Netflix series wins top Golden Bell prize

Taipei, Oct. 18 (CNA) The Netflix series "Born for the Spotlight" (影后), a drama about the unknown side of showbiz, won the top prize at this year's Golden Bell Awards on Saturday.

The drama series, which highlights the good, the bad and the ugly of the showbiz industry, won not only in the category of most popular drama series, but also best director, best leading actress, and best supporting actress in a drama series.

Director Yen Yi-wen (嚴藝文), in her acceptance speech, thanked the cast of Born for the Spotlight, saying they had taught her "how to be a better director."

She encouraged all directors to "love your actors the best you can."

"When they feel your love, they'll repay you in ways that are going to be your biggest reward," said Yen, who won the award for best director of a television series.

Meanwhile, the best leading actress in a television series award went to Cheryl Yang (楊謹華), who dedicated it to "all the hard-working actors and actresses who believe in themselves."

It was Yang's second Golden Bell award for the night, as she also won the prize for best supporting actress in a television series for her role in the supernatural drama "Oh No! Here Comes Trouble" (不良執念清除師).

The best leading actor in a television series award went to Vietnamese Liên Bỉnh Phát for his performance in "The Outlaw Doctor" (化外之醫).

In his acceptance speech, Liên said it felt "unreal" to be standing on the Golden Bell stage. He thanked the entire cast and crew and viewers everywhere, particularly in his hometown, and thanked Taiwan for being kind to him.

"Black Tide Island" (星空下的黑潮島嶼) led the trophy count with a near-sweep of six technical awards, including best costume design, best visual effects, best cinematography, best lighting, best art and design, and best theme song.

Meanwhile, the best miniseries award went to the period drama "Three Tears in Borneo" (聽海湧), produced by Public Television Service (PTS).

The series focuses on a group of young Taiwanese men who find themselves entangled in a brutal massacre after they are conscripted by the Japanese colonial government to serve in North Borneo to guard Allied prisoners of war during World War II.

"In my interactions with this brave new generation of filmmakers -- who may not yet have a large body of work but possess remarkable courage -- we've come to realize even more deeply that film and television are not just forms of entertainment, but vessels of culture," Yu Pei-hua (於蓓華), program manager at PTS, said in her acceptance speech.

"They carry a nation's, a society's, and a people's reflections on -- and understanding of -- who we are," she said.

Meanwhile, Minister of Culture Li Yuan (李遠) presented the special contribution awards to set decorator Yeh Hui-lung (葉輝龍) and veteran actress Chen Shu-fang (陳淑芳).

Yeh, 81, said some of the sets he worked on may have had only one second of airtime, but they would be remembered for a lifetime by some viewers, and that is why he always gives his best on every set.

"This isn't my personal honor, but one that belongs to all set directors working hard behind the scenes," Yeh said after receiving the trophy.

Chen, 86, noted that it was her first Golden Bell Award, and she thanked all the filmmakers and actors she worked with during her 68-year career. Acting is her lifelong passion, Chen said, adding that she has no plans to retire.

"I may be old, but please don't turn me away -- I want to keep acting," she said upon receiving the award.

The 60th edition of Golden Bell Awards -- Taiwan's equivalent of the Emmys -- was held at the Taipei Music Center.