If you have watched Chinese dramas or movies, you must have found out that the actors and actresses do not only come from mainland China but other countries as well, with the majority from Hong Kong and Taiwan. China simply has a bigger market size, and Mandarin-speaking movie stars and singers earn much more money in China than in their own countries. Furthermore, Chinese talent/gaming/singing show productions have a much bigger fund, so they can present the show better than other countries. Chinese-made shows have become much more popular in Mandarin-speaking communities as well as international audiences.
In comparison, earnings in Taiwan have been stagnant for a while, even for movie stars and singers. Newcomers from Taiwan idol shows have much harder times as the Taiwan entertainment industry is not doing that well as a whole. Many of them, both established pop stars as well as newcomers, who want to advance their career beyond the limited Taiwan market, went to China. They can reach more fans and more viewers by performing in China. They will occasionally come back to Taiwan for major events to make big bucks (New years or other major holiday live performances)
Simply put, you may not realize some actors you watch in Chinese dramas and movies come from Taiwan. Another thing, if you don't watch Taiwanese dramas or movies, you may not know actors who mainly work in Taiwan. Then let me introduce you to the 10 most popular Taiwanese actors on this site. I compiled this list based on the likes/hearts given by fellow MDLers, so this is not my personal favorite list. The rank, likes/hearts, and Wikipedia information are from the data taken on August 31, 2021. The information gathered is from the English and Chinese versions of Wikipedia, Baidu Baike, and online interview articles. Any discrepancy happened due to changes after the article was submitted for editing. To appreciate my fellow writers who made UFG articles on them, I put their links too, if there is any.
I also compiled lists on 10 Most Popular Thai Actors on MDL and 10 Most Popular Japanese Actors on MDL. Do check them out if you haven't!
WARNING: The GIF by the end of the article may be a spoiler! If you don't want to be spoiled, please stop reading after you find out who is on the first position in the list.
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Let's begin with the countdown!
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Age: 44 | Height: 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
| Occupation: actor, model, singer
| Jerry Yan or Yan Cheng Xu (Hanzi: 言承旭) was born on January 1, 1977, in Taoyuan, Taiwan with birth name Liao Yang Zhen (Hanzi: 廖洋震). He has one sister. When he was 12 years old, his father passed away from illness, and his mother worked as a tailor. When they were in the fifth grade, Jerry and his sister did some manual works to support their mother.
 Jerry became a model in 2000, after winning the two modelling competitions. He also took a supporting role in Spicy Teacher (2000). In 2001 Jerry became famous as part of the F4 (pictured), with his role as Dao Ming Si in Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden and its sequel Meteor Garden II. The popular dramas catapulted his fame across Asia. At the conclusion of the series, Jerry, along with the other members of F4: Vic Zhou, Vanness Wu and Ken Chu, continued to perform together and released three studio albums as quartet boy band F4. When not in F4, he, like the others, has his own successful solo career as both a singer and an actor. He won many awards for his albums and singles.
Interesting fact: Although often got roles of cold and arrogant male leads, in reality, Jerry is a different person. He always gets so emotional in his interviews every time he talks about his family, especially his mom. He couldn't stop crying in front of his friends after he broke up with his long time girlfriend, actress Lin Chi Ling. He also shed tears when he reunited with other F4 members after not seeing them for a long time.
MDL Article: A Stalker's Guide to Jerry Yan | | Social Media:
Facebook: jerryyanofficial | Instagram: jerry_yan_official
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Age: 27
| Height: 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
| Occupation: actor, singer
| Sam Lin or Lin Zi Hong (Hanzi: 林子閎) was born on October 1, 1993, in Changhua County, Taiwan. He went to school together with Brent Hsu, his best friend and band teammate. After graduation from Nanqiang Industrial and Commercial Performing Arts Department, they were both discovered by talent agency Comic Communications, which were in the midst of producing a four-member boy band to succeed the popular Fahrenheit. Since 2018 Sam has dated Malaysian singer/actress Joyce Chu who also acted in the same drama I, Myself (2020).
