Taiwanese Rom-Com Series ‘I am Married…But!’ Wins Hearts with Its Realistic Take on Marriage

Love is in the air as the Taiwanese rom-com series I am Married…But! rose to the No. 1 spot on Taiwan’s Daily Top 10 Series ranking in Taiwan within 48 hours of its premiere, and held its spot for three consecutive days. Love endured as the series also emerged in the Weekly Top 10 Series ranking in Taiwan (#2) and Hong Kong (#10), while taking a spot in the Daily Top 10 Series ranking in Hong  Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. To celebrate the fan love, Netflix has unveiled brand-new exclusive images of the leading on-screen couple, Alice Ko and Jasper Liu, whose endearing love-hate relationship resonates with audiences for its relatable portrayal of married life.

The series has sparked lively discussions online, with viewers sharing humorous takes on marriage and love. Some fans praised the script for being “realistic” and “down-to-earth,” while others joked that Netflix attempted to stir up family drama by dropping the series on Valentine's Day.

Alice Ko’s portrayal of I-ling, the outspoken wife with her sharp, world-weary remarks, has been met with widespread acclaim. Viewers lauded her character, with one netizen saying, "Alice Ko is basically my voice! She said everything I’ve been thinking!" Another fan added, "Ko is way too good at swearing — I'm obsessed!” In Ko’s own words, "I love comedy, and I’m so happy that everyone loves this series. It’s a wonderful feeling when something you love is also loved by others. Filming I am Married…But! was exhausting because of the constant high energy it demanded, but the director and the actors were constantly brainstorming on ways to make it even funnier — so we had so much fun. Life is absurd sometimes, and turning that absurdity into comedy is a pretty great thing."

Jasper Liu, who plays the naive and endearing "mama’s boy" engineer Zeng Xue-you, has also received overwhelming praise from viewers. "It’s been so long since I last saw him in a Taiwanese drama! His subtle expressions and little gestures are so well-executed — I love it!” raved one fan online. Liu managed to turn the unappealing trait of being a “mama’s boy” into someone charming and nuanced. Reflecting on this, Liu shares, "Thank you all for being so open-minded about this role. Some of the character’s actions felt over-the-top to me, and I kept wondering — do people like this really exist? I decided to understand and trust the director, and through discussions with I-ling’s character, I gradually found what felt most authentic for You-you. Thank you to everyone watching and to those who toiled behind the scenes. I don’t have any grand ambitions — I just hope this show gives people a reason to smile in their free time. That would be more than enough for me!"

Responding to the positive reception, writer-director Li Nien-Hsiu comments, "From the very start, we wanted to create a show that people could watch while eating, commuting, or doing household chores — because what could be better than accompanying people in their daily lives, bringing laughter, and helping them forget their worries, even just for a little while? Thank you for allowing us to be part of your life for a few hours. I also hope that each of you finds companions who bring you joy so that you can enjoy life with no regrets."

Producer Vita Huang also expressed her gratitude: "I’m incredibly thankful and touched by the audience’s love. Over the past few days, I’ve read so many viewer reactions, and what makes me happiest is seeing comments like ‘I laughed until I wheezed’ or ‘I fell off the couch from laughing too hard!’ Some even said they watched it with their parents or their partners, and seeing families enjoy the show together is truly heartwarming. I believe that bringing up the realities of marriage is the first step to communication. Some people have called this show a cautionary tale, and that’s great too — because it means that after watching, everyone has a clearer idea of the kind of life they truly want."

I am Married…But! follows the married life of Lin I-ling and Zeng Xue-you and it is anything but a romantic fairytale. I-ling has been living under the same roof with her mother-in-law for years, and it is becoming intolerable as the matriarch keeps pressuring the couple to have a child. To complicate matters, I-ling befriends someone from a dating app and is tempted to start an emotional affair.

All 12 episodes of I am Married…But! are now streaming on Netflix.

Download exclusive cast images and new unit stills HERE and Top 10 assets HERE.