2023.07.14

Twist on a Classic Fairytale Ending! Must Listen to Concert for Parents and Children!

The "Wolf and Peter" parent-child concert is entertaining and educational, and the tour will start next week. Photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation

 

The renowned Soviet composer “Prokofiev” also known as the "Music Chameleon", created a well-known children's masterpiece, "Peter and the Wolf". This year, TASO (Taiwan Artists Symphony Orchestra) will perform this masterpiece and it will also be going on tour. The premiere will be held in Tainan next Saturday. Interested audiences are welcome to buy tickets.

 

The original "Peter and the Wolf" tells the musical tale of a brave little boy Peter, who fearlessly joins forces with animal friends to catch the malicious wolf when his grandfather is not paying attention. However, this version is a major twist called “Wolf and Peter”. In this rendition, the ending reveals that there is a reason for wolves the wolf's aggression towards the small animals, which aims to inspire more children to empathize.

 

In the first half of the concert, the essence of the original work is presented through various instruments’ tones, melodies, rhythms, and dynamics. In addition, the award-winning director "Zhang Hanxuan" leads the actors in "Happy Group Theater", to vividly depicts the mood and posture of the animals, allowing everyone to relive the original story. In the second half, the plot will have an unexpected twist! There is a big surprise that the performance team will dedicate to adults and children this time. New characters are joining such as the hen, an old bald donkey, and a Taiwanese black bear; and they also invited the composer Wu Ruiran from Europe to create a brand-new story.

The "Wolf and Peter - TASO Interactive Family Concert" tour hosted by TASO (Taiwan Artists Symphony Orchestra) and United Digital Cultural Creation will be touring in July. The concert will take place on the 22nd at Tainan Cultural Center, followed by performances in August National Taichung University of Education and Kaohsiung Weiwuying Center For The Arts. In September, there will be a show at the Taipei City Government Family Theatre. For ticket purchases, please visit udn ticketing Website, or call the customer service hotline at (02) 2649-1688 (daily 9:00~18:00).

 

2023.07.14

Countdown for Ticket Discounts! Musical Adaptation of Musical Adaptation of 'Along With the Gods' an

The Korean musicals "Butterfly" and "Walk with the Gods" are about to be screened in Taiwan, and the discount availability is counting down. Photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation

 

Known as the "Holy Land of Musicals", South Korea is introducing two highly anticipated performances to the theaters: The musical adaptation of the movie "Along With the Gods" and the Korean drama "Navillera". The first couple of audience members that buy The tickets will get a discount plus premium gifts! Interested audience members, seize the opportunity to buy the tickets. 

 

When first released in Taiwan, the movie "Along With The Gods" and the drama "Navillera" sparked a wave of discussion. Both works embody the theme of life, touching the hearts of many, and bringing tears to the audience's eyes. It is worth noting that these two productions are based on well-known Korean mangas. Unlike the drama versions, the musical adaptations emphasize a high level of faithfulness to the original source. The musical sheds light on hidden content from the manga that was not depicted in the Dramas. Conveniently the release date coincides with Father's Day! The storyline of "Navillera", revolves around pursuing one's dream in life, making it an ideal choice for families to spend time together. Encourage your father and family to experience the productions and also to 'chase their dreams

 

The high-scoring work "Along With The Gods: The Afterworld" and the emotionally moving masterpiece "Navillera" co-sponsored by United Digital Cultural Creation and Mitsukoshi Cinema will be exclusively screened in Taiwan Mitsukoshi Cinema in July and August. To buy ticket ts, please go to the udn ticketing website (Along with The Gods  https://reurl.cc/LAlV3L , Nivaillera  https://reurl.cc/ lDylkq  ), or call 022649-1688.

2023.07.05

The original London Musical "The Last Five Years" Comes to Taiwan for the First Time! Early Discount

The musical "The Last Five Years", deemed a must-see in a lifetime by foreign media, comes to Taiwan for the first time this September—photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation.

 

The musical "The Last Five Years", hailed by foreign media as a must-see in a lifetime, premiered in Chicago in 2001. It later debuted off-Broadway in 2002 and had a run in London's West End in 2006. Since then it has received numerous awards and has been translated into multiple languages, touching tens of thousands of audiences worldwide. This September, the original London musical "The Last Five Years" will finally come to Taiwan for the first time. From 9/30 to 10/7, it will be staged at the Taipei Performing Arts Center, Blue Box! This show will be an authentic reproduction of West End performances, featuring a strong cast that you must not miss. Tickets go on sale at the udn ticketing website with early discounts of up to 15% starting at 12:00 PM on 7/7.

 

Three-time Tony Award Winning Composer's Carrer’s Masterpiece. 

"The Last Five Years" is a musical adapted from the personal experiences of three-time Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown. This musical being one of the most beloved two-person musicals, received the Drama Desk Award for Best Composition and Best Lyrics. This play weaves 16 songs together to depict 5 years of love, marriage, indifference, and eventual divorce between the male and female protagonists, showcasing the joys and sorrow between the two. Every song in the play is composed by Brown, from the well-known song "Still Hurting" sung by the female lead Cathy, to the brisk and dynamic "Moving Too Fast" by the male lead Jamie. With a touching melody and powerful vocals, the audience cannot help but feel immersed in the whole performance. 

 

100% West-End Cast Comes to Taiwan for the First Time

"The Last Five Years" is making its debut in Taiwan with a 100% authentic reproduction of the Garrick Theatre version from London’s West End. In this dual-cast performance, it features  Lenny Turner and Josh Barnett playing the male lead Jamie, SuRie, and Stephanie Marion playing the female lead Cathy. The West End cast perfectly interprets the sweetness and sadness of "The Last Five Years", bringing a fresh new experience to Taiwanese audiences.

"The Last Five Years" is making its debut in Taiwan with a 100% authentic reproduction of the Garrick Theatre version from London’s West End. Photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation. 

 

Foreign Media Deemed it as a Must-see in a Lifetime -a Broadway Classic

"The Last Five Years," tells the story of the bittersweet experience of the male and female protagonists in love and the challenges they face in their relationship. The whole play consists of two actors and five musicians. Blending together various musical styles, including pop, jazz, blues, folk, etc. Despite a simple stage design, the audience can deeply understand the different aspects of modern love, and relate it to their own experiences 

 

The story is presented through a non-linear narrative, with each character having a set of songs. The female lead Cathy sings from the perspective of 5 years into the future and moves backward towards their first encounter, while the male protagonist Jamie sings from their initial meeting and moves forwards five years ahead. The only overlapping moment is during their wedding, which is also the only duet in the whole play. The 16 songs are like monologues, with the male protagonist telling the love between the two from the first moment they met to the initial sweetness and eventual frustrations of divorce. Jamie and Cathy sing in different time frames, interweaving their story to present a five-year process from falling in love and getting married, to divorce. In addition to nearly 100 minutes of uninterrupted performance and singing, the male and female protagonists accompany each other by playing the piano, giving the story a new narrative dimension to the story. 

 

The audience can project their own experience from the performance, recalling the throbbing, longing, and heartbreak that have happened or are happening in their lives. Photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation.

 

The Performace Showcases the Laughter and Tears of Modern Love. 

The story talks about the male protagonist Jamie, a successful writer, and the female protagonist Cathy, a struggling actor. Despite their differences, they quickly fall in love, get married, and believed they have found happiness. However, as Jamie's novel became a hit, he gradually struggled and lost the balance between career and relationship. Cathy on the other hand had no appointments or plays to act in, she watches her partner’s success glamou and feels the disparity between their lives. These differences are the factors that gradually drive them apart, leading to their breakup. With the powerful delivery of the songs and the performance of the live band, the emotions of the audience are enhanced as if they are experiencing the bits and pieces of the five years together with the characters. 

 

"The Last Five Years" is hailed as the most classic romantic musical. It toured across four continents, and over 20 cities around the world. It was even adapted into a film. Photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation.

 

The Best West End Musical to Get Started With

"The Last Five Years" is hailed as the most classic romantic musical. It toured across four continents, and over 20 cities around the world. It was even adapted into a film. This production adheres to the original West End format, but the tickets are relatively affordable compared to other international performances, making it the perfect entry point for audiences who haven’t experienced a West End musical before!

The original West End musical "The Last Five Years" will be performed at the Blue Box of the Taipei Performing Arts Center from 9/30 to 10/7. On the 7/7 udn ticketing website will issue discounts as low as 15%. If you want to see the representative works of the Tony Award-winning composer, or if you are interested in musicals and want to watch a new drama staged in Taiwan for the first time, come to the theater with us. Feel the charm of London's West End musical, and watch the internationally renowned classic. Don't miss it!

