You Are the Apple of My Eye

The narrative starts in 1994 with high school in Taiwan and follows the couple into early adulthood. It traverses late 1990s adolescence, a long-distance phase after college, and culminates in a 2005 wedding, reflecting changing priorities and durable friendship. A memorable earthquake in 1999 serves as a milestone moment that realigns their paths.

Set primarily in Taiwan during the 1990s, the story spans Taipei's schools, universities, and later Taichung. The campuses of National Taipei University of Education, National Chiao Tung University, and Tunghai University anchor the characters' growth. The Jiji area becomes a backdrop for a pivotal 1999 earthquake that reshapes their relationship. Across cities and eras, the film captures the texture of Taiwanese youth and academic life.

💔 Love and Regret

The film traces a first love that never fully becomes a life together. Missteps and pride create a rift that lingers for years, shaping later choices and memories. Even as they drift apart, their feelings persist, highlighting the bittersweet nature of youthful romance. The eventual friendship in adulthood suggests that some connections outlive romance.

⏳ Time and Distance

Time separates the couple, moving them from schoolyard closeness to long-distance communication. The distance tests their bond and forces introspection about fate and timing. The story shows how distance can deepen understanding, rather than simply erode affection. In the end, timing becomes as important as affection.

🌱 Growth & Friendship

Both characters grow from impulsive youths into thoughtful adults. Their separate paths—education, writing, and personal development—reflect the resilience of friendship born from shared history. The film emphasizes forgiveness, maturity, and the value of enduring companionship over romance alone. The group of friends also anchors the warmth and humor of the later chapters.

🌸 Memory & Nostalgia

The movie unfolds as a cascade of memories from youth, punctuated by major life events. Nostalgia shades present interactions, coloring decisions with what could have been. The reunion at the wedding acts as a ritual of closure, where past emotions transform into lasting friendship. Nostalgia makes the present feel richer, even as paths diverge.