Women in Taipei (台北女子圖鑑)

WOMEN IN TAIPEI

Wow, so this is what it feels like.

It's making my feet tingle.

Lin I-Shan, what are you doing over there? Come here.

Okay.

Standing on the Taipei 101 Observatory,

you get a clear view of the entire city.

You're coming with me to the store for some samples, right?

Watch the time.

Okay.

Taipei looks enormous up here.

So many skyscrapers jammed together.

Everyone looks so tiny now.

Women in Taipei tend to walk a lot.

I've run into situations like this before.

-(SPEAKING INDISTINCTLY) -I applied superglue to it

and made it through the day to get it fixed.

That's impressive.

I need to punch out.

The gifts and ampoule for your mom.

-I'll teach you how to use them. -Okay.

Auntie.

Don't you think women in Taipei seem like they have nothing to fear?

No way.

There's a lot to fear for.

Being poor, being unattractive, being a failure.

Yeah.

You'll see when you come to live in Taipei.

Women in Taipei look so different.

They have their own style. This place is full of possibilities.

I believe I belong in Taipei. I belong here. I want so much more.

EPISODE 1

FROM TAINAN YONGKANG TO TAIPEI YONGKANG SHATTERED TAIPEI DREAM

Having fun in Taipei?

Of course, it's fun.

By the way, I'm Lin I-Shan.

I'm from Yongkang, Tainan.

I love Tainan,

but I can't stand living the same life day after day.

Dinner is ready, I-Shan.

Okay.

I said dinner is ready, you hear?

I know.

Lin I-Shan! -(GULPS)

Every time I have to drag you to dinner.

Dig in. -Dad, I'm on a diet.

You'll not gain weight by eating fish.

Here, have some mushrooms.

-Want more? -You should have some more.

It's enough.

By the way, how's your test preparation?

It's all right.

My mock results show that I can apply for colleges in Taipei.

What colleges in Taipei?

Haven't I told you a thousand times?

If you can get into NTU like your cousin,

I'm telling you, your dad and I would borrow money to pay for it.

But you won't make it. You don't have the grades, right?

Why don't you just find a local college?

NCKU is very popular here, right?

NTU isn't the only college in Taipei.

Yeah, that's a boomer take.

Tainan has some decent colleges too.

Come on, let's eat.

I'm free to choose the college I want.

I'm done with the dinner, I'm full.

Always have to keep nagging me.

Lin I-Shan.

Watch your attitude.

Now, now. Just wait until she finishes her exam.

She should know her limits.

I-Ching.

Your mom's cooking today is excellent, right?

I have to get into a college in Taipei

and prove my mom wrong.

I don't want to stay here and become like her.

Hsu Hui-Ju, what time did you tell him?

Around this time.

Who knows where he is?

This is too much.

-I'm used to it, he's always like this. The train to Taipei

-is ready to depart. you're always late.

-I came to see you off and you're late. -I'm here.

-I bought salty porridge, want some? -No thanks.

I-Shan, be sure to come and visit us in Taipei.

-I'm going to miss you. Yeah.

We'll see. It's not cheap going to Taipei.

I can't afford private schools like you guys.

I'm paying with student loans. I must pay it back eventually.

I'm not like this rich kid of the famous bakery here.

Should I lend you the money to study in Taipei?

You moron.

I'll do it myself. Stop flexing that you're rich.

No good deed goes unpunished.

Here's your breakfast.

No thanks, I'll have plenty to eat here.

I-Shan, give me another hug.

Take care of yourself.

You too.

Let's go.

Don't rush me.

All right, cheer up.

Bye.

I envy them.

They can go to Taipei

to start living a new life.

I'm the only one left in Tainan.

I can imagine everything in the future.

Four years in college have gone by, I'm more certain of it now.

I have to leave this place

in order to become the ideal me.

You better think twice or you'll have to face the consequences.

Mom, I'll be an esports player for Rayark Games.

I'll have a salary with food and accommodation covered.

Can you earn money playing video games?

I think so.

It's fine if you're getting paid for it.

We're doing it as a profession.

You see those world champions? They started playing when they were kids.

The fish is very fresh today.

Eat it while it's still warm.

-Dad, I want some too. -Sure.

What's with people nowadays?

What's so great about Taipei?

The expenses are high and relationships are complicated.

-Why does everyone rush to Taipei? -Taipei has the job I want.

What kind of job?

Tell me, I'll get you one.

Cosmetics and fashion.

There's nothing like that here. Thanks, Dad.

You know how many Taipei people want to move to Tainan?

Look at Mr. Wang's son.

-Mom, I've made up my mind. -He was in Taipei

but couldn't make a living.

-Okay. -Now he runs a B&B

-and makes a fortune. -Mom, I've made up my mind.

All right, just let her go and learn to live by herself in Taipei.

-When she's back, she might know... -(CHUCKLES)

...how to do groceries and cook.

-That wouldn't be so bad. I really don't get it.

Must I stay here so you can be happy?

Go ask your auntie then.

See how much her monthly expenses are and how much her yearly expenses are.

If you can afford it, just go. I won't give you a dime.

-You figure it out. -I never said I want your money.

Did I?

Nonsense.

All right.

They're adults now. They can make their own livings.

They might look like it, but they're not.

Full house.

Check.

That's huge, I got nothing.

Check, check, check.

How about a three?

Seven.

Barely made it. -(INDISTINCT CHATTER)

-Oh my! Li Cheng-En!

You're finally going to Taipei.

Well, only Taipei has big corporations.

Or maybe you're just missing us too much

Or missing me, only me.

Oh, my gosh.

Hsu Hui-Ju.

Lin I-Shan.

It's been so long. You look too hot.

This is how they do it in Taipei.

Hey, move over there, go.

Not everyone dresses like that in Taipei.

I haven't been to Kailong Temple for so long.

I really missed it.

You should've visited me more often.

Why would she come back to see you?

She has so many boyfriends in Taipei to visit.

Li Cheng-En, you're such a jerk.

Hey, I've been super busy, okay? It's exhausting.

Doing part-time jobs to make a living. You'll see once you live in Taipei.

I'm about to go.

I know, you found a job yet? -I have many interviews lined up.

You don't have to do so many interviews. I'm in Taipei too, I got you covered.

Oh, come on, get real.

Of course I'm going to my auntie first.

You're a fake local, unreliable.

-Why go to your aunt? -Li Cheng-En, he sucks.

Bullshit!

You never look after her.

-Why would I do that? -He never answers my calls.

-All set? -Yeah, see you then.

Hey, wait.

It's okay, I've got my own savings.

Try to learn to take care of yourself.

All right, I got it.

Your sister will be joining you next month.

-Make sure to look after her. -Hey.

-Got it? -All right.

Be careful on your way home.

The train to Taipei is ready to depart.

Can you do it?

The train to Taipei is ready to depart.

I'm going.