 

Original West End musical The Last Five Years

●Time: 2023/9/30 (Sat)-2023/10/7 (Sat)

●Venue: Blue Box, Taipei Performing Arts Center

●Tickets: udn ticketing website https://bit.ly/3NitIOg

●Official website: https://reurl.cc/v7LeWA

●Facebook: https://reurl.cc/qLYOZ0

●Tickets: Holidays $2,800／$2,200／$1,600／$1,000 ($800 for wheelchair seats and accompanying seats)

Weekdays $2,600／$2,000／$1,400／$800 ($700 for wheelchair seats and accompanying seats)

 

2023.06.30

The Taiwanese Musical "Dont Cry, Dancing Girls" Achieves Nearly Sold-out Ticket Sales!

The Taiwanese musical "勸世三姊妹" (Dont Cry, Dancing Girls) Has Achieved Nearly Sold-out Ticket Sales During its First Week at the Taipei Venue.

The Taiwanese musical "勸世三姊妹" (Dont Cry, Dancing Girls) has received widespread acclaim and quickly gained popularity in the musical theater market will have its grand opening this coming Saturday. Photo provided by KoKo Enterntainment and Yueyan Theater Group. 

 

The Taiwanese musical "Dont Cry, Dancing Girls", which has quickly gained popularity in the musical theater market, will start its 9 performances at the Taipei Performing Arts Center Theatre beginning this Saturday (7/1). Not has the scale of the stage been upgraded, but so are the colorful and gorgeous costumes, and the cast of singers and dancers has been expanded. The musical has collaborated with various popular and trending brands, combining experiences for the senses- From delicious food, stunning visuals, captivating performative, useful products, and relaxation opportunities. This upgrade aims to make watching musicals part of a comprehensive leisure activity, providing stress-free and joyful entertainment.

 

The musical "Dont Cry, Dancing Girls" is a masterpiece co-created by renowned Golden Bell Award-winning playwright Zhan Jie, music director Kang Hexiang, and Artistic Director Zeng Hui Cheng. Two years ago, the stage reading of the musical sparked a hot topic, and earlier this year, the world premiere in Weiwyuing, Kaohsiung was selling out instantly. Now in July, the musical has moved to Taiwan and also further elevated the show. The show upgraded the electric stage with dazzling images, lighting, and other visual effects. The music blends touching music and gorgeous signing with modern, jazz, hip-hop, and elegiac singing. The show even left astrology expert Tang Qiyang burst into tears after watching the brilliance of the performance, and this led her to invite millions of fans to watch this theatrical delight. The Artistic Director of the Weiwyuing National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts, Jian Wen Bin, highly praised Kang Hexiang as "one the best musical composers in recent years!"

 

"Don't Cry, Dancing Girls” presents the tenderness of Taiwanese culture for the deceased and the living, and once again takes the audience through a story of farewell and reunion, loss and existence, growth and rebirth. Photo provided by KoKo Enterntainment and Yueyan Theater Group

 

Before the opening performance the team of “Dont Cry, Dancing Girls” held a “Celebrity” premiere event, inviting renowned figures from various fields, partners, and related staff to have an exclusive opportunity to watch “Dont Cry, Dancing Girls” in its entirety before its official debut. There were celebrities like “Hu Ge” from the Fire EX band, astrology expert “Tang Qiyang”, acclaimed directors “Wang Xiaodi”, “Qu Youning”, and “Wei Desheng”, stand-up comedian “Huan Haoping”, and Broadway actor “Yang Chengwei”, and more. The aim was to generate enthusiasm for theatre among the Taiwanese community and to promote this remarkable play. 

 

Director Zeng Hui Cheng expressed that  “From the beginning of the creation of this play, it was set to be a play that belongs to the concept of ‘group performance’”. Each actor has his own role, and there is also an ensemble part. Some actors play dual roles as twins, while others portray contrasting characters like a child and an old man. This intentional misplacement of faces and expressions aims to convey the idea that “the self you perceive might not be the real you.” Because of the portrayal of characters this makes the technical condition of this musical quite complicated. This time the Tapei Station canceled some plays so that they can prepare and rehearse without disruption. 

 

"Don't Cry, Dancing Sisters" is a family story about three siblings in a rural family in Huwei. The story revolves around the eldest sister, Song Guozhen, who took on the responsibility of being a father and a mother from a young age. She single-handedly raised her younger sibling and built a strong and resilient personality in the process. Upon returning to their hometown due to family inheritance, the three siblings experience amusing and heartwarming encounters with their relatives. Throughout the story, numerous elements of Taiwanese culture are woven into the story to emphasize the connection between the living and the deceased and the importance of moral guidance. In this journey, the audience will be able to witness the themes that present the tender story of farewell and reunion, loss and preservation, and growth and rebirth.

 

"Dont Cry, Dancing Sister" is produced by KoKo Entertainment and co-produced by the united digital cultural and creative production. From July 1st to July 9th, there will be 9 performances in the Taipei Performing Arts Center Theatre. The box office is approaching a sold-out first week. For friends interested in Taiwanese musicals, don't miss it! Please contact OPENTIX to buy tickets, or go to Yueyan's Facebook fan page to get the latest performance information.

 

2023.06.16

Spanish National Ballet Presents a Beautiful Ballet Masterpiece!

Benoit Dance Award-winning 'Carmen' Debut in Taiwan: Spanish National Ballet Presents a Beautiful Ballet Masterpiece!

"Carmen" is a commemorative work for the 35th anniversary of the Spanish National Dance Company (Compañía Nacional de Danza). Photo provided by United Digital Cultural Creation, Compañía Nacional de Danza

 

The work "Carmen" is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the Spanish National Dance Company (Compañía Nacional de Danza). Since 2015, this production has been invited to tour the world. The choreographer, Johan Inger won the Benoit Dance Award (Benois de la Danse), known as the "Oscars of the dance world" and the Venice TV Award. In this masterpiece, Johan Inger perfectly blends the captivating and melancholic atmosphere from Prosper Mérimée's original French novel, with the passionate music style composed by Georges Bizet. Through a contemporary ballet reinterpretation, complemented by sleek costume design and Spanish-inspired stage design, the mesmerizing Carmen and the deeply passionate Don José are brought to life in this modern rendition of the century-old opera classic. 

 

To present a free-spirited and sensually vibrant Carmem from a modern perspective, the ballet breaks away from past morals and ideals. Choreographer Johan Inger's modern interpretation of 'Carmen' not only preserves the refined techniques of traditional ballet but also perfectly conveys the characters' psychological conflicts in the classic text through unrestrained body tension, erotic flow, and an extension of the emotional narrative arc from Carmen and José’s childhood emotion and shadows. Responding to the recent surge of feminism across the world, the translated performance not only brings modern innovation to ballet and classic literature but also successfully captivated audience members, sparking meaningful discussions about women's issues. 

 

"Carmen" was not only the most frequently performed opera in the 19th century but the text was also adapted by many classic films, becoming a symbol of modern female roles. Photo provided by United Digital Cultural Creation, Compañía Nacional de Danza

 

The opera with plot tension and strong female symbols has been successfully adapted all over the world.

The short story “Carmen” is one of the more well-known masterpieces of the French novelist, Prosper Mérimée. It was later adapted into an opera by the French musician Georges Bizet in 1875. Carmen, a gypsy girl, attracted the male protagonist Don José to commit a crime for her and ended up in jail for her. However, after his release, Carmen fell in love with the bullfighter Escamillo and was eventually killed by the jealous José.

Due to Carmen’s daring and unconventional plot at the time, it was difficult for the general to accept. It was not until after Bizet's death that the opera gained popularity and became one of the most frequently performed operas. Its dramatic tension and the portrayal of women inspired numerous adaptations including famous operas, movies, concerts, and more adaptations including Chaplin's black-and-white film, Spanish director Vincent Aranda's "Carmen" and Hong Kong director Wong Kar-Wai's first film "As Tears Go By" all of which either extends the themes or used Carmen’s character as a symbolic representation. 

Not only was"Carmen" a frequently performed opera in the 19th century, but its text was adapted by many classic films, becoming a symbol for modern female roles. Photo provided by United Digital Cultural Creation, Compañía Nacional de Danza

 

The Number 3 runs through the entire play as a key element, vividly showing Spanish Aesthetics. 

