From HBO Asia’s The Teenage Psychic, which broke new ground in the Chinese-language market, and The World Between Us, which garnered high ratings both in Taiwan and abroad, to the recently released Shards of Her, which has built an impressive following by word of mouth, Taiwan’s television producers have released a steady stream of shows that have become surprising international hits.
The peoples who speak Austronesian languages are mainly spread out across the islands of the South Pacific Ocean. Numbering roughly 250 million people, the Austronesian-speaking peoples not only share similarities in their languages and appearance, but many also have a tradition of tattooing.
Art imitates life, and life imitates art. In watching television shows, we seek empathy and see the shadows of ourselves in the characters. Such shows also shape national cultures and zeitgeists.
Do you remember The Daily Prophet, the daily paper of the wizarding world in J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter novels? Just one page long, the paper could show different content on demand, and its pictures even moved! The wizarding world took this for granted, but scientists are currently working with corporations to bring this fictional, fanciful idea to life in the real world, too.
Taiwanese films and TV dramas are floutishing, supported by a dazzling array of online streaming platforms. The public’s insatiable thirst for new content has led to the resurgencs of the film and TV industry, and many talented people have thrown themselves into this line of work. To meet the rapidly increasing demand, where do producers look for good stories?
A motor scooter freighted with five gas bottles, a red house overgrown with greenery, people wearing blue-and-white flip-flops and carrying red-striped plastic bags—Cheng Kai-hsiang and Tom Parker have portrayed these familiar street scenes with gusto, capturing the intimacy and vibrancy of everyday life in Taiwan.
Taiwan’s screenwriters have been going all out over the last two years, with TV shows such as Gold Leaf and The World Between Us attracting large audiences and getting people talking. Taiwan is generally recognized as having the freest and most democratic creative environment in the Chinese-speaking world. Now, public and private entities are working together to improve our television and film industry’s business model.
“Happy Diwali!” On November 4, 2022, Taiwanese and Indians together celebrated Diwali, the Festival of Lights, at the American Club Taipei. The event featured the first staging in Taiwan of the dance drama Ram Leela, which symbolizes not only the celebration of Diwali but also the victory of good over evil and light over darkness, while also expressing the desire for peace and wellbeing.
Smells can trigger memories and stir emotions. They can even capture the essence of a culture. From perfumes distilled from Taiwanese teas to traditional incense reinvented for the modern age, Taiwan is captivating the world through its authentic local fragrances.
“Does the Roadkill Network have anything to do with the Reuters news agency?” (Their Chinese names share two of three characters.) “Is the group ‘Moth Observation in Taiwan’ related to the vampire film Twilight?” (They sound identical in Chinese.) Their names may inspire endless jokes, but the ecological scientists behind these organizations have taken on their shoulders responsibility for a serious task: protecting the environment.
