Unhealthy / Dark / Twisted / Toxic / Forbidden Romances

Not your usual fluffy or "normal" relationships / romances. Majority of them are dynamics between the lead romantic pair with the exception of a few.

I am too lazy to create a separate list for all 5 categories so I'm just lumping them all into 1 list in an order of from the ones I enjoyed the most to the least. Please watch with caution. I've added some relevant tags (without too much spoiler). Need I add that that these dramas / movies aren't for a morally upright audience, and are on the heavier side..

Feel free to recommend good ones that I have missed out :)

P.S A lot of lakorns from Thailand fall into this list so I've only included those that are watchable despite the toxicity.

[some of the ones at the top are my personal favs, otherwise the list is in no particular order]

chillingindoors Jul 18, 2024

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1. Kou Kou Kyoushi

Japanese Drama - 1993, 11 episodes

9.0

Relevant tags: student-teacher relationship, rape, abuse, incest
2. Bump Off Lover

Taiwanese Drama - 2006, 14 episodes

9.5

Relevant tags: identical twins, violence, sex industry, suspense, psychological, toxic romance
3. Byakuyako

Japanese Drama - 2006, 11 episodes

10

Relevant tags: violence, abuse, childhood love, suspense, crime
4. Kono yo no Hate

Japanese Drama - 1994, 12 episodes

9.5

Relevant tags: abuse. addiction, hidden identity, amnesia, heartbreak, blind female lead, hostess female lead, toxic romance, cohabitation
5. Falling High School Girl and Irresponsible Teacher

Japanese Drama - 2023, 9 episodes

8.5

Relevant tags: student-teacher relationship, healing, witty leads
6. Falling High School Girl and Irresponsible Teacher Lesson 2

Japanese Drama - 2024, 6 episodes

8.5

Relevant tags: student-teacher relationships, healing, witty leads
7. My Dangerous Wife

Japanese Drama - 2016, 9 episodes

9.0

Relevant tags: suspense, psychological, revenge, husband-wife relationship
8. Still, Life Goes On

Japanese Drama - 2011, 11 episodes

10

Relevant tags: death, tragedy, slice-of-life, psychological, forbidden relationship
9. Hundred Million Stars from the Sky

Japanese Drama - 2002, 11 episodes

9.5

Relevant tags: forbidden relationship, suspense
10. Yurigokoro

Japanese Movie - 2017

9.0
11. Better Days

Chinese Movie - 2019

9.5

Relevant tags: violence, abuse, poverty, first love, crime
12. Cheese in the Trap

Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

7.5

Relevant tags: college romance, manipulation, psychological
13. 25 Years of You

Japanese Drama - 2026, 10 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: stalking, obsession, one-sided love, mystery, murder, kidnapping
14. Watashi no Otto wa Reitouko ni Nemutte Iru

Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: horror, suspense, thriller, cannibalism
15. g@me.

Japanese Movie - 2003

8.5

Relevant tags: suspense, crime
16. You Always Haunt My Heart

Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes

8.5

Relevant tags: PTSD, heartbreak, character development, abuse, workplace relationship, inchoate crime, toxic romance, love/hate
17. Que Sera Sera

Korean Drama - 2007, 17 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: toxic romance, love triangle
18. Kenja no Ai

Japanese Drama - 2016, 4 episodes

7.5

Relevant tags: grooming, psychological, revenge, love/hate
19. Devil beside You

Taiwanese Drama - 2005, 20 episodes

8.5

Relevant tags: forbidden relationship
20. Air Doll

Japanese Movie - 2009

10

Relevant tags: doll-human relationship, psychological, sexual
21. Kleun Cheewit

Thai Drama - 2017, 15 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: revenge, abuse, rape, toxic relationship, love/hate
22. The Cornered Mouse Dreams of Cheese

Japanese Movie - 2020

9.0

Relevant tags: sexual, toxic relationship, homosexuality
23. Love Shuffle

Japanese Drama - 2009, 10 episodes

8.5

Relevant tags: love game
24. Shijukara

Japanese Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

7.0

Relevant tags: older female lead,/younger male lead, infidelity, abuse, prostitution
25. Come and Hug Me

Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes

8.5

Relevant tags: first love, abuse, crime, forbidden relationship
26. Sawan Biang

Thai Drama - 2008, 12 episodes

9.5

Relevant tags: revenge, psychological, rape, kidnapping, sexual abuse, obsession, possessiveness, love/hate
27. Another Miss Oh