"Carmen" adopts an open-space stage design that aims to capture the essence of the original novels’ atmosphere. Stage art mainly uses three materials for construction (concrete, mirror, and black corrugated material) to create the triangular world in Carmen's story. At the same time, the number "three" plays a metaphorical and functional role in this play, including the cause of jealousy and ultimately contributing to a tragic ending. A prism is incorporated and three dancers interact with it, allowing for a smooth progression of time, space, and perspective. In addition, the overall tone maintains the fiery spirit of Spain and the passionate rhythm of the music; making it one of the most captivating and must-see highlights of the production. 

The stage design adopts an open space, and the number three runs through the core of the whole play, creating a gloomy and charming atmosphere closer to the original novel. Photo provided by United Digital Cultural Creation, Compañía Nacional de Danz

 

The Spanish National Dance Troupe known for the performance “Wings of Desire” is returning to Taiwan to perform at the first TIFA

The Spanish National Dance Company (Compañía Nacional de Danza) was founded in 1979, under the original name of the Spanish National Classical Ballet Company, with Victor Ulate serving as its first artist director. In June 1990, Nacho Duato took over as the artistic director, changing the company’s name to Spanish National Ballet. Having served a remarkable twenty years, he brought innovative influence to the company by vigorously expanding its repertoire with new choreographies all while preserving and refining classic pieces with and maintaining tradition. In 2009, after long periods of adjustment, the Spanish National Ballet was invited to Taiwan to perform “Wings of Desire” where it received critical acclaim at the first TIFA. In 2019, 

the Spanish Ministry of Culture announced that the Spanish dancer Joaquín De Luz, who served as the principal of the New York City Ballet, is the new artistic director of the Spanish National Ballet where he will take over that position in September of that year. 

 

The Spanish National Dance Troupe (Compañía Nacional de Danza) has been invited to perform in Taiwan twice and received excellent acclaim for "Wings of Desire" at the first TIFA. Photo provided by United Digital Cultural Creation, Compañía Nacional de Danza

Picture provided by United Digital Culture and Creation

The full-length performance tickets at Kaohsiung Weiwuying National Theater and Taipei National Theater will start officially selling at noon on June 16 with an early bird 12% discount

This show in Taiwan is hosted by United Digital Cultural Creation. It will bring a total of seven full-length performances at Kaohsiung Weiwuying National Theater and Taipei National Theater from September 9th to September 17th. Ticketing sales will start at noon on June 16th. It will be officially launched on the udn ticketing network. Tickets purchased before July 19 can enjoy a minimum discount of 12%, and the program applies to cultural currency and some discount programs for youth seats. For detailed ticket purchase methods and event information, please refer to the official website announcement. For more instant program notifications, please follow Crazy Show's Facebook announcement

 

 

2023.06.13

"Titanic Movie Concert" Debuts North, Central and Southern Tour. Tickets Are On Sale.

 

From August 11th to 13th, the first-ever North, Central, and Southern tour will take place. Image provided by United Digital Creative.

 

The classic movie " Titanic " was released in 1997, directed, filmed, and produced by James Cameron. He used the most advanced computer animation and compositing technology at the time, costing hundreds of millions of dollars, making it the most expensive film at the time. In 2022, in order to pay tribute to the film, the united digital cultural creation will hold the "Titanic Movie Music Concert" in Taipei. Before the ticket sale, it sparked heated discussions and received high praise after the performance. The "Titanic Film Concert" will continue to perform on stage, and it will live up to the fans' expectations. From August 11th to 13th, for the first time, the concert featuring a live orchestra will tour the North, Middle, and Southern regions of Taiwan. The orchestra and choir consisting of more than 100 members will be present. Together, they will immerse the audience and lead the audience in a three-and-a-half hour of thrilling musical journey. Experience the unforgettable love story of the main character. Ticket sales will begin on June 13th at noon through all available channels. 

 

This time, the concert specially invites Irish bagpiper Eric Rigler to Taiwan. He has recorded soundtracks for many movies, including "Titanic," "The Prince of Egypt," "Braveheart," and "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World." His performance will recreate the authentic and poignant melodies from the movies, allowing the audience to relive each touching moment.

 

The "Titanic Movie Music Concert" will be performed on August 11th in the evening at the Taipei Pop Music Center Hall.  On the 12th, there will be both a matinee and an evening performance at National Taichung Theatre in Taichung. On the 13th, the concert will be held in the evening at the Wei Wu Ying Center for the Arts in Kaohsiung. For details of the event, please visit the official website, and to buy tickets, please visit udn ticket sales network, or contact customer service telephone: (02) 2649-1688.

2023.05.25

Experience taboo rituals at the strong summer exhibition "The Ropes Curse Haunted House"

The most frightening Thai ghost master in the movie "The Ropes Curse: " will also appear in this exhibition. Photo/provided by United Digital Culture and Creation

 

The Taiwanese film “The Ropes Curse” depicts the “Meat Dumpling Offering” (a ritual/ceremony to send off spirits that died by hanging) ceremony in the coastal regions of central Taiwan. Revolving around real folk customs, the movie's horror factor is off the charts drawing the attention of many horror movie fans. This summer, for the first time, it will be presented as an immersive experience, bringing the ritual to life. We invite the public to participate in history's largest "meat dumpling delivery ceremony".

 

"Haunted Houses " has always been one of the most popular summer activities and this time, "The Ropes Curse" exhibition created a themed haunted house, which aroused heated discussions on the Internet. Many netizens were super curious about the mysterious folk customs. In addition to experiencing the real “meat dumpling offering” ceremony, participants can witness the classic scenes of the first and second movies and encounter frightening "actors". There are also missions in the museum. Participants need to rely on courage and luck to complete missions in the exhibition to send away evil spirits. The pre-sale discount is 280 NT and are selling out fast.

 

The Ropes Curse Exorcism Immersive Experience Exhibition" co-sponsored by United Digital Cultural Creation and Huaying International is the first horror experience exhibition with the theme of Taiwanese folk customs. It is held at the National Taiwan Science Education Center in July this year. From now on, the 280 yuan pre-sale discount and movie discount packages are fully on sale. To buy tickets, please go to udn ticketing website, or contact customer service at 02-26491689 #2 (09:00~18:00 daily).

 

2023.05.25

Tony Award-Winning Musical “Titanic” Limited Asia Tour!

A still from the Tony Award-winning musical Titanic. Photo provided by Hongyang International and Love Music Love City Cultural Media

 

The classical Broadway musical "Titanic" was launched in 1997 and received five Tony Awards that year. To commemorate the 10th anniversary of the London production, an Asia special tour will be scheduled in 2023 with Taiwan as the first stop. The production was brought by the organizer Hongyang International and Love Music and Love City Cultural Media, and in collaboration with Active Interface. The performances will be performed at the Taipei Performing Arts Center. It features a luxurious cast of 25 talented performers, including the original cast from London, presenting the classic performed in its truest forms. Every song is breathtaking from the beginning to the end. It is a wonderful musical full of the light of life and is an experience that must not be missed. The limited-time discount offer starts at a minimum of 15% off and will be exclusively sold at the udn ticketing network at noon on May 24.

 

Different from the film, the Broadway musical “Titanic” is based on real-life characters aboard the most legendary ship. The musical tells the story of the passengers that boarded the ship with their hopes, dream, and personal aspirations, unaware of the fate that lies ahead. Each individual carries a different story and background: 3rd class immigrants dreaming of a better life in America, 2nd class immigrants fantasizing that they, too, can join the lifestyle of the rich and famous, and 1st class millionaire barons aspiring to riches can continue to pass on their legacy... For 2.5 hours, from the crew to the passengers, everyone's life story is full of humanity and positive power. 25 actors wonderfully interpret 126 large and small characters, with different perspectives and multiple storylines. The musical "Titanic" captures history meticulously, and presents the stories of ordinary people.
 

A still from the Tony Award-winning musical Titanic. Photo provided by Hongyang International and Love Music Love City Cultural Media

 

Five Tony Awards Don't miss the classic drama

In 1997, "Titanic" was created by the well-known Broadway playwright Peter Stone, and the music and lyrics were created by music maestro Maury Yeston. In the end, the musical show ran for a total of 804 performances and received five Tony Awards, including, Best Musical, Best Book, Best Original Score, Best Stage Design, and Best Orchestration. The music received a Grammy nomination for Best Musical Theater Album. It is a wonderful Broadway play that should not be missed featuring a captivating script and music.

 

A still from the Tony Award-winning musical Titanic. Photo provided by Hongyang International and Love Music Love City Cultural Media

 

A 100% London West End golden cast presents an authentic performance on stage.

