It Started With A Kiss

Cast:
• Joe Cheng as Jiang Zhi
• Ariel Lin as Yuan Xiang Qin

Synopsis (Provided by Wikipedia):
After an earthquake destroyed Xiang Qin's house, she and her father move in with her father's college buddy, uncle Ahli. To her surprise, the kind and amicable aunt and uncle are the parents of her cold and distant schoolmate Jiang Zhi Shu, a genius with an IQ of 200 whom not too long ago rejected Xiang Qin's endless crush on him for the reason that she isn't exactly very bright. Will the close proximity give her a second chance to win the boy's heart? Or, will she break down under his cold, cold words?

Personal Rating: (3 out of 5)
= Kind-of, sort-of kept my attention.

Personal Commentary:
Although this series contained the light, fluffy stuff I'm usually into it. I found it a turn off to me. I ended up skipping through many of the episodes because of the slow pace. However, I'm pretty glad I did watch this drama because this is the first drama I watched where Ariel Lin starred in; so I guess that's a plus to watching this.

ETC.;
• Watch it ONLINE! (Click)

Tokyo Juliet; coming soon!

Cast:
• Ariel Lin as Lin Lai Sui
• Wu Chun as Ji Feng Liang
• Simon Yam as Chu Xing
• Tang Zhi Ping as Ai Li Ou
• Huang Hong Sheng as Lu Yi Mi

Synopsis (Provided by Wikipedia):
Lin Lai Sui (Ariel Lin) is an upcoming fashion designer who gets her "Daisy" design stolen by Chu Xing (Simon Yam) which she designed at five. She believes this is the cause of her parents' separation and at the opening day at her university she openly embarrasses and challenges Chu Xing that she will become a much more prominent designer than him and cause his downfall. Lin Lai Sui also vowed that she would never fall in love until this promise is fulfilled but she soon changes her tune when she meets the attractive, flirty, kind and popular senior Ji Feng Liang (Wu Zun). Unfortunately, there are many surprises in store for Lin Lai Sui as she trys to outmaneuver Chu Xing's plans to ruin her while still trying to keep her relationship with Liang steady. Then again, in the world of fashion nothing is secure...

Personal Rating: (3½ out of 5)
= Might be worthwhile.

Personal Commentary:
This drama has its cute parts, then its dull parts. The main reason why I decided to continue watching this drama was well because the chemistry between the leads. I was impressed all up until the 15th episode; 16 & 17, I felt were rushed just a bit. My opinion anyway...

ETC,:
I'm currently uploading this drama on YouTube. (Click)

Smiling Pasta

Cast:
Cyndi Wang as Cheng Xiao Shi
Nicholas Teo as He Qun
Gino as Ah Zhe
Zhao Hong Qiao as Rita

Synopsis (Provided by Wikipedia):
The story begins with Xiao Shi day dreaming on her balcony, wishing for a successful love. In her dazed state, she accidentally knocks her mug over the edge, which then lands and bounces off the front of He Qun's sportscar, when he happened to be driving past. This marks the beginning of their intertwined destinies.

The next morning, Xiao Shi's flamboyant but nonethless supportive family, conducts a good luck ceremony for Xiao Shi, as it is her and her current boyfriend, Peter's 3 month anniversary. Despite being cursed with relationships not exceeding 3 months, Xiao Shi has a great feeling about today, recalling Peter telling her that he will introduce her to the most important woman in his life. That can only mean his mother, right? Xiao Shi is so confident that everything will go smoothly, even making a bet with her brother that she can bring Peter home tonight.

Enjoying her date, everything appears to be progressing smoothly for Xiao Shi. Peter suddenly brings her right into the centre of a cross section and Xiao Shi assumes that he is going to confess his undying love for her. However, his real intention is to break up with her, claiming that she's 'not his style' and pointing to the scantily clad girl across the street (his new girlfriend) who is his style. Xiao Shi is devastated and a dark cloud looms over her head (literally).

Hanging her head in defeat, Xiao Shi wanders through the streets and doesn't take notice of where she's going until she bumps into a stranger. This stranger happens to be a disguised He Qun, who's just run away from his own press conference and in the process of fleeing the paparazzi. The clumsy encounter leaves the both of them in a compromising position in the middle of the streets, allowing the nosy paparazzi to get a few happy snaps. And thus Xiao Shi forfeits her first kiss to a complete stranger.

He Qun, being accustomed to this kind of thing, recognises trouble when he sees it, so he runs for his life dragging Xiao Shi with him. Through a series of mishaps, tossed in with a bit of fate, He Qun ends up providing refuge for Xiao Shi in his own bedroom, for the night.

Unbeknownst to them, the newspapers have been working overtime, and by morning, the image of them kissing in the streets cover the front page of every tabloid. The dreary and clueless pair step out onto the balcony, where the waiting reporters are virtually fed evidence of their affair. To protect He Qun's career, his agent Vincent has no choice but to introduce Xiao Shi as He Qun's fianceé.

From this point on, Xiao Shi's world is turned upside down. Yet she begins to realise that there may be a cure for her curse after all. Meanwhile, the poor little rich boy, He Qun, gradually discovers that the love and warmth he's never known, can be brought about by the simplest things (or people).

However, all lies will eventually boil over. So how will this sticky plot unravel itself?

Personal Rating: (4½ out of 5)
= You'll get addicted!

Personal Commentary:
This drama is absolute, hands-down adorable! It's romantic with a sprinkle of humor; it's light and fluffy - everything you'd expect in a Taiwanese drama. What really won me over was the chemistry between leading characters Nicholas Teo and Cyndi Wang. They were able to grace the screen and allowed me to fall head over heels for the acting! They're truly one of the best on-screen couples ever!

