The Khmer dubbed version aired on local stations like CTN, MyTV, and even on rented VCDs from neighborhood shops. Friends would gather around a single CRT television, waiting for the weekly episode. The cliffhangers—Will Xiangqin finally win Zhishu’s heart? Will the jealous Jin Yuan ruin everything?—had the entire nation talking.
The plot is classic "opposites attract." After an earthquake destroys Xiangqin’s house, she and her father move into the home of her father’s best friend—who turns out to be Zhishu’s father. Forced to live under the same roof, the clumsy Xiangqin continues her relentless pursuit of the icy genius. What follows is a decade-spanning tale of unrequited love, personal growth, jealousy, and ultimately, a deep and abiding romance. In Cambodia, while English and Thai content have large followings, Mandarin and Cantonese are not widely understood outside of the older Chinese-Cambodian community. For the average Khmer viewer, reading subtitles can be a barrier to fully enjoying the emotional highs and lows of a drama. it started with a kiss khmer dubbed
Even today, memes from the show circulate on Facebook. Sound clips of famous Khmer-dubbed lines are used in TikTok videos. When Joe Cheng (the original Zhishu) posted on Instagram in 2023, Cambodian fans flooded the comments with Khmer phrases from the dub. Searching for “it started with a kiss khmer dubbed” is more than an attempt to watch an old show. It is an act of remembrance. It is revisiting a time when love seemed simple, when a cold boy could be melted by a persistent girl, and when a Khmer voice actor’s heartfelt performance could cross cultural boundaries. The Khmer dubbed version aired on local stations
| Version | Pros | Cons | |--------|------|------| | | Full emotional immersion; no reading needed; nostalgic local voice actors | Some lines are mistranslated; quality degrades over time | | Thai Dubbed | Widely available; high production value | Many Cambodians don’t understand Thai well | | Original Mandarin (Subtitled) | Pure acting performances; original music | Subtitles distract from visual comedy; slow readers struggle | Will the jealous Jin Yuan ruin everything
So grab some popcorn, find that old USB drive or YouTube playlist, and press play. It started with a kiss —and for Cambodian fans, it never really ended. Did you grow up watching the Khmer dubbed version of It Started with a Kiss? Share your memories in the comments below. And if you’re looking for working links, join our Facebook group “ISWAK Khmer Fan Club.”
In the vast landscape of Asian dramas, few love stories have achieved the legendary status of It Started with a Kiss (also known as ISWAK ). Based on the Japanese manga Itazura na Kiss by Kaoru Tada, this Taiwanese drama captured hearts across Asia. But in Cambodia, its legacy holds a special place, largely thanks to the beloved Khmer dubbed version. For thousands of Cambodian viewers—from students in Phnom Penh to families in rural provinces—the phrase “it started with a kiss khmer dubbed” is not just a search term; it is a gateway to a wave of early 2000s nostalgia, pure romance, and unforgettable laughter. The Original Magic: What is “It Started with a Kiss”? Before diving into the Khmer dubbed phenomenon, let’s revisit the core story. Airing originally in 2005 (with a second season, They Kiss Again , in 2007), It Started with a Kiss stars Joe Cheng as Jiang Zhishu (a genius-level student who is cold, aloof, and seemingly emotionless) and Ariel Lin as Yuan Xiangqin (a sweet, persistent, but academically hopeless girl).