 Sam was a first-generation member of the Taiwanese boy group SpeXial, from 2012 to 2020, along with Wes Lo, Brent Hsu, and Wayne Huang (pictured). In 2012 Sam acted in his first drama KO One Return with Brent, to promote SpeXial album release, following with KO One Re-act (2013) and K.O.3an Guo 2017 (2017) with the rest of the band members. After his compulsory military service honorable discharge, he acted independently in the drama Five Missions (2018). In 2019, following his departure from SpeXial, Sam formed the music duo the Dragon Tiger Brothers with Brent. In 2021, he starred in the popular BL web drama series We Best Love: No. 1 For You and We Best Love: Fighting Mr. 2nd alongside Japanese actor YU.
Interesting fact: In taking roles, Sam initially got good boy roles in idol dramas. To depart from his idol image, he picked a second male role in psychological/life genre drama I, Myself (2020), in which he played the despicable ex-boyfriend of the female lead. In an interview, he stated that he hated that role, but it was good to expand his acting skill.
| | Social Media:
Youtube: Sam x Brent | Facebook: officialspexialsam | Instagram: sam_spexial | Weibo: spexialsam
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Age: 37
| Height: 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
| Occupation: actor, model
|  Mike He or He Jun Xiang (Hanzi: 賀軍翔) was born on December 28, 1983, in Taipei, Taiwan. He has a younger brother and a younger sister. He graduated from Xingwu Vocational and Technical College. He is married to a non-celebrity woman named Chen Yi Wen, who is his high school sweetheart and has been with him for 15 years. They have two daughters; both were born in the U.S. (pictured with the second daughter).
He appeared in a few music videos before debuting in his first Taiwanese television series Seventh Grade (2003). But Mike is best known for his main role in Devil Beside You (2005). In 2011 he acted in his first Chinese drama, Refueling Mother (2012). He also appeared in various Taiwanese artists music videos as well as singing OSTs.
Interesting fact: Mike has always been athletic. In elementary school, he won second place in the National Elementary School Games high jump. In 2001, he won first place in the high men's group of the key ball competition in elementary and middle schools. In 2002, he participated in the National Games and achieved seventh place in the C-class in high men's boxing. He was also recommended to enter the National Taiwan Institute of Physical Education. He wanted to be a PE teacher before finding himself a career in the entertainment industry.
| | Social Media:
Facebook: therealmikehe | Instagram: ho_mike | Weibo: Mikeha |
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Age: 40
| Height: 182 cm (6 ft)
| Occupation: singer, actor, model
| Jiro Wang or Wang Dong Cheng (Hanzi: 汪东城) was born on August 24, 1981, in Taipei, Taiwan. He graduated from Fu Shin Trade and Arts College with a degree in Advertising Design. When he was 18, his father died from a long time sickness, leaving him with his mother to pay the enormous hospital debt. Jiro worked three jobs at a time, which variously included flyer distribution, dressing up as a mascot for Taipei's Zoo Mall, waiting tables at a bar, being a fashion retail assistant, a part-time model, and even hard labor work as a construction worker.