Extras (Photos):


Notes:
• Watch the drama here: (Smiling Pasta.)
There's no episode 1; part 1. Every episode is in one episode!

• Completed episodes w/ English Subs!
You can now download episodes 1-17 along with their subs; all thanks to Sublime! Be sure to thank them for taking the time to sub each and every episode!

• Related entries: Episode 17

Devil Beside You

Cast:
Rainie Yang as Qi Yue
Mike He as Jiang Meng
Kingone as Sang Yuan Yi
Tsai Pei Lin as Qing Zi

Synopsis (Provided by Wikipedia):
Qi Yue (Rainie Yang) is a cheerful college girl who harbors a massive crush on the captain of the basketball team, Yuan Yi (Kingone). With the encouragement of her friends, she decides to confess her feelings. However, the next day, with her love letter in her outstretched hands and her head bent, Yuan Yi walks right by her. Qi Yue looks up to find Jiang Meng (Mike He), the school director's son, who has a devilish reputation and a penchant to bully girls. Terrified, she drops the letter and scoots away.

True to his nickname, the devil orders Qi Yue to be his personal servant, else her letter will be revealed to the entire college. Embarrassed and angry, Qi Yue has no choice but to follow in his shadow. A bizarre twist later, she discovers she has feelings for Meng, who, beneath the cool exterior, possesses a soft and loyal heart. Meng returns her affections as well, and at last the dreamy Qi Yue, whose head is made up of romantic fluff, thinks she has found love.

One thing stands in the way, however... How can they be together, when they're about to become brother and sister? And what happens when an arranged marriage and an old love enters both of their already complicated lives?

Personal Rating: (4½ out of 5)
= You'll get addicted!

Personal Commentary:
When watching the beginning of this series, I was disappointed because I instantly fell for Yuan Yi's appearance! But as I got into later episodes, I fell for Ahmon and that was when my love for this series grew. If you're into the fluffy-love stuff, this drama is surely for you. Plus, it wouldn't hurt if you were a big fan of Rainie Yang too. Also, if you love Kingone, Mike He and Rainie Yang in this series. Keep a look out for Exchange Love, a new drama featuring those three people; coming out this year!

ETC,:
• Watch the drama here: (Devil Beside You.)
There's no episode 1; part 1. Every episode is in one episode!

MARS

Cast:
Vic Zhou as Chen Ling & Chen Shang
Barbie Hsu as Han QiLuo
Xiu Jie Kai as An DaYe
An Jun Can as Fan TongDao
Megan Lai Ya Yan as Lai QingMei
Xiao Xiao as ShaZhi

Synopsis (Provided by Wikipedia):
Taiwanese actor Vic Zhou plays two characters in the series: twin brothers with intense, but opposing, personalities. Ling is a reckless and brutal high-schooler who enjoys racing motorcycles. His brother Sheng is quiet and reserved and hides his emotions in his drawings. The brothers have an inter-dependent relationship since the death of their mother. Their relationship was tested at the arrival of ShaZhi, for whom both brothers have feelings for. It was believed that Sheng cannot accept the fact that ShaZhi loves Ling and commits suicide. Ling is destroyed by the guilt of Sheng's death and undergoes therapy at a mental institution for two years. He then meets QiLuo (played by Barbie Hsu), who suffers from social phobia after a traumatic event from her teens. As Ling and QiLuo become more romantically attached to each other, they believe that they can help each other walk out of the dark tragedies in their past and rebuild their lives together.

Personal Rating: (5 out of 5)
= Totally worth watching!

Personal Commentary:
This is my second completed TWdrama that I've watched from beginning to end. Not only was I already a fan of Barbie Hsu; after watching this-I soon became a big fan of Vic Zhou's. Their performance as a team blew me away. From the really tense scenes on their past; to the romantic sayings between them. The story line will also get you hooked; I've never saw this kind of plot ever so I was automatically interested. Even if you're not a fan of Barbie or Vic's; you'll like this series. I spent countless nights up watching this series and I hope you will too!

Meteor Garden

Cast:
Barbie Hsu as Shan Cai
Jerry Yan as Dao Ming Si
Vic Zhou as Hua Zhe Lei
Ken Chu as Xi Men
Vanness Wu as Mei Zuo

Synopsis (Provided by Wikipedia):

Meteor Garden is a Taiwanese Drama that began its broadcast on April 12, 2001 on China Television. It is based on the Japanese manga Hana yori Dango Dango (Boys Over Flowers - Which is a pun since Dango also means sweets). It stars Jerry Yan, Vic Zhou, Vanness Wu , Ken Chu and Barbie Hsu. The plot is centered around a plain and poor teenage girl called Shan Cai, who goes to a universitybasically for rich people as forced by her parents. In fact, the university is dominated by a gang of handsome but arrogant students called F4, because they are the heirs of the most influential families in Taiwan.

In the beginning, Dao Ming Si, the gang leader, hates Shan Cai so much that he makes everyone in university play tricks on her with all efforts. However, Shan Cai's persistence (and ignorance actually) gradually gains Dao's respect and later he falls in love with her. Like many other TV series, the lovers end up getting together after going through tons of painful challenges.

Personal Rating: (4 out of 5)
= You'll get hooked.

Personal Commentary:
Meteor Garden is my official Taiwanese drama that I completed. There were a lot of stuff that I loved about Meteor Garden. I loved all the F4 member's personality; they all got me hooked. However, the storyline was, to me in my opinion, disappointing. I undoubtedly wanted Shancai & Lei to hook up. Also, even though that's how it suppose to go; Shancai the character was a bit too over dramatic. That's the reason for the 4-star rating; even though it didn't get a perfect score in my grade-book it's still a show worth watching. Keep it mind it was BIG across Asia.