'Que Gu' and 'Hundred Flowers Kill' Lose! Taiwan's Top 10 Most-Loved Dramas Revealed: The Champion Drama Is So Addictive You Can't Stop After One Episode

The recent drama market has seen new and classic titles clash head-on, with LINE's drama popularity ranking simultaneously featuring Korean, Chinese, Taiwanese, and Thai series. Genres span historical political intrigue, palace exorcism, school-based action, and stories about middle-aged marriage and family rescue. The classic Korean drama 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God,' which aired nearly a decade ago, still ranks among the top. Popular titles like 'Chasing Jade' and 'Punishment' continue to draw attention, but So Ji-sub's action-packed Korean drama 'The Roundup: Punishment' defeated numerous strong contenders to claim the championship.

LINE Drama Popularity Ranking No. 10: Kuang Lingling and Orm, 'Wedding Drawn in Dreams'

The Thai GL drama 'Wedding Drawn in Dreams' marks the third collaboration between Kuang Lingling and Orm (Kornnaphat). The story skips past the fairy-tale wedding ending and dives straight into married life. Kuang Lingling plays Ran, a calm and rational lawyer, while Orm portrays Neen, who comes from a wealthy family. The two deeply love each other, but gradually drift toward divorce due to work pressure, family interference, and differences in values. The narrative focuses on how a marriage breaks down and whether it can be repaired.

The heartbreaking plot divides viewers into two camps, sparking heated online debates over 'who caused the breakup.' Some viewers say scenes with the mother-in-law 'keep raising their blood pressure,' while others argue that although the plot is melodramatic, it realistically captures the accumulated grievances in marriage. The emotional tension between Kuang Lingling and Orm in their confrontational scenes has led fans to lament: 'They still love each other, yet every word pushes the other further away.'

LINE Drama Popularity Ranking No. 9: Lee Jun-young and Lee Joo-myung, 'New Employee, Chairman Kang'

'New Employee, Chairman Kang' is a fantasy Korean drama combining soul-swapping, workplace conflict, and chaebol power struggles. Lee Jun-young plays Hwang Jun-hyeon, a young football player who accidentally swaps souls with Chairman Kang Ryong-ho, an elderly business magnate. The once-powerful chairman must now enter the company as a rookie employee with a young face, secretly investigating internal power struggles and secret funds.

Lee Jun-young vividly portrays the contrast between youthful appearance and an older soul, adopting the chairman's dignified demeanor in his posture, gaze, and speech rhythm. Viewers praise him for 'having a 20-something face but exuding the confidence of an older chairman,' with some saying his performance feels like 'an actual middle-aged man living inside the body,' carrying the show's most compelling soul-swap concept.

LINE Drama Popularity Ranking No. 8: Nam Joo-hyuk and Roh Jeong-eui, 'Ghostly Palace Mystery'

Netflix's historical fantasy K-drama 'Ghostly Palace Mystery,' starring Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Jeong-eui, and Jo Seung-woo, follows a palace invaded by evil spirits and curses. The king summons Gu Tian, who can travel between the living and spirit worlds, and Princess Sheng Jiang, who can hear ghostly voices. Together, they investigate a series of strange incidents in the palace while uncovering bloody secrets long buried by the royal family.

Audience reactions are polarized: some are captivated by the eerie palace atmosphere, ghost designs, and art direction, calling the first episode 'so terrifying you can't look away.' Others criticize the loose pacing in later episodes, overly dark visuals, and Nam Joo-hyuk's somewhat stiff delivery of historical dialogue. Supporters argue that the blend of court intrigue and ghost legends is unique, noting, 'The real horror isn't the ghosts, but the malice people hide.'

LINE Drama Popularity Ranking No. 7: Hou Minghao and Amy, 'Que Gu'

Starring Hou Minghao and Amy, 'Que Gu' begins with a contract marriage. Hou plays Xiao Wuyi, the heir to the Jing'an Mansion, falsely accused of regicide, while Amy portrays Xie Jiayu, a minister's daughter skilled in mechanical engineering. Forced into marriage, they each have hidden motives, teaming up to uncover their true identities while navigating court conspiracies, evolving from mutual suspicion to life-or-death loyalty.

Though not the most talked-about drama during the summer season, 'Que Gu' gained acclaim through relentless plot twists and a satisfying conclusion. Viewers praised it for 'maintaining momentum until the very end.' Hou Minghao skillfully portrayed Xiao Wuyi's cold exterior and inner tenderness, and the supporting cast avoided being mere plot devices. As a result, many fans hailed it as 'the best long-form drama of the summer season.'

LINE Drama Popularity Ranking No. 6: Gong Yoo and Kim Go-eun, 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God'

The classic K-drama 'Guardian: The Lonely and Great God' stars Gong Yoo as Kim Shin, an immortal goblin who has lived for centuries. Only his fated bride can pull the sword from his chest to end his life. When high school student Ji Eun-tak claims to be his bride, he initially seeks only release but gradually rediscovers his longing for life and love through their interactions. Lee Dong-wook as the Grim Reaper and Yoo In-na as Sunny form another tragic romance spanning past and present lives.

