5 notable screen adaptations of Chiung Yao romance novels, including My Fair Princess

More than 70 adaptations of the prolific Taiwanese romance author’s books were made for TV and cinema. Some made stars of their cast members

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Ruby Lin and Zhao Wei in a still from My Fair Princess, a television adaptation of a popular romance novel of the same name by late Taiwanese writer Chiung Yao.

Published: 8:16pm, 5 Dec 2024Updated: 7:29am, 6 Dec 2024

Prolific Taiwanese novelist Chiung Yao – who died, reportedly by suicide, on December 4 aged 86 – was able to reach a broad audience across generations thanks to adaptations of her books for both small and big screens that spanned five decades.

It has been estimated that, of Chiung Yao’s 65 romance novels, more than 50 were turned into movies, and around 25 made into TV series. We revisit five of the best known adaptations, which either starred some of the biggest names in entertainment at the time or helped launch acting careers.

1. Outside the Window (1973)

Taiwanese screen goddess Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia made her debut in this teacher-student romance based on Chiung Yao’s semi-autobiographical work of the same name.

Brigitte Lin Ching-hsia in a still from Outside the Window (1973).

Directed by Sung Tsun-shou, the tale of forbidden love, in which the leads struggle against all odds to keep up their romance, ushered in a new wave of romantic melodramas in Taiwan.

2. Fantasies Behind the Pearly Curtain (1975)

Directed by Pai Ching-jui, this Chiung Yao adaptation for the big screen stars Hong Kong matinee idol Patrick Tse Yin, popular actress Chen Chen and Taiwanese heartthrob Charlie Chin Hsiang-lin.

A poster promoting a DVD of Fantasies Behind the Pearly Curtain, a film adaptation of a novel by Chiung Yao.

The story revolves around a love triangle in which two sisters fall in love with the same man. The theme song for the movie, by Taiwanese musician Liu Chia-chang, who also died this week, went on to become a classic.

3. My Fair Princess (1998-1999)

Younger generations will probably be most familiar with this highly popular TV custom drama series, which helped launch the careers of Zhao Wei, Ruby Lin, and Fan Bingbing.

Set in the 18th century during the reign of the Qing dynasty’s Qianlong Emperor, My Fair Princess tells the story of the tomboyish and innocent Xiaoyanzi (Zhao), who becomes a princess by accident after befriending the emperor’s illegitimate daughter Ziwei (Lin).

Romance in the Rain starred Leo Ku, Zhao Wei and Ruby Lin.

4. Romance in the Rain (2001)

This period drama reunited actresses Zhao Wei and Ruby Lin and made a star of its male lead, Hong Kong pop singer Leo Ku Kui-kei, on the small screen, especially in mainland China.