Filmart 2023: Taiwan drama series buzz titles

Drama series made in Taiwan continue to make inroads into international markets. Earlier this year, Taiwan Crime Stories, a four-part anthology series based on real local criminal cases that counts US filmmaker Ron Howard as a co-producer, became the latest to release on streaming platform Disney+ for global audiences, following last year’s Women In Taipei.

Waiting in the wings is Copycat Killer, an adaptation of a crime mystery novel by renowned Japanese writer Miyuki Miyabe, which will be launched on Netflix globally on March 31. Also on Netflix’s line-up are fantasy series Agent From Above, which is in production, and the second season of The Victims’ Game, which will begin filming this year as the first Chinese-language production to be renewed by Netflix.

Do You Dare?
Dirs Lou Yi-an, Lee Chung, Su I-hsuan, Hung Tzu-hsuan, Birdy Nio, Vicky Kuo
6 x 46 minutes
This anthology series is adapted from a short-story compilation by popular paranormal novelist Tan. It aims to create a unique Taiwanese-style psychological thriller that explores the dark side of human nature through suspense and horror stories taken from daily life. The series comprises six episodes by six directors, including Lou whose Goddamned Asura was Taiwan’s submission for this year’s Oscars, Lee (The Laundryman) and Hung (The Scoundrels). Among the main cast are Huang Pei-jia, Phil Hou, Shih Ming-shuai and Lin Tzu-xi.
Contact Melon Wong, AcroGrowth Entertainment melon.wong@acrogrowthgp.com

Genius Chef Junior
Dirs Li Chuan-yang, Wang Wei-hsiang
15 x 30 minutes
Celebrating the spirit of Chinese food culture, this is a new type of family fantasy comedy told from the perspective of a child who can see ghosts. He must work with the spirits to cook and recreate a set of elaborate meals during the Ghost Festival, based on memories with his late beloved grandfather. Blue Lan, Juan Bo-hao and Kuo Tze-chien lead the cast. It is produced by Tang Sheng-jung, whose credits include Gold Leaf and upcoming Netflix series Copycat Killer.
Contact Eric Chou, The Tag-Along tsengchenchou@gmail.com

Happy Stagmatized House
Dir Tsai Yi-fen
14 x 47 minutes
Starring Annie Chen, Kent Tsai and Kaiser Chuang, this supernatural comedy drama focuses on a special investigation team led by a real-estate agent and her assistant who can see ghosts. Their task is to help prospective buyers avoid haunted properties by mapping them on an app. It is inspired by the personal experience of director Tsai, who came across a few spooky properties when hunting for a new home. Producer Rachel Chen is behind award-winning features We Are Champions and My Egg Boy.
Contact Boe Chen, Touch Of Light Films atsunchen79@gmail.com

I Can See You Shine
Dir Chiang Ping-chen
8 x 60 minutes
This teen romantic comedy revolves around two high-school best buddies who join a folk dance club just to become friends with a boy, but their close relationship is put at risk when a diary goes missing. The young cast includes Chan Huai-yun, Regina Lei, Andy Huang and Yuen Cheng. The story is written by Huang Xin-Xuan, a co-writer of the popular The Making Of An Ordinary Woman franchise. Screenworks Asia is the production subsidiary of Taiwan-based streaming platform Catchplay, which also operates in Singapore and Indonesia.
Contact Kat Yeung, Screenworks Asia katyeung@screenworksasia.com

Living
Dir Hsu Chao-jen
10 x 60 minutes
This family drama is produced by established actress-turned-producer Ruby Lin, whose recent credits as a producer include hit Netflix series Light The Night. The story centres on a down-on-his-luck man who returns home after a long absence, but his parents and two brothers are beset with their own problems and feel awkward about this sudden homecoming. Wu Kang-ren, Sandrine Pinna, Joseph Cheng and JC Lin head the cast. Hsu is a veteran filmmaker, having directed several award-winning TV series such as Forced Respiration and Family Time. Contact Liu Wei-lung, TVBS Media weilungliu@tvbs.com.tw

Million-Follower Detective
Dir Shaun Su
8 x 45 minutes
Following the success of Netflix series Light The Night, Taiwan-based Bossdom Digiinnovation’s latest production is a suspense drama starring Hong Kong actor Ekin Cheng, Patty Lee and Wang Po-chieh. The story revolves around the police investigation of the serial killings of social-media influencers. A mysterious woman who has accurately foretold their deaths emerges and gains millions of followers, turning her into a powerful influencer.
Contact James Hung, Bossdom Digiinnovation jameshung@bossdom.com.tw

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