Even years after its release, Gong Yoo and Lee Dong-wook's comedic chemistry remains a major reason fans rewatch. Viewers describe their scenes as 'electric and addictive.' Kim Go-eun's natural, lively performance is also beloved. Fans note that the drama 'starts funny but ends in unexpected tears,' with many saying, 'I want to rewatch it every winter.'

LINE Drama Popularity Ranking No. 5: He Yu and Meng Ziyi, 'Hundred Flowers Kill'

'Hundred Flowers Kill,' starring He Yu and Meng Ziyi, features He as Crown Prince Xiao Huayong, poisoned since childhood and appearing frail, but secretly plotting to eliminate corrupt officials. Meng plays Princess Zhaoning, Shen Xihé, returning from the northwest with a family blood feud, using perfume-based techniques to track clues. The two enter a political marriage, evolving from mutual exploitation to becoming each other's most reliable allies in court battles.

After its premiere, the fast-paced political intrigue, perfume-based investigations, and high-IQ leads received praise. Viewers especially loved He Yu's contrast between frail appearance and cunning mind, exclaiming, 'He's spitting blood but still in control.' Meng Ziyi's cool demeanor and strong presence were also highlights. Reuniting after a previous collaboration, their intimate scenes and intense eye contact were described as 'more addictive than direct romance, with chemistry that sparks through glances alone.'

LINE Drama Popularity Ranking No. 4: Chang Hsiao-chuan and Su Hui-lun, 'The Wedding I Owe You'

Taiwanese drama 'The Wedding I Owe You,' written and directed by Yen Yi-wen, stars Chang Hsiao-chuan as Zhou Kejie, a once-famous rock band vocalist now in a creative slump, and Su Hui-lun as Chen Lixuan, his long-time wife. Their marriage has long been frozen, and only when she decides to leave does Zhou begin to reflect on his selfishness and avoidance, attempting to make up for the wedding he never gave her.

Many married viewers found it deeply relatable, with one saying, 'Only after 15 years of marriage do I understand the taste of garbage.' Others praised the show for not blaming one person for the marriage's failure. Chang dropped his heartthrob image, realistically portraying a middle-aged man's messiness, immaturity, and regret. Su's seemingly indifferent reactions were interpreted as 'too exhausted to even get angry.'

LINE Drama Popularity Ranking No. 3: Kim Mu-yeol and Qin Jizhou, 'Punishment'

Netflix's K-drama 'Punishment,' adapted from a webcomic and starring Kim Mu-yeol, Lee Sung-min, and Qin Jizhou, is a darkly humorous school action series. Set in a society where teacher authority is eroding and school violence is rampant, the Education Protection Agency handles cases beyond normal teachers' capabilities, using force to punish bullies, juvenile delinquents, and parents who shield their children.

Its one-case-per-episode format and immediate justice earned it nicknames like 'Avengers of the School' and 'a blood-pressure-lowering drama for the frustrated.' Fans say it's satisfying when the protagonists swiftly deliver justice after victims' suffering. However, some question whether glorifying vigilante justice crosses ethical lines, sparking debate between catharsis and educational responsibility.

LINE Drama Popularity Ranking No. 2: Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwēi, 'Chasing Jade'

'Chasing Jade,' starring Zhang Linghe and Tian Xiwēi, follows butcher's daughter Fan Changyu, who, after her parents' death, decides to take a husband to protect her family's business, entering a fake marriage with the disguised Xie Zheng. Starting as a mutually beneficial arrangement, they investigate the massacre of Fan's family, with Fan evolving from a commoner to a capable female general in the military.

The couple's journey from convenience to love and growth is the drama's most beloved aspect. Fans say, 'I truly watched from start to finish,' praising Zhang Linghe's historical look and Xie Zheng's restrained passion, and Tian Xiwēi for breaking her sweet-girl image. Their height difference, married life, and battlefield scenes earned praise for 'god-tier chemistry.'

LINE Drama Popularity Ranking No. 1: So Ji-sub, 'The Roundup: Punishment'

'The Roundup: Punishment' stars So Ji-sub as Mr. Kim, a bank department manager who appears timid and ordinary—a single father—but is secretly a legendary spy feared by nations. When his daughter suddenly goes missing, he reactivates his long-dormant combat skills and enlists former comrades for a rescue mission spanning gangs, corporations, and intelligence agencies.

So Ji-sub's instant shift from a fearful bank clerk to a legendary agent became the show's biggest draw. Viewers called it 'the Korean version of Taken,' exclaiming, 'When the uncle shows up, it's instantly cool.' However, complaints arose as the rescue plot stalled in the middle, with viewers asking, 'How long will the daughter remain unfound?' Some mocked characters surviving severe injuries as having 'superpowers.' Despite logical flaws, So Ji-sub's action scenes and calm presence carried the drama.