8 Classic Taiwanese Dramas Every Drama Lover Must Watch

By Wei Yin on 11 Feb 2020

Digital Editor

You are missing out if you are a drama lover but have not watched these 10 Taiwanese dramas!

Despite their cheesy plot, the stellar acting and great chemistry between leads were what made these dramas so popular. These classic dramas will make you want to sacrifice sleep and binge-watch them all day long.

If you have watched them before or are a fan of any of these dramas, now is a great time to take a trip down memory lane by rewatching your favourites.

Check out the 10 classic Taiwanese dramas below!

#1 Meteor Garden (2001)

Photo from Pinterest

Loosely based on the Japanese manga Boys Over Flowers, Meteor Garden centres around a poor teenage girl, Dong Shan Cai, who at the insistence of her parents goes to a university for rich people. The university is dominated by four rich, handsome but arrogant students collectively known as the 'F4'.

Shan Cai stands up to Dao Ming Si after her friend receives wrath from the F4 leader. She hates the arrogant and rude Dao Ming Si but her persistence in standing up for what is right gradually gains the F4's respect and he starts to fall for her.

As cliché as it sounds, this is one of the most popular Taiwanese dramas so you should still check it out and see if it's your cup of tea or not.

#2 The Prince Who Turns into a Frog (2005)

Photo from YesAsia

Before his wedding, a cold CEO is hit by a car and awakens a changed man. As he and the driver fall in love, more challenges appear on the road ahead.

Starring Ming Dao and Joe Chen, The Prince Who Turns into a Frog achieved an average rating of 7.05 and peaked at 8.05, which was the highest peak for a single episode of an idol drama until 2008!

#3 Fated to Love You/You're My Destiny (2008)

Photo from YesAsia

Also starring Joe Chen, Fated to Love You/You're My Destiny is the love story between Chen Xin Yi and Ji Cun Xi, two people from different worlds. An accidental one night stand results in Xin Yi being pregnant and the show follows their journey from being in denial to being in love, along with obstacles they face.

This drama holds the record for the highest average single-episode rating and broke the previous record held by The Prince Who Turns into a Frog! It also shot Ethan Ruan to fame while further cementing Joe Chen's success in Asian TV entertainment.

#4 Autumn's Concerto (2009)

Photo from Kdrama Dreamer

Ren Guang Xi, a cocky law student, seems to lead the perfect life but in reality, his lonely life lacks joy, laughter and motivation. That is until he meets Liang Mu Cheng and a harmless bet brings the two together.

However, like every other drama, tragedy strikes when Guang Xi suddenly has to go through a major brain surgery which causes amnesia. After losing all memories of his past, he travels to a rural village where Mu Cheng now lives with her son.

Another insanely popular Taiwanese drama with Vaness Wu and Ady An as leads, Autumn's Concerto achieved a score of 8.23, passing The Prince Who Turns into a Frog to become the second-highest rated Taiwanese idol drama, second only to Fated to Love You.

#5 Hi My Sweetheart (2009)

Photo from Amazon

Xue Hai is a certifiable dork from a wealthy family who decides to move out of his comfort zone and study abroad in Hangzhou, China. After his schoolmate Bao Zhu saved him from bullying, she becomes his first love. Then, a misunderstanding causes them to lose contact which made him think that she dumped him. He then transforms himself from a dork to a hunk to seek revenge.

This iconic romcom starring Show Lo and Rainie Yang will make you laugh but still somehow manages to tug on your heartstrings once in a while.

#6 Down with Love (2010)

Photo from YesAsia

Xiang Yu Ping is a renowned and handsome lawyer who is seen by others as cold and ruthless. After his brother dies in a car accident, he takes in his brother's two orphaned children. Every nanny he hires to care for them is either scared off by the mischievous children or ends up trying to seduce him.

Fed up, Yu Ping asks his secretary to find a nanny that meets his requirements. She recommends her younger sister, Yang Guo, for the job; assuring Yu Ping that her tomboyish sister will not fall in love with him by lying that she is a lesbian. However, the tables are turned on Yu Ping when he ends up falling in love with his new nanny.

Jerry Yan and Ella Chen have palpable chemistry in this one so get ready to squeal at every adorable moment!

#7 In Time with You (2011)

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On her 30th birthday, Cheng You Qing receives an email on "the symptoms of premature ageing" from Li Da Ren, her best friend of 14 years. She then makes a bet with him to see who will get married first before they turn 35.

As she looks around for a potential husband, she discovers she is surrounded by unacceptable candidates. The only man who would love her despite her ill temper and stubbornness is her best friend. The only problem is that they both swore they will never be romantically attracted to each other.

A heartwarming story about best friends turned lovers, Ariel Lin and Chen Bo Lin will make you feel all fuzzy inside when watching this.

#8 Just You (2013)

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Qi Yi is a boss from hell who is also a germaphobe. He prohibits office romances while Cheng Liang Liang is tasked by her coworkers to break down his defences and convince him to lift the anti-office-romance rule. Slowly, the two of them find themselves falling for each other along the way.

A drama with a cute romance portrayed by Aaron Yan and Puff Kuo, this is the one to watch when you need a pick-me-up after a tiring day at work.