May / Courtesan / Jing (played by Shu Qi) is a protagonist in Three Times.
Central protagonist across three eras. Appears as a poolhall worker in 1966 sharing a romance with a soldier; a singing courtesan in 1911 seeking freedom from a political activist; and an epileptic club singer in 2005 navigating a turbulent lesbian relationship and an affair. Chen / Mr. Chang / Zhen (played by Chang Chen) is a protagonist in Three Times.
Central male protagonist across three eras. Portrays a soldier in 1966 chasing a lost romance; a politically dedicated writer in 1911 who refuses concubinage but aids a fellow courtesan; and a photographer in 2005 entangled in an affair with a club singer. Hostess / Madam / Jing's Mother (played by Su-jen Liao) appears in Three Times.
Manages the brothel in the 1911 segment, instructing the courtesan to remain until her position is replaced by a new girl. May's Mother / Madam / Aunt (played by Mei Di) appears in Three Times.
Haruko / Ah Mei / Blue (played by Chen Shi-Zheng) appears in Three Times.
The younger sister of the courtesan in the 1911 segment. Works as a courtesan, becomes pregnant by a client, and is bought out by Mr. Chang to secure her freedom before leaving the brothel.
Three Times (2005) character relationship network mapped with AI analysis. Explore the connections, alliances, and conflicts between characters.
Characters
May / Courtesan / Jing
(played by Shu Qi) — protagonist
Central protagonist across three eras. Appears as a poolhall worker in 1966 sharing a romance with a soldier; a singing courtesan in 1911 seeking freedom from a political activist; and an epileptic cl...
Chen / Mr. Chang / Zhen
(played by Chang Chen) — protagonist
Central male protagonist across three eras. Portrays a soldier in 1966 chasing a lost romance; a politically dedicated writer in 1911 who refuses concubinage but aids a fellow courtesan; and a photogr...
Manages the brothel in the 1911 segment, instructing the courtesan to remain until her position is replaced by a new girl.
May's Mother / Madam / Aunt
(played by Mei Di) — supporting
Haruko / Ah Mei / Blue
(played by Chen Shi-Zheng) — supporting
The younger sister of the courtesan in the 1911 segment. Works as a courtesan, becomes pregnant by a client, and is bought out by Mr. Chang to secure her freedom before leaving the brothel.
Canonical Relationships
Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.
Mr. Chang intervenes in the brothel's circumstances by arranging the purchase of Ah Mei's freedom.
May / Courtesan / Jing → Chen / Mr. Chang / Zhen
(Romantic Unfulfilled Suitor)
The courtesan wants Mr. Chang to free her by taking her as a concubine, but he refuses because he opposes concubinage and remains committed to his pol...
The courtesan lives and works in the brothel, and the Madame instructs her to remain until Ah Mei's position is replaced.
May / Courtesan / Jing → Haruko / Ah Mei / Blue
(Family Sisters)
Ah Mei is explicitly described as the courtesan's younger sister. They say farewell after Mr. Chang buys Ah Mei's freedom.
Story Dynamics
Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.
Chen / Mr. Chang / Zhen → Haruko / Ah Mei / Blue
(Alliance Benefactor)
When Ah Mei becomes pregnant and cannot be bought out by the customer, Mr. Chang decides to pay for her freedom.
Story Analysis
Across three historical moments, recurring performers pursue intimacy and freedom while desire remains constrained by social systems, silence, and emotional dividedness.
