A spiritual pursuit

HBO Asia's first Mandarin language series The Teenage Psychic ended its successful first season (six episodes in all) on a bittersweet note with the death of one of the lead actors.
But fans will have to wait a while to see what happens next as its second season will only go into production next year.
Written and directed by Chen Ho-Yu, the series is based on Chen's own 2013 short film The Busy Young Psychic.
The Teenage Psychic, which aired in April this year, combined comedy, supernatural elements, a feisty heroine, and teenage romance.
The series was jointly developed by Taiwanese broadcaster Public Television Service (PTS) and award-winning Singaporean production company InFocus Asia (IFA).
This coming-of-age story revolves around a 16-year-old girl Xie Ya Zhen (played by Kuo Shu-yao aka Yao Yao), who just wants to lead a typical teenage high school life.
But her life will never be normal as she is born with the ability to see spirits.
She must juggle the pressures of teenage life with the demands of the spirit world.
The Teenage Psychic was a hit with fans, and won the coveted best mini-series award as well as best supporting actress in a mini-series for Nana Lee at Taiwan's 52nd Golden Bell Awards 2017.
Chen and Kuo were recently in Singapore for the 25th anniversary of HBO Asia, and made time to talk about what to expect for the show's second season.
Chen admitted to feeling the pressure because fans loved the two main characters in season one.
"We were worried that fans would not be able to accept the death of the male lead," Chen added, "but in the last episode, they saw why that had to happen and the audience could also identify with the character."
The director said season two will see new characters, new elements, and new relationships between the characters.
"How we maintain the expectations audiences have for the characters is the job I have to do for now."
Chen revealed that the second season will definitely explore more of the psychic world, as well as the various rituals involved.
Kuo, who portrays the spunky teenager, said she had yet to see the script for season two.
"I was really afraid of ghosts and I am afraid of what scary things the director might make me do," she said, adding that the fear of the unknown is real.
"I did not expect to complete season one."
Still, Kuo loves the way the series has brought viewers together, adding that many people have come up to her and told her how much they enjoyed the show and are able to discuss it with other family members.
Chen feels one reason for that is because they were respectful in the way they portray the spiritual element in the series.
"It is a good subject matter because the story is something close to people's hearts. It can be sensitive because it relates to religion.
"However, I feel the focus should not be on right or wrong or individual religions [but on] relationships."
When asked if season two will be influenced by what fans want to see, he said: "I feel there is not much difference between the way we are going and what the audience want."
Chen added that people love the show for giving them a glimpse into this spiritual world and what a medium does.
He admits he would have done a lot more with the first season but could not do so due to budget constraints. He hopes to make up for it in season two.
What about He Yun Le (Kent Tsai), the male lead who was killed off in season one?
Chen teased: "There is a possibility that he might return because this is [after all] a
show that straddles the spiritual as well as the real world."