The 3 Best Modern Drama Series From Taiwan

This week, let me introduce you to some of the best recent Taiwanese TV shows that I've had the opportunity to watch. All of these are limited TV shows, meaning they only have one season, and each series consists of about 8-10 one-hour-long episodes. While the actors speak Mandarin with a Taiwanese accent, it's good to familiarize yourself with different Mandarin accents as it can help improve your listening skills. In Taiwanese Mandarin, some consonants might be pronounced softer or with a different tone, and there are also some vocabulary differences, but don't be discouraged by it. Also, note that some characters in these TV shows don’t speak Mandarin, but rather in their local Taiwanese dialect.

我这周想和你分享三部台湾电视剧。今天推荐的剧都差不多只有8-10集，每集大概一个小时。在这些电视剧中大部分讲得是台湾普通话，偶尔会讲台湾当地方言。你可能会发现有些词语的发音或者声调会和平时学得普通话不太一样，但整体不会有太大区别，而且这对听力也会有所帮助。

The World Between Us (available on Apple TV+): This drama series deals with the aftermath of a mass shooting and how it impacted not just the victims’ families, but also the shooter’s relatives. Through the characters’ journey, we also get a glimpse into how journalists cover stories in Taiwan and the effects journalism and media can have on society.

我们与恶的距离：它讲述了枪击事件后，对受害者家人和加害者家人生活带来的一系列影响。通过这部剧我们也可以看到台湾记者是如何对社会新闻进行报道的，以及记者媒体对社会的影响。

My take: I’ve watched a few Taiwanese TV shows before that I enjoyed, but I feel like this one is on a whole different level. Great storylines, interesting multidimensional characters, and overall outstanding acting from the cast. This one is a must-watch.

我的影评：在我看过的所有台湾电视剧中，我是第一个想到推荐它的。精彩的故事情节加上演员们厉害的演技，这是一部不可错过的好剧。

More Than Blue: The Series (available on Netflix): This TV show is based on the classic 2008 Korean romantic drama with the same name. In 2018, there was already another Taiwanese film adaptation of this Korean movie. However, I haven’t watched that movie, but if we can believe the reviews, then this 2021 TV series adaptation is the superior one. Its story is about two friends. When one of them finds that she has a terminal illness, she tries to keep it a secret from her friend to protect him. The show explores themes of love, friendship, and loss.

比悲伤更悲伤的故事：这是根据2008年韩国版的同名电影改编的电视剧。除了这个版本，台湾2018年还有一个电影版《比悲伤更悲伤的故事》。我没看过2018年的电影版，但据网上影评说，2021年的电视剧版更好看。这里讲了互相喜欢的两个人，其中一方身患绝症后，为了保护自己爱的人而努力隐瞒自己病情的故事。

My take: Taiwanese (or Chinese) dramas can be extremely cheesy sometimes, and certainly this one also has its moments. However, the writers managed to elevate the story with interesting, relatable and likable characters. You’d better prepare a box of tissues because they know how to play with your heartstrings. Don’t miss it, especially if you enjoy romantic dramas.

我的影评：很多中文的情景剧都难免俗套，这部剧的有些地方也是。但编剧用有意思的讲述方式加上成功的角色塑造让整个故事看起来并不无聊，甚至会在出其不意的时候让你感动到落泪。如果你喜欢浪漫情景剧，一定要看它。

Wave Makers (available on Netflix): The most recent out of the three dramas came out just last year, and it didn’t just make waves amongst film lovers, but it also had a profound impact in real life: after the TV show aired, multiple allegations of sexual harassment were made against several public figures in Taiwan, as people were inspired and found newfound courage by the events depicted in the TV series. This show is about the people who work for a made-up political party in Taiwan before an important election. They deal with topics like bullying at work, the death penalty, immigration, gay marriage, and environmental protection.

人选之人—造浪者：这是今天的中最新的一个。电视剧在去年刚刚上映，不仅在影视爱好者中引起轰动，甚至在现实生活中也掀起一层巨浪。电视剧播出后，台湾多个公众人物被指控性骚扰。故事讲述了一个虚构的台湾政府在选举之前做的一系列准备工作，同时讨论了职场霸凌，死刑，移民，同性婚姻以及环境保护等问题。

My take: Just like with The World Between Us, this TV show really stands out when you consider how rare it is in Chinese language TV shows to deal with these topics with such care, quality writing, and with some of the best Taiwanese actresses out there. And when you think of how rare it is that a TV show can have an actual positive impact on society, then you know you have a rare gem on your hands.

我的影评：这部电视剧和《我们与恶的距离》一样都特别地出色，精良的电视制作，好演员的演绎加上精彩的故事呈现。最宝贵的是，它的播出对社会产生了非常积极的影响。

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