(Photo credit: Moebius Entertainment)
When director Feng-I Fiona Roan started thinking about her next film project, it came at a time when she was entering a new chapter in her life.
“I got married. I saw a lot of my friends get married and debate about whether or not to have kids or get divorced,” she said recently at the Toronto International Film Festival.
“I see a lot of women arriving at a point where they thought they had happiness, but they soon they felt stuck. So I asked myself, ‘Why is that?’”
That question soon led Feng into a journey of wondering where one’s happiness in life comes from. Is it from family, societal expectations or ourselves?
That answer came in the form of Happily Ever After, a film that revolves around two sisters in Taiwan whose close relationship is tested by generational expectations, family relationships and the decisions that ultimately shape them.
The movie features breakout performances by Xuan Chen and K-pop star-turned- actress Shuhua from the girl group i-dle. Shuhua plays Kitty, the younger sister who is about to get a promotion and marry a wealthy man. Meanwhile, Chen plays Claire, the less traditional sister. She is often criticized by her family for her career choices and hot-headedness, and hides her same sex relationship from her parents.
While both actresses are relative newcomers to the scene, Feng took a chance on the lead actresses, who bonded quickly on set and developed a sisterly relationship. It also helped that Feng, Chen and Shuhua all had siblings in their own families. That experience helped shape the story and characters.
(Photo credit: @tiff_net/Instagram/Getty Images)
For Feng, casting the role of Kitty was the first piece of the puzzle. Together with her producers, they auditioned several actresses. But, none quite fit the bill.
However, Feng started thinking of Shuhua for the part after reading that the singer was one of three sisters, and had a desire to act one day. Still, Feng wasn’t sure if working with Shuhua would happen given her packed schedule as a K-pop idol. In 2026, i-dle released new music, went on tour and played a set at Lollapalooza in Chicago.
“I thought it was impossible. She’s so busy. How would you have time for us?” Feng said.
“But Shuhua really wanted to make it happen. So, we met in person. She read two scenes and instantly we saw Kitty.”
Feng describes Kitty as the “beautiful” sister, one who everyone adores but still has some insecurities within her about her path in life.
“[Shuhua] just delivered in a way that was very natural,” Feng said.
Casting the role of Claire proved much harder, Feng added. The director wanted an actress around 30 years old.
“Thirty is a special age where you feel like you should be doing something with your life, [but] you have that insecurity as well,” she said.
Though once Shuhua and Chen were put together in a chemistry read, everyone saw the connection right away.
“I think I really see her as my little sister,” Chen said about working with Shuhua. “I gave her my complete trust. We also talked about what she worries about and I shared my worries about taking on a big role for the first time.”
(Photo credit: @i_dle_official/Instagram)
The same could be felt by Shuhua, who described Chen as a “sister” as well.
“Because this is my very first time [that] I am acting, sometimes I will not be able to remember my script very well. And Xuan [Chen] would be able to walk me through and tell me, how can I help you?”
“In the middle of the shooting, I was trying to tell Xuan that she is a very warm person to me.”
Shuhua, in her debut role, said she was able to take away some of her experience as a K-pop idol to acting. She says she took acting lessons in Korea and Taiwan before shooting the film, and rehearsed her lines with director Feng until they felt “perfect.”
“Because I am an idol, I have to learn how to be reserved and be not too outgoing. I looked at the mirror and I practiced and practiced and practiced.”
Feng also says casting Shuhua took a leap of faith for both her and the singer.
“You know, she has so many directors to choose from, and I feel so honoured that she chose this project,” she said.
“It’s always exciting when it’s someone’s first time [acting]. They’re so open and they’re not comparing you. I think it's scarier to work with veteran actors because they're like, "Oh my God, I had a much better director.’”
When it comes to how fans see this new side of her as an artist, Shuhua says she is also eager to hear what they think.
“After you watch the film, please let me know how you feel, what your thoughts are. I will cherish every comment,” she said, adding that she will use the feedback to think about how to improve as an actress.
In the film, the sisters played by Shuhua and Chen are seen going through a rough patch as they question each other’s life decisions and the grapple with growing up. The question of finding happiness is a throughline that follows the characters as they navigate career expectations, romantic relationships and family dynamics. And while life is unpredictable, it leaves viewers knowing that it’s up to oneself to find their own happiness.
Feng says she hopes audiences leave the film knowing their destiny is theirs to make alone.
“I hope the audience would walk away knowing that with a little bit more courage to live the life that they believe in. Know that it can be confusing, it can be frustrating, and it's okay to be very different,” she said.
“But, it's very important that you take that time to find your own version of happiness.”
With additional reporting by Jaime Rebanal of Clouds of Gaia.
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