The most puppy dog energy of ML's
Whether its golden retriever, doberman/german shepherd energy (I've heard it both ways but for the sake of this list we are going to go with german shepherd), we love them all! Here are the ML's that have the most puppy dog energy I have found.
Golden Retriever- bouncy, upbeat, adorable, emotions written all over their face, needy, obsessed with FL
German Shepherd- touch her and you die, scary to everyone but her, emotions written all over their face only with her, needy, obsessed with FL
PS, in my mind the difference between german shepherd energy and the dominering obsessed ML trope is the way they portray their own emotions and how needy they are, they are similar but ultimately different. German Shepherd energy is like a mix between golden retriever energy and dominering obsessed ML trope.
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1. Affinity
Chinese Drama - 2026, 40 episodes
I debated whether or not he is a german shephard or just a domineering, obsessed ML but ultimatly i decided on the former. I think he starts as a domineering, obsessed (more than a little psycho, but we love him for it) ML and turns into a german shephard as the drama goes on. This man cannot breathe without her, it's like his entire existence revolves around her. He is a wolf and she is a delicate rabbit, and his very being is consumed by her, he is ravenous for her and he is learning how to love her without destroying or breaking her.
PS if you're going to watch this drama just be aware that it is a wild ride of a drama. The review by monstersnroses for this drama is a masterpiece, i highly recommend reading it before watching this drama if you are on the fence.
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2. Always Home
Chinese Drama - 2025, 30 episodes
Golden retriever to a T. The ML is super bouncy and charming, a little more mischievous than the average golden retriever character.
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3. Coffee Prince
Korean Drama - 2007, 17 episodes
His emotions are written ALL over his face the entire series, so adorable and touchy-feely, high key obsessed with FL. Golden Retriever
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4. Extraordinary You
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
Definitely a little quieter than the average golden retriever character but absolutely obsessed with the FL, emotions all over his face, very protective, and so adorable
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5. Family by Choice
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
The second ML is so stinking cute, definitely big golden retriever energy. Those big puppy dog eyes just kill me.
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6. Flower Boy Next Door
Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
This ML character is truly the blueprint of the golden retriever trope.
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7. Go Ahead
Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes
This is an interesting one because the 1st ML is a german shepherd but is masquerading as a golden retriever, and the 2nd ML is a golden retriever masquerading as a german shepherd.
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8. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
This drama is truly genre-defining. Biiiiiiiig German Shepherd energy for sure. He is soo touch her and you die energy and is just so obsessed with her. I really adore how grouchy he can be but on a dime be so soft for her.
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9. Horimiya
Japanese Drama - 2021, 7 episodes
ML is more like a wounded golden retriever, adorable
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10. Love Revolution
Korean Drama - 2020, 30 episodes
Oh my goodness, so cute and adorable, checks every box of the golden retriever list, reversal of the grumpy/sunshine trope if I've ever seen one
Park Jihoon just has my heart
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11. Lovely Runner
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
OH he is high-key obsessed with the female lead. Literally is putty in her hands. The most golden retriever energy
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12. Pursuit of Jade
Chinese Drama - 2026, 40 episodes
Sooooo german shepherd. I love him, your honor. She looks like a cinnamon roll; would kill you. He looks like he would kill you; would kill you. Like when they are kneeling in front of the judge, and she is pleading her case, and he is beside her, glaring daggers at the judge with eyes that say, "I dare you, I haven't killed anyone in days, and I'm gettin real antsy." But he is only soft for her, like when they are lying in bed, and is burying his face into her back. I also love how he is kinda obsessed with her ears. When he is trying to seduce her, he kisses her but then goes after her ears.
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13. Shadow Love
Chinese Drama - 2025, 38 episodes
Big golden retriever energy in the first half, just the way he looks at her is so adorable. Then turns into a german shepherd in the second half for reasons that would spoil the plot.
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14. Sniper Butterfly
Chinese Drama - 2025, 30 episodes
Such a golden retriever cutie with boba eyes that show every emotion he is feeling. Incredibly needy and absolutely adores the FL. Also, I very much appreciate how aggressive he can get to protect the FL. It only happened a couple of times but I was giggling and kicking my feet every time
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15. Spirit Fingers
Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes
Golden retriever to a T. This is a nice reversal of the grumpy/sunshine trope; the ML is so bright and bubbly, it's very refreshing. I can't get over the scene where she is like, "tell them who the stalker is," and he says proudly, "I am the stalker, it's me who is stalking you." I'm deceased.
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16. Strong Girl Bong Soon
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Overtly golden retriever, literally melts when she is being cute, he actually was giggling and kicking his feet at one point because of something the FL texted him, most definitely checks every box on the list.
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17. Takara-kun & Amagi-kun
Japanese Drama - 2022, 8 episodes
He is so adorable and bouncy and has his emotions allllll over his face! Definitely golden retriever energy
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18. The Prisoner of Beauty
Chinese Drama - 2025, 36 episodes
Definitely german shepherd energy, touch her and you die, only soft for her, high key obsessed.
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19. Twinkling Watermelon
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
Choi Hyun Wook's character is the 2nd ML is so charming and low key obsessed with the 2nd FL lead. Checks every box on the golden retriever list.
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20. When Life Gives You Tangerines
Korean Drama - 2025, 16 episodes
The pinnacle of golden retriever energy. I don't think there is a single second of this series he doesn't have his emotions written all over his face with his big boba eyes. Those big puppy dog eyes just hurt my heart they're so cute. What I would do to have a Gwan Sik in my life. I LOVE HIM



















