The Boys from Fengkuei

Ah Ching is the impulsive, hot-tempered member of the group whose father is disabled, placing financial strain on the family. He leaves Fengkuei for Kaohsiung in search of work, developing a crush on Hsiao-hsing and clashing with friends along the way. His journey is fueled by a desire to prove himself and escape poverty, even as his mood swings threaten their cohesion.

Arong is a loyal, spirited friend who drifts from small-time mischief toward the lure and dangers of urban life. He supports the group while getting pulled into hoodlum circles, balancing camaraderie with the realities of city temptations. He maintains a protective bond with his friends and plays a key role in the group’s dynamics.

Kuo-zai is Ah Ching’s friend who shares the carefree days in Fengkuei and faces the prospect of military service. He becomes entangled in petty schemes and is part of the group’s path to Kaohsiung, representing the tension between youth camaraderie and looming obligations.

Hsiao-hsing is Jin-he’s girlfriend and Ah Ching’s love interest. She endures heartbreak after a breakup, travels with family to Fengkuei, and returns to support the group, embodying the emotional center that motivates Ah Ching to pursue better prospects.

Jin-he is a friend of Arong’s sister who lands a factory job in Kaohsiung but is fired for stealing. He later takes a seaman’s job, illustrating the precariousness of urban labor and the desperate measures youths take to escape hardship.

Ah Ching’s mother represents domestic resilience amid financial strain from her husband’s injury. She provides quiet support as her son seeks opportunity far from Fengkuei, illustrating the quiet burden of family duty.

Arong’s sister is a practical, generous figure who helps fund the group’s trip to Kaohsiung, highlighting sibling support and the soft power of family in a tight-knit community.

Arong's sister’s boyfriend is a minor yet enabling presence within their circle, connected to the housing and neighborhood dynamics in Kaohsiung.