Betelnut Beauty

A recently discharged soldier who travels to Taipei to find work and a sense of belonging. He is drawn to Fei-fei with a quiet, earnest intensity and resists a return to his old, greasy bakery job. His loyalty and vulnerability pull him toward dangerous schemes, culminating in a fatal encounter with Tiger.

An influential underworld figure and the uncle-in-law who keeps Tiger in line. He exerts quiet control and uses his authority to maintain order within the criminal world. His presence adds a layer of tension as the others navigate loyalty, power, and fear.

Fei-fei is a young woman fleeing a fractured family who becomes a betel nut beauty to support herself and pursue acting and singing opportunities. Her charm and determination are matched by her vulnerability, as she seeks independence from her mother and a better life with Feng. Her choices push her toward risk, but also growth.

A ruthless gangster and enforcer whose temper and ego drive much of the conflict. He doubles as a feared rival and a catalyst who forces others into desperate acts. His clash with Ming and his violent actions escalate the film’s tragedy.

The father who left the family long ago, leaving Fei-fei with a sense of abandonment and a need for self-reliance. His absence shapes Fei-fei’s longing for a different future and explains some of the tension within the household.

A controlling and anxious mother who reads Fei-fei's diary and pressures her to conform to expectations. She represents the hold family tradition can have on young women and the fear of losing control. Her actions indirectly push Fei-fei toward independence and risk.

Fei-fei's ex-boyfriend who runs a betel nut stall and lures Fei-fei into acting while supporting the plan to steal from Tiger's crew. His opportunistic nature and desire to help Fei-fei clash with the risks of crime, leaving him vulnerable when the plan unravels.