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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…
I've indicated "way before" where it's clear that the ML fell for the FL way before the FL falls for the ML. Where the ML falls for…
Dramas that just aren't very serious. No need to worry about extreme angst or serious topics with these dramas. Sometimes they're low budget,…
Medical dramas or dramas with a doctor, medical student, psychologist, or physical therapist main character.
Dramas with at least one good (or great) kiss that is mutual (not one-sided) with some level of passion / enthusiasm / movement and closed eyes…
Kind, caring, gentle, and warm MLs. These boys are not rigid, cold, robotic, distant, violent, or destructive. They are not fighters.
Dramas that used the spectacular grand staircase (壮观的大楼梯) set, as seen in this video.
Prepare to be frustrated. There might be some hand holding or hugs or a kiss on the cheek but these dramas have very limited skinship. Mostly…
Historical dramas where the ML is not / does not become Emperor and is not a prince fighting for the throne. Also not a sect leader or equivalent…
Both leads are smart, skilled and able to predict / calculate moves several steps ahead. When they work together to take on their enemies, they…
One (or both) of the lead characters is a strategic thinker. They have strong foresight and can predict how others will act, they can calculate…
Dramas where there'd still be a complete story if you took out the romance.
1 - A flashback shows that the ML briefly met the FL in the past and fell for her or had a little crush on her, which he still remembers when…
Although he starts out with black or brown hair, the ML's hair colour changes at some point in the drama to white, silver or blue.
Chinese fantasy / wuxia / historical romance dramas where one of the leads tries to kill the other at some point. Or both leads try to kill…
Top tier devotion. Everything else is irrelevant. Time. Family obligations. "Sides" of a war. The hate or judgement of the whole world.…
From very early on in the drama the ML or a secondary male love interest is unwaveringly loyal and devoted to the FL. The MC proves through…
Enemies to lovers, but not necessarily in the sense that the leads hate each other in the beginning. More of a Romeo and Juliet situation. A…
The ML panics when the FL is in danger and will go to extreme lengths / do absolutely anything to make sure she is safe, even risking his own…
ML is (or lives as) a commoner. He is either poor or middle class. At work he is, at most, mid-level management or he may sort of own a small…
(1) - Modern fantasy drama / (2) - Modern drama with one minor fantasy element (e.g., main character can hear other's thoughts) / (3) - Time…
One or both sides of the main couple put the other person's safety / happiness / well-being first and are willing to do anything / risk their…
Romance dramas where at least one of the leads (but sometimes both of the leads) chooses to do something that carries a very high risk of death…
Leads take a bath together (including getting immersed in an ancient-times giant pool/bath with warm water), shower together, enter hot springs…
Sometimes its just a tease of the possibility of reconnecting.
The leads have been close friends since childhood (but may have been separated for a long time), are good friends before they start dating,…
10 years or more. Usually older male, younger female. Sometimes the older character is not human. Always feel a bit iffy about these.
Romance dramas with FLs who behave in an irreverent manner (e.g., she is brash and loud, or bold and unusually forward with the opposite sex)…
Why does this happen so often? Writers, let the leads be together when the ML's health is good enough to give his best effort!
In a romance drama, one lead uses their own body to shield the other lead from serious danger (e.g., an arrow, bullet, sword or knife slash…
A main character is a lawyer, prosecutor, legal professional in training, legal assistant, or otherwise involved in a legal trial.
The FL prepares and gives the ML deadly poison, but the ML is a "monster" who cannot be killed with poison. Since the FL is in his heart,…
Two characters fall in love, but before they confess their feelings to each other (or perhaps even admit their feelings to themselves), something…