The London production of "Titanic" premiered in 2013, and is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a limited-edition Asian tour with the first stop being Taipei. This is also the musical’s first-ever performance in Taiwan. In addition, this presents a rare opportunity for Taiwanese audiences to watch classic Broadway musicals in their own country. What makes it even more special is that this Taiwan performance is limited to a 100% London West End cast, a never seen cast in Taiwan’s introduction of Broadway touring musicals! With high-quality production, heart-shattering and moving songs will debut at the Taipei Performing Arts Center in August this year!

The Tony Award-winning musical "Titanic" will be available for exclusive discount sale at udn ticketing network at 12:00 noon on May 24th. Join udn members, active interface members, as well as Taipei Performing Arts Center members, and enjoy a 12% discount when purchasing tickets in designated seating areas. Paying members of the Taipei Performing Arts Center can enjoy a 15% early discount. We invite you to join us on board the Titanic in August and experience the charm of Broadway with the characters in the play.

 

Tony Award-winning musical "Titanic" - London 10th Anniversary Limited Aisa Tour

▍Performance date and venue:

Taipei Performing Arts Center Grand Theater (No. 1, Jiantan Road, Shilin District, Taipei City)

August 31, 112 (Thu) 19:30

September 01, 112 (Fri) 19:30

September 02, 112 (Saturday) 14:30 / 19:30

September 03, 112 (Sun) 14:30 / 19:30

September 05, 112 (Tue) 19:30

September 06, 112 (Wed) 19:30

September 07, 112 (Thu) 19:30

September 08, 112 (Friday) 19:30

September 09, 112 (Saturday) 14:30 / 19:30

September 10, 112 (Sun) 14:30

▍Ticket purchase link: https://reurl.cc/GAZ3vx

▍Official website: https://reurl.cc/XEXGgM

▍Fare: 1200/1800/2800/3800/4800 (wheelchair seat 1900)

▍Customer service phone: (02) 2649-1688 (09:00~18:00 every day, 12:00~13:00 during holidays)

▍Organizers: Hongyang International, Aile Aicheng Culture Media Co., Ltd.

Co-organizer: Active Interface Production

Co-organizer: Taipei Performing Arts Center

Execution of publicity: udnFunLife joins forces with digital cultural creation

 

2023.05.10

Hans Zimmer Kicks Off At Taipei Music Center In September! The original singer of the theme song for

"The World of Hans Zimmer: A Symphonic Celebration" is a film music concert curated by world-renowned composer and music producer Hans Zimmer. He has created scores for movies such as "Inception", "Batman: The Dark Knight", and "Gladiator". Since its debut in 2018, the concert has been invited to tour over 15 countries. Originally scheduled to come to Taiwan in 2020, due to the pandemic, it had to be postponed twice. Now with its confirmation to take place from September 28th to October 1st at the Tapei Music Center, the concert marks its grand debut in Taiwan!

 The World of Hans Zimmer: A Symphonic Celebration film concert world tour. Photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation

 

A masterful plan indeed! Hans Zimmer himself has personally rearranged the repertoire and appointed the original team to perform in Taiwan!

In "The World of Hans Zimmer: A Symphonic Celebration," there will be:  "The Lion King," "Gladiator," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "The Da Vinci Code," "Inception," and "Batman: The Dark Knight", more than 10 iconic works will be displayed. The concert will showcase a perfect blend of Hans Zimmer's expertise in electronic music, traditional symphony, organ, and orchestral arrangements. It will be accompanied by stunning visuals on a large screen. Moreover, Hans Zimmer himself has personally recorded exclusive interview segments for the program, sharing the core concepts behind his compositions with the audience through the use of the big screen.

The World of Hans Zimmer: A Symphonic Celebration film concert world tour. Photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation

Film score master Hans Zimmer. Photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation

 

The list is insane! The original singer and performer appeared in the performance!

The conducting duties for this performance will be led by Martin Gellner, who has been the conductor for "The World of Hans Zimmer: A Symphonic Celebration" since 2018. Notably, the concert will feature the original vocalist of the theme song from the movie "Warrior of the Gods," Lisa Gerrard. As one of the most acclaimed contemporary contraltos, she will personally grace the stage in Taiwan, enchanting the audience with her deep and mysteriously captivating voice as she sings "Now We Are Free" in Hebrew. Additionally, musicians Pedro Eustache, who has contributed to the production of "Kung Fu Panda" and "Pirates of the Caribbean," and renowned guitarist Alexios Anest, known for his extraordinary guitar skills, will also be in attendance. For fans of Hans Zimmer's music, this is an event not to be missed.

Alto Lisa Gerrard will perform on stage. Photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation

Woodwind player Pedro Eustache. Photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation

Guitarist Alexios Anest. Photo provided by United Digital Culture and Creation

2023.04.14

Hua Nan Financial Holdings Collaborates with udnFunLife!

Hua Nan Financial Holdings Collaborates with udnFunLife! Students Enjoy Discounts at the Ukrainian Ballet Performance!

The United Ukrainian Ballet troupe would present《Wartime Elegy》to the audience. Photo provided by The United Ukrainian Ballet.

 

United Digital Culture is organizing the Ukrainian United Ballet troupe’s performance of “Wartime Elegy” It will take place for the first time in Taiwan on April 29 and 30 this year. They will perform excerpts from ballets like “Giselle,” “Donn Quixote,” and “La Bayadère." Hua Nan Financial Holdings is participating in a charity event called the “Dream seed project”, offering ticket subsidies and benefits to students currently studying dance and performing arts-related majors. 

 

The United Ukrainian Ballet is the first international ballet group to perform in the past three years.《Wartime Elegy》composed by well-known choreographer Ratmansky, he pays tribute to the persevering spirit of Ukrainian people with traditional Ukrainian music as its foundation. The performance features esteemed Ukrainian dance stars, including former Marinnsky Ballett principal dancers “Anastasia Matvienko” and “Denis Matvienko”, as well as “Katya Khaniukova” from the English National Ballet who will join as guest performers. This promises to bring the most fascinating ballet performance to the Taiwanese people. 

 

To encourage young students to appreciate international ballet performances, enhance their global perspective, and support their individual development with the SDG’s goal for quality education, Hua Shan Financial Holdings and United Digital Culture have launched special ticket offers for students to watch the Ukarianian United Ballet Troupe. This initiative is targeted at students in the performing arts program and other related fields. By presenting their student IDs they can purchase tickets that are worth 2000NTD for a discounted price of 700NTD. 

 

We hope that by lowering the threshold for young students to watch performances they can promote diverse art forms and be able to fulfill the mission of arts and cultural education. To purchase tickets for the “Dream Seed Project,” please contact the service at 02-2649-1689#1 (Monday to Friday 09:30-17:00). The number of seats is limited and the discount ends as soon as the tickets sell out.

2023.04.08

In the name of the moon, I will punish you! !” The 2.5 D “Sailor Moon” Is Coming To Taiwan!

 “In the name of the moon, I will punish you!” The Japanese 2.5D “Sailor Moon '' is starting on the 7th and will perform four times in a row at the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall. The female lead, Natsuki Koga, expressed her hope to “bring courage and hope” to everyone after the epidemic through the positive and energetic world of “Sailor Moon ''. Photo provided by udnFunLife!

 

“In the name of the moon, I will punish you!” Natsuki Koga, who plays the hero role of Tsukino Usagi in the Japanese 2.5D musical, “Sailor Moon”, performed iconic gestures and lines, evoking a wave of childhood memories in the minds of the audience. This classic Japanese shoujo manga published in 1991 has sold 36 million copies worldwide. The musical adapted from the manga makes its first appearance in Taiwan with four performances in a row at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall starting on the 7th. Natsuki Koga after the pandemic, expressed her hope to “bring hope and courage” to help everyone through the positive energetic world of “Sailor Moon”

 

“Sailor Moon” describes the story of an ordinary 14-year-old middle school student named Usagi Tsukino. She is kind, cries easily, and often arrives late. Everything changed when she tore off the moon seal on the head of the black cat Luna and became “sailor moon”. Under her leadership, four other warriors appeared one after another. Together with a masked man in a tuxedo named “Chiba Mamoru” the 6 of them fought the leader of the dark empire, Queen Beryl. The romance, mystery, beauty, and friendship made “Sailor Moon” an instant hit and a collective memory of anime fans.

