Forget You Not – Netflix (May 23, 2025)

Introduction

On May 23, Netflix unveils Forget You Not, a tender yet heartrending Chinese-language drama that explores the delicate balance between personal ambition, family bonds, and the pursuit of happiness. Written and directed by acclaimed Taiwanese singer-actress Rene Liu, the film stars Hsieh Ying-hsuan as Le-le, a woman torn between her steady day job and her dreams of stand-up comedy.

Synopsis

Le-le works long hours at a neighborhood convenience store to support herself and her teenage daughter, Mei-xin. By night, she transforms into a budding stand-up comedian, performing at dingy bars and small clubs. Beneath the punchlines, however, lie deep marital strains with her husband, Jian-hao, whose unspoken frustrations threaten to unravel their relationship. Meanwhile, Le-le’s complicated bond with her aging father, Shi-fu, resurfaces old wounds and hidden regrets. As Le-le navigates these intersecting pressures, she must decide which parts of her past to let go—and which memories to hold onto.

Cast & Characters

• Hsieh Ying-hsuan as Le-le
  A compassionate mother and aspiring comedian whose resilience shines through life’s hardships.
  
• Supporting Cast:
  
  • Zhang Song-wen as Jian-hao, Le-le’s conflicted husband.
    
  • Feng Shi-ming as Shi-fu, Le-le’s traditional father grappling with his own regrets.
    
  • Wu Ru-qi as Mei-xin, Le-le’s teenage daughter caught between loyalty and rebellion.
    

Creative Team

• Writer & Director: Rene Liu brings her own blend of musicality and cinematic sensitivity to both screenplay and direction.
  
• Cinematography: Captures the neon glow of urban Taipei alongside intimate close-ups that reveal characters’ inner lives.
  
• Music: A subtle score underscores Le-le’s emotional journey, punctuated by her own off-beat comedy routines.
  

Themes & Tone

• Family & Forgiveness: Explores how unspoken pain and love coexist within parent-child and spousal relationships.
  
• Dreams vs. Duty: Le-le’s dual life examines the sacrifices we make—and those we regret—in pursuit of stability and self-fulfillment.
  
• Healing Through Humor: Stand-up scenes provide both comic relief and a raw outlet for Le-le’s suppressed emotions.
  

Why Watch?

1. Stand-Out Performance: Hsieh Ying-hsuan delivers an emotionally rich portrayal of a woman striving to be seen beyond her duties.
   
2. Authentic Storytelling: Rene Liu’s nuanced script avoids clichés, presenting relatable, multi-dimensional characters.
   
3. Cultural Resonance: A window into contemporary Taiwanese life, juxtaposing rapid urban change with enduring family traditions.
   
4. Emotional Resonance: Balances laughter and tears, reminding viewers that humor can be a powerful balm for life’s wounds.
   

Where & When to Watch

Forget You Not streams exclusively on Netflix starting May 23, 2025. Prepare to be moved by a story that will linger in your heart long after the credits roll.