    Baki Zainal
    • Aru
    • 2002–2003
    Avo Yeo
    • Rain
    • 2002
    Chelsia Ng
    Chelsia Ng
    • Rain
    • 2003
    Shamsher Sidhu
    • Rick
    • 2002–2003
    Chris Ng
    • Ah Chai
    • 1998–2002
    Wardina Safiyyah
    • Deanna (Manager…
    • 1999
    Kui Jien Soo
    • Jonathan Wei
    • 1999
    Craig Fong
    Craig Fong
    • William
    • 2003
    Thuan Chye Kee
    • Kok Hui…
    • 1999–2002
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews4

    7.751
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    Featured reviews

    9synicalrules

    If you see it on TV, WATCH IT!

    It's been off the air so long, I only have fond memories of it. It's one of those quality local English sitcoms I used to watch as a kid. Also love the theme song, Empty Decorations, by Indecisive (which you can find online).

    I'm not sure how well the regional humor translates outside Malaysia/Singapore, but it was funny - there was some shipping (long before the term came to play now) going on between two of the characters, effeminate hairstylist Steven and the snotty lawyer from Singapore, Susan. .. Other characters include mama's boy Joe, and long-time customers of said kopitiam, Uncle Chan and Uncle Kong.

    Long story short, if you ever come across reruns of this, WATCH IT!
    8Morrowclaw

    Charming, cute and funny.

    I'm Canadian with Scottish/French heritage so I have no connection to this show but I saw it on Netflix and took a chance. This show is basically the television equivalent of comfort food. It's quirky and charming and there's some odd humour but every culture has that. I'd recommend it.
    YFL

    Give this a try!

    Kopitiam really is a welcome change from most of the boring and unintelligent local stuff I usually see - it's a fresh upbeat sitcom which is ACTUALLY amusingly catchy! Well, well ...

    By the way, the title means coffee shop, and most of the story revolves around it, ala Friends. However it's not exactly the same, different cultures and etc, etc, gives this different slants and elements - it's another show altogether, and truly good enough to stand on its own. The script is great, so is the cast.

    From what I saw in the first season this show is sharp and witty, definitely more so if you're a Malaysian or a Singaporean as it makes fun of the edgy relationship between these two countries (Susan is a Singaporean while the others, Malaysian), and also it has the very local flavor of English spoken here. But there's more ... see for yourselves. This show is fun!
    neoprene

    A really good show

    This is an excellent Malaysian TV series. Compared to the usual fare on TV, "Kopitiam" stands out.

    Marie (Joanna Bessey) inherits her father's kopitiam/coffee shop and a few moments after walking into it, loyal customers Uncle Chan (Mano Maniam) and Uncle Kong (Tan Jin Chor) walk in. They are joined by Marie's childhood friend Steven (Douglas Lim) who is a hairdresser who insists on NOT being called "barber" or "haircutter", stage-struck Joe, and a little later, Singaporean lawyer Susan (Lina Teoh).

    This series is wonderfully peppered with bits of Malaysian-style English and is so, so very addictive, that my sister and I made sure - as much as possible - never to miss a single episode. Watch it.

    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Quotes

      Susan: He's just a sleazy foreigner!

      Steven: So what does that make you?

    • Soundtracks
      Empty Decorations
      Performed by Indecisive

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    FAQ11

    • How many seasons does Kopitiam have?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • 1998 (Malaysia)
    • Country of origin
      • Malaysia
    • Language
      • English
    • Production company
      • Double Vision
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

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    • Color
      • Color

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    Joanna Bessey, Tan Jin Chor, Douglas Lim, Mano Maniam, and Kin Wah Chew in Kopitiam (1998)
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