MANILA, Philippines — Mandopop superstar Eric Chou is stepping into unfamiliar territory as he trades the concert stage for a bustling restaurant kitchen in “Fired Up!”, HBO’s new Taiwanese original drama.
The 12-episode coming-of-age series marks Chou’s first leading role in a television drama, putting the singer-songwriter at the center of a story filled with food, family, friendship, romance, revenge and ambition.
But behind the sizzling pans and restaurant battles is a much darker mission.
Chou plays Chou Lu-yung, a young man who returns to his family’s restaurant, Jin Lai Hao, following the death of his father. As he struggles to keep the family business alive, Lu-yung becomes determined to uncover the truth surrounding his father’s death.
The series is adapted from GwangJin’s popular Kakao Webtoon “Itaewon Class,” which was previously turned into the hugely successful 2020 South Korean television drama. Rather than simply reproducing the Korean story, “Fired Up!” relocates the narrative to Taiwan, incorporating Taiwanese food, culture and characters into the familiar underdog formula.
From Mandopop star to restaurant heir
For Chou, “Fired Up!” represents a major new chapter.
Best known for his emotionally charged Mandopop songs and songwriting, the singer now has to convince viewers that he can carry an entire drama as its central character.
That challenge extended beyond acting.
According to Manila Bulletin, Chou underwent three weeks of intensive Chinese culinary training with Michelin-starred chefs to prepare for the role. He learned techniques including cutting, slicing and cooking in the high-heat style associated with Chinese kitchens.
The preparation was necessary because food isn’t merely background scenery in “Fired Up!” The restaurant and its kitchen are deeply connected to the characters’ identities, relationships and struggles.
Chou has also brought a personal detail into the character. His real-life forehead scar is visible in the series after he cut his hair for the role, and the scar was incorporated into Lu-yung’s backstory.
A restaurant, a family mystery and a fight for survival
At the heart of “Fired Up!” is Jin Lai Hao, the family restaurant Lu-yung is determined to protect.
But keeping the business alive becomes increasingly complicated as Lu-yung confronts powerful rivals and attempts to understand what really happened to his father.
The story therefore goes beyond a typical restaurant drama.
It combines the familiar ingredients of an underdog story with business rivalry, family conflict, romance, friendship and revenge—while using food as the thread connecting the characters.
The series’ Taiwanese identity is also one of its biggest distinctions from previous versions of “Itaewon Class.”
The cast has emphasized how Taiwanese cuisine and local culture were woven into the adaptation, giving the familiar story a different flavor for viewers who already know the original.
Eric Chou and Angela Yuen lead an ensemble cast
Chou is joined by Angela Yuen, who plays Chao Yi-hsuan, a strong-willed food influencer who becomes involved with Jin Lai Hao.
The ensemble also includes Shao Yu-wei, Wang Shih-hsien, Akira Huang, Cosmos Lin, Sean Lin and Ben Wu.
Yuen’s character brings another dimension to the restaurant’s story. Yi-hsuan is ambitious and outspoken, with aspirations that extend beyond simply working in a kitchen.
Meanwhile, other characters become caught between family loyalty, personal ambition and the struggle to determine who can be trusted.
That combination gives “Fired Up!” its broader appeal: the restaurant may be the setting, but the real conflict comes from the people surrounding it.
Even Eric’s first scene was unexpected
The series doesn’t take itself too seriously either.
Chou previously revealed that one of his most memorable moments came during his very first scene with Yuen—when he had to wear a chicken mascot costume and chase after her.
The unusual introduction became an early example of the show’s blend of comedy, romance and drama.
It is a far cry from the image many fans associate with Chou’s emotional ballads.
And that contrast may be exactly what makes the role interesting.
Music is still part of Eric Chou’s ‘Fired Up!’ journey
Although Chou is focusing heavily on acting, music remains part of the project.
He wrote and performs “Shells,” the series’ closing theme song. The soundtrack also includes original songs from Taiwanese artists Pets Tseng and Yo Lee.
For longtime Chou fans, that gives “Fired Up!” another reason to watch: the series allows him to combine two sides of his career—music and acting—while taking on a substantially different challenge.
Why Filipino viewers may connect with ‘Fired Up!’
The series has several elements that could resonate strongly with Filipino audiences.
Food-centered storytelling is one of them.
As The Philippine Star noted, the idea of people bonding over food is familiar across Asia, while the show’s underdog themes—surviving setbacks, protecting a family livelihood and fighting for a second chance—are also widely relatable.
“Fired Up!” also arrives at a time when Asian dramas continue to cross borders easily, with audiences increasingly looking beyond Korean productions toward Taiwanese, Japanese and other regional stories.
And unlike a straightforward remake, the HBO Original attempts to give the “Itaewon Class” premise a distinct Taiwanese identity through its food, characters and setting.
When and where to watch
“Fired Up!” premiered exclusively on HBO Max on July 31, 2026. The series consists of 12 episodes, with new episodes released on Fridays.
For Eric Chou, however, the series represents more than another acting credit.
It is his first opportunity to lead a television drama—and to prove that the man known for singing about heartbreak can also command a kitchen, run a struggling restaurant and carry a story about family, revenge and redemption.
And as Lu-yung’s fight for Jin Lai Hao intensifies, the biggest question may no longer be whether Eric Chou can act.
It is whether he—and his unlikely team—can survive long enough to uncover the truth behind his father’s death.
WWC ONE MEDIA J.M.S
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