2
1
1
The leads survive, are in a romantic relationship with each other, and are relatively happy at the end of the drama.
The leads either fall asleep beside each other (or near each other with some kind of contact), or there's a scene after they sleep together.
At least two guys fall for / pursue the FL.1 - The FL either has feelings for the SML first, or is torn between the ML and SML (and genuinely…
At least one secondary character has feelings for one of the leads, but the lead is never torn / the leads' feelings for each other never waiver.…
Romance between two people who work together. Does not include historical dramas.
1 - Dramas primarily set in the first half of the 20th century2 - Dramas primarily set in the 1980s or 1990s (sometimes with a few scenes in…
A main character uses the identity of another person, creates an alter ego / false identity (more than just hiding their identity), or is mistaken…
1 - ML falls for (or at least clearly has strong romantic interest in) the FL when he first meets or sees her. 2 - ML falls for (or at least…
They don't yell. They don't even speak that much. Some of them sometimes punch people or things. Loners or good listeners (or both).
No idols, actors, CEOs, lawyers, or doctors. Office workers in junior or mid-level positions (middle management at the highest). Cops. Bartenders.…
Dramas where the ML actor was "older" by dramaland standards (in his mid 30s or older) at the time of filming.
The leads first meet abroad or somewhere far away from the place where the majority of the drama's events take place.
In some cases the ML spies on the FL expecting to catch her conspiring against him, but instead he overhears her unexpectedly defending and…
The FL faces the pain with courage.
The leads start out as rivals (or the leaders of rival groups), or simply dislike each other at first. They face-off, fight, compete, or exchange…
Multiple siblings (or the equivalent of siblings, like an uncle and nephew who are close enough in age that they could fall for the same girl)…
One of the leads works in an office of some kind, including corporate offices, news offices, architecture firms, law offices, detectives working…
Some have a broader military theme. Some don't. There's often a lot of saluting or strategizing.
Romance dramas where the leads are highly competent and don't have any *significant* issues or flaws. The kind of people / couple that inspire…
Before she gets with the ML, the FL's boyfriend or husband cheats on her.
Two or more of the leads are connected to a tragic accident or crime that happened in the past and deeply affected them or caused both of them…
I'm a complete sucker for this dynamic.
The drama devotes a good amount of screen time to showing us just how much the ML loves his wife and its a joy to watch.
The FL is a strong fighter or assassin, a powerful sorceress or mage, or otherwise physically strong
Amnesia or memory issues, blindness or vision issues, deafness or hearing issues, trauma / phobias or panic attacks, and paralysis or wheelchair…
Royals (or generals with connections to prominent noble families) that left the palace / capital behind in order to have a happy life with the…
One or both of the leads hide their identity (secret cross dressing / vigilante / mission / non-human / etc.)
The ML and FL get married before either of them is in love with the other person.
A character dies (or disappears and is believed to have died) but comes back from the dead somehow. Includes reincarnations.
The ML is the Emperor, or is the king (or equivalent title) of his kingdom, at some point in the drama. Sometimes it's relatively brief. In…
