蜂蜜幸運草 - Honey And Clover

蜂蜜幸運草 (Honey And Clover) is a 2008 drama out of Taiwan. It stars Eddie Peng, Joe Cheng, Janine Chang, Lego Le, Ito Chiaki, Tarcy Su, David Chen, and Chang Han. The drama is based off a Japanese manga. The Japanese manga has also been made into a movie and drama in Japan.

Running at 14 episodes, the drama was quick and delirious as well. The character development was heavy for a few characters and light for the supporting cast. This drama is also directed by Robin Lee. Robin Lee also direct 2 other movies, The Shoe Fairy and My DNA Says I Love You.

The drama is about a group of art students at a Taipei University. The University seems to have many different forms of "art" that you can study. 3 of the 5 main characters are just starting their Senior year. For Sen Tian, he's been a senior for a few years now. No graduating because he doesn't turn in his senior project. Ya Go and Shen Sian are a "couple" and Chu Bun is the junior.

It was a pretty interesting drama. I didn't have a clue where it was going. But I was happy to be on that ride. I thought back to my college days a lot while watching this series.

I think that Robin Lee added her eclectic artsy feel to the drama that I've not seen in other Taiwanese dramas. It was both refreshing and a change of pace.

人魚朵朵 - The Shoe Fairy

I caught The Shoe Fairy (人魚朵朵) via Netflix awhile back. The Shoe Fairy is a 2006 film out of Taiwan by director Robin Lee starring Vivian Hsu and Duncan Chou. It is also one of six project's for Andy Lau's Focus:First Cut films.

The movie is about Vivian Hsu and her eventual marriage to Duncan in the movie. Vivian, prior to her marriage with Duncan, was a shoe-a-holic. Vivian would buy many many shoes and even talked to them. Duncan is a dentist and Vivian happened to chip a tooth one day. That's how they meet and fall in love. But the story is mainly on how they cope with marriage and the many many shoes that Vivian has.

I thought the movie was endearing and the set designs were top notch. I was noticing the way the world was created around Vivian and it was very unique. Sort of a sheik 60s feel.

I suggest you pick this up if you're into Taiwan cinema as its charming and shows the artistic range of the talent from Taiwan.