An actress from Taiwan, Shiang-chyi Chen was discovered by director Edward Yang while she was taking an acting class. She appeared in two of Yang's films, including Du li shi dai (1994). She then studied performing arts at New York University. Afterwards, Chen resumed her career in Taiwan, and she is best-known for her work with director Ming-liang Tsai over the next decade. Chen had starring roles in several of Tsai's films, including Ni na bian ji dian (2001), Bu san (2003), Tian bian yi duo yun (2005), and Hei yan quan (2006). Chen won the Best Actress Golden Horse Award for her performance in Hui guang zoumingqu (2014). She is an assistant professor of theatre at the Taipei National University of the Arts.