The 2000s marked the golden era of Taiwanese rom-coms, dominating television screens across Asia. It all began with Meteor Garden (2001), which introduced the concept of an idol drama (偶像剧, ǒuxiàng jù), featuring attractive young leads, melodramatic plotlines, and lots of teenage angst to keep the audience engaged.

Meteor Garden follows the story of Shancai (played by Barbie Hsu), a working-class girl enrolled in an elite private school. She clashes with the F4, a quartet of wealthy, arrogant, and charismatic boys who rule the campus. Shancai’s fierce spirit soon catches the eye of Daoming Si (played by Jerry Yan), leader of the F4, setting the stage for an unlikely romance.

To call Meteor Garden a sensation would be an understatement. The show cut through the dominance of K-dramas and J-dramas to become a pan-Asian phenomenon. Though itself an adaptation of the Japanese manga Boys Over Flowers, Meteor Garden’s success sparked a wave of live-action remakes. And in the Taiwanese idol dramas that followed, the show’s influence still lingers—most notably in the lasting appeal of the Cinderella trope.

But no idol drama is complete without a killer soundtrack. In fact, the music often becomes even more iconic than the drama itself.

Meteor Garden successfully launched the careers of its four male leads—Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, Ken Chu, and Vanness Wu—who formed the boy band F4 in 2001. Their debut album, Meteor Rain, featuring the drama’s theme song as its title track, was a massive hit. The album sold nearly 4 million copies across Asia by the end of the year. F4 released two more albums before disbanding in 2009, with each member pursuing solo careers under separate agencies.

Since then, Jerry Yan and Vic Chou have continued their acting careers, while Vanness Wu has remained active in the music and dance scene. Ken Chu has largely stayed out of the spotlight, making occasional television appearances.

The last time all four members of F4 reunited on stage was for the 2013 Spring Festival Gala. But the long-awaited reunion may finally be happening, as rumors are swirling about a 25th-anniversary reunion tour in 2026, set to hit major cities across Asia. So if you’re still belting out “Meteor Rain” in the shower, stay tuned—your teenage heartthrobs might just be making a comeback.

Cover image via MUBI.