Dramas from Taiwan!

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The first thought that comes to our mind about Taiwan is of course bubble tea! Second one might be electronics goods and the mighty Taipei tower.

We all know that Korean dramas dominate the world of Asian Dramas. They have evolved so much in past few years handling different genres. But there is lot more to explore if you look around. If you have been following Asian dramas for a while you must have encountered few dramas from Taiwan.

There are quite good numbers of T-dramas to watch once you are past language barrier and difficulty in remembering names. Here is the list of few I have come across so far.

1. Meteor Garden

This is based on classic Hana Yori Dango /Boys Over Flower. There is a group of four boys from rich families who consider bullying other schoolmates for entertainment. In that school arrives female protagonist from humble background who gets into the trouble with them. You might have already watched Korean remake of the same.  

Positives: The story is closer to manga and is more elaborate than its remakes from other countries

Negatives: The sheer number of episodes!

2. Fated to love you

Have you heard of  'pushover' type of person? The gullible one who is influenced by others easily and taken advantage of therefore. Chen Xi Yi is such type of person. She is working as an assistant but due to personality her colleagues treat her as 'sticky note' girl. They delegate random tasks and do not acknowledge her efforts. In order to please everyone around her, she also follows their orders religiously. Its not surprising that her boyfriend is also mooching off money from her. One day she plans a cruise trip with her boyfriend where she finds out about his cheating behavior.

On the same cruise is wealthy hair Ji Cun Xi who is planning to propose to his girlfriend. But due to some twisted circumstances, they accidentally spend time together. The drama follows what happens next into their lives. 

Positives: Feel good story. It is fun to see their confusion in early episodes. Transformation of Chen Xi Yi to confident person.

Negatives: The number of episodes again. Potential Second lead syndrome

3. Just You

It stars Puff Guo and Aaron Yan. Chen Liang Liang is living in a rented house. One day  the owner of the house sells the property suddenly. New owner arrives. He wants Liang Liang to move out but she has already paid advance rent to previous owner so she refuses to leave. To add to the misery, the new owner is no one but her new boss! How they are going to survive under the same roof with polar opposite personalities? 

Positives: Good chemistry of leads, OSTs 

Negatives: Last four episodes

4. Before We Get Married

It is kind of different one than typical t-drama. It involves two couples, both in long term serious relationship. Weiwei  has entire life chalked out by her boyfriend Li Haoyi. She lives very frugal life to achieve their 'goals' as early as possible. They are expecting their lives to follow that predetermined trajectory. One day when Weiwei happens to meet Chu Kauhan, little did she know that all her life plans are going to go for the toss! Chu Kauhan is talented stock trader. He is in very unhappy relationship with Ziyuan for past ten years. Chu Kauhan is drawn to Weiwei and the chaos begins. 

Positives: Good chemistry of leads, female lead's quirky best friend 

Negatives: Sometimes female lead is very indecisive which is frustrating

5. Hello Again!

Have you ever wonder what happens to all those class toppers from the school? Chang Ke Ai is one such school topper. Back in school days she challenges a fellow student Yang Zi Hao that if they are admitted into same university she will carry his bag for entire year! This motivates Zi Hao to focus on his studies. His hard work pays off and he manages to secure the admission in the same university the topper girl coveted. But to his dismay, Ke Ai has withdrawn her admission. Ten years later Yang Zi hao is vice president of departmental store whereas Ke Ai is street vendor selling the clothes. What happens in those ten years and what will happen now they have crossed path with each other?

Positives: Bruce Hung and his dimples

Negatives: Again female lead is bit annoying sometimes

There are many more T-dramas Ito watch. I will keep on updating this list of good ones. If you want to recommend something good that you have seen but not in this list feel free to comment.

(All images from Google)