Joe Chen

Joe Chen Chiao-en (; born 4 April 1979) is a Taiwanese actress, singer and television host.

Known as the "Queen of Idol Dramas", She solidified her popularity in highly rated television series Cruel Romance (2015), Destined to Love You (2015), Stay with Me (2016) and Candle in the Tomb (2016).

Chen ranked 99th on Forbes China Celebrity 100 list in 2013, 65th in 2014, 61st in 2015, and 51st in 2017.

Career

2001–2004: Beginnings Joe Chen began working as a model and assistant in 2001. She entered the entertainment industry after winning 1st place on Sanlih E-Television's talent show. In 2002, she began her acting career by taking on a supporting role in the television drama, Lavender. She also became a host for SET variety shows Zhong Guo Na Me Da and Zong Yi Qi Jian, alongside famous Taiwanese hosts Jacky Wu and NONO.

After being neglected by her company for six months, she attracted the attention of SET's executive Zong Limei, who cast her in 100% Senorita (2003). This was her first leading role. The drama became the highest rated Taiwanese drama then, and also achieved moderate success overseas. Joe then make her debut in Taiwanese girl group 7 Flowers the following year.

2005–2012: Rising popularity

Joe Chen is also known for her great figure. The "Ladies" endorsed by her has attracted huge popularity in 2009. Joe achieved breakthrough with her performance in The Prince Who Turns into a Frog (2005). The drama had a peak rating of 8.05, dethroning the previous record held by Meteor Garden to become the highest rated Taiwanese idol drama.

From 2006 to 2007, Joe began to host several Taiwanese variety programs like Treasure Hunter and Stylish Man – The Chef. She also starred in the dramas A Game About Love and Ying Ye 3 Jia 1.

In 2008, Joe starred in Fated to Love You opposite Ethan Juan, which beat Joe's previous drama, The Prince Who Turns into a Frog to become the highest rated Taiwanese idol drama. The drama also received popularity overseas, and was covered by America's Wall Street Journal. Joe was nominated for Best Actress in a TV Series at the 43rd Golden Bell Awards and was named "Queen of Idol Dramas" by Taipei Times.

In 2009, Joe was then cast in her first Chinese drama, The Girl in Blue, adapted from an online novel by Fei Wo Si Cun. The series was broadcast on Hunan TV in 2010.

In 2010, she was cast in her first film, Breaking the Waves, a youth sports film produced by John Woo for the Asian Games.

Joe returned to idol dramas after 4 years in the romantic comedy drama The Queen of SOP, which was broadcast on Hunan TV in 2012. The Queen of SOP achieved high ratings and positive reviews, further boosting Joe's popularity in China. She also released an OST for the drama titled "Like to be Lonely", which topped the Baidu Chinese Music Charts for two weeks.

2013–present: Breakthrough in China, Theater debut and continued success

Joe rose to mainstream popularity in China after starring in the Chinese wuxia drama Swordsman, adapted from Louis Cha's novel The Smiling, Proud Wanderer. She portrayed the anti-heroine Dongfang Bubai. Though there were initial doubts to her characters (as Dongfang Bubai is a male in the original novel), Joe later won the hearts of the audience through her complex and rich portrayal of her character. Joe experienced a rise in popularity, and won the Most Popular Actress award at the 5th China TV Drama Awards. The same year, Joe made her debut in musical theater, starring as the female lead in The Woman on the Breadfruit Tree, based on Amy Cheung's novel of the same name. She was nominated as Best New Actress at the 4th One Drama Presentation for her performance.

In 2014, Joe starred in The Monkey King, portraying Princess Iron Fan. The film was a huge commercial success, grossing US$180 million internationally. She also featured in the road-trip comedy film The Continent, directed by Han Han.

In 2015, Joe starred in her first period drama, Cruel Romance alongside Huang Xiaoming. Cruel Romance achieved high ratings and was extremely popular during its run. Joe won the Best Actress in the Modern drama award at the 17th Huading Awards for her performance. Joe then starred in another period drama, Destined to Love You, written by Tong Hua. The same year, Joe returned to theater and reprised her role in The Woman on the Breadfruit Tree. She received acclaim for her performance, and was awarded Best Actress at the 4th Denny Awards. She also made a cameo appearance in the popular youth film, Our Times as the adult version of the female protagonist.

