role reversal shows

additional shows/movies/animes that are not on mdl, list is only accessible through here, please check it out :)

ratings will depend on how much role reversal the show has! i will be looking at their overall dynamic and how they treat each other instead of the factors affecting them. (let's say for example, the fl is stern and assertive while the ml is more cute and passive, but they act traditionally towards each other, i will either give these a lower rating in the rr aspect or refrain from adding these onto the list.)

(8-10 is very, 5-7 is moderate, 1-4 is slight) happy watching! <3

note: series marked unwatched are series i haven't watched in a long time so i'm purely basing them by memory. these are also not spoiler free.

juno Sep 3, 2024
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  • The Other Half of Me and You

    1. The Other Half of Me and You

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 32 episodes

    8.5

    10/10 | super rr, they literally just switched the traditional gender roles.

  • My Lady General

    2. My Lady General

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 23 episodes

    6.5

    10/10 | this is SO rr. masculine fl x feminine ml, the scenes between them are also really rr and the fl takes charge a lot. the fl is a cool general while the ml is her sickly husband who acts like a damsel in distress.

  • Love and Leashes

    3. Love and Leashes

    Korean Movie - 2022

    8.0

    10/10 | this is a bdsm movie so i think it's a given why the rating would be high. i still want to mention this though as femdom movies are really rare. their dynamic out of bdsm is also still rr, the fl is more calm and composed while the ml is puppy-like.

  • He's Expecting

    4. He's Expecting

    Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

    9.0

    10/10 subtext, no rating for direct since no romance | both leads are work-oriented but this is emphasized on the fl.

  • Otomen

    5. Otomen

    Japanese Drama - 2009, 12 episodes

    9.0

    9.8/10 | the ml is basically a malewife, although he can hold his own in a fight, the fl protects him when he needs it. they're so cute together :((

  • Begin Again

    6. Begin Again

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 35 episodes

    8.5

    9.5/10 | fl is an assertive businesswoman/ceo while ml is a warm doctor, this is super rr asides from a few moments. although, the show itself bored me because of the episode count.

    skipped to the last episode after episode 22

  • Hotel del Luna

    7. Hotel del Luna

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    9.5/10 | oh my god. where do i start? the fl is really dominant, she's badass, and protects him a lot. compared to the ml who is more cute-ish? he's younger than her as well.

    i really need to rewatch this

  • Please Love Me

    8. Please Love Me

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes

    7.5

    9/10 | ceo fl x model ml, cold woman/warm man. ml is basically like a puppy to her and the first few episodes are really rr. it settles down a bit towards the end but doesn't completely disappear, noona romance as well.

    the leads also have so much chemistry oh my godddd

  • Into the Ring

    9. Into the Ring

    Korean Drama - 2020, 32 episodes

    9.0
  • Mr. Bride

    10. Mr. Bride

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 11 episodes

    8.5

    8.7/10 | malewife/girlboss, older woman/younger man, ml willingly calls himself fl's wife, ml is fl's subordinate at work. also a lott of reverse tropes especially episodes 5-8, there are still some traditional moments especially in the start. (leads are similar height, ml is taller by 6 cm)

    leads do have some communication issues but they are solved rather quickly and i really enjoyed this more than expected so if you love fluffy, slice-of-life, workplace romances this is perfect! male lead's brothers are also so fun to watch.

    clips: [1] (i wish i could add more but i'm watching through viki and i can't record/screenshot stuff from there)

  • Hitsuji to Okami no Koi to Satsujin

    11. Hitsuji to Okami no Koi to Satsujin

    Japanese Movie - 2019

    8.0

    8.2/10 | murderer/vigilante fl x loser ml, bad girl/good boy(calling ml good is questionable but he relies heavily on his morals and wants to change fl), asides from the obvious psychopathic traits the fl has, there are a lot of rr moments as well.

    also very much "i can change her" energy from the ml like it's the main theme of the movie lol

  • Are You Ready? Hey You Girl!

    12. Are You Ready? Hey You Girl!

    Japanese Movie - 2018

    8.0

    8/10 | cold woman and warm man dynamic, he even cooks for her!! fl works a job and is popular in their school, while the ml is also popular but he's surprisingly awkward (loser-like perhaps).

    the reason this isn't as high is because of the last scene.

  • Takane no Hana-san

    13. Takane no Hana-san

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

    8.0

    8/10 | the fl is really good at her job and is stern, while the ml is more cute and is bad at this job. wish we saw more moments between them though where the rr dynamic is more obvious.

