If you think about the golden era of the "idol drama" boom in Taiwan, one name usually hits the top of the list: Jerry Yan. But specifically, it’s the Down with Love show—known in Mandarin as Jiu Xiang Lai Zhe Ni—that remains a peculiar, sticky piece of pop culture history. It’s been well over a decade since it first aired in 2010. Still, people are obsessed. Why? Because it was the moment the "cold CEO" trope actually felt like it had a heartbeat.
Jerry Yan played Xiang Yu-ping. He was a ruthless divorce lawyer. Think sharp suits, a permanent scowl, and an ego that could fill a stadium. Then you had Ella Chen as Yang Guo. She wasn't your typical "damsel." She was loud. She was tomboyish. She was a member of S.H.E at the height of her musical powers. It was a casting gamble that shouldn't have worked, yet it's the reason we're still talking about it today.
The Weird Logic of the Down with Love Show
The premise is basically a fever dream of classic tropes. Yu-ping needs a nanny for his niece and nephew. He’s convinced every woman who applies is just trying to seduce him. To solve this, Yang Guo’s sister lies and says Yang Guo is a lesbian. Yu-ping breathes a sigh of relief, hires her, and then—shocker—falls in love with her. It sounds ridiculous because it is. But the Down with Love show succeeded because it leaned into that absurdity with genuine warmth.
You've probably seen similar setups in Coffee Prince or fated to Love You. However, this show had a specific "human" element. Yang Guo wasn't just a placeholder for the audience. She was broke. She was struggling. Her optimism felt earned, not just written in a script to make her likeable. When she’s eating plain bread to save money, it doesn't feel like a "poor girl" caricature. It feels like a reflection of the economic anxieties of the late 2000s.
Honestly, the chemistry was the real anchor. Jerry Yan had spent years trying to shake the "Dao Ming Si" image from Meteor Garden. In this series, he finally did. He showed vulnerability. His character wasn't just mean; he was lonely. Watching a man who specializes in ending marriages realize he wants to start his own life with a woman he thought he could never have is top-tier television.
Why the "Contract" Trope Actually Worked Here
Most romantic comedies use the "fake relationship" or "hidden identity" gimmick as a stall tactic. It's usually frustrating. In the Down with Love show, it actually drove the character development.
Because Yu-ping believed Yang Guo was gay, he lowered his guard. He stopped performing. He was just... a guy. He shared his secrets. He let her see him fail. By the time the truth came out, the emotional foundation was already built. That’s a sophisticated piece of writing for a genre that usually relies on accidental falls and dramatic rain sequences.
The supporting cast mattered too. Michael Zhang played Qi Ke-zhong, the "second lead" who was actually a viable option. He wasn't a villain. He was a legitimate threat to Yu-ping's happiness. This created a tension that felt real. You weren't just waiting for the lead couple to kiss; you were genuinely worried about how the fallout would affect their shared social circle.
Production Reality and the 2010 Landscape
Let’s be real for a second. The production value of 2010 Taiwanese dramas hasn't aged perfectly. The lighting can be harsh. The sound mixing is sometimes "crunchy." But the Down with Love show had a gloss that many of its contemporaries lacked. It was a co-production between GTV and mainland Chinese companies, which meant a higher budget.
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Filming took place in Taipei and Hangzhou. This gave the show a sprawling, cinematic feel. It wasn't just confined to three interior sets and a park. You felt the city. You felt the distance between the characters when they were apart.
- Broadcast History: It premiered on January 31, 2010.
- Ratings: It consistently topped the charts, competing with heavy hitters like P.S. Man.
- Soundtrack: The opening theme, "Zhi Yao Ni Kuai Le" (As Long as You Are Happy), became an instant karaoke staple.
There’s a common misconception that this show was just a "Jerry Yan vehicle." That’s a huge disservice to Ella Chen. Before this, Ella was often pigeonholed into "tomboy" roles where her femininity was treated as a joke. In this show, her character’s style was just who she was. The narrative didn't force her into a "makeover" montage where she put on a dress and suddenly became beautiful. Yu-ping loved her in her hoodies and sneakers. That was a massive win for representation at the time.
