The Singaporean film "Bubblegum Girl" was shortlisted for three awards at the 63rd Golden Horse Awards: Best New Director, Best New Actor and Best Adapted Screenplay. Among them, the child actor Wang Xuanjing who plays the protagonist is attracting even more attention. She was only 7 years old at the time of filming. She had already won the "Firebird Award for Best Actress" at the 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival for her performance in the film, becoming the youngest actress in the history of the film festival. She also won the Golden Circle Award for Best Actress at the Malaysia International Film Festival for her amazing acting skills.
Wang Xuanjing was nominated for the Golden Horse Best New Actor for her wonderful performance in "Bubblegum Girl". (Provided by Lightyear)
"Bubblegum Girls" is directed by emerging director Hong Yuju, who is also a screenwriter and editor. The film is set in Singapore in 1994. Through the perspective of a 7-year-old girl, Ah Nu, the film describes her childhood life amid family changes. In the film, she has many natural and funny interactions with Wang Xuexi, who plays her sister A Tian, and the innocent emotions between the sisters have become the most moving part of the film.
In addition to 3 Golden Horse Award nominations, the film also won the Youth Jury Award at the 2026 Rotterdam Film Festival, was selected for the Toronto Film Festival, and was recognized as the Best Asian Film at the Singapore International Film Festival. It has been recognized at international film festivals one after another. Hong Yuju's debut feature film directed has attracted attention from the international film community, while Wang Xuanjing has won multiple Best Actress awards for her delicate and natural performance. Now she challenges the Golden Horse Best New Actor and becomes one of this year's most watched rookies.
The first feature film "Bubblegum Girls" directed by Singaporean director Hong Yuju was shortlisted for three Golden Horse Awards and recognized by major international film festivals. (Provided by Lightyear)
Regarding her first feature film being nominated for three Golden Horse Awards, Hong Yujue couldn't hide her excitement and said emotionally: "It all feels so unreal. I grew up watching the Golden Horse Awards, and I never thought that one day I would be a finalist and participate in the event with so many seniors in the film industry." She also expressed her special feelings. Don't be happy that Wang Xuanjing was shortlisted for Best New Actor. He said bluntly: "She really deserves this recognition and is very talented. I have high expectations for her." Hong Yujue revealed that on the day the shortlist was announced, everyone watched the live broadcast at her house. Wang Xuanjing's mother jumped up with excitement.
Wang Xuanjing also happily shared the joy of being shortlisted: "It's great! I'm really happy to be shortlisted! I want to share this joy with Director Yu Ju, because with her guidance and support, I can get this recognition! I can't wait to see this movie touch more people!" She won double recognition from the International Best Actress and the Golden Horse Award at a young age, which also made the outside world look forward to her performance in the film.
Hong Yujue revealed that the film was inspired by her own growth experience and extended from her early trilogy of short films in the "Ahgirl" series. She has long been concerned about disadvantaged groups and has been selected by the Busan Asian Film Academy in the past. This time she challenges the feature film for the first time, hoping to present the complex emotions and generational trauma in family relationships through the eyes of children. She said: "I wanted to tell the story of a broken family, and from a child's perspective, describe how she endured tremendous pressure and had to make important choices that could change her life. It is also a story about learning to love yourself, and I hope that "Bubblegum Girl" can show her tenacity and courage in trying to break out of the cycle of generational trauma!"
Wang Xuanjing was only 7 years old when she performed in "Bubblegum Girl", and her natural acting skills were well received. (Provided by Lightyear)
The movie describes a 7-year-old girl who had to face a family change when her parents separated when she entered elementary school. She lived in a small apartment with her 5-year-old sister A Tian, her taciturn father, and her grumpy grandma. Only on weekends could she see her mother who always pampered them with food and toys. One day, her mother suddenly asked her if she wanted to move in with her. It seemed like a simple question, but it put her in a dilemma because it meant she might have to leave her father and her closest sister.
As the parents start new relationships, the family's financial pressure and life surprises come one after another, and the familiar daily life gradually changes. Faced with the incomprehensible secrets in the adult world and the promises that may not be realized, Ah Nu can only understand love and separation in her own way. She tries hard to protect her sister through difficult choices, but is also forced to grow up early. The film uses the children's words and interesting life stories of the two sisters to interweave a growth story with laughter and tears. "Bubblegum Girls" will be released in Taiwan on December 18.