In 2016, Joe paired up with Wang Kai for modern romance drama Stay with Me, which she co-produced. She co-starred with Jin Dong in the web drama Candle in the Tomb, adapted from the novel Ghost Blows Out the Light. Candle in the Tomb was a critical success, and received acclaim for its performance and faithful adaptation.

In 2017, Joe starred alongside Tong Dawei in the romance comedy drama Love Actually, which topped ratings and trending topics during its run. She subsequently returned to the big screen with two films – action comedy Big Brother alongside Donnie Yen and romance film Let's Cheat Together where she played the role of a mistress alongside frequent co-star Ming Dao.

In 2019, Joe starred alongside Chen Xiao in the historical television series Queen Dugu, playing the role of Dugu Qieluo. The same year, she was cast as Di Wu, a pilot in the aviation TV series New Horizon. However, due to the influence of COVID-19, New Horizon finally released on 27 May 2021 on iQiyi, Youku, and Tencent.

Personal life Chen is Taiwanese Hakka from Hsinchu County. She has two brothers, one elder and one younger.

Filmography

Film Year English title Original title Role Notes 2011 The Allure of Tears 倾城之泪 Zhang Cai 2012 Happiness Me Too 幸福迷途 Song Qi 2014 The Monkey King 大闹天宫 Princess Iron Fan The Suspicious 最佳嫌疑人 Angel Breaking the Waves 激浪青春 Ruan Xiaoyue The Continent 后会无期 Zhou Mo 2015 The Queens 我是女王 Candy Youth Never Returns 既然青春留不住 Zhou Hui Our Times 我的少女時代 Lin Truly (adult) Special appearance Return of the Cuckoo 十月初五的月光 Qi Qi Forever Love 北京时间 Xue Yalan 2017 Into the Rainbow 奇迹：追逐彩虹 Lian 2018 Big Brother 大師兄Liang Yingxin Let's Cheat Together 市长夫人的秘密 Liao Yanling 2023 Can you not please not leave me 可不可以 不要 离开 我 Lin Fang Fei https://movie.douban.com/subject/35431671/Television series

Discography Singles

Publication Joe Chen and Sam Tseng《曾国城、陈乔恩之冒险攻略 -团康完全手册》放电人文Aug. 2ndISBN 97898683537181442008Biography of Joe Chen《乔见没》尖端出版社Apr. 4thISBN 978957103833996including Cool Version and Sweet Version 2009Joe in Paris《乔见·巴黎》KATE PublishingJun. 26thISBN 9789866606489192including common version and rationed versionJoe in Paris (in simplified Chinese)《乔见·巴黎》（简体中文 第一版）北方妇女儿童出版社Aug. 1stISBN 97875385405671652011Joe & Cat《乔见·猫》KATE PublishingJun. 22ndISBN 9789866175299176including common version and special version2013Joe & Cat (in simplified Chinese)《乔见·猫》（简体中文版）漓江出版社Apr. 1stISBN 9787540759773171 Joe in Paris II《乔见·巴黎》（简体中文 第二版）花城出版社Aug. 13thISBN 9787536068353176

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work ResultRef. 2008 43rd Golden Bell Awards Best Actress Fated to Love You 2012 8th Huading Awards Best Actress (Youth Drama) The Queen of SOP 2013 5th China TV Drama Awards Most Popular Actress (Hong Kong/Taiwan) Swordsman 4th One Drama Presentation Best New Actress The Woman on the Breadfruit Tree 4th Denny Award for International Excellence in Theatrical Arts Best Actress The Woman on the Breadfruit Tree 2016 19th Huading Awards Best Actress (Revolution-Era Drama) Destined to Love You 8th China TV Drama Awards Most Influential Actress (Hong Kong/Taiwan) Stay with Me