How a TV drama about a wartime nurse serving the Japanese riled both Taiwan and mainland China
TV series ‘Jiachang’s Heart’, based on the real-life story of a Taiwanese nurse, was pulled after two episodes, raising questions about pressure from Beijing
A Taiwanese historical drama has managed to offend both sides of the Taiwan Strait after it was pulled amid an uproar over its glorified portrayal of a local nurse who defied her parents to serve in the Japanese army during the second world war.
And the controversy has continued even after the show’s cancellation, as Taiwanese authorities this week announced an investigation into whether the broadcaster discontinued the series under pressure from Beijing.
Jiachang’s Heart, produced by the local Da Ai TV station, debuted on May 10 and was scheduled to run for 35 episodes during a prime-time slot at 8pm on weekdays.
But the broadcaster halted the series after just two episodes, after its politically sensitive theme touched a raw nerve in both Taiwan and on the mainland.
Da Ai TV denied that pressure from Beijing played a role in the cancellation, saying worries that the show’s theme “might re-traumatise” some viewers led to the decision.
The drama – meant to be the broadcaster’s major blockbuster this year, portraying the protagonist’s Florence Nightingale-like selfless dedication – was based on the real-life story of Taiwanese nurse Lin Chih-hui during the second world war.