Author: Cesar Hsu

The Golden Horse Awards(金馬獎Jīn mǎ jiǎng) : Tracking the History and Impact of Mandarin Film’s Top Award

by Cesar Hsu, posted in Mandarin Movie

🐴 Golden Horse Awards (金馬獎):Often dubbed the "Oscars of Mandarin-language cinema," the Golden Horse Awards celebrate excellence in film production. Focus: Mandarin-language cinema (films where over half the dialogue is in Mandarin or another Chinese dialect). Established: 1962 in Taiwan. Significance: It is the oldest and one of the most respected film awards in the Mandarin-speaking world, contested by submissions from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, and other Chinese-speaking regions globally. The Name: The name "Golden Horse" (金馬, Jīnmǎ) is a blend of the names of two outlying Taiwanese islands: Kinmen (金門, Jīnmén) and Matsu (馬祖, Mǎzǔ). Scope: The awards are a part of the larger Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival (TGHFF), which includes the awards competition, a film festival, a film project promotion, and a film academy. Major Categories: Similar to the Academy Awards, categories include:

📺 “The Mandarin Monster” (中文怪物): The Ultimate Chinese Language Challenge

by Cesar Hsu, posted in Mandarin TV Show, Mandarin Yotuber

“Mandarin Monster” is a large‑scale Mandarin game show created by Ku's Dream(酷的夢) and released in Sep, 2025 on YouTube . It invites 100 foreigners in Taiwan to compete in pronunciation, vocabulary, listening, and improvisation challenges to find the so‑called “Monster Monster” – the contestant with the strongest Mandarin skills.

🎬 Netflix TW-Born for the Spotlight (影后Yǐng hòu) – A Dive into the Taiwanese Entertainment Industry

by Cesar Hsu, posted in Mandarin Drama

The drama revolves around women passionate about acting, who strive for their dreams, fame, and artistic integrity in the cutthroat entertainment world. Simultaneously, they grapple with complex issues of family, romance, friendship, and self-worth. The core narrative centers on Xue Yazhi(薛亞之) and Zhou Fan(周凡), two actresses who were once close friends and supportive colleagues but become rivals in the workplaces, forcing them to confront their choices and their relationship. Their story is interwoven with that of the rising newcomer, Shi Emma(史艾瑪), creating a compelling multi-generational ensemble piece. Director: Directed by Yen Yi-wen (嚴藝文, known for A Taiwanese Tale of Two Cities (雙城故事)and The Making of an Ordinary Woman俗女養成記). Star-Studded Cast: Features a roster of highly acclaimed "Best Actress" (Golden Bell Award) winners, including Hsieh Ying-Hsuan(謝盈萱), Cheryl Yang(楊謹華, Yáng Jǐnhuá), Chung Hsin-Ling(鍾欣凌), and Hsieh Chiung-Hsuan(謝瓊煖), alongside Hsueh Shih-Ling(薛仕凌), Zhan Huai-Yun(詹懷雲), and Chen Ting-Ni(陳庭妮). Genre: Positioned as a blend of realistic workplace comedy and a career growth drama.

深圳Shenzhen, Chinese City: Its Dual Identity — Ancient Hakka Villages Meet Hyper-Modern Skyscrapers

by Cesar Hsu, posted in Travel&City Guide

Experience the "Shenzhen Speed"! This dynamic metropolis seamlessly blends ancient Hakka heritage with futuristic skyscrapers. See the Ping An Center, visit Nantou Ancient City/Dapeng Fortress, and dive into a city defined by innovation.