Upon graduation from art college, he entered the commercial and modeling industry. In 2004, he started his acting career as the main lead in KO One, and It Started with a Kiss. He also joined two bands; one is an underground band formed during the band members' high school years called Dong Cheng Wei, and the vocal quartet boy band Fahrenheit with Aaron Yan (also in this list), Wu Chun, and Calvin Chen. During his early singing career, he often lost his voice due to asthma, so he always carried the medicine his mom prepared for him. In 2010, Jiro started his own fashion label M JO, and he personally designs the clothing and accessories. In 2014, he jointly invested in WoMen Hair, a stylish hair salon in Taipei, with his good friends and fellow Fahrenheit members Wu Chun and Calvin Chen. He has won numerous awards, mostly in music.  Interesting fact: Jiro has a passion for Japanese manga arts in which began as a child. In his spare time, Jiro takes an avid interest in putting the fictional Japanese military science Gundam model kits together. He also loves cosplaying - a pastime he has been enjoying since his art school days when he used to make his own costumes in various roles as manga or anime characters or Western superheroes (pictured as Chinese vocaloid Luo Tian Yi). | Awarded/Popular works: Falling Into You (2020), The Snow Queen (2018), Rakshasa Street (2017), Looking for Aurora (2015), KO One Re-act (2013), KO One Return (2012), They Kiss Again (2007), Hana Kimi (2006), It Started with a Kiss (2005), KO One (2005)
Future works: My Fitness Coach (TBA), Book of Death (TBA)
| Social Media:
Facebook: jirorockerwang | Instagram: jirorocker | Weibo: saiyanjiro
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Age: 36 | Height: 180 cm (5 ft 11 in)
| Occupation: actor, singer, model
|  Mark Chao or Zhao You Ting (Hanzi: 趙又廷) was born on September 25, 1984, in Taipei, Taiwan. He is the son of the Taiwanese actor and TV host, Allen Chao. He is a Canadian naturalized citizen. He graduated from the University of Victoria in Canada with a double degree in sociology and economics. He started his career in the Taiwanese entertainment industry after he graduated. In 2014, Mark married Chinese actress Gao Yuan Yuan whom he met in 2011 while filming the movie Caught In The Web (2012). They have a daughter named Rhea Chao.
After graduating from university, Mark went to Taiwan to make a debut in his first drama Black & White (2009), and he won the Best Leading Actor Award at the 44th Golden Bell Awards, and he followed that by winning the Best New Performer award at the 2011 Asian Film Awards for his role in the critically acclaimed movie Monga. Chao's successive films boosted his recognition in China, and he made a debut in the mainland with the movie First Time (2012). Mark has won many awards in Taiwan as well as abroad. His most acclaimed work is the historical Chinese drama Eternal Love (2017).
 Interesting fact: In the Chinese reality TV show My Agent and I (2019) that showcased the relationship between artists and their agents, Mark’s manager (pictured) revealed the reason why Mark has only done a few projects. She said while there is no shortage of work offers for Mark, there are very few that are interesting. Mark also has several conditions he adheres to when taking on a job. One is that the script should be good. Second, the production team and PR team should be satisfactory, and finally, there should be enough freedom for Mark to adjust his acting accordingly. Mark doesn't want to be known as an idol and would prefer to do more serious roles that can challenge his acting skill.
MDL Article: A Stalker's Guide to Mark Chao | | Social Media:
Website: MarkChao | Facebook: MCMarkChao | Weibo: HEROMastaChao
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Age: 30 | Height: 180 cm (5ft 11 in) | Occupation: Actor
| Darren Wang or Wang Da Lu (Hanzi: 王大陸) was born on May 29, 1991, in Taiwan. After junior high school, his father sent him to study in a military academy in New York, but Darren didn't like it. When he briefly returned to Taiwan during the summer vacation, he was discovered by a scout to enter the entertainment industry. Darren insisted not to return to the United States and decided to develop his career in performing arts in Taiwan. He is graduated from Taojiang Institute of Technology and Management.
At age 17, Darren made his debut as a guest role in the drama Mysterious Incredible Terminator (2008), and in 2010, he played a supporting role in the film In Case of Love. But not until the box office movie Our Times (2015) that he got a breakout role. In 2016, he started his career in China by taking the main role in the movie Legend of the Naga Pearls (2017). Since his debut, although many of Darren's roles were not the male protagonists, he still took every work seriously, cherished every opportunity and tried to do his best.
