walkwithheroes: [The Princess Bride] ([My Lucky Star] First Date)
[personal profile] walkwithheroes
I have a fondness for Taiwanese dramas. They tend to do manga adaptions rather well; and, they do romantic comedies in a way I can enjoy. Yet, I haven't watched all that many. Or rather, I haven't watched that many and truly loved even less. I thought I would share the Taiwanese dramas that I've watched and/or truly loved, and ask for a few recs from my f-list.





Hayate the Combat Butler (2011) (10/13 watched) - Based on a Japanese manga, it tells the story of a poor young man who becomes the butler of a rich young woman. The drama changes the characters ages, making them all university age and changes a few character backgrounds. Overall, it's a fun and snappy rom-com.



Mars (2004) (21/21 watched) - Based on a Japanese manga, it tells the story of ashy artistic girl, and a care-free and play-boy, who fall in love while dealing with their own personal demons. Along the way they grow up and are able to heal the wounds inside their hearts. Overall, it's one of the best manga-to-drama adaptions out there.



Legend of Star Apple (2006)(30/30 watched) The drama tells the story of two childhood sweethearts who meet 15 years after they've last met. He's grown up to be the cold son of the Tao Enterprise; she grows up to work at a farm and care for her mentally disabled father. The drama is slow to build up and it lags. I fast forward a lot. Very disappointing drama.



My Queen (2009) (12/21 watched) The drama tells the story of a 33 year old beautiful, hardworking yet single woman. One Christmas Eve she meets a 25 year old romantic and handsome regular worker. The two form a friendship that blooms into love, while they deal with their age difference, his haunted past, and the fact that she was left at the alter a few years back. I love this drama. It has a strong female lead, a great male lead, and Ethan Ruan and Cheryl Yang have amazing chemistry.


Summer x Summer (2007) (12/12 watched) Based on a Japanese manga the drama tells the story of Xia Ya, a plain clumsy girl who falls in love with her best friend’s brother, Ouyang Lei. Lei is a spoiled brat, Xia is a bit of a push over, the characters are annoying. What really hurts about this drama is that the cast i s very good - I've seen all of them in other projects - but, even they can't save this boring drama.


Endless Love (2010) (15/15 watched) The drama tells the story of a sweet but spoiled girl who falls for a wisecracking and sweet guy. They overcome many obstacles to be together. For some unknown reason, Liang walks out on her the day before their wedding. Years later, fate brings them back together. This drama starts out wonderfully - nearly pitch perfect - and slowly falls. It begins to drag and the drama's OTP start to annoy you - especially the male lead. It could have been three or four episodes shorter.


Fated to Love You (2008) (24/24 watched) The drama tells the story of a woman and a man who meet - after sleeping together. They find out she is pregnant and decide to stay together - at least until she gives birth. Then, he'll raise it with his model girlfriend. Or something. The drama itself is technically rather good - once you get past the drugged/drunk sex. It has a good cast and some genuine moments. But it takes forever to get to one thing and then it back tracks. If anything, I fast forward and watched solely for the couple moments - which became genuine and real around episode six.


Prince turn into Frog (2005) (20/20 watched)The drama tells the story of a spoiled heir who losses his memory and becomes a sweet man. He soon falls in love with a young woman - the one that "accidentally" runs him over. Just as their love is fully blooming, his family returns for him. He then has more "accidents" occurred, and loses all of his memories of his new found love. So, she tries to get their love back, even though he thinks she's a lying stalker. This is a drama that everyone recs and that many people say is their favorite. But, for me - I didn't like this one. It was alright, but it just seemed to drag and people seemed to be doing the same things over and over again. Still, many say it is a classic.


The Magicians of Love (2006) (22/22 watched) I'm still not really sure what this drama is about. It seemed like an excuse to have Ming Dao and Sam Wang work together again, after the success of Prince.... Instead of Joe Chen they have Joanne Zeng as the plucky heroine of the piece. And, you know, I fast forwarded through this a lot. I just didn't enjoy it. It was after this drama that I came to a conclusion: I really don't care for Ming Dao as an actor.



