THE PHOTO FROM 1977

Though brief, the love that crossed language and cultural barriers granted them infinite courage to become the best version of themselves.

Hsien-ying, the daughter of a photo studio owner in Zhongli, falls in love with Ho-hee, a taekwondo coach from Korea. They discover in each other the courage to embrace adventure, and their encounter leaves behind both regret and growth. In 1977, Taiwan was experiencing a cultural awakening—campus folk songs and nativist literature were on the rise. Amid this convergence of cultures, the city of Zhongli in Taoyuan was shaken by a political storm triggered by a local election. This unrest would go on to alter the destinies of Ho-hee, Hsien-ying, and her friend Hung-kuo, a passionate university student.