THEY say third time’s the charm.

But when it comes to the oft-speculated blossoming romance between Joe Chen and her three-time co-star Ming Dao, she’s adamant about quashing the swirling rumours.

She is not dating the boyish Ming Dao, who is a year younger than her.

“The rumours about me and Ming Dao are totally exaggerated,” said the 30-year-old Taiwanese actress, who is known in her native country as the Queen of Idol Dramas.

The nickname was given to her after a slew of television series she starred in achieved top viewership ratings.

Speaking to local reporters via a conference call from Taiwan, Joe said she is used to being the target of gossip in the tabloids, but those about her and Ming Dao “top the list” as being the “strangest”.

“We are just very good friends. So we’re always surprised when we read news about us dating.

“It’s impossible for us to be an item.”

Joe stars with Ming Dao in the new idol drama Let’s Dance, a romantic story about young aspiring dancers chasing their dreams.

Let’s Dance premieres on Friday over Taiwan Central (SingTel mio TV Ch Ch 310) and is available on demand.

Cutesy Joe previously acted with Ming Dao in popular TV drama Prince Who Turns Into A Frog (2005) and the high school-themed Ying Ye 1+3(2007).

Last January, the paparazzi reportedly photographed the two “kissing passionately” in a popular Taipei nightspot.

Joe later denied that they were the ones in the photograph.

But the rumours will not affect her friendship with Ming Dao, she said, as they enjoy “great camaraderie” both on and off screen.

“If there are suitable roles for us in the future, I don’t see why we shouldn’t act together again,” she said.

Joe said she has had “generally very pleasant” experiences with her male co-stars.

“Acting with Ming Dao puts me in good spirits,” she said, laughing.

“Xiao Tian (her nickname for actor Ethan Ruan, who starred with her in 2008’s Fated To Love You) too is easygoing and happy-go-lucky.

“As for Roy (referring to Roy Chiu, who starred with her in last year’s Easy Fortune Happy Life), he is someone I can talk to about almost anything.”

Joe is currently single, having ended a four-year relationship with her Australian boyfriend, Michael, last June.

“I’ve really have no time for love now, plus I’m not even actively looking,” she said.

“Of course, I would love to find a guy whom I can eventually share my life and connect spiritually with.

“But it’s really hard to meet the right one with my hectic schedule,” she added with a hint of resignation.

“No worries though, I will patiently wait for him to appear.”

This article was first published in The New Paper.