TAICCA Showcases 17 Taiwanese Actors at the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market

Taiwan’s film and TV industry is making waves! The Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) lit up the Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) with the Taiwan Spotlight Showcase, introducing four standout productions—Penguin Girl, 96 Minutes, That Burning House, and A Controversial Entertainer —to global buyers. The event dazzled with star power as 17 top Taiwanese actors, including Fandy Fan, Tseng Jing-Hua, Charlize Lamb, Chen I, Hua Chen, Lee-Zen Lee, Jacob Wang, Yi-Ti Yao, Nana Lee, Marcus Chang, and Ben Wu, shared behind-the-scenes insights and sparked lively discussions.

 

"TAIWAN SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE" (Courtesy of TAICCA).

Penguin Girl Captivates Audiences with Sweet Romance

The Taiwanese youth romance Penguin Girl has won over audiences since its White Day release on March 14, delivering strong box office numbers and glowing reviews. Viewers have raved about its heartfelt love story, calling it both tear-jerking and laugh-out-loud funny.
 

 The film is directed by Yuyu Yang, produced by the team behind Little Big Women, and stars Charlize Lamb and Hua Chen, who attended the showcase in person. Director Yang said, “We wanted to explore whether love is truly destined or if we must summon the courage to chase after it. I hope everyone finds their own love story in this film.” 
 

When asked about their inspiration for the role, Charlize Lamb openly admitted, “I based it on the director herself. I really admire how clearly she knows what she wants.” Hua Chen then wowed the audience by performing the film’s theme song, ‘You Decided for Me’, live on the spot, captivating everyone with her stunning vocals!
 

"Penguin Girl" sweetly captivates the audience! (Courtesy of TAICCA)

 

 "Penguin Girl" live event snapshot. (Courtesy of TAICCA)

 

96 Minutes Delivers Nonstop Action and Suspense

What happens when the 96-minute high-speed rail ride from Taipei to Kaohsiung turns into a desperate fight for survival? The action-crime thriller 96 Minutes, starring Lee-Zen Lee, Yi-Ti Yao, and Jacob Wang, plunges audiences into a high-stakes battle where every second counts. 
 

Produced by WOWing Entertainment Group, this film is a rarity in Taiwanese cinema, taking eight years to develop. The production team built Taiwan’s first-ever high-speed rail virtual set, replicating a full-scale, nearly 50-meter-long train carriage. 
 

They also surrounded the set with over 700 imported LED screens and used cutting-edge Hollywood Previs technology to create seamless, hyper-realistic action sequences, setting a new benchmark for Taiwanese filmmaking. 
 

Jacob Wang, who plays a physics teacher in the film, laughed and said, “I took a lot of physics lessons before filming, but I didn’t get any smarter at all!” When asked about the on-screen chemistry between her and Jacob, Yi-Ti Yao teased mysteriously, “The couple goes through some ups and downs—you’ll understand once you get on board.” After watching the special screening, Lee-Zen Lee was deeply moved and confidently declared it the best film of the year. “I highly recommend everyone to watch it in theaters!”

 

 

"96 Minutes" is a Taiwanese action crime film, with eight years of preparation. (Courtesy of TAICCA)

 

"96 Minutes" actors Jacob Wang and Lee-Zen Lee. (Courtesy of TAICCA)

That Burning House Uncovers Dark Secrets and Redemption.

A shocking dog-killing incident unearths long-buried secrets at an orphanage in That Burning House. At the showcase, director Yin-Chuan Tsai and producer Yifang Lee joined lead actors Fandy Fan and Jin-Hua Tseng to unveil the film’s Mandarin title and announce that Hope Content Marketing will handle international distribution. 

Director Tsai explained, “The mandarin title of “That Burning House” can be translated as 'Paradise Lost', which represents a place where angels fall and demons rise. 

In our film, there is also a group of people who fall downward for various reasons, like angels turning into demons.

This is a story about midway homes, including the children living in the homes, the social workers working there, and the young people who leave the homes when they turn 18 and become self-reliant. Many of them face difficult life challenges, and some even sink.

This film wants to explore how these people fell through multiple perspectives, and how we might catch them before they hit the ground.” 

Producer Lee added, “Fandy Fan plays a social worker, while Jin-Hua Tseng portrays a young man who left a midway home after he was 18. Each character struggles with their own downward spiral, much like angels turning into demons. We hope this film sparks awareness and inspires people to break these cycles.” 
Lead actor Fandy Fan openly admitted that he is a big fan of director Yin-Chuan Tsai, saying he successfully “manifested” his dream of working with her through the law of attraction!

The other lead actor, Jung-hua Tseng, also shared how much he enjoyed working with all the actors and the crew. The reaction he received from them helped him a lot in delivering his performance.

 

"That Burning House" aims to shed light on the overlooked corners of society through film. (Courtesy of TAICCA)jpg

 

"That Burning House" live event snapshot. (Courtesy of TAICCA)

A Controversial Entertainer Offers a Glimpse into a Seductive, High-Stakes World

Led by Marcus Chang and Ben Wu, A Controversial Entertainer is produced by Ericace Co., Ltd. and distributed by AXN-Taiwan One, LLC. The film not only takes on the daring theme of host clubs but also showcases how these stylish men navigate a world full of temptation and challenges.

Produced by Chen I and executive producers Chang Cheng-Fen and Hsin Chih-Yu, the film boasts an impressive cast, including Marcus Chang, Ben Wu, Wes Lo, Alex Chou, Chih-Tian Shih, Mike Lin, Yorke Sun, Nana Lee, and Ally Chiu.

This time, Chen I takes on dual roles as both lead actor and producer, beaming with pride at the cast’s performances. Wes Lo and Alex Chou hint at a “pseudo-BL” storyline, revealing that they spent eight stormy hours together in a car just a few nights ago—leaving the audience eager with anticipation!

Ally Chiu and Chih-Tian Shih play childhood friends, both putting in significant effort to bring their characters to life. Meanwhile, Marcus Chang, known for his strong, commanding presence, steps into the role of the host club’s manager.

At the event, Wes Lo even struck an alluring host pose on the spot, embracing the film’s seductive charm. Nana Lee playfully teased Chen I, saying, “Ten years ago, you couldn’t win me over in a drama. Now, as the producer, you finally ‘cast yourself’ to make it happen!”

 

"A Controversial Entertainer" cast and production team made a powerful impression, sparking lively discussions on-site. (Courtesy of TAICCA)

 

"A Controversial Entertainer" live event snapshot. (Courtesy of TAICCA)

Taiwan Showcases Its Creative Power on the Global Stage

Backed by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture’s Bureau of Audiovisual and Music Industry Development, the Taiwan Spotlight Showcase made a splash at FILMART on March 18. Through in-depth cast and crew discussions, exclusive trailer screenings, and media interviews, Taiwan’s film industry demonstrated its creative strength and the undeniable talent of its rising stars.