Chunghwa Telecom reveals ambitious slate of new content at Taiwan fest

Taiwan’s telecom giant steps up content creation efforts with new series and films

Expanding the creative ecosystem

Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan’s leading telecommunications and broadband company, has significantly expanded its content investment strategy. On the opening day of the Taiwan Creative Content Fest, the company announced a slate of two new TV series and two feature films, reflecting its ongoing commitment to the creative industries. This initiative comes a year after a co-financing agreement with Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture.

Pioneering content investments

Hu Hsueh-hai, president of consumer products at Chunghwa Telecom, emphasized the importance of the company’s role in supporting content creation. “Chunghwa Telecom is not just a platform and internet service provider. We need to support the content industry,” he stated, underlining the vision driving the company’s latest venture.

Strategic goals for 2025

Hu introduced Chunghwa’s three-pronged strategy for the content sector by 2025. These goals include:

1. Supporting high-quality content: Elevating the standard of local productions.
2. Enhancing top-tier distribution channels: Leveraging their massive subscriber base, which includes 10 million mobile users and 4 million fixed-line broadband households.
3. Prioritizing sound business models: Utilizing technology and data analytics to ensure sustainable growth and innovation.

Government collaborations

Minister of Culture Li Yuan also participated in the event, reiterating the government’s commitment to a NT$3 billion co-funding scheme with Chunghwa, approved by legislators earlier this year. “We are 20 years behind South Korea, but aim to catch up,” Li remarked, highlighting Taiwan’s ambitions to bolster its cultural output.

Showcasing Chunghwa’s new content slate

The fame

Leading the new slate is “The Fame”, a gripping crime drama spanning two seasons with seven episodes each. The narrative revolves around a celebrated actress, her kidnapped wealthy husband, and a once-close policeman friend who now distanced from her past. The first season delves into their complex dynamics as they team up against a cunning kidnapper, while the second season shifts focus to intricate business dealings. Inspired by a real case from the 1990s, the series has been bolstered by additional funding from the Ministry of Culture and Eastern Broadcasting and is currently in post-production.

Addicted

Another promising project is “Addicted”, a drama exploring the life of a female protagonist amid the escalating drug crisis in Taiwan. The series addresses profound social issues, depicting the struggles of teenagers caught in the web of drug abuse and incarceration. This production is expected to bring a nuanced, hard-hitting portrayal of addiction’s impact on youth.

Trapped in yellow

The horror film “Trapped in Yellow” dives into Taiwanese rural folklore. According to local myths, figures in yellow coats appearing in forested mountains are malevolent spirits luring the living astray. The movie, produced by GrX (formerly Greener Grass Productions), showcases the collaborative effort of Hank Tseng Han-hsien and Ivan Chen Shin-chi, well-known for their work on “The Tag Along.” Directed by newcomer Tsai Chia-ying, the film’s production faced temporary setbacks due to a recent typhoon but is on track for a 2025 release.

Marching boys

“Marching Boys” is a music-themed drama centered on three elite high school students striving to preserve their beloved marching band. Beyond their fight to keep the band alive, the narrative explores their efforts to challenge societal stereotypes, proving they are more than just privileged kids. The film is slated for a theatrical release in the summer of 2025.

Industry trends and insights

The burgeoning creative industries in Taiwan are witnessing a pivotal moment. With major players like Chunghwa Telecom stepping into content production, the landscape is ripe for transformation. Leveraging cutting-edge technology and comprehensive data analytics, these initiatives set a new benchmark for quality and innovation in the industry.

The future of Taiwan’s content industry

As Taiwan aims to close the gap with global leaders like South Korea, the nation’s bolstered focus on high-quality content and robust distribution platforms showcases a strategic vision for the future. Chunghwa Telecom’s varied slate of productions is not only a testament to its commitment but also a promising indicator of the vibrant cultural outputs we can expect in the coming years.

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