Born for the Spotlight Review 2024 Tv Show Series Cast Crew Online

Taiwanese Netflix original Born For The Spotlight can get tedious at moments, but for the most part, it’s quite a delightful watch about not 1 or 2, but over 6 protagonists. Sure, we do focus on certain characters more than others, but the show makes it a point to give us a happy ending for them all. Born For The Spotlight tells the story of a bunch of actresses in the Taiwanese film industry. The show follows women from all walks of life—a newcomer, an ex-actress, a director, an oldie, and another, who some would consider a “has-been”—to give us a holistic view of the industry and how it specifically affects the women who work in it. Written and directed by Taiwanese actress Yen Yi-Wen, the 12-part series tries really hard to give us a little bit of everything, and this is what becomes its biggest characteristic flaw.

The only qualm I have with Born For the Spotlight is that it tries too hard to establish all its main characters, only to jump around between them in the second half, where some are forgotten. I understand that is also a point the show is trying to make; however, the shift is slightly jarring, almost as if it were meant to be a two-part series. I also think because it’s 12 episodes, this becomes a little bit overbearing, and you’re stuck thinking, Wait, didn’t I just see that other person? What happened to her? I don’t think it’s a fatal flaw, but it certainly got on my nerves for a bit. Maybe with a few characters cut, the show could’ve been shortened to 8 episodes, making for the perfect series. However, this is literally the only negative thing I can think of about the show, because it’s high on drama, comedy, tears, and of course romance, making for the perfect “come back to something sweet” kind of show. I wouldn’t recommend binge-watching it because a lot happens in the series, so I think it’s something you’d want to marinate in rather than move on from quickly.

I know I said if some of the characters were cut, the show would’ve been more comprehensible, but I also want to add that after watching the whole thing, I’ve become attached to all the characters. Specifically, of course, all the women, even the ones who are painted in somewhat of a negative light. Born For The Spotlight really gives actresses the benefit of the doubt, almost like giving the industry a voice. I think what also makes the show stand out is that while it might be culturally Taiwanese, it feels like a global show because we’ve seen this kind of set up everywhere. What I’m trying to say is that it doesn’t matter that it’s about the entertainment industry or that it’s Taiwanese, because everyone can relate to it.

Even in terms of scale, visuals, and production, the series proves yet again how Taiwan’s emerging drama market is really appealing to the global audience. This isn’t my first Taiwanese show; though I couldn’t really call myself an expert; however, I’ve quite enjoyed most of what I’ve seen, and though they’re reminiscent of their Asian counterparts, such as the K-drama or J-drama industries, they stand out on their own. I personally think more shows like Born For The Spotlight should be in the limelight for their natural portrayal of women and specifically the male ego. I quite enjoyed the dynamic between all the characters, and one could call this show a “feminist” one.

It wouldn’t be fair for me to talk about the show without talking about all the wonderful actresses gracing our screens. They’re all symbols of beauty and grace, and despite the different kinds of roles, there’s a feeling of unison in the show that just oozes through the screen. At the heart of it, the show could simply be labeled one about female friendships in a difficult industry, and that would be a decent enough description, but, while it’s a lot more than that, that is also what makes it so appealing. Back to the actresses, each stands out by their own merit, and all the characters are perfectly cast to give us a variety of unique experiences. But I will have to say the two that stand out the most have to be Hsieh Ying Xuan as Yah-Chi and Cheryl Yang as Chou-Fan, mainly because they get the most screen time but also have the most, for the lack of a better word, exciting sort of plots. Of course, all the other actresses are incredible, but I especially liked Chung Hsin-Ling as manager Pang Chieh, despite her small role.

If melodrama and a little bit of overacting aren’t your thing, then Born For The Spotlight will certainly not appeal to you. The show is most definitely targeted at a female audience, and it does exactly what it needs to to keep that audience hooked. At the end of the day, all of us have someone we relate to in the show, someone who appeals to us more than others, so that’s the best part. There’s a lot of profanity and some sex and nudity. If you’ve got a group of female friends, you’re likely going to miss them watching Born For The Spotlight, so maybe try to watch it with them. But if you can’t do that, maybe write to an estranged friend or your mom who lives somewhere else to remind them that you’re still around, because that’s just how the show will make you feel. Having said all of that, give the show some time to appeal to you; it may feel like a lot to start with, but once you’re in it, you’re in it for good. Also, don’t go by the borderline tacky title and Netflix teaser, because the actual show is much better. I’d give Born For The Spotlight 3 out of 5 beautiful stars.