 Interesting fact: Darren comes from a wealthy family involved in the antique business. Because his parents were busy at work, he would only see 50 yuan allowance money on the table when he was a child. He had to do everything himself, and he mostly spent his day at his best friends house, now actor Chen Tung Ko. Therefore Darren has been very independent since little and made his decision to enter the entertainment industry instead of taking over his family business. Although initially disapproving of Darren's choice of career, later, his father supports him wholeheartedly (pictured). | | Social Media:
Facebook: DarrenWang0529 | Instagram: TaluWang | Weibo: TaluWang |
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Age: 35
| Height: 180 cm (5ft 11 in)
| Occupation: actor, model, musician, singer
| Jasper Liu or Liu Yi Hao (Hanzi: 劉以豪) was born on August 12, 1986, in Taipei, Taiwan. He has one older sister and is the younger cousin of actor Angus Hsieh. Jasper is graduated from Dayeh University, majoring in Visual Design.
In 2008, Jasper entered the "2008 Eelin Male Model Search" contest which he came in 3rd place. He was signed to the agency but found little success in his first three years as a model earning an average monthly salary of NT$20,000 (≈US$717). In 2011 his modeling career took off after starring as "Mei Nam" in the 2011 idol drama In Time With You, where he had to perm his naturally straight hair into short curls. Jasper's international popularity began in South Korea. When he held his first fan meeting in Seoul in July 2016, 500 tickets were sold out in 10 minutes, and hundreds of Korean fans greeted him in the airport. Jasper was awarded Asian Male Star Prize at the 11th Seoul Drama Awards in September. In 2017, Jasper started his works in China with Mary Sue & Jack Sue and had continued his career in Chinese dramas. In June 2019, Jasper left a 10-year agency contract with Eelin Entertainment and now has his own independent label and works with Chinese teams to manage his career in China market. 
Interesting fact: Soon after his popularity surge with In Time With You, he was known for his signature curly hair, which he kept for a long time. He was nicknamed "The Chief of Broccoli Village" by fans because his curly hair resembles the top of a broccoli head. Taiwanese media also loves him. With his sunshine smile and dimples, he is often dubbed as "Taiwan's Most Adorable Boyfriend". Also, because of his popularity and warm image, he is also dubbed as "Taiwan's Nation Boyfriend".
| | Social Media:
Facebook: jasper.liuyihow | Instagram: ryu19860812 | Weibo: 劉以豪 |
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Age: 26
| Height: 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | Occupation: actor, model, singer
| Darren Chen or Chen Guan Hong (Hanzi: 陈官鸿) was born on January 15, 1995, in Taiwan. After graduating from high school, originally Darren wanted to choose drama as his university major. But he gave up this idea because he thought he was not talented. Instead, he chose English as his major. When he graduated, he planned to study abroad or be a billiard player. However, he was scouted by TV and film producer Angie Chai Zhi Ping, whom he incidentally met on the street. In the end, he signed a contract with Chai Zhiping Company.
Interesting fact: In an interview, Darren stated that he was very shy when he was little and preferred to stay home and watch TV. Therefore, he nailed the Hua Ze Lei role of Meteor Garden, who had mild autism and is immersed in his own world. Although Darren knows how to play the piano, loves music and singing, he was too timid to step on the stage as he would be teased by classmates. | | Social Media:
Instagram: Kuanhung_ | Weibo: 官鸿 Kuan |
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Age: 41
| Height: 177cm (5 ft 10 in)
| Occupation: actor, singer, producer
|  Wallace Huo or Huo Jian Hua (Hanzi: 霍建華) was born in Taipei, Taiwan, on December 26, 1979. His family came from the Shandong province, China. His grandfather was a follower of Sun Yat Sen, and in 1949, they moved to Taiwan. His family members worked as government employees, including his older brother, who is a police officer. In 2016 he married Taiwanese actress Ruby Lin, whom he has been friends with since they met in Sound of Colors (2006). They had a daughter in 2017.
Wallace once aspired to be a basketball player but then turned to singing in his early teenage years. At age 17, while waiting for military enlistment, he worked as the assistant of Taiwanese TV host Sam Tseng. In 2002, after serving in the military service, Wallace got the opportunity to sing the OST of the TV show Star, in which he also starred. He rose to fame from the idol drama At Dolphin Bay (2003). In 2009 he established his fame in mainland China after acted in Chinese Paladin 3 alongside popular Chinese stars Hu Ge, Yang Mi, Tiffany Tang, and Cecilia Liu. In 2014, he produced and starred in Perfect Couple (2014).
