Cute Rom-Coms
Love In Taipei is the latest rom-com to grace our screens with Taiwanese American Ever Wong, a pre-med student being sent to a summer school in Huwei to learn about her culture. Of course, it is anything but that as the students call it a ‘Loveboat’ and spend their nights partying. Ever ends up meeting two boys, as different from each other as possible while also worrying about her secret dance audition.
So, if you are looking for more such fun rom-coms with an Asian setting, you’ve come to the right place. Well without further wait, here are 10 movies with a similar premise to watch if you liked Love In Taipei.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018-21)
Similarities – Rom-com, Asian lead, love triangle
There is with good reason, why a lot of viewers have been drawing parallels between Love In Taipei and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. A young Asian girl whose life is turned upside down due to an incident, sounds familiar, no?
Well, in TATBILB, Lara Jean Covey writes secret love letters to all her crushes but never intends to send them. However, when they are mysteriously sent, it causes chaos. To save face, Lara Jean enters a fake relationship with Peter Kavinsky, one of the recipients.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Similarities – Rom-com, Asian setting, judgemental family
If you wanted more of the vibrant aesthetic of Far-East Asian cultures, why not try Crazy Rich Asians? Focusing on the Chinese community in Singapore, the movie revolves around Rachel Chu, a true-and-through New Yorker, who accompanies her boyfriend Nick to Singapore for his best friend’s wedding.
There she runs into Nick’s unimaginably wealthy family and has to navigate the complexities of Singapore’s high society, facing judgment and challenges from his disapproving mother and jealous socialites.
Hear Me (2009)
Similarities – Romance, drama, Taiwan
Hear Me tells the story of Tian-Kuo, a delivery boy who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Yang Yang, a deaf girl. As they deal with their personal struggles, a romance blossoms between them.
The film explores their challenges in communication and understanding, emphasizing the power of love to bridge gaps and conquer obstacles. As they learn to express themselves beyond words, their relationship deepens, highlighting the importance of empathy and connection.
Man In Love (2021)
Similarities – Rom-com, drama, love at first sight, Taiwan
Man In Love starts off as a comedy as A Cheng, a violent debt collector falls in love with one of his targets, Hao Ting. Moved by her unending devotion to her bedridden father, he decides to come up with a new strategy. He will help reduce her debt if she goes on dates with him. Of course, this is no easy feat as Hao Ting cannot help but point out that his very purpose is to get money out of her for the hungry loan sharks.
500 Days of Summer (2009)
Similarities – Rom-com, drama, the guy doesn’t get the girl
The film is a non-linear exploration of the 500-day relationship between Tom and Summer. Tom, a hopeless romantic, falls deeply in love with Summer, a woman who doesn’t believe in true love.
The movie shifts between different days of their relationship, revealing the highs and lows, the misaligned expectations, and the bittersweet moments that shape their journey. It’s a reflection on the complexities of modern romance and the nature of memory as the love story is told through Tom’s eyes.
Love Hard (2021)
Similarities – Rom-com, love triangle, Asian lead
Love Hard follows Natalie who falls for a guy she met online, only to discover that he catfished her with his friend’s photo, Tag. However, she decides to make the most of it as Josh offers to help her get with Tag if she pretends to be his girlfriend during the holidays. As they spend time together, genuine feelings emerge between Natalie and Josh, leading to a romantic comedy filled with mistaken identities and heartfelt moments.
Ticket to Paradise (2022)
Similarities – Rom-com, Asian setting
A hilarious rom-com, it focuses not on the couple who are about to get married, but on the bride’s divorced parents who will do everything to stop her from making the same mistake they did. Even if it means teaming up and travelling to Bali to stop her and then try and sabotage the wedding when she doesn’t listen. During their journey, they reflect on their own relationship, revisit old memories, and discover that there might still be lingering feelings between them.
Dirty Dancing (1987)
Similarities – Romance, drama, secret dancing ambition, summer trip
Set in the 1960s, Frances “Baby” Houseman, is a teenager on a family vacation at a Catskills resort against her will. Bored, while exploring she becomes infatuated with Johnny Castle, a charismatic dance instructor.
Against her father’s wishes, she secretly learns to dance and develops a passionate romance with Johnny, navigating class differences and social taboos. The film culminates in a memorable dance performance that showcases the power of self-expression and love similar to Ever’s revelation in Love In Taipei.
High School Musical 2 (2007)
Similarities – Rom-com, dance, summer trip
In the sequel to High School Musical, the Wildcats spend the summer working at a country club. Troy, Gabriella and their friends face new challenges as they balance jobs, relationships, and their passion for performing. The iconic Disney movie also explores themes of friendship, ambition and the pressures of growing up.
Camp Rock (2008-10)
Similarities – Rom-com, dance, summer trip
Heavy on nostalgia, Love In Taipei also gives a little bit of Camp Rock vibes as Mitchie Torres, a talented singer attends a prestigious summer music camp. She befriends Shane Gray, a famous pop star who is sent to the camp to reconnect with his musical roots. As they bond over music, overcome challenges and the importance of staying true to oneself, their friendship blossoms into a romance.
There we have it, our list of best movies that are similar to Love In Taipei. What do you think about our picks? Did one of your favourites make the list? Let us know in the comments below!