Folks watching television or browsing videos online are likely to come across these eye-catching and memorable ads.
While some of these are humorous and playful, others are more thought-provoking and heartfelt.
Here are five commercials that can bring smiles, laughter, tears, and a deeper meaning in anticipation of the Year of the Rabbit.
1. Pepsi, ‘Save The Drama’
As to be expected of any family gathering, one needs a good round of refreshments to keep the thirst away – but it’s all too common to see half-drunk cans of beverage being left all around your house post-celebration.
With this in mind, Pepsi’s commercial starts and ends on a hilarious note. A woman decides to leave without finishing her can of the popular carbonated drink (a common occurrence among guests during open houses), throwing her male companions into a frenzy.
The proceedings get increasingly dramatic as they pressure her to finish her can of soft drink. After all, it’s a waste of some perfectly good cola, is it not?! Might there be a solution to this issue?
Indeed there is – in comes a 1.5 litre bottle of the good stuff to save the day!
It’s an unusual, albeit creative, way to teach viewers to mind their food and drink. Buy bottles, rather than cans. Share the drink with your friends and family. And demonstrate your care for the environment by reducing wastage.
As a bonus, Pepsi has something fun in store for families gathering this month: every shopper will receive free 18 sustainable sampling cups with every purchase of three 1.5L Pepsi bottles, plus a QR code to scan where you can participate in the Pepsi Cup Game.
It’s all part of Pepsi’s way of reminding you to be in the present, with your loved ones, during the festive season – and to do your part in saving planet Earth.
2. Watsons, ‘Happy Beautiful Year’
What better way to start an ad than with a language pun? With DJ Tu (rabbit in Mandarin) entering the scene, the first question asked is: “Where’s DJ One?”
This ad then sees the floppy-eared disc jockey meeting members of a family, all creatively themed in their own way. There’s Fantastically Fit Father and Mighty Healthy Mother, whose kids are Fabulous Hair Sister, Supple Skin Brother, and Marvellous Makeup Sister.
In no time at all, you have all five family members belting out an earworm, with DJ Tu working his magic at the turntables.
By the time the ad draws to a close, you will be rushing off to your nearest store to prepare for your pre-CNY makeup session.
3. RHB, ‘A Clean Start’
You know an ad is going to draw a tear or two when it is based on a true story – and doubly so when there’s a soft, sentimental piano playing in the background.
A homeless man suffering on the streets of the city is eventually shown kindness by a caring barber. After being given some help and a badly needed haircut, he is eventually reunited with his beloved mother, just in time for the Chinese New Year.
The advert ends on an even stronger note by highlighting the charitable work of Lex Low, a local barber known for giving haircuts to Malaysia’s homeless population.
4. Mr DIY, ‘The Rude Girl’
In this moving commercial, a new resident who moves into a flat leaves a poor impression on the other members of the community.
Seemingly insensitive to the plight of others, people dismiss her as rude – until the fateful day she rescues a neighbour from a burning home.
It is then revealed that the reason behind her perceived insensitivity is because she is deaf, not that she is deliberately ignoring people’s greetings or acknowledgements.
Realising the error of their ways, the community goes out of its way to make her feel welcome, accepting her as part of the family.
5. Aiken Prebiotic
While this advert doesn’t have a touching story or a memorable moral, it does have something just as good: a catchy tune!
If you are fond of K-pop or similar, you will likely find yourself humming to this promo of Aiken’s latest health product.
Don’t understand Mandarin? Worry not – the melody has enough of a hook to keep your head bobbing with the music.
Even if you aren’t the target demographic, it’s quite likely you won’t be getting this ditty out of your head anytime soon. Happy Chinese New Year!