Netflix Sets Long-Term Regional Goals for Chinese-Language Content, Unveils Teaser for Busan-Bound ‘Born for the Spotlight’

As a dedicated follower of Asian cinema, I am beyond excited about Netflix’s growing presence and investment in Taiwanese content! The upcoming series “Born for the Spotlight” looks absolutely captivating, with its intriguing plot and star-studded cast. It’s heartening to see Netflix acknowledging the rich storytelling talent that Taiwan has to offer, and I can’t wait to see more of their collaborations in the future.


Since 2016, Netflix has been working rather stealthily within the realm of Chinese-language content. Now, it’s drawing attention to its involvement, particularly in Taiwan, within the broader industry.

One of the standout features is “Born for the Limelight,” a 12-episode series that delves into the disintegration of a friendship between two prominent actresses, and an ambitious newcomer who will go to great lengths to make it big in showbiz. This production, helmed by Yen Yi-wen (“The Making of an Ordinary Woman”) and Olive Ting (“Oh No! Here Comes Trouble”), stars Hsieh Ying-hsieh (“Dear Ex,” “Green Door”) and Cheryl Yang (“Yi, Yi”).

The show has been chosen for the On-Screen segment of the Busan International Film Festival, where it will make its debut later this month, and is scheduled to hit Netflix on November 7, 2024.

Due to mainland China being off-limits for streaming services like Netflix and Hong Kong predominantly using Cantonese, Taiwan has emerged as the primary base for Netflix’s Chinese-language content production. Maya Huang, Netflix’s head of Chinese-language content (who was previously a screenwriter), views this situation positively.

Speaking at the Content Asia conference in Taipei on Tuesday, she stated that those involved in creating, producing, writing, and directing content in Taiwan possess a deep knowledge of various genres and an exceptional ability to identify themes that resonate both locally and globally. She expressed their intention to expand these efforts by providing more resources, investing more heavily in local narratives, and encouraging creators to explore daring, innovative stories – ultimately aiming to introduce new, unprecedented genres within Taiwan’s content landscape.

She provided instances such as “The Copycat Killer” (a notable example), an effective Japanese to Taiwanese adaptation, and upcoming local productions like “The Resurrected” and “Forget You Not,” as part of her discussion.

“We’re aiming to find narratives that will strongly connect with our local Taiwanese audience, as they are our primary focus when it comes to Chinese-language content. We’re not just referring to a dispersed Chinese community worldwide; instead, our attention is mainly on Taiwan and the broader Asia-Pacific region. This is because we don’t only share a common language but also a shared culture and history.”

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that my favorite streaming platform, Netflix, has taken a significant step towards reinforcing its presence in Taiwan. They’ve established the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity, a collaborative initiative with the government-supported creative industries agency, TAICCA. This fund is designed to foster more diverse and equitable content creation, which I believe will enrich our cinematic landscape even further!

In Taiwan’s unique production environment, we’re currently pouring long-term resources into nurturing both on-screen and behind-the-scenes talent. With each original show we create, we collaborate closely with local artists to elevate the storytelling, production quality, and safety protocols, as well as fostering a respectful work environment on set.

Netflix Sets Long-Term Regional Goals for Chinese-Language Content, Unveils Teaser for Busan-Bound ‘Born for the Spotlight’

In a related move, Netflix is aiming to strengthen ties with significant film festivals. This year, it has taken on the role of an official industry partner for the Busan festival, during which they will debut the first-ever Creative Asia Forum – a one-day program aimed at fostering new talent among filmmakers, artists, and production professionals.

Besides “Uprising” and “Born for the Spotlight,” Netflix has chosen an additional three films or series for the 2024 festival lineup. Japan’s “Beyond Goodbye” explores the enduring strength of love as a woman encounters the recipient of her deceased fiancé’s heart. The second season of the popular Korean zombie series “Hellbound” will debut at the event, portraying a world where divine decrees and brutal expulsions have become commonplace. The Norwegian documentary “The Remarkable Life of Ibelin,” which follows the escapades of a young man in a virtual realm amidst the limitations of his real-world existence, will transition from Sundance, where it secured two awards.

Watch the trailer for ‘Born for the Spotlight’ here.

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2024-09-03 18:35