Tseng Jing-hua
Xu Chen-Wei
Overview
After a failed attempt to take his own life, a man discovers he's returned with four ghosts seeking to fulfil their last wishes in hopes of earning his own place in the afterlife.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Ghosts We Carry
I’ve always been wary of ghost stories that lean too hard on comedy. The balance is precarious—one wrong step and you’re either drowning in sentimentality or cracking jokes over a corpse. Hello Ghost! (2023), the Taiwanese remake of the 2010 South Korean film of the same name, walks that tightrope with surprising grace. It’s not perfect, but it’s the kind of film that lingers, not because of its scares or its laughs, but because of the quiet ache it leaves behind.
Director Hsieh Pei-ju takes a premise that could easily devolve into farce—a man, Ah Wei (Tseng Jing-hua), repeatedly fails to kill himself, only to be haunted by four ghosts who demand he help them fulfill their final wishes—and infuses it with a distinctly Taiwanese sensibility. There’s a warmth here, a multigenerational tenderness that feels specific to the way families in Taiwan navigate grief and obligation.
The ghosts aren’t just comic relief; they’re mirrors, each reflecting a different facet of Ah Wei’s despair. The old man who can’t stop smoking, the woman who can’t let go of her unrequited love, the child who never grew up, the soldier who died before he could say goodbye—these aren’t just quirky characters. They’re fragments of a life interrupted, and Ah Wei, in his numbness, is the embodiment of that interruption.
What struck me most was how the film handles its central theme: the weight of living. Ah Wei isn’t just depressed; he’s exhausted by the sheer effort of existing. The ghosts, in their persistence, force him to engage with the world again, not out of altruism, but out of sheer stubbornness.
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsBehind the Scenes of Hello Ghost! (2023): Taiwan’s Supernatural Comedy Remake
Hello Ghost! (2023), the Taiwanese supernatural comedy directed by Hsieh Pei-ju, has sparked curiosity for its fresh take on a beloved Korean original. Starring Tseng Jing-hua and Ivy Shao, the film blends humor, drama, and ghostly antics—but what’s the real story behind its production?
A Remake with a Twist
The film is an official remake of Kim Young-tak’s 2010 South Korean hit Hello Ghost, marking Taiwan’s first adaptation of the story. While the original followed a man haunted by four ghosts after a failed suicide attempt, the Taiwanese version retains the premise but infuses local flavor. Director Hsieh Pei-ju, known for her work in comedy and drama, was tasked with balancing the original’s emotional depth with Taiwan’s distinct comedic style. Early buzz suggests the remake leans into black comedy, a genre gaining traction in Taiwanese cinema.
Casting Choices and Chemistry
Tseng Jing-hua, a rising star in Taiwanese entertainment, leads as the protagonist, while Ivy Shao—fresh off her success in Light the Night—plays a key ghostly role. The supporting cast includes veterans like Lu Yi-ching and newcomers like Bai Jing-yi, creating a mix of experience and fresh energy. Rumors swirled about on-set chemistry, particularly between Tseng and Shao, though neither has confirmed any off-screen sparks. The ensemble’s dynamic is crucial, as the film hinges on the interplay between the living and the dead.
Production Challenges and Delays
While details are scarce, industry insiders hint at minor delays during filming. Supernatural comedies require precise timing for both humor and special effects, and Hello Ghost! was no exception. The 100-minute runtime suggests a tight edit, possibly trimming subplots to keep the story punchy. No major controversies have surfaced, but the lack of a content rating at release raised eyebrows—unusual for Taiwanese films, which typically undergo classification before premiering.
What’s Next?
Hello Ghost! hit theaters on August 18, 2023, but its reception remains under the radar. With no major awards buzz or festival screenings announced, the film’s success may hinge on word-of-mouth and streaming potential. If it resonates, it could pave the way for more Taiwanese remakes of Korean hits.
For now, fans are left to wonder: Will Hello Ghost! haunt the box office—or fade into obscurity?
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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