Trade War Puts Taiwanese Productions on the Map

The new series captivates viewers with its gripping portrayal of 1950s business rivalries amid the privatization of Taiwan’s cement industry.

The series Trade War is final proof that Taiwan can produce Hollywood-level content – and that a story of a cement company’s privatization can somehow be engaging and exciting.

Set against the backdrop of 1950s Taiwan, Trade War delves into the power struggles and negotiation tactics in the business world – hence its Chinese name, “The Soul of Business” (商魂). Blending fictional elements with real-life figures, the show boasts exceptional acting and cinematography, paired with meticulous costume design and captivating storylines, making it a visually stunning and emotionally engaging production.

To develop the script, producer Jackol Kao and his team conducted extensive fieldwork, eventually inviting director Hung Tzu-peng to craft a story inspired by Taiwanese industry genius Lin Teng, portrayed in Trade War by Fu Meng-po. The production took three years and cost NT$10 million per episode, bringing the total to around NT$70 million (US$2.2 million).

In 1953, the ROC government broke up landholdings to redistribute to tenant farmers in what is dubbed as the “Land to the Tiller” reform. As compensation, landowners received shares from four state-owned companies undergoing privatization. Trade War centers around one of these companies – Taiwan Cement – depicted in the series as Chunghua Cement. Many small landowners, uncertain of the value of these stocks, sold them off.

In a time of hyperinflation, such a move would prove unwise, and many would regret underestimating the value of access to shareholder meetings. As one of the show’s first lines states, “The times are different now. The more chaotic times are, whoever holds intel controls everything.”

Lin Teng, who had founded Taiwan’s largest asbestos factory that same year, seized the opportunity by purchasing large amounts of stock at low prices. This move marked his entry into the “cement stock wars” and laid the foundation for his family’s business empire. Trade War was co-produced by his son, Lin Xiao-xin, president of Chung-Hsing Security Technology Group, as a tribute to his father.

Based on Lin’s struggles to challenge the powerful elite in defense of smaller business owners, the series delves into the intricate dynamics between business leaders, unraveling themes of ambition, betrayal, and the human cost of success in a fiercely competitive world. The storyline skillfully weaves together elements of intrigue, sex, and high-stakes competition to create a gripping narrative.

Even viewers unfamiliar with Taiwan’s history will gain valuable insights into the complex relationships between Taiwanese citizens and the Japanese who remained on the island after colonial rule ended in 1945, as well as the interactions between civilians and the military – all stunningly portrayed in the series.

The casting team made a wise choice in selecting renowned actor Chu De-kang to play the fictional General Ma Jen-fu, master thread-puller. A former foreman at Taiwan’s Art Corps, a professional unit under the Ministry of Defense’s Political Warfare Corps, Chu brings the hot-tempered general to life with his use of coarse language and occasional fiery outbursts, delivering a captivating performance.

Set in a world dominated by men, the series also depicts three multifaceted and strong female characters. Shao Yu-wei’s character Lin Xue-yu – Lin Teng’s wife – defies the stereotype of the traditional, gentle woman, using her intelligence to help her husband navigate challenges. Chie Tanaka’s character, Masami, is a keen observer and strategist who chooses a role different to the one she’s been cast by others. Amanda Chou portrays the rebellious Huang Ming-qiu, who refuses to submit to patriarchal control, pushing against societal expectations in her quest for independence.

Equally impressive as the acting are the actors’ linguistic skills. The show features dialogue in Chinese, Taiwanese, and Japanese, seamlessly interwoven to suit each scene. During pre-production, actors underwent four months of intensive training in language, body movement, and kendo (a modern Japanese martial art) to prepare for their roles, further enhancing the authenticity and depth of their performances.

Lego Lee, who portrays Lin Teng’s childhood-friend-turned-enemy Huang Hung-ta, went the extra mile by apprenticing in Peking Opera singing to fully embody his character. Pandemic-related delays caused the production to be postponed twice, unexpectedly granting him eight additional months to hone his skills and prepare for the role.

While the series features well-known heritage sites such as the Wufeng Lin Family Mansion and Garden and the Banqiao Lin Family Mansion, the art team displayed remarkable creativity by repurposing private residences in Xinfeng Township, Hsinchu, the Keelung Fishermen’s Association building, Yunlin’s Yongcui Pavilion, and other locations to bring history to life.

For anyone interested in learning more about Taiwan’s history – or just looking for a good show to watch – Trade War is worth checking out. The show is available for streaming on Netflix in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Southeast Asia.