Van Fan to Perform Extensively in Amis Language for New Drama, Dubbed the "Language Teacher on Set"

(CNA reporter Hung Su-tsin, Taipei, 10th) Actors Van Fan and Esther Huang (Xiao Xun) are starring in a new indigenous drama where Fan plays a retired Master Sergeant and takes on the challenge of performing extensively in the Amis language. Thanks to his fluency, he's been dubbed the "language teacher on set." Huang happily mentioned that she grew up listening to Fan's music.

Indigenous Peoples Television is launching a new urban indigenous drama, "Maan! Move Tafalong to Taipei?!" The production team announced in a press release today that a commencement ceremony was held on the 9th. Main cast members including Van Fan, Chang Pen-yu, Luji Huang, Esther Huang (Xiao Xun), and Min-hsiung attended, kicking off this healing light comedy that blends indigenous culture, family emotions, and urban life.

The "Tafalong" in the title refers to the largest Amis tribal village. The plot follows a retired Master Sergeant, played by Van Fan, who hits a low point in life and is forced to return home to take over the family's long-running bento shop after his mother's sudden passing. He not only faces family conflicts, entrepreneurial pressure, and personal confusion but also rediscovers the meaning of "home" and "companionship" through his interactions with family and friends.

In the drama, Van Fan challenges himself with a large amount of dialogue in the Amis language. His fluency has led the crew to jokingly call him the "language teacher on set," and he deeply resonates with the character's background. He and Min-hsiung are sharing the screen again 18 years after the movie "Cape No. 7," with Min-hsiung praising Fan for not having aged at all.

Esther Huang, collaborating with Van Fan for the first time, plays his childhood friend. She joked that she grew up listening to Fan's songs, to which Min-hsiung quickly retorted, "I grew old listening to your songs!" showcasing the cast's good chemistry before filming.

Chang Pen-yu and Luji Huang play two sisters with vastly different personalities. Chang Pen-yu tanned for her role, laughing that she happened to join an Amis youth dragon boat team after accepting the role and naturally got darker after a month of hard practice. "If I can't speak the mother tongue well, at least I should look like an Amis person," she said. Luji Huang has also been in the spotlight recently as her sister, A-Lin, is set to host this year's Golden Melody Awards. She revealed they often talk on the phone, and she reminds her sister, "Don't go overboard, don't improvise too much."

The new drama "Maan! Move Tafalong to Taipei?!" is scheduled to be officially broadcast in 2027. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150610