Role Reversal (RR) Drama Lovers Club

 Emma:

chocker looks

I have a weakness for characters that wear chokers or ones that are androgynistic.

 Emma:

dramatic Kira and adorable

YES PLEASE 

 Emma:

What are some of your favorite RR media and tropes?

Mediaa.... hmmmm... In no particular order...

• Secrets of the Shadow Sect 
• Dong Lan Xue 
• Secret of Three Kingdoms - in part for the RR but also because it's a phenomenal drama
• The Other Half of Me and You 
• My Lady General 
• Run On 
• The Legend of Zhuohua 
• Beauty Killer 
• Hiyama Kentaro no Ninshin 

At least as far as asian dramas go xD

As for tropes... 

Protective FL x Protected ML - Preferably when it is literal as in she's stronger and needs to literally protect him but the emotional kind is quite fine too. It's just unrivaled- the scenarios, the tension, the cuteness, AUGH

Matriarchies - Maybe it's the sci-fi/fantasy lover in me but I just find it fascinating to see a different world explored. I've watched most titles tagged with this trope and I'm on a mission to watch them all. It just lends itself to a lot of interesting dynamics and a more literal reversal of roles which I find intriguing. (I find it often tends to be lacking which is always unfortunate but whatya gonna do)

Househusband ML x Breadwinner FL - The domestic kinda RR. Bonus points if children are involved, like yes plss 

Tsundere ML x Smitten FL - Something about those catty and bratty MLs and a FL that will not take no for an answer and is absolutely whipped with her man is just peak to me. Bonus points for flirting and gentlewoman tendencies 

Shy ML x Any kind of FL - Ideal if FL is bold and dominant but it's not a requirement (Run On my beloved). Just augh, the cuteness, the romance- Shy MLs that aren't aloof are my weakness (bonus points if the shyness is realistic and not just a caricature of how shy people behave but beggars can't be choosers, am I right *sob*)

"I Can Fix Her" - Yknow those MLs that find a train wreck of a woman and suddenly become Fix-it Felix? Yeah, that's a great trope. Other similar gems I love are "I can make her worse" and "I can't fix her but I can love her anyway" <33

Token Guy - Those groups that are mostly women but then there's 1 guy (no harem). Also F/F/M trios of any kind are really nice to me. Maybe it's not the most RR but I find that it usually tends to fall under the trope and I enjoy it xD

Gentlewoman - I mean those FLs that are effortlessly cool and charming and suave and spoil their bbg because SHE CAN. FL from The Princess Royal came to mind, specifically in that one scene where they're in the market and ML really wants candy so she just buys it for him and like ohgoddddd 

Mommy BFs - AKA the soft, gentle, and elegant man trope- So difficult to find characters like this. They're always either soft and gentle or elegant, rarely all three at the same time... Save for this guy from The Romance of Tiger and Rose. Every day I think about Su Mu. Every. Single. Day

And yes, like you said Femboy x Mascgirl is also a favourite of mine <3

There are prolly more but my headache isn't letting me think a whole lot ;-;

Basically anything that takes it a step further. I love role reversal of any kind, don't get me wrong. Men and women keeping their masculinity and femininity respectively but being otherwise more assertive or less assertive (among other things) is lovely... but I've always been fascinated by the more thorough approach? with less gender bias and more focused on personality, if that makes sense (I fear it might not)

I noticed that I tend to enjoy non-romantic RR a lot as well xD Just anything that's different from the usual 

 unbeliebubble:

Thank you Arclei for this great explaination. It is always a pleasure to learn more about the tropes. I always describe them whith my words but you nomenclature is better.

Ahh, I'm glad you enjoy my ramblings <33 

 unbeliebubble:

I realize there is more to role reversal that I thaught

Yes, yesssss, this is what I keep saying! There are layers to RR and variety, and even though it mostly refers to romantic relationships, there is definitely more out there! 

 unbeliebubble:

I wonder what trope I watch the most. I should curate my completed list to find out.

Omg yes, definitely do it! I'm so curious too!! 

 unbeliebubble:

ps : Know thyself

huh, the more you know xD

 Arclei:

Ahahahahaa, I watched until ep 4 before I became enraged that a 1 year age gap is considered noona and I dropped it xD I'll go and watch ep 14 then

I don't consider that an age gap either, I was looking for other signs of RR

 Arclei:

A FELLOW PERSON OF CULTURE, YESSSS!!! It's unfortunately a very rare trope to see 😔 

Right? I'm like digging everywhere to see what I can find on this trope

 Arclei:

Is it good? I keep being on the fence about starting that one fsr xD 

The story itself is a bit meh and there's some transphobia going on, especially with the ML but the main's relationship is cute. I love the makeup looks and him trying to act fem. I found his drag persona a lot more interesting than his actual self. I have 2 episodes left, I think they're dragging it. I'm just frustrated with everybody and there's not much scene of the main couple anymore. I'd say give it a try for the main couple and it's also hilarious if you try to ignore all the flaws

 Arclei:

but then so is Ye Zhao

Is that his ex? I don't remember a character name that 

There is that one scene where his ex from the other world has her arm around her new partner during the pool party scene, and that lives rent-free in my head. It seemed so protective and cute. 

I love the scene where Jacky teaches Rui how to swim and the amusement park scene

 Arclei:

FLs that are effortlessly cool and charming and suave and spoil their bbg because SHE CAN

I need more of this

 Arclei:

catty and bratty MLs

And more of this too, there's something about them, they're almost annoying but in a charming way. I think Kira from Colorful Love fits this vibe

Basically, more RR content of any kind is appreciated 

I'm planning to watch Mama Gogo, not sure how RR it is but it seems interesting

does anyone know any 2024-25 release Modern drama that is like full on RR, not subtext, lowkey subtle nahh none of that. something don lan xue kind of but modern setting? but from 2024-25