 

Before “Sailor Moon”, many main female characters such as Snow White and Cinderella were portrayed as waiting for a prince to rescue them. “Sailor Moon” revolutionized this norm by presenting a female protagonist who doesn't need a prince to protect her. Natsuki Koga said that such a setting also gives readers courage, and is the key to the popularity of “Sailor Moon”. The core of “Sailor Moon” is female empowerment. The five Sailor Warriors represent different aspects of womanhood. Each warrior has an independent consciousness that demonstrates formidable strength, courage, and confidence while protecting one another. They are the embodiment of a new generation of “female power”.

 

In the animation industry, 2D refers to plane animation, while 3D refers to three-dimensional real-world aspects. On the other hand, “2.5D” falls in between 2D and 3D combining elements of both imitation and reproduction. In the context of “2.5D musicals,” it means bringing animations to life through live-action performances. 

Natuski Koga expressed that the “2.5D” musical of “Sailor Moon” uses music and dance to present the world of “Sailor Moon”. She also stated that although the lines are limited, the stage is very well crafted, and hopes everyone will look forward to it.

 

On the 6th, the cast of “Sailor Moon” held a dress rehearsal with the six protagonists lined up and each character showcasing their character’s iconic moves. The six cast members said that

although “Sailor Moon” is a familiar franchise for everyone, this is the first time the musical has

Been performed in Taiwan. They hope that through the performance, they can bring the strength, courage, and hope represented by “Sailor Moon” into Taiwanese society.

 

The 2.5D musical "Sailor Moon The Super Live" is sponsored by udnFunLife!

It will perform four times at the National Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall in Taipei starting from the 7th.

For tickets, please go to the udn ticketing website (https://reurl.cc/oZlaM3), Customer Service

Line (02) 02-2649-1688 (09:00~18:00 every day).

 

 “In the name of the moon, I will punish you! !” The Japanese 2.5-dimensional musical "Sailor Moon" will be performed four times in a row at the Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hall starting on the 7th. Natsuki Koga expressed her hope to “bring courage and hope” to everyone after the epidemic through the positive and energetic world of “Sailor Moon '' Photo/ Provided by udnFunLife!

 

2023.02.24

SongShan High School of Commerce Students Visited the Trendy Shoes Exhibition. Praises Came and Went

"Sustainable Development Zone'' exhibits shoes that are made out of different sustainable materials. Photo provided by Department of Educational Business

 

“My god, these shoes are so pretty!” said a student from the Advertising Design Department of Sonshan who visited the 《Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street》, there were many praises expressed towards it. While looking at limited edition and commemorative shoes in the exhibition room, some students could not help but enviously said that “Shaquille O'Neal’s custom-made shoes are really beautiful. If I had the ability to, I would buy and wear them!”

 

《Sneakers Unboxed: Studio to Street》sponsored by udnFunLife! is now exhibiting in Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei. They invited teachers and students from SongShan High School of Commerce to visit the exhibition. The curator Chen Jianhua said during the guided tour mentioned that the Taipei exhibition is the first stop in Asia. This exhibition exhibits nearly 300 pairs of shoes that are primarily from The London Design Museum. Most of the shoes displayed are collaborative designs with models, rappers, athletes, and pop artists. There are many that have been signed and worn by well-known football stars and singers once.

 

In order to make the exhibition more relatable, the organizer specifically borrowed “signed boots” from sports players such as Wang Qilin, Lee Yang, Kuo Hsing-Chun, Lin Chih-chieh, and Chen Yanbo (Tommy Chen). The organizer also borrowed complete Jordan sneakers from collectors, noting that they have less than five sets in the entire world. Additionally, there are also ten pairs of concept shoes designed with inspiration from “Jay Chou” in mind, which attracted many students who carefully studied and admired them during the exhibit. 

 

Shi Yi-hui, the teacher leading the SongShan High School of Commerce team, said that the fastest way for students to develop aesthetic literacy is to visit exhibitions. He also found out that “students really have done a lot of research on these trendy shoes”. Some of them were well versed in the market value of the sneakers and a few even knew the different types of unreleased shoes of football players in detail. 

 

Su Yue-Ning and Zheng Pei-shan, who are classmates from the SongShan High School of Commerce, had different perspectives. They were deeply impressed by the exhibits in the “Sustainable Development Zone''. Su Yue-Ning said that “shoes were usually worn out and thrown away. However, in the Sustainable Development Zone, there is a pair of shoes that combines the logos of different brands of trendy shoes. “The idea of recycling is very cool!” Su Yue-Ning also expressed that “These shoes have a great sense of fashion.”

The organizers of the sneaker exhibition borrowed from Jordan shoe collectors in Taiwan, there are less than five complete sets of Jordan in the world. Photo provided by Department of Education.

 

This pair of shoes is made up of logos of different brands of trendy shoes. Photo provided by Department of Education.

The Slam Dunk movie is currently in theaters, and the picture shows Nike's No. 10 sneakers designed for Hanamichi Sakuragi. Photo provided by Department of Education.

2023.02.23

The Original Cast of The Musical Romeo and Juliet Recreates the Classics!

The Original Cast of The Musical Romeo and Juliet reproduces the classics and “Shocks The Northern Stage" 

The Classic Song “Verona'' kicks off Romeo and Juliet’s Taipei show. Photo provided by udnFunLife!

 

The classic French musical “Romeo and Juliet” has received a great response since its debut in Paris in 2001. Today, it has been translated into 14 languages, performed in more than 18 countries and the audience numbers exceed 6.5 million. Drama critics praised it as “the greatest pop musical of the 21st century”. The world tour was originally scheduled to start in 2021, but it was postponed due to the rising epidemic situation in multiple different countries. The “20th Anniversary Tour” that restarted in 2023 arrived in Taiwan in February to present the classic Shakespearean love story.

 

Following the large number of praises that it received for its premiere at the National Taichung Theater, the opening night is at the Taipei Music Center on February 16. It is also notable that all 4000 seats had sold out. As soon as the classic song “Verona'' (Verona) started, countless fans cheered excitedly and the applause continued for a long time at the end of the show. They even sang in harmony at the curtain call. The scene was touching and unforgettable!

 

The Original Actors for Romeo and Juliet Came Together in Taiwan For The First Time!

The 20th Anniversary Commemorative Tour will be performed by “The First Romeo” Damien Sargue and “The First Juliet” Cécilia Cara. Their part where the two first meet had won lots of applause. The famous duets 《Le Balcon》(Balcony)《Aimer》also made the audience fascinated and immersed in it as well! Many fans recall the first time they watched musicals would be, watching the recorded version of the two’s performance on DVD in class.

 

After more than 10 years, I finally saw the classical cast co-starring. Their strong presence made the fans excited and burst into tears. They expressed feelings about how it is the most precious memory in their life. After hearing the news, Damien and producer Gérard Presgurvic also expressed their passionate feelings of how they were glad to come to Taiwan again and bring sentimental feelings to the audience. Cécilia, who visited Taiwan for the first time, generously shared fans’ feedback on the performance on Instagram. They also thanked the audience for their enthusiastic support and made countless new fans when interacting with them.

 

The original cast Damien and Cécilia came to Taiwan to perform for the first time. Photo provided by udnFunLife!

 

Fantastic Ensemble, New, and Old Actors that are full of talent create a wonderful scene.

A number of the talented cast also appeared on stage to add surprises to the performance on the 20th anniversary. The organizer partnered with udnFunLife! successfully invited the “French musical superstar” John Eyzen and Cyril Niccolai to act as Romeo’s best friends. The audience was surprised by the three actors’ performance in the song 《The King of The World》(Les Rois Du Monde). Frédéric Charter, who played the role of "Prince" in the original musical, returns as the "Priest". His calm and magnetic voice brought out infinite sadness and emotion, which was so contagious that it made people cry. Many audiences agreed that this was a major attraction that could not be missed!

 

At the curtain call, “Three Handsome Men”, Romeo, Mercutio, and Benvolio gathered again. Photo provided by udnFunLife!

 

At the Curtain Call Ensemble Performace, the Audience Sing In Harmony Creating High Energy in Music Hall.

On the 20th Anniversary where the performance took place, in order for the audience to be fully immersed in the sentiment of music, dance, and story, the organizer wanted them to enjoy top-tier theater production and stage effects in the best venue. French musicals are produced in the unique form of a “concert” in France, which emphasizes “music” and the “charisma of actors”. Instead of using drama to convey deep emotions, it uses song chants and meaningful words. At the curtain call, the popular songs in the musical were used to represent the impassioned emotions, and cheerful and enthusiastic atmosphere, which allowed the audience to quickly immerse in it. In the performance hall, applause and shouts instantly filled the room and left unforgettable memories!

