Tales from “love motels,” Taiwan’s safe spaces for couples

Back when Chen Shu-Chen’s husband cheated on her, she tailed him for a whole week before confronting him. She followed him as he frequented what are famously known in Taiwan as “love motels”—safe spaces for couples to snatch time alone. They are cheap, convenient, and can be rented hourly with a premium paid for privacy.

That was 12 years ago.

In an unexpected twist to the tale, Chen, now 57, grew obsessed with these love motels, which are distinct from brothels where sex is for hire. She went on to do a photography course and produced what she called the “After Series”—a sort of record-keeping of the aftermath of lust. She even wrote a 60,000-word academic thesis on the topic.

Read the rest of this story on qz.com. Become a member to get unlimited access to Quartz’s journalism.