A prominent Taiwanese filmmaker, he is acclaimed for his work as a screenwriter, director, and actor. Emerging in the 1980s, he contributed to the Taiwanese New Wave cinema movement. His screenwriting credits include notable films such as "A City of Sadness" and "Dust in the Wind." Transitioning to directing, he created films like "A Borrowed Life," which won international acclaim. His work often explores themes of family and societal change, reflecting Taiwan's cultural and historical landscape.