The Rose (2003)(26/26 watched) The drama tells the story of a young woman who goes to live with her famous mother, after her grandmother dies. Surrounded by three half-siblings, all by the same mother but different father, and a pretty harsh and cold mother, our heroine takes the role of the family maid. She then goes about changing the family for the better - while getting into a love triangle with her two half-brothers. It's all taboo and crazy and Joe Cheng is in love with Ella and Jerry Huang. And, Jerry Huang can't get over his dead girlfriend, but falls for Ella. And poor Ella (who is so not ugly or fat, despite the fact that everyone tells her she is) is in love with Jerry Huang, but has inappropriate chemistry with Joe Cheng. It has its issues - especially in the technical aspects - but it is a great drama.


Bull Fighting (2007) (7/17 watched) No, just no. I hate the female lead. Not the actress, the character. Just no.



Hana Kimi (2006/7) (15/15 watched) Based on the Japanese manga, it tells the story of a girl who cross dresses as a boy, in order to get into an all-boys school - wanting to get her idol to high jump again. The cast is good, but the humor was a bit out there for me. It's a cute drama, but not for me.


It Started With a Kiss 1 and 2 (2005/2008) (20/20 watched;20/20 watched) Based on a Japanese manga, it tells the story of a teenage girl whose in love with her classmate. He's a genius and she's. . .not. Because their parents are old friends, they end up living together when her new home is destroyed by an earthquake. The 2005 series follows them in high school and at the start of their university careers; it shows how they fall for each other. The 2008 series follows them as a married couple, who are dealing with their university studies and their friends. If you can get past the crazed Joe/Ariel 'shippers and the fact that the female lead is almost too dumb to live in Part 1, both dramas are worth a look.


Hi, My Sweetheart (2009)(14/14 watched) The drama tells the story of a certifiable dork who finds love with a cool girl. Then, a misunderstanding causes them to lose contact. He thinks she coldly dumped him. So he transforms himself from a dork to a cold businessman in order to seek revenge. This drama isn't very deep and is fairly predictable. But, it's cute and if you like any of the leads, it's worth a look.


Why Why Love (2007) (15/15 watched) The drama tells the story of three people who end up in a love triangle. The drama was not to my taste and seemed to be an excuse to capitalize on the success of Devil Beside You.


Devil Beside You (2005) (20/20 watched) The drama is based on a Japanese manga about two step siblings who fall in love. Somewhat cute, but overall cheesy. Watch for the two OTPs.


Corner with Love (2007) (16/16 watched) The drama tells the story of a rich girl who suddenly becomes poor and must move in with an artist and his family. They soon fall in love, but past relationships threaten their new found love. I adored this drama when it aired, and still really enjoy it. It's a new kind of Twdrama, and I'm glad they are making more like this.


Meteor Garden I (2001) (20/20 watched) Based on the Japanese manga Hana Yori Dango, the drama tells the story of a poor girl who is giving a scholarship to the richest school in the country. She soon finds herself the target of the F4, the richest boys in school. And, she finds love with their leader. Again, this is a near perfect adaption of a manga. Just don't watch Part 2 - it sucked.


Wish to See You Again (2008) (16/16 watched) The drama tells the story of a bestselling whose become struck with a case of writer’s block. To get over it, he becomes a taxi driver, hoping that his passengers will give him inspiration. He meets a high school classmate, who is the heir to a five-star hotel. He also meets his old friend's PR assistant. The writer and the assistant fall in love. This drama tells several stories at once and is really about all the different relationships between the five main characters: three were high school friends, one was the girl they all loved, and the last is a recent college graduate, whose trying to find herself. It's a different kind of love story and a fresh take on the Tw-drama. I adored it.



My Lucky Star (2007) (20/20 watched) The drama tells the story of an ex-thief and the second son of of a jewelry empire. The two meet and quickly fall in love. But, class differences, family, an accident, and the past break them apart. Years later they meet again. The carefree and charming man is now cold and aloof, but he can't stop himself from loving the woman. The drama tells how they come together, break apart, and then come together again. I love this drama. It's so different from most traditional Tw-idol dramas. It's a bit more mature and its characters more layered. Watch it!!!







