Taipei Story

A career-oriented woman who seeks independence from her family and pursues immigration to the United States with Ah-lung. She navigates a modern, Western-influenced life while facing familial debts and emotional betrayals. Her moments of doubt and tears reveal the fragility of her plans and the pull of competing loyalties.

A conservative, generous cloth shop owner and former Little League star who is nostalgic about past glory. He struggles with decision paralysis about immigration and is drawn into family debts, gambling, and failed relationships. His tension between nostalgia and responsibility drives the emotional arc of the couple's story.

Ah-chen's former boss, a strong businesswoman planning expansion into the US electronic market. Her departure from the company and the loss of stable work push Ah-chen toward new economic pathways. She embodies the modern professional sphere within Taipei.

Ah-chen's father figure in the domestic sphere; a chauvinist who creates debt and instability at home. His flawed behavior and the family’s struggles illuminate the societal pressures and gender norms shaping the characters.

A younger woman connected to Ah-chen's sister's circle; her presence hints at delinquency, rebellion, and the appeal of a wilder social scene for Ah-chen's sister. Her character contributes to the film's exploration of youth culture and danger.

Ah-chen's sister and a friend to the street youth; she represents a more carefree, restless side of Taipei's youth and provides contrast to Ah-chen's plans. Her involvement with the sister's gang signals a rebellious social network.

A figure connected to Ah-chen's life; her presence underscores social networks, love triangles, and the competing loyalties within a close-knit circle in Taipei's urban life.

A family link in the cast; their domestic world intersects with the central couple's story through debt, family obligations, and the tensions of love and money.

A patriarch figure whose debts and expectations press on the family dynamics, illustrating the burden of tradition on individual dreams.

A matriarch whose presence in the home reflects the impact of economic pressures on women and the family structure in Taipei.

An uncredited minor role that hints at the social environment of late-night Taipei and the lived-in city life surrounding Ah-chen's world.

A former Little League coach or figure tied to Ah-lung's past glory; his interactions reflect the lingering influence of past athletic success on present life.