The Decline and Opportunities of Romance Themes: Globalization Challenges in Taiwan's Film and Television Industry
In recent years, there has been a notable decline in romance-themed dramas within Taiwan's film and television industry, sparking widespread discussion among industry professionals. Sanlih E-Televison (SET), which is the media partner of 2024 RisingStories International Story Pitching Competition, interviewed the jury members with their opinions. WANG Shu-jyuan, Chief Content Officer of Programming Dept. of Sanlih E-Television (SET), and Golden Bell Award-winning director LAI Meng-jie, shared their insights on the reasons behind this phenomenon and analyzed the global potential of Taiwanese film and television works. At the same time, renowned producer Angie CHAI and "Queen of BL Dramas" LIN Pei-yu also weighed in on romance themes and other popular genres, emphasizing the shifts in creative direction and evolving market demands.
The Decline of Romance and the Rise of Cross-Genre Fusion
LAI Meng-jie pointed out that Taiwanese creators have gradually lost interest in romance themes, reflecting changing audience tastes. The traditional "love-above-all" formula no longer appeals to modern viewers, who now prefer romance as a secondary element intertwined with other genres, such as medical or legal dramas. This cross-genre fusion offers greater appeal to today's audiences. On the other hand, WANG Shu-jyuan believes that while romance themes may be declining in Taiwan, they still hold significant commercial value, particularly in the global market. She urges creators to reevaluate the potential of romance stories and explore this genre further.
Insights from Renowned Producer & Screenwriter from Taiwan
Producer Angie CHAI, often referred to as the "Godmother of Idol Dramas," emphasized the importance of romance dramas in cultivating pop stars, especially school romance themes, which have a unique competitive edge in the Asian market. However, she also noted that today's productions need to be packaged with contemporary issues, rather than focusing solely on romance. Topics such as cyberbullying and fashion trends can be integrated to enhance the appeal of the work. LIN Pei-yu added that while BL and GL dramas have flourished in recent years, she cautioned against over-saturation in the market. She encouraged creators to maintain diversity and innovation to avoid creative stagnation.
The Globalization Challenge: Balancing Local Identity with Global Appeal
In the context of globalization, Taiwanese film and television productions face the challenge of balancing local characteristics with international audience appeal. Both LAI and WANG agree that an overemphasis on local cultural elements may limit the global reach of a work. The key to success lies in telling a universally relatable story that resonates with viewers. WANG also emphasized that entertainment value is crucial for penetrating the international market, regardless of the cultural background of the production.
Profiles of Industry Experts & RisingStories
LAI Meng-jie is a renowned director and screenwriter who has been nominated for the Golden Bell Awards for his work on the mini-series “TradeWar”(2024), which earned him a nomination for Best Screenwriting this year. He revealed that he often draws inspiration from bestseller book lists, as seen with his award-winning project “Mad Doctor”(2022), which he discovered in a bookstore.
WANG Shu-jyuan, currently the Chief Content Officer of the Programming Dept. at SET, has extensive experience in content creation, television production, and channel management. She encourages creators to participate in platforms like RisingStories international Story Pitching Competition where industry veterans provide mentorship and guidance, ensuring that even those with little experience can confidently present their ideas.
Angie CHAI is the Chairman and CEO of Star Ritz Productions Co., Ltd., and has been a key figure in the entertainment industry for over 30 years. She is widely known as the "Godmother of Idol Dramas" and has produced works that have swept across Asia, such as the idol drama “Meteor Garden”(2001) and the box office movie “You Are the Apple of My Eye”(2011). She is also dedicated to talent cultivation and has been recognized as one of the "Stars of Asia" by BusinessWeek in 2003.
LIN Pei-yu is a popular Taiwanese screenwriter, known for works such as family comedy “U Motherbaker” S1(2020) & S2(2024), BL theme drama: “My Tooth Your Love”(2022) , “We Best Love”(2021), and “HIStory” S1-S3(2017-2019) . She won the Silver Script Award at the 14th Taipei Film Script Awards for “Upapāduka” and received the Excellent Screenplay Award for “Best Interest”, which later became a legal drama series in 2019. In recent years, she has also taken on the role of producer for works like "Kiseki: Dear to Me" (2023) and upcoming BL romance drama "See Your Love"(2024).
Inspiring Emerging Creators To encourage emerging talent, the “RisingStories International Story Pitching Competition” was launched, targeting Mandarin-speaking creators in the Asia-Pacific region. Participants are not required to submit complete scripts, only a story outline. Winners will receive a script development contract and a TWD 100,000 advance, offering a stepping stone to bring their stories to life on screen. This year’s submission deadline has been extended to October 14, and aspiring creators are encouraged to share their stories. ContentAsia is also the media partner of this year.