Darren Chen
Taiwanese actor and model who became a cultural phenomenon practically overnight. Darren entered acting through the modeling world, and that background shows — he carries every scene with a quiet, photogenic stillness that's genuinely rare. His portrayal of Hua Ze Lei, the silent, intellectually intense member of the F4, drew comparisons to the original 2001 version and held up. He plays introspective the way some actors play loud: with full commitment.
Post-Meteor Garden he pivoted toward more complex roles, earning a reputation for picking projects that challenge him rather than ones that coast on his looks. He speaks Mandarin and Taiwanese Hokkien, and has been quietly candid in interviews about being an introvert — which tracks completely with his Hua Ze Lei energy.
- His very first major acting role was the 2016 hit film Our Times — he landed Meteor Garden just two years later.
- Described by co-stars as genuinely quiet and introverted on set — he barely had to act for Hua Ze Lei's quieter scenes.
- Has said in interviews that he reads extensively between projects — philosophy and fiction, which feeds into the thoughtful quality he brings to roles.
- Like his character, he has a connection to music — he's an amateur guitar player who occasionally posts covers online.
- His international fanbase exploded post-Meteor Garden, particularly in Southeast Asia — a region Taiwanese actors hadn't consistently reached since the original F4 era.