Singapore TV: From Local to Global - Special Exhibition by SCCC and Mediacorp

Take a nostalgia walk down memory lane into the world of locally produced tv dramas, which era of local TV gives you your most vivid memories that were part of your growing up years, as a young kid, teenager or young adult? At this special exhibition jointly presented by Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and Mediacorp, Singapore TV: From Local to Global, this exhibition traces the development of locally produced Chinese dramas from the 1960s to the present day.

Singapore TV: From Local to Global

Singapore TV: From local to global special exhibition showcases how they have grown in ambition, scale and international reach over the decades. This exhibition features original costumes, artefacts, photographs, magazines, multimedia installations and interactive experiences.

Stepping into this special exhibition, you are invited to rediscover the stores, sets, and stars that have long become part of Singapore’s shared cultural fabric.

Five Chronological Zones

This Singapore TV: From local to global special exhibition is divided into five chronological zones, inviting you to start your journey back in time through the history of local Chinese dramas, from its early beginnings to contemporary developments and future possibilities. Each zone showcases a distinct period of development and explores key themes, milestones and creative practices that have shaped the industry.

Zone 1 – Origins of local Chinese drama

Start off your nostalgia walk down memory lane by tracing the origins of local Chinese drama, from its formative years in the 1960s through the early 1980s. Want to have a go at dubbing a scene from Good Morning, Sir!, you can do so! Also learn about local talent discovery programme Star Search, browse a display of vintage television magazine covers.

For those who grew up (like me) watching this iconic drama The Awakening, you can take photos with the props against a backdrop inspired by this drama. This scene triggered many memories for me, probably the first local Chinese drama that I watched.

Zone 2 – 1990s: The defining era of local Chinese dramas

Heading into the 1990s, this is widely regarded as the defining era of local Chinese dramas. In this section, there is a collection of 12 costumes seen in iconic dramas such as The Return of Condor Heroes and The Legend of Ji-Gong, as well a showcase of Star Awards trophies across different eras.

For those who remembered watching the following dramas, The Golden Pillow, The Untouchables and The Return of the Condor Heroes, don’t miss the recreated sets from those dramas, you can re-enact the iconic scenes if you like! The Untouchables (双天至尊) was one of my favourite dramas that time!

Anyone would like to be a TV star receiving the Star Awards trophy with its iconic tune playing behind the scenes? Don’t miss this segment to produce your own TV celebrity moment!

Zone 3 – 2000s: Competition and globalised media landscape

In the third zone, enter into the 2000s, this era faced intensifying competition and an increasingly globalised media landscape. Through timelines, magazine displays, and behind the scenes video interviews with industry professionals, you can gain insights into the evolving production ecosystem and international influences.

Zone 4 – Craft of Scriptwriting

Learn more about the craft of scriptwriting in this fourth zone from the original and reproduced scripts from selected dramas alongside video clips illustrating how actors interpreted scripts and brought them to life on screen.

That’s also a video interview with Mediacorp scriptwriter, Ms Cheong Yan Peng, highlighting her creative process, challenges of the job, and her aspirations for the local entertainment industry.

Zone 5 – Present and Future of Chinese dramas

In this final zone, take a look at the present and future of Chinese dramas via a TV installation wall with television sets across different generations. You can also engage with vertical format micro-dramas and an interactive voting wall, at which you can vote on the kinds of content and genres they hope to see in the future.

Two Talks in August and September 2026

In conjunction with this exhibition, SCCC will also present two talks in August and September 2026. Registration for the above talks will open nearer to the dates.

The first talk will feature Mr Su Zhangkai, a researcher in the fields of media, entertainment and history, who will discuss the formative years of Singapore Chinese dramas from 1963 to 1982. The second talk will feature award-winning scriptwriter Mr Ang Eng Tee; Emerald Hill – The Little Nonya Story Executive Producer, Ms Loh Woon Woon; and artistes Chen Liping and Richie Koh, who will share insights on how scriptwriting and acting have evolved across generations.

SCCC Chief Executive Officer, Mr Alvin Tan, said, “Through this exhibition, we hope to bring visitors on a nostalgic trip back in time by tracing the evolution of local Chinese dramas, and to highlight the dynamism of the industry by charting out the future of local Chinese dramas both on the small screen locally and across digital platforms internationally. In doing so, we hope to showcase how local Chinese dramas often serve as a bellwether of prevailing societal norms, and as social glue through the creation of shared viewing experiences, while contributing to Singapore’s distinctive local Chinese culture and identity.”

Mediacorp Chief Executive Officer, Ms Tham Loke Kheng, said, “Chinese dramas are a major part of Mediacorp’s storytelling legacy. More than entertainment, they reflect Singapore society, capture the spirit of their times, and connect viewers across generations through shared stories and memories. Even as audiences discover and consume content in new ways, our commitment remains the same: to tell Singapore stories that resonate locally and travel further. This exhibition is proof of that journey – and a preview of where we are headed next.”

Singapore TV: From Local to Global – Special Exhibition by SCCC and Mediacorp