Terrance Lau

As I began my own viewing of Netflix’s new Taiwanese romance anthology series At the Moment, I questioned the appeal of a show divided into 10 distinct parts. I knew that each episode had a unique story, so I wanted to experiment a little bit with the order. I began with the third episode, then the fifth, then the second, and so forth. While the order in which I decided to experience the show might have been a tad unconventional, I experienced a roller coaster of emotions in an otherwise well-tied blend of love stories.

At the Moment reimagines romance as it takes the viewer through 10 affectionately crafted episodes, each with its own plot and love story between two characters. At the Moment is a list of distinct—yet reactive—elements that are flawlessly combined into the creation of a reality dating show. In effect, the completion of each episode grounds the viewer back to the fact that the show is a film within a film.

In the second episode of the anthology series, Chun-Pin (played by Terrance Lau Chun-Him) is introduced as a rather simple, yet pure character with big dreams in life. Chun-Pin navigates through the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in Taiwan, longing for an intimate romantic relationship. Love, as both he and the viewer learn, comes faster than expected.

In a conversation with Timid, Lau discusses his character’s journey in chasing his ambitions at the onset of a global pandemic, an experience that he hopes everyone can relate to.

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Timid Magazine: Can you describe your character in three words?

Terrance Lau Chun-Him: The character that I played is Chun-Pin, and I think he’s a very simple, silly, and pretty cheerful guy.

TM: Your character on the show is seeking love. What is the kind of love that makes your heart beat?

TL: I don't yearn for something that would happen randomly—the type that is spontaneous and passionate. That's not what I'm looking for. I prefer a long-lasting relationship because when two people are in a relationship, it's not just for three or five years; it's forever. So, I believe a loving relationship can help each other grow, and that's what I desire the most.

TM: You played a character that is hearing-impaired. How important do you feel it is to showcase that representation?

TL: To be honest, even though the character I portrayed is a hearing-impaired food courier, I can't claim that the character represents the entire hearing-impaired community. However, I'm very grateful for the opportunity because this role allowed me to learn more about the world of hearing-impaired individuals. Our crew also introduced me to a hearing-impaired friend, and we had a chat before he took me to one of their baseball games. That's when I discovered their world, which was so lively and simple. It's not that different from ours; it's mainly about how they communicate and express themselves. While we may lead different lives in some aspects, through this story and this series, I've gained deeper insights into their world.

TM: What are some ways you are similar or different to your character?

TL: [laughs] I would say I'm totally different from Chun-Pin because he is adorable, and his way of thinking is more straightforward and simple. Unlike me, I tend to overthink things, or I can be more introverted and troublesome. So whenever I'm in character, I suddenly find myself in a good mood, and the world becomes simpler.

TM: If you were to pick a song that represents your view on love, what would you choose?

TL: There's a song by Faye Wong called “Eyes on Me.” It's also featured in the video game called Final Fantasy. When I was [in high school], we used to play the game. You would hear the song, and I don't know, I thought that's what love was like.

TM: What is your love language?

TL: My love languages are Physical Touch and Words of Affirmation; I believe these are the most important to me.

TM: What do you hope the audiences take away from the show?

TL: I don't have specific expectations for audiences to take something away because every audience member tends to walk away with something unique after watching the show. At the Moment is a series that focuses on companionship, and I hope that for those who were in a relationship during the [height of the] pandemic, whether it was good or bad, you can find elements of your own experience in the show. I hope this series can provide companionship to everyone.

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At the Moment was released on Netflix on November 10, 2023.

Disclaimer: This interview has been translated from Mandarin and edited for length and clarity.