A Brighter Summer Day (1991)

In the sweltering summer of 1959 Taipei, Chang Chen (nickname Si'r), a junior high student with a penchant for mischief, finds himself ensnared in a web of trouble after failing a test and being forced to attend night school. His father, a career government worker, is wracked with worry about the delinquency that plagues such institutions, his concerns fueled by the radio broadcasts he listens to each morning featuring distinguished students. Meanwhile, Si'r's own nocturnal adventures begin as he and his best friend, Cat, sneak into a movie studio to catch a glimpse of an actress undressing. Their escapade is cut short when they're caught by a guard, who's left none the wiser thanks to their quick thinking.

The following year, Si'r's world becomes increasingly complicated as he navigates the treacherous landscape of gangs and rivalries. His chance encounter with Ming, a beautiful and alluring member of the 217s, sets off a chain reaction of events that draws him into the orbit of Honey, the charismatic leader of the Little Park Boys. Despite not being a member of either gang, Si'r finds himself caught in the crossfire as tensions between the two groups escalate.

As the stakes grow higher, Si'r's own relationships become increasingly complicated. His rivalry with Sly, the de facto leader of the Little Park Boys, reaches a fever pitch after he inadvertently gets him into trouble. Meanwhile, his friendship with Ming blossoms into something more, but is threatened by the machinations of those around them.

In the midst of this chaos, the fragile truce between the two gangs is shattered when Honey returns from hiding in Tainan and accuses Sly of betrayal. The night before a planned concert, Honey makes an unexpected visit to Si'r's home, bestowing Ming upon him as a "gift" - a move that sets off a chain reaction of events that will have far-reaching consequences.

As the city is gripped by a typhoon, the 217s and Little Park Boys engage in a brutal showdown, their animosity fueled by the murder of Honey. The aftermath of this violence finds Sly and his surviving cohorts on the run, while Si'r's own world is turned upside down when his father is arrested by secret police and forced to confront his troubled past. Despite the turmoil that surrounds him, Si'r must navigate these treacherous waters to protect those he cares about and find a way to reclaim control over his own life.

As Si'r (actor name) becomes increasingly entwined with Ming, his academic fortunes seem to be on the upswing. But beneath the surface, Ming's flirtations with other suitors, including an older doctor, begin to grate on Si'r's nerves. The tension boils over when he lashes out at the doctor and shatters a light bulb, earning him a swift expulsion from school. With his future uncertain, Si'r makes a vow to himself: pass the transfer exams and secure a spot in day school, much to Ming's dismay - she knows this means their time together will be limited. The very next day, Sly emerges from hiding, offering a long-overdue apology for past transgressions and dropping a bombshell: Ming and Ma are romantically entwined. Si'r is left reeling, seeking solace in the arms of Jade, only to find himself at odds with her and ultimately driven to reveal a shocking truth - the girl Sly caught kissing was not Jade, but Ming herself.

The fragile peace is shattered when Si'r confronts Ma at his home, his anger and frustration boiling over. In a desperate bid for control, he pilfers Cat's knife and waits outside the school for his chance to strike. But fate has other plans - instead of Ma, Si'r finds himself face-to-face with Ming. His words cut deep as he berates her for her promiscuity, insisting that he is her only hope. Ming responds by calling out Si'r's selfishness, reminding him that she cannot be changed any more than the world around them can be altered. In a tragic turn of events, Si'r's anger and despair boil over, resulting in an unspeakable act of violence.

As the truth begins to unravel, Si'r is sentenced to death for his heinous crime. However, the ensuing media frenzy and public outcry lead to a commutation of the sentence, and instead, he faces 15 years behind bars. Back at his childhood home, now stripped bare of all sentimental value, Si'r's mother stumbles upon his old school uniform, her tears falling like the rain as she listens to the radio broadcast a list of distinguished students - a painful reminder of the life Si'r once knew and could have had.