Taipei, as Taiwan’s capital, represents a hub of opportunities for those seeking education and careers. The TV series “Women in Taipei” (台北女子圖鑑), adapted from the Japanese series “Tokyo Girl” (東京女子図鑑), portrays the journey of a woman from a non-metropolitan background striving to "become a Taipei Woman," sparking criticism for its simplified depiction. Moving beyond textual analysis, this research explores the identities and practices of women who have moved to Taipei, focusing on their negotiation with the “Taipei Woman” ideal. This study examines women raised outside Taipei and their experiences of integrating into the city. Using Stuart Hall’s concepts of dominant, oppositional, and negotiated readings alongside Pierre Bourdieu’s theories of field and practice, it employs in-depth interviews with 16 participants whose demographics reflect those depicted in the series. Findings reveal that respondents often share overlapping perceptions of the archetypal “Taipei Woman,” suggesting the series’ portrayal may partially reflect reality. Simultaneously, they identify a gap between this ideal and their lived realities. By navigating Taipei as a social and cultural field, they negotiate identities and develop a personal sense of belonging that resists binary oppositions between stereotype and reality. This study highlights Taipei’s capacity to accommodate a variety of lifestyles and identities, offering insights into how individuals negotiate belonging and identities within the city. It contributes to cultural studies by exploring the interplay between place, identities, and practices.

Authors:
Ru-Yi Dai, National Taiwan Normal University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Ru-Yi Dai is a third-year graduate student at the Department of Taiwanese Culture, Languages and Literature, NTNU. Her academic interests include cultural studies and sociology, with a focus on identity negotiation and practice.

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