The Making of an Ordinary Woman (2019)
A beloved Taiwanese comedy-drama about one woman's journey through love, family, and the quiet courage of an ordinary life.
The Making of an Ordinary Woman - Series Information
- Original Title: 俗女養成記
- First Air Year: 2019
- Last Air Year: 2021
- Created by: Yen Yi-wen
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Comedy, Drama, Family
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (50 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 2
- Number of Episodes: 20
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: Chinese
- Spoken Languages: Mandarin
- First Air Date: August 4, 2019 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: CTS
- Alternative Titles: 俗女養成記 (TW), 속녀양성기 (KR), The Making of an Ordinary Woman (US), おんなの幸せマニュアル (JP), 俗女养成记 (CN)
- Production Companies: CTS
- Production Countries: Taiwan
The Making of an Ordinary Woman - Plot
A story of a woman born in 60s grew up in a Chinese herbal medicine store in southern Taiwan. Love, marriage, and seniority in human relationships around her collide together, leading to a different aspect of life.
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The Making of an Ordinary Woman - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Yen Yi-wen
Main Cast
- Hsieh Ying-shiuan
- Bella Wu
- Bamboo Chen
- Yang Li-yin
- Sara Yu
- Joseph Hsia
- Lan Wei-hua
- Wayne Song
- Yen Yi-wen
- James Wen
Writers
- Yen Yi-wen
The Making of an Ordinary Woman - FAQs
What is The Making of an Ordinary Woman about?
The series follows Chen Chia-Ling, a woman born in the 1960s who grew up in her family's Chinese herbal medicine shop in southern Taiwan. Through flashbacks and present-day storylines, it explores how love, marriage, generational expectations, and family relationships shape — and sometimes upend — the meaning of an ordinary life.
Is The Making of an Ordinary Woman based on a true story?
The series is not based on a single true story, but it draws heavily from creator and writer Yen Yi-wen's own experiences growing up in Taiwan. The deeply personal details — the herbal medicine shop, the family dynamics, the cultural pressures on women — give the show an unmistakably autobiographical warmth and authenticity.
Who plays the lead role in The Making of an Ordinary Woman?
Hsieh Ying-shiuan plays the adult Chen Chia-Ling, the series' warm and relatable protagonist. Bella Wu portrays the younger version of the same character in flashback sequences. The dual-timeline casting is one of the show's most praised creative choices, giving the story both emotional depth and nostalgic charm.
Where can you watch The Making of an Ordinary Woman?
Streaming availability for The Making of an Ordinary Woman varies by region. For the most up-to-date viewing options where you are, check JustWatch, which tracks current streaming, rental, and purchase availability across platforms in your country.
How was The Making of an Ordinary Woman received by critics?
The series earned widespread critical praise across both seasons, celebrated for its heartfelt writing, nuanced performances, and honest portrayal of Taiwanese womanhood. It became one of the most acclaimed Taiwanese dramas of its era, winning multiple Golden Bell Awards — Taiwan's most prestigious television honors — including Best Drama Series.
Did The Making of an Ordinary Woman win any awards?
The series swept Taiwan's Golden Bell Awards across both seasons. Season 1 won Best Drama Series in 2019, while Season 2 earned further recognition in 2021. Yen Yi-wen's writing and the lead performances were particularly celebrated, cementing the show's legacy as a landmark in contemporary Taiwanese television.
How many seasons and episodes does The Making of an Ordinary Woman have?
The series ran for two seasons, each containing 10 episodes, for a total of 20 episodes. Season 1 aired in 2019 and Season 2 followed in 2021, both on CTS in Taiwan. There is also a special episode included as part of the complete series.
What are similar shows to The Making of an Ordinary Woman?
If you enjoyed The Making of an Ordinary Woman, you might also like Why Women Kill for its sharp female-centered storytelling, Weeds for its darkly comic family drama, or Forever for its quietly moving exploration of relationships. For more family-focused comedies, Life in Pieces and Sister Wives offer entertaining ensemble dynamics.
More About The Making of an Ordinary Woman
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