Blasts From The Past: 6 Iconic And Nostalgic Taiwanese Drama OSTs

“Meteor Garden” aired in 2001 and recently reached its 17th year anniversary. For newer fans, this drama led the Taiwanese drama wave and made way for numerous shows to gain international attention. With news of a Chinese remake of “Meteor Garden” and the re-use of its opening and ending songs, a rush of nostalgia has hit while listening to the memorable melodies from years ago. Let’s look back at some of the most popular soundtracks from Taiwanese dramas of the past!

Meteor Garden

Harlem Yu’s “Can’t Help Falling for You”

“Meteor Garden” was a gateway for fans new to Taiwanese dramas. With the success of the show came the rising popularity of Taiwanese OSTs. Harlem Yu’s “Cant Help Falling for You” opens every episode of “Meteor Garden,” and it’s nearly impossible to not associate this pop track with the drama. The catchy chorus about the fears of falling in love makes everyone want to sing along!

Fated to Love You

Walkie Talkie’s “My Happiness”

If there’s a song that showcases Xin Yi’s plight and struggles, it is this one. Chen Xin Yi (Joe Chen) is known as the stick note girl. She’s a plain office worker whom everyone exploits for being a pushover. She gets entangled into Ji Cun Xi’s (Ethan Juan‘s) life after a night of drinks and faces even more painful events in her relationship with Cun Xi. Walkie Talkie’s song “My Happiness” appears during the most tragic and heart-rending moments of Xin Yi’s life — making it an unforgettable soundtrack for this drama.

Watch “Fated to Love You” here:

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Devil Beside You

Rainie Yang’s “Ai Mei” (Ambiguous)

“Devil Beside You” is about Qi Yue (Rainie Yang), whose confession to Yuan Yi (Kingone Wang) ends up in the hands of the school devil Jiang Meng, also known as Ah Mon. Ah Mon bullies her relentlessly about the confession, and in a twist of fate, they find out that they are going to be step-siblings. However, their numerous interactions end up changing Qi Yue’s heart. “Ai Mei” talks about skirting the line of friendship and love. With Ah Mon and Qi Yue’s rocky beginnings and the growing feelings Qi Yue has for Ah Mon, the song perfectly represents her struggle with her feelings for him.

It Started With a Kiss

Wang Lan Yin’s “Practical Joke”

Choosing an OST for “It Started With a Kiss” was incredibly difficult. The chemistry between Ariel Lin and Joe Cheng was explosive and contributed greatly to the portrayal of the budding romance between Xiang Qin (Ariel Lin) and Zhi Shu (Joe Cheng). “Practical Joke” evokes the feelings of being newly in love, reflecting the feelings of the two as they find the courage to fall for the practical joke of falling in love.

Autumn’s Concerto

Della Ding’s “I Love Him” (romantic/serious moments)

Della Ding participated in three soundtracks for “Autumn’s Concerto,” and some of her most most well-known songs come from this drama. “I Love Him” is a melancholic song about a deep love that left painful scars. Mu Cheng (Ady An) and Guang Xi (Vanness Wu) go through a similar progression of loving each other only to be separated by outside forces and misunderstandings. Della effectively emotes the sadness and heartbreaking emotions that come from a couple parting ways and remains the most memorable theme song to this melodrama.

Start watching “Autumn’s Concerto” here:

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Hana Kimi (2006)

Fahrenheit’s “Love You Lots”

This idol drama starred actual idol singers from S.H.E and Fahrenheit. Having singers on board meant that the opening and ending songs could also be sung by them too. Both groups provided OSTs for this drama, but the fun and upbeat nature of “Love You Lots” represents the spirited characters and suits the overall tone of the drama best.

Start watching “Hana Kimi” here:

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These Taiwanese OSTs remain timeless and epitomize the golden age of Taiwanese dramas at its peak. Soompiers, which songs would you include in your list of nostalgic OSTs?

isms is a new features writer for Soompi and loves watching Asian dramas and variety shows.

Currently watching: “The Flame’s Daughter,” “Should We Kiss First,” “Tempted,” and “Grand Prince”
Looking forward to: “Rise of the Phoenixes,” “Meteor Garden 2018,” “Pillowbook,” and “Pretty Noona Who Buys Me Food”