Favorite romances ♥
-
1. A Dream of Splendor
Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes
-
2. A Familiar Stranger
Chinese Drama - 2022, 18 episodes
This show has a crazy premise- what if you got your face swapped with another woman and had to marry her fiance?- but the romance is what really sold the show for me. The leads are both massively talented heavyweights, bringing a wonderfully moving and tender love story into this wacky minidrama.
The twist to their relationship is a fantastic piece of drama and it's executed so satisfyingly. I love how enamored ML is of FL really early on and how he wins her affections, figures out her secrets, and still trusts her. SO refreshing to see a tough general ML wholly on his wife's side, trusting her no matter what, supporting her, believing the best of her. Because of course she's a good-hearted person, and life has dealt her a cruel hand. It was so lovely to see this good guy come into her life and change it for the better (and for her to change his life too!)
Underrated minidrama gem.
-
3. Colorful Love: Genderless Danshi ni Aisareteimasu
Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
Watching this show was like experiencing the first cool rainstorm in autumn after a long, dry summer. So refreshing and so sweet. I loved both the leads and supporting couple; both were wonderful to watch develop throughout the story.
This is one of my favorite slice of life romances ever! I loved seeing FL encourage ML and hype him up, and I loved seeing ML admire how cool FL was. They were SO cute together, you can just see how much they love spending time with each other, how much the other person relaxes them and makes them happy. They make each other's lives better and brighter.
I also loved how their personal gender expressions played into the romance, it was done very thoughtfully and with real affection from the writers IMO. Neither of them were ever played as a joke for having preferences different from society's norm. ML even gets a scene or two where he talks about how people like him exist, they are not a trend or a joke. FL adores him as he is! I honestly cried! It was such a lovely show.
If you want a slice of life romance that's genuinely sweet, a bit different, and leaves you feeling hopeful and reminded of the beauty of life, I recommend this one :)
-
4. How Dare You!?
Chinese Drama - 2026, 32 episodes
One of the best shows of 2026, and one of the best transmigration dramas ever made. Hilarious, fun, intriguing, and heartbreaking. Starting two stunningly talented leads who elevate this story to the next level.
-
5. Legend of Fei
Chinese Drama - 2020, 51 episodes
a breezy romance with a notable role reversal undercurrent (they definitely leaned into it, IMO-- he's the mysterious pretty boy and she's the badass legendary warrior) that turns heartbreaking, dramatic, and tenderly devoted. i love their flirty banter, their friendship, and how much they admire and enjoy each other! so many sweet moments as they fall in love over the course of the story. one of my favorite scenes is when he's doing her hair :') LoF is a really fun show, unique in many ways, and i think the romance enhances it even more!
-
6. Legend of the Magnate
Chinese Drama - 2025, 40 episodes
-
7. Love Begins in the World of If
Japanese Drama - 2025, 6 episodes
more than a simple love story, this is also a story about loving yourself, loving others, and realizing what amazing potential for your own success and joy lies within your life already. technically two love stories in one, each exploring who the characters are, who they could be, and who they inspire each other to become. takes an intriguing premise and turns it inside out! a romance with true vulnerability at its heart: human error and kindness, hope and understanding, and two people choosing each other over and over again. <3
-
8. Love between Fairy and Devil
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
an actual fairytale romance... this show suckered me in with the early episode shenanigans between the two leads and their amazingly fun dynamic, but then became deeply heartwrenching. a love that reshaped destinies... tragic, heartwarming, and mind-blowing all at once. a romance that defines the story of the show in the best way. spectacular character arcs with a cataclysmic and angsty finish (though it does end happily). true love really does save the day :)
-
9. Love between Lines
Chinese Drama - 2026, 28 episodes
wonderfully charming leads and a plot that i was invested in alongside the romance! the premise of the VR world they meet for the first time in is so interesting i found myself wishing we spent more time there, but i was also keen on the architectural story and the family drama laced within it. very sweet romance that offers a nice variation on the classic "ceo romance" formula, with a leading man who has played multiple ceos, lol, and is at the top of his game in this drama! i had to rewatch their first kiss at least three or four times <33
-
10. My Lady General
Chinese Drama - 2023, 23 episodes
has to be one of my favorite fictional couples of all time!! finally the badass stoic warrior is a lady and the pretty assassin with a tragic double identity is a man! :D the leads play their roles with such flair and talent, and the show is satisfying in so many ways, with so many cute moments. the plot rockets through classic drama tropes with a fresh new spin, and i found myself wishing it was a full show. highly rec for role reversal fans! :)
-
11. My Royal Nemesis
Korean Drama - 2026, 14 episodes
-
12. She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat
Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
poignant, thoughtful, and very sweet: a love letter to slice of life romances as well as a cooking-centered romance. i loved the manga it was based off of, and i felt the actors and the show captured the story and characters wonderfully. a lovely gentle romance, but one that doesn't shy away from making you cry! one of those shows that remind me of the joy of living and the power of loving and being loved in return. <3 while the show addresses serious topics, it isn't an overly stressful drama, and will leave you wanting more in the best way.
-
13. The Handmaiden
Korean Movie - 2016
the film that changed my life and saved my life!!!
-
14. The Legend of Shen Li
Chinese Drama - 2024, 39 episodes
these two drove me crazy ❤ ZLY has done it again (ღ ˘ ⌣˘ ღ) all I have to hear is three seconds of the ending credits song and I'm in pieces again lol.
one of the best slowburn romances, turns so many tropes on its head and thoughtfully explores the "all-powerful divine being who will do anything for you" dynamic with a powerful and mature FL who can hold her ground and sweeps ML off his feet lol. like you really get why he's so hung up on her.
even though the romance has a definite angsty "push and pull" fctor because it's forbidden for ML to fall in love, it doesn't succumb to any frustrating tropes or even to much drama between the couple. it's more like they both know they can't be together, but they want to find a way T_T and then it gets to a point where they're like "i love you regardless of what it costs me personally." CRAZY GOOD. happy ending too!
-
15. The Legend of Zhuohua
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
"we've always shared the same mind."
one of my favorite couples of all time. a lot more understated than other romances on this list, but it suits the characters and the story very well IMO. a competent, devoted power couple; neither of them compromise who they are, and they admire and love that about each other. they challenge each other and inspire each other to become their best selves. true equals, despite their different stations in life, and soulmates in the sense that they understand each other intimately. they scheme and plot together <3
her intelligence, boldness, irreverence and risk-taking appeals to him, just as his calmness, cleverness, loyalty and relentless honor appeals to her. i love when age gap romances are done well, and this is one of the best! a VERY happy ending despite what you may expect :)
-
16. The Rebel Princess
Chinese Drama - 2021, 68 episodes
iconic for a reason! xiao qi has to be one of my favorite leading men of all time. unfinished because i'm savoring the drama and don't want it to end lol!!
-
17. Till the End of the Moon
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
i haven't finished this show yet because i don't want it to end!! T__T
-
18. Veil of Shadows
Chinese Drama - 2026, 29 episodes
-
19. When Destiny Brings the Demon
Chinese Drama - 2025, 33 episodes


