  • Love Revolution

    14. Love Revolution

    Korean Drama - 2020, 30 episodes

    8/10 | i watched this way back during its release so i don't remember much. the ml is cute, with puppy-like energy. the fl is very much cold and reserved.

    also a cool detail i want to mention is how the ml's name basically means princess in english, while the fl's name means prince. i thought that was really cute lol. (might rewatch sometime and i'll update the rating if necessary)

  • See You in My 19th Life

    15. See You in My 19th Life

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    8.5

    7.5/10 | pursuer fl/pursued ml, assertive fl/standoffish ml, female chases male first, ml is cold but he's actually a softie and enjoys fl's directness (in the manhwa he's actually more easily flustered from what i've heard), not much subtext rr

    (HUGE SPOILER DON'T READ: apparently in the ending, the roles reverse in which ml pursues her instead, open ending though sadly...)

  • Let's Date, Professor Xie

    16. Let's Date, Professor Xie

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes

    6.5

    7.5/10 | immature ml/mature fl, warm ml/cold fl (initially), malewife/girlboss, fl initiates their interactions most of the time.

  • Hot Young Bloods

    17. Hot Young Bloods

    Korean Movie - 2014

    8.5

    7.5/10 | although the premise itself is very rr, we don't get as much romance than expected. most scenes between the fl and ml are rr, an exception is the last scene (SPOILER DON'T READ: which is a reference to an officer and a gentleman).

    the fl is really assertive with him and ml is a scaredy-cat so he hides behind her. how cute lol. (i just wish there was a scene where fl fought for him but i'm being too picky.)

  • Beautiful Vampire

    18. Beautiful Vampire

    Korean Movie - 2018

    8.0

    7/10 | not much gender roles but ml is bridal carried here. also cold/strong fl x warm/weak ml. (song kang is absolutely adorable here)

  • It's Okay to Not Be Okay

    19. It's Okay to Not Be Okay

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

    10

    7/10 | a lot of rr moments. fl is a psychopath who is very aggressive towards pursuing ml however ml is a bit of a pushover. although i don't think i could rewatch this because of ml's actor even if i really liked the series...

    female lead saves male lead trope is there (SPOILER: during their childhood flashbacks only)

  • Love Starts from Marriage Season 2

    20. Love Starts from Marriage Season 2

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes

    7.0

    7/10 | dominant fl/submissive ml, girlboss/malewife. they are both protective of each other but it's mostly ml being protective over fl.

  • Female CEO Love Me

    21. Female CEO Love Me

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

    8.0

    7/10 | cool fl/cute ml, ceo fl/employee ml, rich fl/poor ml, girlboss/malewife, female chases male first.

    there are some good role reversal moments but it's not 100% role reversal since fl is a bit childish at times and the ml takes care of her. i love love the pairing i hope to see them in more dramas like this!!

  • Ho Goo's Love

    22. Ho Goo's Love

    Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes

    7/10 | barely remembered anything about this kdrama but the fl is more mature and the ml is cuter. 

  • Triad Princess

    23. Triad Princess

    Taiwanese Drama - 2019, 6 episodes

    7.5

    7/10 | if this had more episodes that showcased their relationship, i would definitely rate this higher. the fl is badass and has a lot of fight scenes, while the ml is more cute.

  • Colorful Love: Genderless Danshi ni Aisareteimasu

    24. Colorful Love: Genderless Danshi ni Aisareteimasu

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    8.0

    6.8/10 | malewife/girlboss (kind of), feminine ml, fl initiates a lot of their romantic interactions, leads are of similar height (ml's actor is taller by 2 cm)

    they are more egalitarian and they're both on the cuter side.

    second couple is very very slight rr (probably 3.5/10?), sml does pursue sfl but he's also incredibly whipped for her lmao. (i think sml is mentioned to be 32 and sfl is in her forties, carefree ml/stern fl)

  • I Hear Your Voice

    25. I Hear Your Voice

    Korean Drama - 2013, 18 episodes

    9.0

    6.8/10 | the leads are a bit egalitarian, but puppy younger ml x hot-headed older fl dynamic is so cute, malewife/girlboss (kind of), cute ml/cool fl. a lot of role-reversal moments as well (ml lands on fl's lap, fl being protective over him, etc.). fl's dynamic with sml is also quite role reversal (sunshine ml, well at least during the start... x stern fl)

    also fl is mostly being protected by ml so that docks a few points....

  • Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

    26. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    8.5

    6.5/10 | the fl is really strong, and the ml really likes it. the ml is pretty much a damsel in distress, and he gets carried a few times in the series. nothing else is rr for me that's why the rating isn't as high.

  • Flower of Evil

    27. Flower of Evil

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

    10

    6.5/10 | the ml stays at home most of the time and takes care of their kid, while the fl is a cool police officer. she also basically pursues him as seen in their flashbacks.

  • Damn! I'm Tempted

    28. Damn! I'm Tempted

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes

    5.5

    6.5/10 | femdom [in the steamier scenes], but the leads (in a romantic aspect) are more power couple/egalitarian vibes.

    leads have so much chemistry but the story was pretty boring.

  • Love Scout

    29. Love Scout

    Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes

    8.0

    6.5/10  | cold businesswoman fl and warm secretary ml. they are both quite clingy to each other. id's say about 40% of the scenes were rr (ESPECIALLY EPISODE 8!!) but the ending (and a short part of episode 9) has purely traditional gender roles. still a good watch though :)

  • Search: WWW

    30. Search: WWW

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    6.5

    first couple (bae tami and park morgan): 6/10 [SPOILER DON'T READ: ending for them is ambiguous/vague]
    older woman/younger man, cold fl/warm ml, there's a scene where she holds him in bed.


    second couple (cha hyeon and seol ji hwan): 8/10
    successful fl/rising actor ml (she's the reason why he became more popular), older woman/younger man, more subtext rr than direct but there's a short scene where she hands him a flower which is adorable.

    third couple (song gagyeong and oh jin woo): egalitarian [SPOILER DON'T READ: one-sided and ends in a divorce]

  • You're My Pet

    31. You're My Pet

    Japanese Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    6/10 | the fl is an older successful woman while the ml is a ballet dancer. she keeps him as his pet. i wouldn't say this is super rr though, the fl acts more motherly rather than dominant. (i dropped this one mid-way because of the second ml so i might have missed a few important details)

  • Alice in Borderland

    32. Alice in Borderland

    Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

    9.5

    6/10 | female lead saves male lead trope is very present, strong fl x weak ml. (not romance focused but heavily implied)

  • I Love You, Hater

    33. I Love You, Hater

    Filipino Movie - 2018

    8.5

    6/10 | sassy/assertive fl, feminine ml (he needs to be feminine for the plot.), no kiss but some physical contact which is about 50% role reversal :) rr was more evident in the beginning.

  • Long Vacation

    34. Long Vacation

    Japanese Drama - 1996, 11 episodes

    8.0

    5.5/10 | bold/outspoken fl x shy/softer ml. (more on sub-text rr but there is a scene where they cuddle in bed and fl wraps her arm around him.)
    ml once said fl talks to him like a guy, and fl said she expected him to be the cool type rather than the shy personality type he has.

  • While You Were Sleeping

    35. While You Were Sleeping

    Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes

    9.0

    5.5/10 | tsundere ml x straightforward fl. i'd say they're quite egalitarian. (fl is also a bit tomboy-ish, most especially during her childhood)

    not really "role reversal" since both leads are cheerful but fl is quite outspoken towards him before he admitted he liked her. a good number of reverse cliches too (ml lays his head on fl's shoulder, reverse back hug, and there's a scene where he cries in fl's arms). still has a lot of traditional moments though, so more on the egalitarian side but still worth a mention.

  • Late Autumn

    36. Late Autumn

    Korean Movie - 2011

    9.5

    first of all, beautiful movie. so much symbolism and it really felt like i spent a day watching the leads' grow to love each other :(

    5.5/10 | although it's a male chases female first trope, fl was more straightforward. she flat out asked him "do you want me" with no facial expression change whatsoever LMFAO. i wouldn't say the male lead is shy though or gets embarrassed, but fl initiates a lot of more romantic moments between them. (tldr; cold fl/warm ml, straightforward fl, initiator fl)

  • She's on Duty

    37. She's on Duty

    Korean Movie - 2005

    8.5

    5.5/10 | more power couple vibes rather than rr in terms of fighting skill however... serious fl/optimistic ml vibe is very present, movie is mostly action rather than romance.

    (SPOILER?: if you're worried about a police detective going for a high school student, this will be addressed very clearly in the movie so don't hesitate to give it a try if that's the reason stopping you from watching! the movie is quite enjoyable imo.)

