I know the story lines aren’t particularly original, but there is something about the outrageousness, the twist in the plot, and the transformation of the characters that I just can’t get enough of in Taiwanese dramas.

The list below is a collection of my favorite ones over the years, from mushroom heads to amnesia and grudges that were held for 10 years too long.

Besides just being entertainment, they’re great for passive and active learning, meaning both improving listening comprehension and for actively practicing reading and gaining new vocabulary and sentence structures.

Remember, sticking with the fun stuff gets you further.

Note: The links included go to Sugoideas where not all shows are captioned with English. If you’re looking for English captions, and you can’t find them there, try DramaFever.

1.) Hi My Sweetheart (海派甜心)

This is the classic nerd meets beautiful girl, is wronged by her, and wants to get revenge some number of years later as a rich and successful businessman.

However, there are some twists, like Rainie Yang, the main actress, being a tough girl that’s been bullied her whole life and Show Luo, the main actor, already being rich.

Watch this if you’re in the mood for something: funny, emotional

Number of episodes: 14

Length of each episode: 90 minutes

CLICK HERE to watch it on Sugoideas.

2.) Love Contract (愛情合約)

This drama is one of Ariel Lin’s earlier works that tells the story of tough girl reluctantly falling in love with tough guy.

They’re both afraid of love.

This is one of the first dramas I saw that really addressed the problems that can happen within a family, like divorce, cheating partners, and absent parents.

I also really like Mike He.

Watch this if you’re in the mood for something: honest, coming-of-age, dark

Number of episodes: 20

Length of each episode: 40 minutes

CLICK HERE to watch it on Sugoideas.

3.) Fated to Love You (命中註定我愛你)

Ugly duckling accidentally sleeps with charming, ready-to-be-betrothed guy and ends up getting pregnant.

Madness ensues.

My favorite part of this drama is not the love affair, which, I must admit, can be quite cute at times, but the reaction and the support that comes from the family members.

The lovely Lin Mei Shiu is the mother, as she is in many dramas, and her addition to this one is invaluable.

Watch this if you’re in the mood for something: light-hearted, hilarious, goofy

Number of episodes: 24

Length of each episode: 90 minutes

CLICK HERE to watch it on Sugoideas.

4.) In Time With You (我可能不會愛你)

This is the story that we all know and love of two friends who have been friend-zoned but hope for a chance with each other.

It’s set in a period of life where the friends, Ariel Lin and Wilson Chen, are both in their early 30’s and pursuing their careers.

I liked it because it addressed issues like aging, the pursuit of a female professional and the struggles we all face as we go after what we truly want.

Watch this if you’re in the mood for something: honest, heartfelt

Number of episodes: 13

Length of each episode: 80 minutes

CLICK HERE to watch it on Sugoideas.

5.) Autumn’s Concerto (下一站，幸福)

This is maybe one of the most dramatic dramas I’ve ever watched. It has rape, classical piano, and the oh-so-necessary addition of terminal illnesses.

It will delight, horrify and unwind you in the way that only a satisfying Taiwanese drama can.

Watch this if you’re in the mood for something: extra-dramatic, heartfelt

Number of episodes: 21

Length of each episode: 60 minutes

CLICK HERE to watch it on Sugoideas.

6.) Fall in Love With Me (愛上兩個我)

While the basis of the show is the overused “I’m actually one person but pretending to be two” storyline, the background and the delivery are actually quite original.

It follows the leading lady, Tia Lee, as she tries to run her brother’s struggling advertising firm. When the main actor, Aaron Yan, realizes who she is (no spoilers ;]), he tries to lend a helping hand, but when he sees that she can’t stand his personality, he pretends to be somebody else so he can still help.

Watch this if you’re in the mood for something: inspiring, feel-good

Number of episodes: 20

Length of each episode: 90 minutes

CLICK HERE to watch it on Sugoideas.

7.) Pleasantly Surprised (喜歡一個人)

This drama follows the story of Jasper Liu and Puff Guo, both chefs who have a love for French cuisine.

(Where does Taiwan’s fascination with French culture come from anyway?)

This has elements of the “I’m one person but pretending to be two” storyline, but it takes it one step further with the reveal that perhaps he’s pretending to be three.

Watch this if you’re in the mood for something: inspiring, feel-good

Number of episodes: 22

Length of each episode: 90 minutes

CLICK HERE to watch it on Sugoideas.

8.) When I See You Again (他看她的第二眼)

Again, we see the story of the nerd falling in love with the beautiful girl, feeling wronged, and then wanting to get revenge only to realize that he misjudged her.

While it’s quite a simple drama, it made the list because I like the main actress, Mandy Wei’s character, who is fiercely independent, kind, and considerate.

Also, Jasper Liu…because, obviously.

Watch this if you’re in the mood for something: light-hearted, funny

Number of episodes: 20

Length of each episode: 45 minutes

CLICK HERE to watch it on Sugoideas.

9.) Prince of Lan Ling (蘭陵王)

This is the first and only historical period drama that I’ve ever watched, and it was everything I was expecting and more considering the two main actors were Ariel Lin and William Feng.

She is a sorceress-in-training from a small, hidden village and he is a prince from one of the nations engaged in civil war.

Their relationship has been destined and read by her sorceress grandmother since she was young, and her grandmother knows that if she ever meets him and fulfills her destiny, it will end in her granddaughter’s demise.

It’s a story of love thread together by fate and the capacity of evil within every human being when presented with limitless power, revenge, or the life they’ve always longed for.

Watch this if you’re in the mood for something: moving, inspiring

Number of episodes: 46

Length of each episode: 45 minutes

CLICK HERE to watch it on Sugoideas.

10.) Dear Mom (我的寶貝四千金)

This is my absolute favorite drama as it’s the first one I’ve ever seen that focuses primarily on the value of family and the complicated situations that can happen within four walls.

Complex and everyday issues like lasting love, single motherhood, pregnancy before marriage, and what it means to be a daughter in a Taiwanese family are addressed, which was eye-opening culturally and also refreshing in its unabashed honesty.

This was the first drama that felt the closest to real life (less because of the whole Taiwanese mafia storyline), and you really get to see the daughters and the parents transform as they learn to handle the challenges that come their way.

Watch this if you’re in the mood for something: heartfelt, funny, inspiring, honest

Number of episodes: 84

Length of each episode: 45 minutes

CLICK HERE to watch it on Sugoideas.

*All photos are from Sugoideas.

What about you? What are your favorite dramas? Let me know in the comments below!