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Taking on ever-changing roles in her life, Ah Chiam was brought up in a harsh environment and comes from a poor family of 12 children. Born during the Japanese invasion, her father has always suspected Chiam to be the product of a Japanese soldier’s rape and despised her for that. Having to deal with a mean-spirited father who constantly finds ways to abandon her, Ah Chiam had to prove her worth at a young age in order to convince her father to keep her in the family. After working multiple jobs prove insufficient to earn her stay, Ah Chiam made the ultimate sacrifice of joining the famous Sin Sai Hong wayang troupe along with her sister, Ah Dui. Suddenly being entrusted into an unfamiliar world, Ah Chiam must quickly adapt to the rigorous training regime and strict traditions of the wayang school. She had to work hard to earn her ranks and the respect of her peers.
With 12 children in the family, resources are spread thin, and something’s got to give. Ah Chiam’s father has plans to abandon her and she needs to fight hard to earn her stay. However, Ah Chiam’s world starts to collapse when her mother, her only source of comfort and support, suddenly falls ill.
Travelling all by herself to Johor for the very first time, Ah Chiam gets robbed and has no one to turn to. An unexpected friend, Mawar, guides her to safety and helps her through the new environment. Troubles continue to brew when Ah Chiam lands a job as a nanny. It’s not just a difficult employer she must deal with, but also the ridiculous demands from a wicked little boy.
Ah Chiam and Ah Dui find their way into critically-acclaimed Opera Troupe Sin Sai Hong - but they have got to start from the rock bottom. While Ah Chiam enthusiastically learns the ropes, her sister Ah Dui falls behind. The tough training challenges their determination, and danger lurks when Ah Dui catches the attention of an instructor who has taken special interest in her.
Ah Chiam’s hard work finally pays off, and she is given a chance to act in an upcoming play. But this incites the jealousy of her senior, Ah Ngor. Underhand methods and passive aggressive behaviours surface when Ah Ngor bullies Ah Dui in a bid to hold Ah Chiam ransom. Meanwhile, Ah Chiam’s brother Poh Liat joins the student riots. Family woes never end, no matter how far you go.
The troupe are on their first overseas tour but soon encounter bandits along the way. Fortunately, they are saved by a charming Eurasian biker, Patrick, who has taken a liking in Ah Dui. Should Ah Dui break the wayang taboo of dating an outsider? Meanwhile, the rivalry between Ah Chiam and Ah Ngor deepens when important wayang patron Mdm Leng, wants to choose one of them as her goddaughter.
Ah Chiam and Ah Ngor battle it out for the lead role of Titoudao – a new show that the troupe is staging. Obstacles are stacked against Ah Chiam when she has to decide between attending her sister’s wedding, and performing for an important event of the troupe. Family or stardom? What will Ah Chiam pick?
Flourishing as a young Wayang star and quickly becoming Master Gwee’s favourite, Ah Chiam visits her family for her father’s 60th birthday uninvited and the fallout with her family intensifies when she refuses to invest in her brother’s business proposal. Gwee Seng goes behind Master Gwee’s back to join the secret society group of the Green Dragon where he can command more respect.
Master Gwee’s decision to side with his brother, Seng, results in the fallout with various members in his troupe. Meanwhile, Ah Chiam’s career in Wayang is threatened by an injury, but Ah Hock comes to Ah Chiam with a surprise.
After accepting Hock’s marriage proposal, Ah Chiam’s happiness is short-lived. She has to overcome a humiliating ritual in order to leave the troupe and marry Hock. Will this be the end of her wayang career?
Ah Chiam faces a new adversary in her life - her toxic mother-in-law. Ang Di is controlling, judgmental, critical, and overbearing. After surviving years of daunting wayang training, has Ah Chiam finally meet her match?
With the rise of television, street wayang has lost its popularity and Sin Sai Hong struggles to find work. When Ah Chiam hears news of a Sin Sai Song troupe member meeting a tragic end, Ah Chiam contemplates if she should return to the troupe that banished her.
With wayang performances now being integrated into getai shows, Ah Chiam has to learn to accept the change and adopt Getai singing into her act. At the same time, Ah Hock’s business is failing and the family now faces the potential danger of losing their home. Meanwhile, Master Gwee’s unwillingness to adopt getai into wayang has pushed his troupe further into disaster.
Master Gwee finally announces the closure of Sin Sai Hong, but Ah Zai is determined that if it must end, it will go out with a bang. Despite the difficulties, Zai tries to reunite the former members of the troupe to put up one last show.