Maybe it’s the fall weather and the recent seismic shift in Asian drama viewing options but I’m in a nostalgic mood and one of the classic eras that passed naturally was the Taiwan idol dramas of the 2000s. Starting from Meteor Garden which was remade by a new cast this year in 2018 who may have just been born when the original came out in 2001, the decade or so following MG were the heyday of Taiwan idol dramas featuring young charismatic male leads creating swoon worthy drama crushes onscreen. Sure the hairstyles and fashion choices are outdated and rather lulzworthy to revisit but the raw charm of so many of those leading men remain undeniable and evident onscreen. Follow the photo journey to see the now early 40s and mid-30s actors back in their prime from Mike He, Jimmy Lin, pre-Mainland drama Wallace Huo, all four F4 Jerry Yan, Vic Zhou, Ken Zhu, and Vanness Wu, classic Joe Cheng, intense Ethan Ruan, total prince and maybe a frog Ming Dao, stiff robot Wu Zhun, foraying into acting Show Luo, cute and goofy Jiro Wang and Aaron Yan, these names are so ingrained in me and always brings a smile to my face to remember those happy innocent days of watching them onscreen. Continue reading