The Nuance Most People Miss
The show deals with divorce in a way that was actually quite progressive for its time. Yu-ping is a divorce lawyer. He sees the ugliest parts of humanity every day. His cynicism isn't just a personality trait; it’s a professional hazard.
When he interacts with his niece and nephew, he’s terrified. He doesn't know how to be a father figure because he’s spent his career watching families fall apart. Yang Guo doesn't just "fix" him. She shows him that the risk of a messy ending is worth the joy of a beginning.
Where to Watch and What to Expect
If you’re looking to dive into the Down with Love show today, you’ll find it on various streaming platforms like Viki or sometimes Netflix depending on your region. Be prepared for the pacing. Modern dramas are often 12 to 16 episodes. This one clocks in at 28 (or 16 depending on the edit/version).
It takes its time. There are subplots involving Yang Guo’s father and his debt that might feel like filler to a modern viewer. But if you stick with it, the payoff is incredibly satisfying.
One thing that still shocks new viewers is the "hiding in the closet" scene. It's a classic of the genre. The physical comedy Jerry Yan displays—trying to hide his massive frame while maintaining a "cool" lawyer persona—is genuinely funny. It reminded the audience that he had range beyond just brooding.
Cultural Impact of the S.H.E Connection
You cannot separate this show from the cultural titan that was S.H.E. When the Down with Love show aired, the group was at a turning point. They were transitioning from teen idols to mature artists. Ella’s performance here proved she could carry a massive commercial project on her own shoulders.
It also brought in a demographic that wouldn't usually watch "idol dramas." You had older fans of S.H.E and younger fans of Jerry Yan coming together. It was a perfect storm of marketing and talent.
Navigating the Tropes
Is it cheesy? Yes.
Is there a dramatic misunderstanding that lasts two episodes too long? Absolutely.
But the Down with Love show succeeds because it has "heart." That sounds like a cliché, but in the world of manufactured TV, it's rare.
The show treats its characters like people who are trying their best. Even the "villains" have motivations that make sense. Yu-ping’s ex-girlfriend isn't just evil; she’s someone who realized too late what she threw away. This layer of empathy makes the world feel lived-in.
If you are a fan of King the Land or Business Proposal, you owe it to yourself to see where those DNA strands came from. This show paved the way for the "competent but socially stunted boss" archetype that is currently dominating Korean and Chinese television.
Actionable Steps for New Fans
To get the most out of your viewing experience, don't binge it all in one sitting. The episodic nature of 2010 dramas was designed for weekly anticipation.
- Watch the Uncut Version: Some international edits chop out the "mundane" scenes. These scenes often hold the best character beats. Look for the 28-episode format.
- Listen to the Lyrics: The OST is heavily tied to the plot. The songs are sung by the leads and the lyrics reflect their internal monologues.
- Check Out the Behind-the-Scenes: The bloopers for this show are legendary. Jerry Yan and Ella Chen had a famously playful relationship on set, which translated directly into their on-screen chemistry.
- Contextualize the Fashion: Yes, the vests and the layered shirts are very "2010." Embrace the nostalgia rather than fighting it.
The legacy of the Down with Love show isn't just in its ratings. It’s in the way it made a generation of viewers believe that even the most cynical person can be "brought down" by a little bit of genuine, unpretentious love. It’s a comfort watch in the truest sense. It reminds us that sometimes, the best person for you is the one you never saw coming, especially if you were looking for them in all the wrong places.
The ending doesn't leave you hanging. It gives you the closure you want, which is a rarity in modern "seasonal" television. You walk away feeling like you've spent 20+ hours with friends. And in the end, that's exactly what a great rom-com should do.
To truly appreciate the evolution of the genre, compare this to Jerry Yan's later work like The Forbidden Flower. You can see the growth of an actor who started as a wooden idol and became a nuanced performer, a journey that arguably found its footing right here in this show. Check your local streaming listings to find the high-definition remasters that have recently surfaced, as the visual quality of the original broadcast doesn't do the cinematography justice.