 

The classic French musical “Romeo and Juliet” will perform six performances at the Taipei Music Center. Then, it will move to Kaohsiung National Center for the Arts (Weiwuying) from February 24th to 28th. The three-week tour would also conclude here. Fans of the show, please seize the last chance to grab tickets. There is a 10% discount on the package tickets for two people! To purchase tickets, please go to and ticketing network and call customer service at 02-26491688 (09:00-18:00 daily).

2023.02.01

Seize The Opportunity to Visit Exhibitions During Winter Break! Japan’s “Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition”

Life-size character model-Gojo Sotaru Photo provided by udnFunLife!

 

The “Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition '' is organized by udnFunLife! and officially authorized by the Japanese copyright holders and the Liang Bang Group is currently being held at Huashan Taipei. This exhibition showcases contents of the early and late stages of the anime series, featuring nearly 400 pieces of original animation work, large screen projections, life-size character models, interactive scene recreations, and more. The exhibition is hosted during winter, the organizer invites fans to come to the exhibition on weekdays to have a comfortable time during the exhibition. 

 

The content of this exhibition is mainly based on the four chapters of the first season of the anime “Fearsome Womb” “Young Fish and Reverse Punishment” “Kyoto Sister School Goodwill Event” and “The Origin of Obedience”. The exhibition contains 400 original pieces of drawings of the animation, design materials, and behind-the-scenes animation production. The audience not only can the audience have a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes process of the globally popular “Jujutsu Kaisen”, but they can also learn about the plot, visual arrangements, and character design from the interviews with the director and behind-the-scenes production staff.

This exhibition has launched many exquisite exhibition-limited products. Photo provided by udnFunLife!

 

In order to help the audience members to be fully immersed, the exhibition has specially created a massive projection system with thrilling background music to project the intense battle scenes of the anime. In addition, other than the content exhibited in Japan, the official organizers even launched a number of Taiwan-exclusive scene recreations, including a “Secret Execution Room” and a “Spell Training Romm” accompanied by cursed dolls;  The most exciting part of this exhibition would be the life-size models of the three popular characters, Yuji Itadori, Gojo Satoru and Ryomen Sukuna. The fans not only can take up-close photos with the models but there are also moving lights and vivid visuals that make them appear even more life-like. The exhibition launched a variety of exquisite exhibition-limited products that attracted enthusiastic fans to buy them.

A special student ID card will be presented upon admission. Picture provided by United Digital Culture and Creation

 

This exhibition will also give away random JJk-themed student ID cards limited to the exhibition for fans to collect when purchasing tickets for this exhibition. Jujutsu Kaisen fans must not miss it.  Those who buy tickets to enter the exhibition during the time of the event can also draw for a chance for a round-trip air ticket to Osaka, Japan. For related lucky draw activities, please visit the official website of the exhibition. Hurry up! Fans who like Jujutsu Kaisen, come to Huashan, Taipei during winter vacation and visit the “Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition”.

 

“Jujutsu Kaisen Exhibition”

Time: December 30, 2022, ~ April 5, 2023

Venue: Taipei Huashan 1914 Cultural and Creative Park (East 2A, East 2B)

Link for purchasing tickets: udn ticket sales network

Event official website: https://uevent.udnfunlife.com/animejujutsuten2022

2023.01.13

100 Monsters Appear in Huashan - Taipei’s New Highlight For An Exciting Adventure!

The monsters written by Mr. Mizuki Shigeru classically reappeared in “Gegege Kitaro Yokai 100 Monster Story”, Using sensory experience, the artists will take you on a journey. Photo provided by udnFunLife!

 

After 10 years, Kitaro is finally back! Looking back at the first time  “Kitaro’s Monster Paradise”

Came to Taiwan in 2012, it caused a lot of people to visit and there were long queues stretched for hundreds of meters. The two exhibitions in Taipei and Taichung created a total of 450,000 visitors. 2022 coincides with the 100th anniversary of the birth of the author of Kitaro. Mizuki Shigeru the renowned “Yokai Master” and author of Kitaro, Kitaro will once again conduct oversea tours and its first stop in Asia is Taiwan, meeting everyone in Huashan Park!

 

“Gegegen no Kitaro Yokai 100 Story” has fully upgraded its monster game. Inside the exhibition, not only are the yokai scenes fully recreated, but an abundance of light, projections, sounds, and other sensory experiences are utilized to provide an exhibiting sensation. When you step into the exhibition it feels as if the monsters are right beside you, making it an extraordinary experience to immerse yourself in the charm of Kitaro and the 100 monsters.

 

This time the Members of Syntrend are collaborating with the special exhibition of “Gegege Kitaro: 100 monsters story” this time. Now, by having the Syntrend app, you can enjoy a 15% discount on ticket purchases. We hope that during the Chinese New Year period, there will be a convergence of visitors at both Syntred and the Huashan 1914 Creative Park, providing Taipei residents with an additional option for holiday travel destinations.
 

“Gegege Kitaro Yokai 100 Story” will be exhibited at Huashan Creative Park (No.1, Section 1, Bade Road, Zhongzheng District, Taipei City) from December 31, 2022, to April 5, 2023. Please go to the udn ticketing website to buy tickets. To contact the customer service line, please call customer service at 02-2649-1689 (every day from 09:00~18:00).

2022.12.26

Many Stars Unite to Support the Arts! Revealing the Bitter History Behind the Scenes

Many artists who have participated in the 2022 arts and cultural performances shared their experiences through videos. Photo provided by udnFunLife!

The lucky viewer who won the monthly theme VVIP award comes from the medical care industry, releasing stress by enjoying arts and cultural activities. Photo provided by udnFunLife!

 

In the past few years, various industries and countless lives have been affected by the pandemic. With the hopes of returning back to normal routine and providing the audience with high-quality performances, the forefront of the “art industry” spent a considerable amount of time readjusting its steps. In 2022, udnFunLife launched nearly 20 cultural and artistic events, supporting more than 10 theater programs. At the end of the year, they specifically gathered the insights of artists and fans by conducting interviews with renowned YouTuber Guan Shaowen. It truly exposed the bitter history of art and cultural worker, which as a result, received enthusiastic responses.

 

Artist Pink Yang (楊千霈) mentioned that: “BBC’s live Planet Earth Concert is a powerful performance!” Taiwanese actor Aaron Yan (炎亞綸) was most impressed by the “Ghibli Animation Master - Takahata Exhibition” as he believes that the master’s animation was full of soul. Supermodel mentor Chen Wanruo (陳婉若) enjoyed the “TOILETPAPER: The Studio” because it provided the audience with a lot of room for artistic imagination. From Action Tang's (唐從聖) recommendation “Hero Action'' which is still on tour. The married couple, Renzo Liu (劉亮佐) and Joyce Chao (趙小僑) mentioned “Taiwan has a Hollywood”, showing their support for many wonderful future performances and exhibitions hosted by udnFunLife.

 

The “Heart to Heart: Adventure'' a monthly theme submission event received hundreds of feedback from fans. Among them, what touched udnFunLife the most would be a message from Mr.Zheng, a clinical medical staff who is always busy in and out of the hospital. His way of relieving stress would be to visit exhibitions for a walk during the holidays. When he found out that he was granted free admission to 15 cultural and artistic events for free, he mentioned “Participating in art and cultural performances cultivates my body and mind. I am very happy to be selected and I will continue to work hard to protect everyone’s health by standing at the frontline!”

In addition to the encouragement given by artists and responses from fans, the professional interview of Ethan Kuan gave art and literature workers a chance to share the difficulties and challenges they have faced in the past. They would also reveal some unknown sentiments. More classic reviews can be found no “udn x Crazy Events” (udn X 瘋活動). We are grateful to the supportive audience, and udnFunLife will continue to launch more high-quality exhibitions and performances. We welcome audience members to follow our official LINE@account "udnFunLife" for first-hand information and discount sales. 

2022.11.11

Crowdfunding Campaign for ‘Bloody Smart’ Reviving The Horror Master Junji Ito’s Original Live-Action

"Bloody Smart" is adapted from the classic works written by Japanese horror master Junji Ito. Photo provided by Miracle Production House. 