My Lucky Star
My Queen
Mars
Meteor Garden I
Corner with Love
They Kiss Again/It Started with a Kiss
Hayate the Combat Butler
The Rose




So, based on that - any recs?

Date: 2011-08-30 12:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] att123.livejournal.com
I really enjoyed Autumn's Concerto. It reminded me a lot of My Lucky Star actually! It doesn't really make a whole lot of sense but if you can get past that and Van Ness's acting then you'd probably like it.

Material Queen is pretty good as well. It seems like a whole new type of Taiwanese drama.

Date: 2011-08-30 01:09 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] walkwithheroes.livejournal.com
I watched the first episode of Autumn's Concerto when it first came out. I didn't get into it, despite the storyline. Should I give it another go? Even if the plot doesn't make sense. I could get past that, if the chemistry between the leads is good.


Material Queen. . .I've heard good things. I'll give it a try.


Thanks.

Date: 2011-08-30 01:22 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] att123.livejournal.com
Yes you really should check it out. I didn't like the first couple episodes but I quickly got sucked into it. They have this epic love story in beginning like MLS and are forced to separate. But in AC the female lead has the male lead's baby and he loses his memory. Later on he falls in love with her all over again. Its like a mix of My Lucky Star and the Kdrama Save The Last Dance For Me!

Its very different than other dramas and its just beautiful to look at as well!

Date: 2011-08-30 01:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] walkwithheroes.livejournal.com
The plot sounds slightly ridiculous, but I'm willing to overlook it. I'll skip episode two and start with episode three, since that might be where things get good.

I'll probably check out Material Queen when my drama watching schedule isn't so tight. Like maybe next month. .

Date: 2011-08-30 01:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] att123.livejournal.com
Its basically a fanfic come to life, so of course I got sucked into it!

:) Let me know what you think of it!

Date: 2011-08-30 02:08 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] walkwithheroes.livejournal.com
Well do! I'll probably watch it tomorrow.

Date: 2011-08-30 02:15 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] blobofcolour.livejournal.com
I'm currently watching Material Queen and it's been great so far but it's still showing so I can't be 100% sure that it won't mess up or be draggy towards the end. Still, by the quality of the episodes so far, I think it will turn out to be a good one overall. I'm not very emotionally invested in the OTP yet I'm strangely drawn to catch it week after week.

Date: 2011-08-30 02:21 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] walkwithheroes.livejournal.com
I've heard that Material Queen is addictive. I didn't really like the first episode - I fast forwarded a lot. But, I'm downloading episode two now, and hopefully it'll get a bit better for me. Thanks for the rec.

Date: 2011-08-30 04:34 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] blobofcolour.livejournal.com
I wasn't that into MQ the first couple of episodes either but it got better after the main couple reunite in Taiwan.

Date: 2011-08-30 11:11 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] walkwithheroes.livejournal.com
Three episodes in, and it is okay. But, I can see that it has a lot of potential to be a really good drama. Looking forward to more.

Date: 2011-08-30 03:50 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] lastingdreams8.livejournal.com
I totally agree with you on Why, Why, Love and Summer x Summer; horrible, horrible!
I just could not finish Fated to Love You. I also heard good things, but if it's going to back track, I'm not interested.
I definitely want to give Mars a watch.

I recommend Down With Love; Ella Chen is forever adorable and Jerry Yan is a sweethart. It's a gradual love that's got good banter and a decent love triangle :)
Also, Black & White is a really well done cop/action drama. It's about one cop who sees the world in black and white, and he gets paired up with a cop who doesn't take his job all too seriously. They land themselves in this massive drug/underground organization and it's pretty captivating.

Date: 2011-08-30 11:14 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] walkwithheroes.livejournal.com
With Fated : it's like a typical Asian drama of this kind. At first they dislike each other, then she likes him, then he likes her, but neither says anything. Then she leaves him and their is a time skip. They meet again and he has to woo her all over again. So, it gets a bit annoying.


