“Zero-Day Attack” Focuses on Taiwan Strait Conflict: Producer Talks about Creative Insights

On February 4, 2025, the Taipei International Book Fair opened with the panel discussion “Geopolitical Conflict Materialized in Culture: Zero Day Attack x 2045” held at the Dream Salon. The event brought together the producers of the internationally acclaimed TV drama “Zero Day Attack” and the board game “2045,” both set against the backdrop of a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait, attracting a large audience.

The Taiwanese TV series “Zero Day Attack” consists of 10 episodes, each telling a different story with an investment of 230 million New Taiwan Dollars (approximately 7 million US dollars). It depicts a scenario where Taiwan faces the consequences of a conflict with the Chinese Communist Party, exploring various societal dynamics amid a Taiwan Strait war. United Microelectronics Corporation founder Robert Tsao once stated that he invested 20 million NTD after hearing the concept of the series, emphasizing the importance of preparing for the worst-case scenario of war.

The newly released board game “2045” by Mezzanine Workshop is set against the backdrop of a Taiwan Strait conflict. Launched at the Taipei International Book Fair, the game revolves around a future Taiwan landing battle, allowing players to choose different roles and simulate the strategies and defense tactics in a cross-strait conflict scenario.

Host and Plain Language Legal Advocacy’s Director of Marketing, Liu Luo, pointed out that the geopolitical crisis in the Taiwan Strait has led to a growth in creative works, sparking introspection among the people of Taiwan. The discussion, led by “Zero Day Attack” producer Zheng Xin Mei and “2045” board game producer Zhang Shao-Lian, delved into their creative motivations and development processes.

Zheng Xin Mei shared her initial intention of choosing the war theme for creative work. She expressed, “In recent years, the feeling that war is approaching has grown stronger. War is actually right in front of us. This realization resonates with every creator.” She further added, “Nowadays, war is not just about physical battles; it’s about information infiltration, threats, and inducements that have already seeped into our lives.” As a creator, she believes that drawing inspiration from one’s life and the feelings rooted in one’s homeland is essential. Therefore, discussing such topics is crucial for Taiwan, as only Taiwanese people can truly engage in this discourse.

Liu Luo asked about the attention from domestic and foreign media regarding the Taiwan Strait crisis. Zheng Xin Mei mentioned that both domestic and foreign media have been following the filming of “Zero Day Attack” with keen interest. Being Taiwan’s first film and television work discussing this issue, with a significant budget and a strong cast, it has garnered attention for different reasons. Foreign media focus on the creative concept, story content, and how Taiwan is coping with or might face the potential conflict, delving into the emotional state of the Taiwanese people in the face of a Taiwan Strait war.

Zheng Xin Mei further explained that domestic media in Taiwan tend to concentrate on peripheral issues, such as the advisors of “Zero Day Attack” and the sources of funding, with even actors being asked why they chose to participate in the series. She expressed the hope that the media would focus on the true messages that the works aim to convey. Initially, many working staff members were reluctant to be identified due to the sensitive nature of the topics, but as the results became visible, they were more willing to share their involvement. Witnessing the transformation of fear into courage among the cast and crew during the production of “Zero Day Attack deeply moved her.

Founder of Mezzanine Workshop, Zhang Shao-Lian, highlighted the sensitivity of the Taiwan Strait war tabletop game “2045.” The editors and designers chose to remain anonymous in the publication process, considering the delicate nature of the subject matter. He expressed his honor in launching this new creation and stressed the importance of safeguarding freedom and democracy for the people of Taiwan in the face of potential aggression from the Chinese Communist Party. He emphasized the significance of interpreting works from a Taiwanese perspective and cherishing the freedom to create without constraints.

Comparing tabletop game creation between both sides of the strait, Zhang Shao-Lian mentioned that Taiwan enjoys a more liberal creative environment. Regarding war-related topics, he emphasized the importance of storytelling, aiming to make the content more thrilling, impactful, and immersive under the freedom of creation. He believed that Taiwanese tabletop game creators, whether full-time or hobbyists, hold a lead of at least 10 years in terms of original creative strength compared to their counterparts in China.

Zheng Xin Mei noted that “Zero Day Attack” serves as a window for foreigners to understand the real thoughts and emotions of Taiwanese people when facing war. She stressed the importance of such creative works in cultural exchange, stating that culture serves as a vital tool for the world to understand Taiwan. She revealed that “Zero Day Attack” is scheduled to complete post-production by the end of May, with the official release date pending negotiation with broadcasting platforms, including discussions for international distribution.

Zheng Xin Mei emphasized that resonating with the audience is crucial for works based on war themes. She reiterated that the primary goal of “Zero Day Attack” is to urge everyone, regardless of their political beliefs, to defend Taiwan’s current way of life based on freedom and democracy.