meteor garden: the taiwanese live action adaptation

In the Taiwanese version of Hana Yori Dano, commonly known as Meteor Garden, the actor for Ximen is Ken Zhu and the actress for Xiaoyou is Rainie Yang.


Season 1, episode 19

The relationship between Ximen and Xiaoyou is more faithful to the manga than the Japanese live action. Unlike the manga, it appears that Ximen has some form of attachment to Xiaoyou, but this is not developed in the series as Xiaoyou moves to Canada with her family. She does, however, return in Ximen's episode in Meteor Rain, where she learns about Xiao Gen (Sara).

Of course, it was Ximen that consoled Xiaoyou when she discovered her two-timing. Ximen did not make her tea but he did take her out and consoled her when he decided to get even with the guy that broke her heart. Instead of a movie theater, the event took place in a lounge/pub/bar. The difference with this version and the manga version is that Shancai (Tsukushi) and Daoming Si (Tsukasa) did not witness the event, making it a special event just between Ximen and Xiaoyou. Ximen had asked Xiaoyou to keep what happened a secret just between them.

Ximen later goes to ask Xiaoyou to assist him in a plan. Like the manga, Ximen suggests that they go on a date to scare Shancai because he is certain that Shancai and Daoming will become closer. Xiaoyou agrees to Ximen's plans although she is hesitant on tricking Shancai. During their date, Xiaoyou realizes that the subject of being with just one woman is a touchy subject for Ximen. For the rest of their date, they just wait and hope that Shancai and Daoming are having a good time, but in the end, it only left an angry Shancai.


Season 1, episode 25

Xiaoyou confesses to Ximen in episode five, but Ximen rejects her. He tells her that she should be with a good man, someone other than himself. Xiaoyou believes that Ximen is a good person and insists on being with him, but he only gets angry. Xiaoyou asks shancai for her support in pursuing Ximen which she gives hesitantly.

Ximen told Xiaoyou the only way she could be with him was if she were treated like his other girlfriends. He also told her that she was a special case because he would gain a lot of trouble for going out with her because she is Shancai's friend. After some thought, Xiaoyou goes to find Ximen and agree to his terms. When he questioned her actions, she replied to him that if she truly wanted to be by his side, then she should do what it takes to do so.


Season 1, episode 26

As the series was nearing an end, the relationship between Ximen and Xiaoyou did as well. Unlike the manga, Ximen does not tell Xiaoyou his story of Xiaogen (Sara), instead he urges Xiaoyou to cherish herself and asks her why is she intent on going on. Xiaoyou confesses that her family will be moving to Canada and she wants to give her first time to someone she loves.

Rather than becoming intimate, they just lay on the bed together quietly. While Xiaoyou silently cries, Ximen comforts her because it is (supposedly) the last time they can be together. After Xiaoyou left, Ximen stopped meeting his girlfriends for a period of time, but eventually returns to his playboy ways.

Meteor Rain

Meteor Rain is the series consisting of four side stories. Each character but Lei (rui) has their own episode, and in Ximen's story, Xiao you returns from Canada to see Ximen once more.


Meteor Rain, Xi Men's Chapter (ep 2)
When Xiaoyou returns to Taiwan, Ximen is the first person she goes to greet. At first, Ximen is pleased to Xiaoyou to the point he couldn't stop smiling. He promised to spend a day with Xiaoyou, but when that day had come, Ximen was no longer filled with smiles. Xiaoyou found him at a bar with Meizou (Akira). Ximen attempted to push Xiaoyou away, telling her that she could never adapt to his lifestyle. He only gets upset when Xiaoyou goes and offers herself to another man in proof of her willingness to stay by Ximen's side.

Ximen gives up to Xiaoyou's determined ways and tells her the story of the first and only girl he truly loved. He felt that the only way to have Xiaoyou give up if he were honest with her. The story with Xiaogen (Sara) is the same in the manga, so I need see the need to reiterate. Xiaoyou's response to his story was quite the opposite though. He expected her to give up but instead she went in search of that building for him.

When Xiaoyou tries to find Ximen after discovering the building, Ximen attempts to think of ways to avoid her. He believed that she was seeking him because she had not given up on her feelings for him. When Xiaoyou finds him, he tries to worm his way out of following her until she tells him that she is taking him to the building Xiaogen wanted to show him. Xiaoyou wasn't seeking him out for herself but rather for him, and in the end he holds her while looking at the sign.