Going behind Taiwan’s ghostly customs
HBO Asia’s new original documentary, the “The World Behind the Teenage Psychic” premieres 16 December exclusively on HBO.
The hour-long Mandarin documentary is based on the traditions and culture featured in HBO Asia’s award-winning coming-of-age original series “The Teenage Psychic” that premiered in 2017 with positive ratings and received recognition at the prestigious Golden Bell Awards. Filmed entirely in Taiwan, the one-hour long Mandarin documentary “The World Behind the Teenage Psychic” seeks to delve deeper into the traditions and culture on which “The Teenage Psychic”.
Viewers in Thailand who don’t have access to the TV channel can watch it on HBO GO through AIS Play and AIS PlayBox.
“The World Behind the Teenage Psychic” follows different characters from various locations in Taiwan, as they explore how the distinct blend of Taoist, Buddhist, Chinese folklore and indigenous belief systems continue to flourish in modern Taiwan.
Featuring anecdotes and stories told by an 18-year-old medium in the Sanchong district, a family of Taoist priests from Keelung city and an award-winning actress and singer whose family runs a funeral business in Nantou county, as well as a practising priest and teacher of religious studies at Fu-Jen Catholic University, the documentary explores the rituals and beliefs surrounding the afterlife and Ghost Month in Taiwan.
“The World Behind the Teenage Psychic” marks the second original documentary for the network, following their first documentary “The Talwars: Behind Closed Doors” that premiered in 2017. HBO Asia started producing its Original productions in 2012 and has since expanded its range of Asian Original productions to include series, movies and documentaries. To date, HBO Asia has produced 13 Asian Originals with more slated to premiere in the coming years.