  • One Spring Night

    38. One Spring Night

    Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes

    7.0

    5.5/10 | cool fl/cute ml, cold fl/warm ml (kind of), protective fl, bossy(?) fl. they are more rr in terms of words though and the way they talk to each other, their interactions r mostly egalitarian.

    fl's younger sister and the civil servant (ml's friend) are a bit rr (direct fl x shy ml)

  • Sapuri

    39. Sapuri

    Japanese Drama - 2006, 11 episodes

    6.5

    5/10 | (older woman/younger man, workaholic fl/free-spirited ml, fl is stronger than ml, fl is taller than ml with heels on and without heels they are the same height.)

    unfortunately the show focused on the love triangle more rather than her relationship/dynamic with the male leads. [focused on sub-text rr rather than direct]

  • Lovely Complex

    40. Lovely Complex

    Japanese Movie - 2006

    8.0

    5/10 | tall fl/short ml, anime is wayyyy more rr than the movie.

  • Our Beloved Summer

    41. Our Beloved Summer

    Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    9.5

    5/10 | asides from the mature fl and the cute ml dynamic, there are a few reverse cliches but not much. show doesn't really have any specific gender roles either way.

  • Run On

    42. Run On

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

    8.5

    5/10 (main couple), 10/10 (second couple) | the main couple are pretty equal to each other but i'd say the ml is a bit of a himbo, and the fl is more career oriented. the real deal is with the second couple though, the second ml is cries a lot and the second fl is cold-hearted.

  • Orange Days

    43. Orange Days

    Japanese Drama - 2004, 11 episodes

    10

    5/10 | rude fl/kind ml, rr is more subtext based but there are a few moments in the show.

  • Wildflower

    44. Wildflower

    Filipino Drama - 2017, 257 episodes

    9.0

    4.5/10 | this is a revenge drama and not romance focused, however, i would like to give this a mention. the fl is powerful and badass, and the ml can hold his own but he's more of her sidekick. (mostly power couple vibes but fl is more powerful than ml) 

    poor ml?/rich fl. ml is from a rich family however his family hates him so he doesn't receive anything asides from a roof under his head)

    although, i can't really say you should watch this if you want pure romance, hence the rating. actors are awesome though.

  • My Lady Boss

    45. My Lady Boss

    Filipino Movie - 2013

    7.0

    4.5/10 direct, 8/10 subtext (MAJOR SPOILER DON'T READ!: changes in the ending but is shown very briefly) | bossy fl/laidback ml, boss fl/assistant ml, cold fl/warm ml, poor fl/rich ml

    does have a veryyy few moments but more traditional moments.

  • Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

    46. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

    Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    8.5

    4.2/10 | cold fl/warm ml, rich fl/poor ml, girlboss/malewife (i mean ml is the definition of employed but he is great at housework, fl's mom even says he'd make a great housewife in episode 9 lol), mostly egalitarian. more on sub-text rr.

    sources: [1], [2], [3], [4]

  • Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

    47. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

    Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

    8.0

    4/10 | barely rr, the fl is strong and the guy is himbo-ish? and cute but that's about it. they seem more egalitarian.

  • You're My Boss

    48. You're My Boss

    Filipino Movie - 2015

    8.0

    3/10 direct, 6/10 subtext | leads are quite conventional towards each other however grumpy fl/sunshine ml trope is veryyy evident here. fl also holds a higher working position than ml. (also similar vibes with the proposal if that's your cup of tea)

  • My Wife Is a Gangster

    49. My Wife Is a Gangster

    Korean Movie - 2001

    4.0

    i'm not sure how to rate this but strong fl/weak ml, gangster fl/commoner ml however...

    TW: MENTIONS SEXUAL ASSAULT
    (SPOILER DON'T READ: i couldn't continue watching, i was around 57 minutes in and male lead kept trying to fully unbutton fl's shirt, even nearly sexually assaulting her but she was able to fight back. fl constantly mentioned he can't sleep or try anything with her without her permission... i initially enjoyed the movie's quirkiness but i struggled digesting these scenes)

  • Head over Heels

    50. Head over Heels

    Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes

    planning to watch once all episodes are out | has gender role reversal tag as well as female lead saves male lead (also unlucky male lead tag)

    sources: [1], [2]

  • Pretty Crazy

    51. Pretty Crazy

    Korean Movie - 2025

    synopsis seems funny, i'll watch this when it comes out in august. cunning fl/awkward ml

    if it doesn't turn out as rr, i will remove it from the list.
    if it does, i'll keep it and add my rating :)

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