Interesting fact: Wallace is quiet, introverted, and not very talkative. In addition to necessary publicity, he rarely takes endorsements neither participate in commercial activities and variety shows. He does not open social media account, rarely sends WeChat. He likes meditation, climbing mountains, and reading books.
MDL Article: 7 Interesting Facts About Wallace Huo | Awarded/Popular works: The Great Craftsman (2019), Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace (2018), The Imperial Doctress (2016), Suddenly Seventeen (2016), Love Me If You Dare (2015), The Journey of Flower (2015), Perfect Couple (2014), Battle of Changsha (2014), Swordsman (2013), Introduction of the Princess (2011), The Vigilantes in Masks (2011), Chinese Paladin 3 (2009), At Dolphin Bay (2003)
Future works: no data
| Social Media: None
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Age: 35
| Height: 177 cm (5 ft 10 in)
| Occupation: actor, singer, model, host, writer
| Aaron Yan or Yan Ya Lun (Hanzi: 炎亚纶) was born in Taipei, Taiwan, on November 20, 1985, with name Wu Geng Lin (Hanzi: 吳庚霖). He has a younger sister. Aaron is graduated from the Department of Applied English, Jingwen University of Science and Technology. He is fluent in Mandarin, Taiwanese, Hokkien and English, and can speak some Japanese and Cantonese.
 In 2004, after posting selfies on a public blog, Taiwanese management company Comic Productions scouted him. In 2005, Aaron debuted with a few guest roles in Taiwanese dramas, and he got his first main role in high school drama KO One (2005) with Jiro Wang (#7 on the list). In December 2005, he formed a boy band named Fahrenheit (pictured) with three other Taiwanese artists: Wu Chun, Jiro Wang (number 7 in the list), and Calvin Chen. The band was on indefinite hiatus in 2012, and Aaron went into a solo career until now. He has won national and international recognition and awards in both music and acting in dramas.
Interesting fact: Aaron has a pair of deep eyes with very thick, long eyelashes and bottom eyeliners. He has been asked too many times whether he wears artificial eyelashes and applies eyeliners, which he denies. After asking family elders, he found out that he has 1/16 of Dutch descent in him. He believed this could be the reason behind his unique eye features, along with his natural high nose bridge.
| | Social Media:
Facebook: AaronYanMusic | Instagram: aayan1120 | Weibo: 炎亞綸_AaronYan
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That's all, everyone, my introduction to 10 amazing Taiwanese actors and my last installment of 10 Most Popular Actors on MDL articles. Upon going through the countdown, you may have Taiwanese favorite actors who don't make the top ten most popular list. Let us know who they are! To make MDLers more aware of the actor, thus give him lots of hearts/likes, here are my from-hard-to-easy tips:
- Most challenging: Write an Ultra Fan Guide for the actor to dig out his life story and career.
- A little bit hard: Write recap articles on his dramas to convince us to watch him.
- Middle ground: Write glowing reviews on his dramas/movies.
- Almost easy: Send him flowers, so his picture shows up on the Stars Leaderboard.
- Too easy, it's a given: Flood the Feed or Discussion section with his best pictures! ;D
My favorite actor from the list: Darren Chen (◔◡ <)✿
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Who is your favorite actor from (or not from) the list?
Thanks for reading, and happy watching!
Acknowledgement & credits: Thank you to the editors who edited this article. I do not own any of the images used. Credits go to the respective owners. Image sources: internet search, drama character posters, and actor's Twitter/Instagram. GIF: ohsehuns
Edited by: YW (1st editor) Nymphadora (2nd editor)
wallace huo
mark chao
jerry yan
taiwanese drama
darren wang
darren chen
jasper liu
taiwanese actor
sam lin
mike he
jiro wang
aaron yan
The Presence of Arts in The Double
