The Taiwan History Podcast: Formosa Files

A young American missionary family embarks on a chaotic journey to Taiwan in 1955, navigating a stormy voyage, customs messes, and cultural surprises. Arriving in a city where whole-wheat flour is a rarity and open sewers abound, they encounter a blend of faith and resilience. Their quest for basic ingredients turns into a comedic adventure, reflecting the challenges of adapting to a new culture. The podcast also touches on the historical significance of medical missionaries and the dietary practices of the Seventh-day Adventists during this transformative time.

Discover the unexpected alliance between Taiwan and Saudi Arabia marked by oil, anti-Communism, and even seedless watermelons. Explore how Taiwanese pilots flew combat jets under Saudi colors during secret missions in Yemen. Delve into their agricultural exchange, including groundbreaking rice cultivation in the desert. Uncover the historical significance of King Faisal's visit to Taiwan and the roots of their enduring diplomatic ties, showcasing a unique chapter in international relations.

Han Cheung, a writer for the Taipei Times' Taiwan in Time column, dives into the dazzling world of 1930s Taiwan pop music. He highlights Liu Ching-hsiang, Taiwan's first pop queen, who captivated audiences with her hit “Longing for the Spring Breeze.” The discussion navigates the vibrant musical landscape shaped by Japanese colonial rule, exploring the fusion of traditional Taiwanese sounds with Japanese Enka influences. Cheung also reflects on how changes in recording technology and cinema promotion redefined Taiwan's early pop culture.

Explore the life of Bo Yang, a provocative Taiwanese commentator whose unexpected imprisonment stemmed from translating a Popeye cartoon. Delve into the role of political satire in critiquing figures like Chiang Kai-shek during turbulent times. Hear about Bo Yang's harrowing experiences in prison and the change in public perception towards political prisoners. His infamous book, 'The Ugly Chinaman,' challenged cultural norms and sparked intense reactions, influencing Taiwan's political landscape and raising questions about identity.

Chris Tharp, author of the novel 'The Cuttlefish' and long-time South Korea resident, dives deep into the intertwined histories of Taiwan and South Korea. He discusses their parallel journeys from colonization to democracy, touching on the differing impacts of Japanese rule. The conversation also unveils the unique paths Christianity took in both regions influenced by nationalism. Tharp further contrasts the authoritarian legacies of leaders like Chiang Kai-shek and Syngman Rhee, and highlights the distinct political landscapes shaped by female leaders Park Geun-hye and Tsai Ing-wen.

Explore the enchanting legacy of Teresa Teng, the beloved Taiwanese pop icon who transformed Asian music. Discover the story behind a newly unearthed Japanese-language recording set for release in 2025. Dive into her rise to fame in the late 1970s and how her poignant songs, like 'The Moon Represents My Heart,' served as political commentary during turbulent times. Experience her journey from humble beginnings to superstardom, and learn how her music fostered unity and resilience across cultural divides.

Some people bought Tamagotchis in the '90s. Others? They paid birds to predict their future. In this week’s episode, we take a glimpse into Taiwan’s wild obsession with fortune-telling — and what it reveals about culture, comfort, and even politics. From oracle bones to rose stones, the history of Taiwanese divination has been an unpredictable ride.  Go check out our website. And follow us on social media...LIKE, SUB, etc!

Some have called Taipei a “mini-Shanghai.” If true, the emphasis might need to be on the word “mini.” The population of the greater Shanghai area is nearly 30 million, some six million more than the number of people who live in Taiwan. Yet, there are some interesting similarities – which mostly aren’t accidental. When CKS and the Nationalists took control in 1945, and then made Taipei the "ROC Provisional Capital" on December 7th, 1949, the new rulers began to shape Taipei in an image modeled in many ways after Shanghai. John Ross (world traveler that he is) has never been to this sprawling city, but Mark Kitto (English actor and author, most recently of China Running Dog, lived and worked there for around a decade. Mark and John discuss the Shanghai-Taipei connection via talking about and reading from the book, Last Boat Out of China, a tale of a family fleeing Red China and “temporarily” seeking shelter in Taipei.  

Han Cheung, a Taiwanese-American journalist, shares his journey from writing about Wyoming's Wild West to chronicling Taiwanese history in his column for the Taipei Times. He discusses the challenges of engaging younger audiences with complex historical contexts and the importance of diverse perspectives. Cheung also digs into the balance of historical commentary, highlighting figures like Chiang Kai-shek. Plus, he explores the cultural intersections of music and identity, touching on unique genres like Cantonese sludge metal and their implications for reclaiming heritage.

In 1963, a 32-year-old American grad student in Taipei wrote a newspaper editorial complaining that Taiwanese people were great at treating friends kindly, but kind of awful in public. Within days, he had unintentionally launched a nationwide student movement for civility, morality, and self-awareness. But this student-led push for better manners would also lead to arrests, prison time, and even psychiatric detention.In this episode, we tell the strange true story of the “Self-Awareness Movement,” how it exploded from one opinion piece, and explain how it contributed (or didn’t) to Taiwan’s public behavior transformation. Listen as we go from the sharp-elbowed chaos at bank counters and bus stops of the 1960s to today’s orderly lines and the quiet pride of the MRT.SHOW NOTES, TRANSCRIPTS, pics, links, and more at formosafiles.com