Korean Drama - 2016, 18 episodes

8.5

Relevant tags: manipulation, mistaken identity, toxic relationship
28. Dear X

Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes

6.0

Relevant tags: ASPD, manipulation, multiple romances, murder, obsession
29. Villain

Japanese Movie - 2010

10

Relevant tags:
30. Wandering

Japanese Movie - 2022

9.0

Relevant tags: adult-minor relationship, kidnapping, abuse
31. This Guy Is the Biggest Mistake in My Life

Japanese Drama - 2020, 10 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: stalking, CEO-employee relationship. masochism, obsession
32. Secret Love

Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes

7.0

Relevant tags: stalking, obsession, toxic relationship, revenge, jail, love/hate
33. My Girlfriend is a Serial Killer

Japanese Movie - 2019

8.0

Relevant tags: stalking, murder
34. My Lovely Sam Soon

Korean Drama - 2005, 16 episodes

8.5

Relevant tags: toxic relationship
35. You're My Pet

Japanese Drama - 2003, 10 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: cohabitation
36. The Ravine of Goodbye

Japanese Movie - 2013
37. Bad Romeo

Thai Drama - 2022, 17 episodes

7.5

Relevant tags: toxic relationship, controlling parent, parent-child incest, revenge, possessiveness, love/hate
38. The Early Spring

Chinese Drama - 2026, 24 episodes

6.0

Relevant tags: friends with benefits, toxic relationship, boss-employee
39. Soseiji

Japanese Movie - 1999

8.5

Relevant tags: identical twins, revenge, obsession, horror, fantasy
40. Apollo's Song

Japanese Drama - 2025, 7 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: unrequited love, alternate realities, revenge, heartbreak
41. Behind Your Smile

Taiwanese Drama - 2016, 19 episodes

7.0

Relevant tags: revenge, hidden identity, forbidden relationship, love/hate
42. Secret Garden

Korean Drama - 2010, 20 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: toxic relationship, rich man/poor woman, body swap
43. Aoi Tori

Japanese Drama - 1997, 11 episodes

9.0

Relevant tags: forbidden relationship, incest, jail, age gap romance
44. That Winter, the Wind Blows

Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: blind female lead, forbidden relationship, hidden identity
45. More than Words

Japanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes

8.5

Relevant tags: threesome, betrayal, heartbreak, LGBTQ+
46. Happily Ever After

Japanese Movie - 2007

8.0

Relevant tags: husband-wife relationship, abuse
47. Kaidan Botan Doro: Beauty & Fear

Japanese Drama - 2019, 4 episodes

8.5
48. Moonlight Whispers

Japanese Movie - 1999

8.5

Relevant tags: teenage relationship, BDSM, heartbreak
49. A Sleeping Forest

Japanese Drama - 1998, 12 episodes

7.5

Relevant tags: suspense, forbidden relationship, hypnotism
50. Before We Get Married

Taiwanese Drama - 2019, 13 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: sexual relationship, infidelity, possessiveness
51. Addicted

Korean Movie - 2002

7.5

Relevant tags: hidden identity, obsession, stalking
52. Saki

Japanese Drama - 2013, 11 episodes

7.5

Relevant tags: femme fatale
53. Sachiiro no One Room

Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: kidnapping, stalking, abuse, adult-minor relationship
54. Princess Hours

Korean Drama - 2006, 24 episodes

6.0

Relevant tags: love square, toxic relationship, husband-wife relationship, arranged marriage, rich man/poor woman
55. Two in the Shadow

Japanese Movie - 1967

8.0

Relevant tags: forbidden relationship
56. Nevertheless,

Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

6.5

Relevant tags: sexual relationship, playboy, loneliness
57. Had I Not Seen the Sun Part 2

Taiwanese Drama - 2025, 10 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: mental illness, gang rape, sexual harrassment, revenge, hidden identity
58. Call Boy

Japanese Movie - 2018

8.5

Relevant tags: prostitution, sexual, nudity
59. A Frozen Flower

Korean Movie - 2008

8.0

Relevant tags: forbidden relationship, sexual relationship, tragedy
60. A Virgin Woman of Literature

Japanese Drama - 2018, 8 episodes

6.5

Relevant tags: author-editor relationship, sexual relationship
61. The Outsiders

Taiwanese Drama - 2004, 20 episodes

5.0

Relevant tags: mafia, friendship, love triangle
62. Colorless

Japanese Movie - 2020

10

Relevant tags: abuse, toxic relationship, heartbreak, breakup
63. Lesson in Love

Taiwanese Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

6.5

Relevant tags: teacher-student relationship, revenge, hidden identity, seduction
64. Dead or Love

