A Sun

In the year 2013, set against the backdrop of Taipei, a troubled teenager named Chen Jian-ho finds himself entangled in a series of harrowing events alongside his friend, Radish. One fateful night, they approach a young man named Oden at a local restaurant, leading to a shocking incident where Radish violently cuts off Oden’s hand with a machete. This brutal act results in Ho being sentenced to juvenile detention, while Radish receives an even harsher punishment. Amidst this turmoil, Ho’s father, Wen, completely disowns him, choosing instead to focus on his more reserved older brother, A-Hao, who is diligently preparing for medical school at a cram school.

Struggling to cope with his family’s disintegration, Ho finds solace in the visits from his wife, Qin, who continues to support him despite the rift with her husband’s parents. Wen, on the other hand, is increasingly harassed for money by Oden’s father, asserting that he bears no legal responsibility for his son’s actions. Into this complex web enters Wang Ming-yu, a fifteen-year-old girl who is placed under the care of her guardian, Miss Yin. In a twist of fate, Wang crosses paths with Qin, who reveals that she is pregnant with Ho’s child, a fact that remains a secret from Ho, intensifying their family’s myriad struggles.

As tensions rise, Ho learns of his wife’s pregnancy through A-Hao, igniting a storm of emotions. When A-Hao tragically takes his own life by jumping from their apartment balcony, his romantic interest, Xiao-Zhen, relays to Qin that he felt overwhelmed by the pressure of expectations and the incessant scrutiny he faced. In a desperate bid for normalcy, Ho marries Yu, yet their happiness is overshadowed by Wen’s continued neglect. Upon Ho’s release from detention after a year and a half, he finds himself working at a car wash to support his new family, even as Wen remains emotionally estranged, grappling with visions of his deceased son.

Three years later, Ho encounters the recently-released Radish, who approaches him for money. In an unexpected turn, Radish coerces Ho into an act of violence, urging him to shoot at a legislator’s office – a task Ho reluctantly completes. Wen, in an attempt to protect his only remaining son, offers Ho money to distance himself from Radish. Yet, this friendship spirals into chaos when Radish involves Ho in dangerous activities that culminate in a package delivery in a secluded forest, leading to Radish’s mysterious disappearance.

As fate would have it, Ho is soon kidnapped by a group of thugs demanding payment for Radish’s death, which he has no choice but to comply with. After they beat him and relinquish him with a large sum, revelations unfold on Qixing Mountain, where Wen confesses to Qin that he had been secretly trailing Ho. In a shocking twist, he admits that in an effort to protect his son, he killed Radish upon witnessing their night drive, believing it was the only way to safeguard Ho.

Amidst impending revelations, Ho and his mother find solace in old notebooks that Wen had gifted to A-Hao during his medical education, each one blank and marked with Wen’s motto: “Seize the day, decide your path.” This poignant moment illustrates their desire to move beyond past traumas, as Ho steals a bicycle, leading a tearful ride with Qin through a scenic park, encapsulating the bittersweet nature of their familial bonds.

Last Updated: December 13, 2024 at 06:47