Period drama 'Goodbye 1987' premieres at Taipei Film Festival, moves audience

The period drama "Goodbye 1987 (Special Edition)" made its world premiere at the Taipei Film Festival, attracting a capacity crowd of 600 film enthusiasts. Producer Chen Nan-hong, co-directors Wu Tsung-jui and Li Chuan-yang, along with stars Fang Chih-yu, Su Ming-ming, and Ho Hao-chen, were present to launch the high-production value series.

The series is set against the backdrop of Taiwan's dramatic changes in 1987, with its narrative timeline extending from 1942 to the period just before the lifting of martial law. Through multiple storylines, "Goodbye 1987" explores the intertwined fates and emotions of individuals amidst a grand historical sweep. The "Special Edition" screened at the festival is a re-edited version of the original 10 episodes, aiming to convey the depth of the era within a limited runtime.

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The producer told me he had read many books about this history, which resonated with me because I also love history.

Actress Su Ming-ming, making a long-awaited appearance, plays a pivotal character. She shared that she had taken a four-year hiatus before accepting the role, drawn by the production team's dedication to historical accuracy. "The producer told me he had read many books about this history, which resonated with me because I also love history," she explained. She recounted an emotional reunion scene where her character encounters a long-lost friend in old age. "I wanted to touch her hand, but she pulled away. I felt so sad and broke down after leaving the room." The scene, completed in a single take, moved the crew to tears.

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I wanted to touch her hand, but she pulled away. I felt so sad and broke down after leaving the room.

Fang Chih-yu portrays the same character as Su Ming-ming at different ages. Despite not sharing scenes, she noted their similar auras. Her role spans from youth to motherhood, a significant age range that presented considerable pressure. Mastering Taiwanese Hokkien for the role was a major challenge, as she considers herself to have a "language barrier." She dedicated six months to intensive study, earning praise from the producer for her accurate intonation and delivery.

Ho Hao-chen, who has a romantic storyline, was lauded for his pronunciation in Taiwanese Hokkien. He described his character as a supportive "golden retriever," aiming to constantly energize the person he cares for. He admitted his feelings deepened as filming progressed, influenced by his co-star's gaze. Fang Chih-yu reciprocated, calling him her "Sunshine Boy" and recalling a walk in the rain that naturally captured their budding romance through subtle eye contact.

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Her tone and intonation are very good.

To embody his wartime character, Ho Hao-chen underwent a physical transformation, losing weight and adopting a gaunt appearance. He trained rigorously, running 10 kilometers daily and sunbathing, dropping from 78 to 70 kilograms. His diet consisted mainly of sweet potatoes and boiled eggs, making him envious of others eating spicy hot pot. The cast, including Lin Yu-hsuan, Hsieh Chang-ying, and Ho Yu-han, found the meticulously recreated historical settings highly immersive. Hsieh and Ho, playing young lovers, developed chemistry by sharing videos, while Lin, portraying Su Ming-ming's daughter, recalled a memorable scene involving multiple takes of a slap.

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He is my Sunshine Boy.