I've heard good things about Down. So, I'll try it.

Black and White - I've been meaning to watch this! I'll have to give it a try.

Date: 2011-08-30 04:07 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] isanah.livejournal.com
I don't really like most Taiwanese dramas, but there are two exceptions, which are Silence and Gloomy Salad Days.

The former's got Vic Chou and Park Eun Hye, and it's a romance drama, but the writing's more solid than most dramas of that ilk, where the rivals have actual dimensions to them and are actually pretty cool people, and that there's reasons for miscommunications.

I like Gloomy Salad Days a lot because it deals with issues teens are facing, and doesn't hold back--it's all gut-wrenching to look at, but it's all well done, even if I could do without the central Death Girl motif, and even if the uniforms in that school look a little too anime-ish.

(by the way, getting started on the timestamp memes. Am very excited for yours!)

Date: 2011-08-30 11:16 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] walkwithheroes.livejournal.com
I looked Silence up, because it sounded familiar. I think I've watched some of it and I enjoyed it. I'll have to pick it up again.

Gloomy Days - it sounds a bit out there. But, I'll give it a try.

(So looking forward to the timestramp meme)

Date: 2011-08-30 03:05 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] your-insomnia.livejournal.com
I second the recommendation for Black&White. Cop/detective shows are usually not my thing but Black and White is just brilliant. It's a quality production with a very enthralling storyline and stellar cast.

Sunny Happiness is really enjoyable and cute. If you are in the mood for something light and romantic I would defintely recommend it.

Also, totally agree with you on Bull Fighting - they could not make a more repulsive heroine if they tried.

Date: 2011-08-30 11:19 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] walkwithheroes.livejournal.com
I'm going to try Sunny Happiness - I really need something cute and light.

Thanks.!

Date: 2011-09-01 01:23 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] yen luu (from livejournal.com)
Anything with Vic Chou is worth to take a look at. I second both Black &White and Silence. But if you're not in the mood for a tearjerker, stay clear from Silence. It makes me depressed for days. I really enjoyed Sweet Relationship. It is based on a manga and it is one of the drama that is so relaxing to watch.

Date: 2011-09-01 03:24 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] walkwithheroes.livejournal.com
I think I'll go with Sweet Relationship first. Thanks for the recs!

Date: 2011-09-01 02:35 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] spazzy06.livejournal.com
If you're looking for a more mature Taiwanese drama, I'd strongly recommend checking out The Fierce Wife. It's about a happily married couple whose relationship has grown stale in 10 years of marriage. They're still comfortable with each and love each other dearly, but the excitement isn't there anymore. When the wife's upbeat young cousin comes to crash at their house things start to loosen up in the household. The once devoted husband and father wakes up from his zombie-like state and finds himself attracted to the cousin's lively personality. The cousin tries to deny her attraction to him and she tries to stay loyal to her cousin, but she can't help but fall slowly in love with him either.

Despite the soapy premise, it's actually a really well-written (and acted) drama. It deals with a lot of problems that the every day person goes through such as a midlife crisis, depression, unemployment, divorce and adultery. Everything is developed slowly and logically, nothing comes out of left field. The characters are written with a lot of complexity and they are given great emotional depth. While some of the characters do bad things, none of them are actually bad people. The writer lets you think for yourself while watching- she doesn't tell you how you should feel, which characters you should love, which ones you should hate, etc.

I know you said you lean more towards rom-coms, but I'd still recommend giving The Fierce Wife a shot. It's a little more serious than the average idol drama, but there is a lot of comedy sprinkled in it to keep the general mood of the show light. It's not really a melodrama (i.e. another Autumn's Concerto, Lavender, At Dolphins Bay, etc), it leans more towards a mature slice of life in regards to genre.

Date: 2011-09-01 03:25 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] walkwithheroes.livejournal.com
I'll check out the Fierce Wife - it I find English subs. Thanks for the rec.

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