 

The Mandarin series “Bloody Smart” was adapted from the works of the Japanese horror master Junji Ito and is produced by Miracle Pictures. Since the news of its production broke out, it has sparked heated discussions among fans from all walks of life and attracted investments from multiple companies such as udnFunLife!. The production team not only consists of talented performers from the Golden Horse awards, but they are also a group of fans of Mr. Junji Ito! To perfectly recreate the terrifying and intricate style of the manga, they recently initiated a crowdfunding campaign on the platform “WaBay” for the live-action series “Bloody Smart,” aiming to raise funds for post-production special effects and secure a budget for international promotion. Through this series, they hope to promote Taiwan’s soft power on the global stage platform. They hoped to obtain overseas publicity funds and promote Taiwan’s inner power globally through the album!

 

For fans, the fear brought about by Mr. Junji Ito’s works is not just limited to the stories he created, but a manifestation of spiritual and stylistic essence. Therefore, in order to actualize this idea, Miracle Production House is determined to create a brand new narrative based on the master’s distinct creative style. From the initial preparation to the completion of filming, it took a total of six years. Finally, they created a new live-action series with Mr. Junji Ito that encompasses the world view of Junji Ito. After reading the outline of the script, Mr. Junji Ito himself praised it stating that “The story concept is very captivating! Looking forward to it.” Due to this high evaluation, the team was determined to live up to Mr. Junji Ito’s expectations and they vowed to shoot a deeply impactful work.

 

The various scenes of “Bloody Smart” were designed by Taiwan’s Golden Horse team, which strives to continue the manga style and incorporates Taiwan-inspired scenes. They hoped to lead the audience to enjoy a new thrilling experience! Photo provided by Miracle Production House

 

Director Xie Junyi and his team present the classic elements from Junji Ito’s work to life in dynamic moving images. The ultimate goal is to showcase Junji Ito’s story that features Taiwanese scenes to a global audience. The biggest challenge would be to add a lot of special effect shots and engage in post-production work. Only with dozens of tests, they would be able to create the ideal effects for characters and scenes. A post-production team of up to 30 people was assembled and it took 200 days to condense 600 hours of original footage into 450 minutes of cinematic excellence. In order to completely restore the fans’ images of the characters, they produced special effects for more than 10 and more than 400 CG shots to confidently recreate the imaginative visions of the fans. As a result, a substantial increase in the production budget was required. With nearly 100 million NTD invested in filming, there was still “the last mile” to complete the project.

 

Zheng Weiling, who played the role of the classic character “Tomie” in the play. To pay tribute to Mr.Junji Ito, she was surprised that it can be produced so meticulously. She hoped that the audience will be equally surprised when the series is officially launched. Photo provided by Miracle Production House

 

Xu Xiwen, who played the role of the classic character “Slug Girl” in “Bloody Smart” in tribute to Mr.Junji Ito, mentioned that after seeing the design drawings of the characters, she began to look forward to the final product! Photo provided by Miracle Production House. 

 

Mr. Junji Ito once said: “Ever since I officially debuted as a manga artist with the book ‘Tomie’, I often dreamed that my works can be visualized.” This is Asia’s first Original Live-action series, it incorporates not only the countless classics that were created by Mr. Junji Ito but also Mr. Junji Ito’s participation with the character and concept design and the team’s transformation of classic character. The Taiwanese elements used in the live-action series allow Taiwanese audiences to experience Junji Ito’s uniquely creative style of “everyday horror” on a deeper level. If you join the fundraising plan now, not only can you collect Junji Ito’s merchandise, but also, participate in special screenings and have the opportunity to present your own photo at the end and become a part of “Bloody Smart”!

2022.09.30

The Most Entertaining Concert “Do You See What I Hear” Brings Laughter to National Kaohsiung Center

The performers of “Do You See What I Hear-Rap Piano Concert” performed by the funny pianist John Vaughan (left) and the talented visually impaired pianist Hsu Tse-Chen. They are famous for leading the audience to enter this musical journey in the most humorous way in famous cross-talk, roastings, and exchanges. Reporter Liu Hsue Sheng.

 

The most fun concert “Do You See What I Hear” humorous style completely overturned the audience’s imagination of “classical music”. This year, it was upgraded to version 2.0 and joined the TASO (Taiwan Artists Symphony Orchestra.) This made the lively atmosphere on the stage even better than in previous years. Tonight’s performance at National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts entertained both children and adults as they burst into laughter with their humorous way of performing. In order to seize the last chance to watch, it is essential to note that their last stop would be Taipei National Concert Hall.

 

“Do You See What I Hear-Rap Piano Concert” is performed by the funny pianist John Vaughan and the talented visually impaired pianist Hsu Tse-Chen. They are famous for the cross-talk, roastings, and humorous exchanges, which led the audience into this musical journey in the most humorous way. This year, they improved the performance to version 2.0, with the addition of conductor Lu Jingmin who joined the concert and led the TASO Taiwan Artists Symphony Orchestra to perform on the same stage. The three of them broke the classical music atmosphere for the first time on stage and added elements of drama, which made the audience in Kaohsiung exclaim with surprise: “So unexpected! This is really interesting!” Being able to appreciate the beauty of classical music through laughter was the biggest feature of the “Do You See What I Hear Concert”. It was also a rare, alternative type of concert that was not seen often in Taiwan. Other than the amused reaction from the audience, the parents at the concert also reflected that its unique form of presenting with humor, made the children cant take their eyes off them. It was a precious concert that made the audience listen to music while laughing. It encouraged parents and teachers to enjoy the concert together with young students in the belief that the children can have a deeper understanding of music and cultivate artistic and cultural accomplishments.

 

Co-hosted by udnFunLife!, Opus Music Arts, and TASO Taiwan Artists Symphony Orchestra, the final stop of the 2022 Taiwan Tour of “Do You See What I Hear 2.0 Orchestra PK” is at the Taiwan National Concert Hall on November 24. Enjoy 12% off the package tickets for two people from now on. The quantity is limited. Please go to the udn ticketing website (https://reurl.cc/rDqDZx) to buy tickets or call customer service at   (02) 2649-1688 (09:00~ 18:00).

 

"Do You See What I Hear-Rap Piano Concert'' will perform tonight at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts. Talented visually impaired pianist Hsu Tse-Chen leads the audience into this musical journey in the most humorous way. Reporter Liu Hsue Sheng/Photography

 

The 2.0 version of “Do You See What I Hear-Rap Piano Concert'' has been improved this year, with conductor Mr. Lu Jingmin joining the concert. Reporter Liu Hsue Sheng/Photography

 

The performers of “Do You See What I Hear-Rap Piano Concert” would be the funny pianist John Vaughan (left) and the talented visually impaired pianist Hsu Tse-Chen (Right). They are famous for the way they lead the audience to enter this musical journey with famous cross-talks, roastings, and exchanges. The 2.0 version of “Do You See What I Hear-Rap Piano Concert'' has been upgraded this year, with conductor Mr. Lu Jingmin joining the concert. Reporter Liu Hsue Sheng/ Photography

 

“Do You See What I Hear-Rap Piano Concert'' will perform tonight at the National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts. Talented visually impaired pianist Hsu Tse-Chen leads the audience into this musical journey in the most humorous way. Reporter Liu Hsue Sheng/Photography

 

The performers of “Do You See What I Hear-Rap Piano Concert” are humorous pianist John Vaughan (Right) and the talented visually impaired pianist Hsu Tse-Chen (Left). They are famous for leading the audience to enter this musical journey in the most humorous way through the famous cross-talk, roastings, and exchanges. Reporter Liu Hsue Sheng/ Photography

 

The performers of “Do You See What I Hear-Rap Piano Concert” would be the funny pianist John Vaughan (Left) and the talented visually impaired pianist Hsu Tse-Chen (Right). They are famous for the way they lead the audience to enter this musical journey with famous cross-talks, roastings, and exchanges. Reporter Liu Hsue Sheng/ Photography

 

The performers of “Do You See What I Hear-Rap Piano Concert” would be the funny pianist John Vaughan (Left) and the talented visually impaired pianist Hsu Tse-Chen(Right). They are famous for the way they lead the audience to enter this musical journey with famous cross-talks, roastings, and exchanges. Reporter Liu Hsue Sheng/Photography

2021.08.01

Li Yanfu, Chairman of udnFunLife!: Does Not Waste a Good Opportunity.

Li Yanfu, Chairman of udnFunLife!: Does Not Waste a Good Opportunity and Promotes Taiwan’s Original IP to the World.

(What we would like to let you know):

“Let’s face the problems at hand with peace of mind!” Li Yanfu said. Even if the pandemic slows down, under the condition that people’s contact is restricted, the performing arts industry cannot recover overnight. Even so, he believes that the performing arts industry can still find a way out, and technology may be the most critical “Plan B” for industrial transformation.

