The novel has many distinct and well-developed characters and complicated human relationships. Its physical center starts at New Park's lotus pond and extends through the bustling streets of Hsimenting and Chungshan North Road, to local gambling houses and brothels in Sanchung in Taipei County, all the way to New York and Tokyo. These characters and locations are juxtaposed with popular music from the time: The Beatles, Tom Jones and cha-cha and tango dancing. Crystal Boys is not merely about gay culture, it is about the aura of 1970s Taipei.
"My original intention was not to make a gay work. Having read the book so many times, I'm always fascinated by the atmosphere of the 1970s. At that time, there was a special kind of the warmth among people in their relationships, be it friendship, family or romantic love. This kind of warmth seems to have been lost now. So I wanted to recollect the feelings and the aura again on screen," said Tsao Jui-yuan (曹瑞原), director of the mini-series.
Crystal Boys begins with Lee Ching being turned out by his father due to "misbehavior" with his schoolmate in the high school laboratory. Lee then starts frequenting the park at night, looking for love and money. Coach Yang, a fat, dapper middle-aged man, plays teacher to the "young birds" like Lee in the park. He teaches them how to pick up customers, raise their price and protect themselves from the police. Teenagers like Lee and his friends are the favorites of older visitors to the park. His best friend Little Jade is the favorite of a movie studio boss, but Jade likes the Japanese-style ojisan Mr. Lin, a local businessman. Another friend, Wu Ming, is loved and fed by Mr. Chang, a sophisticated but mean-spirited middle-aged man. And Lee gets picked up by a handsome 30-something named Dragon, although the coach warns him not to. The son of a high-ranking general, Dragon has a sinister reputation.
The producers of Crystal Boys worked hard to capture the feel of 1970s Taiwan, creating 80 different sets for the series. They rebuilt a movie theater and changed its billboard to advertise a Bruce Lee film. They went to Hsinchu to find an old, unrenovated veteran's villages for soldiers from the mainland. And several sets were reconstructed in modern cabaret houses in order to get the old cabaret in Hsimenting just right.
"The whole process made us realize that many of the old buildings and entertainment venues, especially the veteran's villages, are vanishing. It's really very sad," Tsao said.
Apart from that, everyone involved seemed pleased with the result. "I was very touched by the film. It captured the mood of my novel splendidly," Pai said.
Ting Chiang, who plays the kitschy but strong-hearted Coach Yang, said the series was one of the most exhilarating acting experiences he has had in a long time. "It was a rare chance for all of us to be involved in such a large and well-made production like this one," Ting said. "I am proud to have been a part of it."
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