Japanese Drama - 2025, 8 episodes

7.0

Relevant tags: thriller, dark romance, murder, suspense
65. The Fallen Leaf

Thai Drama - 2019, 21 episodes

7.0

Relevant tags: transgender female lead, incest, abuse, hidden identity
66. Ai Nante Irane Yo, Natsu

Japanese Drama - 2002, 10 episodes

7.5

Relevant tags: blind female lead, forbidden relationship, hidden identity,
67. GOTH

Japanese Movie - 2008

7.0
68. Tokyo Love Story

Japanese Drama - 1991, 11 episodes

6.0

Relevant tags: betrayal
69. Iyashi no Otonari-san ni wa Himitsu ga Aru

Japanese Drama - 2023, 13 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: stalking, obsession
70. March Comes in Like a Lion

Japanese Movie - 1991

7.5

Relevant tags: incest, amnesia, hidden identity
71. Watashi no Tadashi Oniichan

Japanese Drama - 2021, 8 episodes

7.0

Relevant tags: murder, violence, age-gap relationship
72. A Wife Confesses

Japanese Movie - 1961

8.5

Relevant tags: murder, sexual violence, seduction
73. Last Friends

Japanese Drama - 2008, 11 episodes

6.5

Relevant tags: abuse, stalking, different forms of love, friendship, cohabitation
74. Love Scar

Taiwanese Drama - 2002, 3 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: love triangle, forbidden relationship, infidelity, older woman/younger man
75. Eternal Summer

Taiwanese Movie - 2006

8.5

Relevant tags: childhood love, heartbreak, coming-of-age, manipulation
76. The Revenge Widow

Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

5.0

Relevant tags: femme fatale, revenge
77. Kuzu no Honkai

Japanese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: high school, sexual relationship, manipulation, friends with benefits
78. Us Forever

Japanese Drama - 2020, 10 episodes

7.0
79. Mukashi no Otoko

Japanese Drama - 2001, 12 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: ex comes back, sexual relationship, infidelity, toxic relationship, psychological
80. Daisy

Korean Movie - 2006

7.0
81. Sealed with a Kiss

Chinese Drama - 2011, 28 episodes

6.0

Relevant tags: kidnapping, rape, sexual relationship, infidelity, stockholm syndrome
82. Something Happened in Bali

Korean Drama - 2004, 20 episodes

6.0

Relevant tags: love triangle, tragedy, possesiveness
83. Hitorigurashi

Japanese Drama - 1996, 10 episodes

8.0

Relevant tags: coming-of-age, unrequited love, heartbreak, abuse
84. Kanzo wo Ubawareta Tsuma

Japanese Drama - 2024, 13 episodes

6.0

Relevant tags: revenge, betrayal, love/hate
85. Cursed in Love

Japanese Drama - 2020, 8 episodes

6.0

Relevant tags: revenge, childhood connection, love/hate
86. The Witch

Korean Drama - 2025, 10 episodes

5.5

Relevant tags: obsession, stalking
87. Man of Vengeance

Thai Drama - 2019, 27 episodes

5.0

Relevant tags: childhood love, abuse, toxic relationship
88. Soul Mate

Chinese Movie - 2016

8.5
89. My Husband in Law

Thai Drama - 2020, 15 episodes

5.0

Relevant tags: arranged marriage, toxic relationship, infidelity,
90. Initiation Love

Japanese Movie - 2015

8.5

Relevant tags: manipulation
91. Hana & Alice

Japanese Movie - 2004

8.0
92. Love and Fortune

Japanese Drama - 2018, 12 episodes

6.0

Relevant tags: adult-minor relationship, sexual relationship
93. Mukou no Hate

Japanese Drama - 2021, 8 episodes

7.0

Relevant tags: abuse, murder, forbidden relationship, childhood love
94. My Ordinary Love Story

Korean Movie - 2014

8.0
95. Paradise Lost

Japanese Movie - 1997

7.0

Relevant tags: infidelity, sexual relationship
96. From Five to Nine

Japanese Drama - 2015, 10 episodes

7.5
97. The World of Kanako

Japanese Movie - 2014

7.0
98. Remembering Lichuan

Chinese Drama - 2016, 38 episodes

7.0

Relevant tags: toxic / unhealthy relationship
99. Endless Waltz

Japanese Movie - 1995

8.0

Relevant tags: sexual abuse, psychological abuse, physical abuse
100. Whisper of Desire

Thai Drama - 2026, 8 episodes

7.5

Relevant tags: Abuse, Betrayal, Forbidden relationship