 

Text: Zhang Yachun:

The local COVID-19 (severe special infectious pneumonia, coronavirus disease, Wuhan pneumonia) epidemic entered the third level of alert on May 15 this year. Due to this, the arts and cultural performance industry which is trying to recover from the impact of the epidemic, is suspended for the second time in 2020. Various domestic, and foreign exhibitions and performances that were originally ready to go were "cleared" overnight and have no hopes of coming back again. 

 

“In terms of absolute value, our losses are still pretty serious,” Li Yanfu, Chairman of udnFunLife! said leisurely. Since the end of last year, international exhibitions and performances introduced by udnFunLife! Includes "Moscow Classical Ballet", the French musical "The Hunchback of Notre Dame", the special exhibition "Eternal Mucha-The Magic of Lines", “TeamLab Future Amusement Park & Flowers", "Symbiotic Animals'' and so on. These exhibitions or performances either got canceled or postponed. There is a saying that it “declined before all industries, prospered after all industries". This is a cruel portrayal of the art performance industry which stands in the front of the epidemic wave. 

 

Long before this wave of the pandemic’s situation worsened, COVID-19 taught a lesson for udnFunLife! in advance. In December 2020, the Moscow Classical Ballet performed in Taiwan, and all 15,000 tickets were sold out. However, on the eve of the performance, it was reported that a member of the cast was diagnosed with COVID-19. Li Yanfu was the first one to hear the news. That night, he lost sleep over how anxious he was.

 

Due to concerns about maintaining public health, udnFunLife! immediately made the decision to suspend the show and refund the tickets in full. This resulted in an estimated loss of more than 10 million NTD. This harsh lesson taught by the coronavirus made Li Yanfu realize more deeply that “everything must have a plan B”.

 

Therefore, when the same situation occurred again in May, Li Yanfu, who was in charge of everything, was much calmer. In order to face any uncertainties caused by the pandemic, many activities were switched to online under his demand. Crisis management and response were often in a single thought. Li Yanfu quoted United Kingdom’s ex-minister, Churchill’s famous remark “Never let a good crisis go to waste” to express his personal attitudes when looking at a crisis.

”Detention” is the first Taiwanese movie-based game that was which was transformed into a real-life experience by udnFunLife!, attracting 100,000 visitors.

 

The Transformation From Traditional Media to Digital: Transformation in Cultural and Creative Industries. 

udnFunLife! is a company established in 2016 by the United Daily News Group which integrated its cultural and creative departments. Before this wave of pandemic, they held nearly 50 large and small events in various locations in Taiwan every year. They held events almost every day and attracted more than one million people to purchase tickets to enter the venue every year. These included “The World of Studio Ghibli’s Animation”, which once set the best box office record for domestic exhibitions, and the French musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” which created tens of millions of box office sales on its first day.

 

In addition to being in line with international standards and introducing world-renowned content, udnFunLife! Also uses its years of accumulated overseas experience to actively promotes Taiwan’s local IP to the world. Authorized by Red Candle Games in 2020, udnFunLife! organized the “Detention-Immersive Exhibition” organized by udnFunLife! , plans to attract more than 100000 people to visit the exhibition in Taipei and Kaohsiung. As a result, it was recognized as a successful and sensational attempt.

 

Li Yanfu, who graduated from the Department of Electrical Engineering of Tsinghua University, was admitted to the United Daily News as a science and technology reporter by chance. He won various news awards many times. In 2000, in order to cope with the surging digital new wave, the United Daily News established a new media department specifically focusing on online content. Li Yanfu who has a background in science and engineering, was also good at large data and digital convergence applications. This was why he undoubtedly became the perfect choice for the United Daily News’ new media department.

 

In 2016, Li Yanfu had another big career change, which was to become the chairman of udnFunLife!. He said: “My biggest challenge was to change from a reporter to manager. This was completely different from my past experiences and the problems that I faced were not the same as well.” In the early days that udnFunLife! was established, it focused on introducing foreign performances and exhibitions to the audience and emphasized the idea of “bringing the world into Taiwan”. As the development of Taiwan's local cultural and creative industries matured, it made greater efforts to promote local performances to the globe. Li Yanfu started to plan and think about combining technology and performances very early on. This included the usage of VR (virtual reality) at live performances or the cooperation with Line TV for digital online theaters. These were all a part of the ongoing innovation that needed to be promoted quickly during this period of epidemic prevention and stagnation.

The president of Studio Ghibli, Koji Hoshino, specially flew to Taiwan to attend the opening of the exhibition, and happily took a photo with the iconic character ‘No-Face’ 

 

Promoting Taiwan’s Original IP to The World

Although udnFunLife! had accumulated profound professionalism and sufficient experience, the test of curation was not solely limited to the aspect of creativity and planning. Instead, it faced challenges from the beginning to the end. Take the 2016 “The World of Studio Ghibli’s Animation” as an example. At that time, it attracted more than 1.3 million people from Taipei, Taichung, and Tainan to visit it. It was seen as successful. However, what others don’t know, udnFunLife! and Studio Ghibli communicated back and forth five years in advance in order to gain the trust of Hayao Miyazaki to not only authorized to organize an exhibition in Taiwan but also entrusted the exhibition in Hong Kong to the hands of udnFunLife!.

 

In recent years, in order to fulfill the developmental goal of “Bringing Taiwan to The World '', udnFunLife! had gradually invested in local visual artists including “Jimi'' and “I’m Mark''. udnFunLife! also helped represent more than 20 image IPs to participate in the government’s “Fresh Taiwan Taiwan Original Pavillon” plan, and brought Taiwanese artists to foreign countries to participate in authorized exhibitions to increase international exposure.

 

Recently, udnFunLife! even started offering courses related to marketing, modes of business, IP licensing, and brokers. It hoped that by improving the industrial development from the fundamentals, using the form of pop-up shops to help artists expand the energy of creating products, stores and fit in business models as soon as possible.

The popular illustrator "Ms.Cat" opened a pop-up store with the assistance of udnFunLife! 

 

The Secret of The Eighty-Twenty Rule 

The seemingly overwhelming business of udnFunLife! reflects the diverse and complicated characteristics of the cultural and creative industry. Fortunately, Li Yanfu has a group of teams that specializes in performance, theater, and even technology applications. This allows him to work seamlessly, integrating and implementing business strategies with peace of mind.

 

Li Yanfu emphasized that the future development of the industry will become more and more diverse: “A good team and talented people are very important to every industry.” Li Yanfu emphasized that the future development of the industry will only become more and more diverse. People with a single ability can easily fail in the digital age that is changing rapidly. “I often tell young people that only having one ability is not enough to survive in the digital age. You need at least two or more professional abilities,” Li Yanfu said with a smile.

 

Many people might be curious about how Li Yanfu can adjust himself while having such a high-pressure and changeable job. “Many of my colleagues know that my greatest trick to this would be the “Eighty-Twenty Rule” that is well-known in management circles,” he further explains, “Simply putting it, 80% of the work that we do is not productive. However, I am not encouraging everyone to abandon that 80%. Instead, we should maintain this 80% with normality and then focus on the remaining 20%.”

 

In terms of curation, we should maintain 80% above the normal level and then find out the highlights of the 20%. Then, we invest in resources in highlighting and marketing and form a strong memorable point and create content that satisfies the audiences. This can be more memorable than trying to achieve 100% of the planning.

 

udnFunLife! has a group of professional and talented interdisciplinary workers.

 

Interdisciplinarity and Technology are the Future Trends

Facing the future of 5G, Li Yanfu was very happy to see the changes brought by the era of higher-standard networks. “I think the biggest difference between 5G, 4G, and 3G is the complete liberation of the mind. It is a huge challenge for artists as well. Things that were never considered impossible in the past can now be done with the help of technology!”

 

Li Yanfu observed that whether it is a theater or exhibitions in the world, there are a lot of attempts for adding technological elements. Even after the pandemic, this would be a direction for the artists to try. “We never know when the turning point will occur. But there will definitely be a complete change in the future.”

 

“Let’s face the problems at hand with peace of mind!” Li Yanfu said. Even if the epidemic slows down, the performing arts industry still cannot recover overnight due to limited interactions and contact between people. Even so, he still believes that the performing arts industry can still find a way out and technology may be the most critical “Plan B” for industrial transformation.

 

udnFunLife! is about to introduce the exhibition “TeamLab Future Park & Animals Living With Flowers” for bringing a brand new experience through technological interactions.

This article is reproduced with the authorization of Taipei Cultural and Creative Industries, and the original article is published here