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Some have a broader military theme. Some don't. There's often a lot of saluting or strategizing.
(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 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 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!
Dramas where the ML actor was "older" by dramaland standards (in his mid 30s or older) at the time of filming.
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…
One character (Character A) uses their hand, another body part, their whole body or an object (e.g., a book) to block the sun from hitting the…
One or both of the leads hide their identity (secret cross dressing / vigilante / mission / non-human / etc.)
But don't assume the FL is helpless. In most cases the FL does her own share of saving in her own way.
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…
Initially, one lead has to protect the other lead for reasons other than genuine romantic feelings, but later on that same lead protects the…
The ML and FL get married before either of them is in love with the other person.
The leads are roommates, live together in the same house or apartment, or live right next to each other in such a way that it's almost like…
Dramas with endings where:The ML dies in the end and the FL lives, the FL dies and the ML lives, or one of the leads' deaths is strongly hinted…
The ML is the FL's bodyguard (paid or self-appointed) / assigned to guard the FL / a similar equivalent.
Action / romance dramas where the ML is a capable fighter and physically protects the FL on several occasions.
Before she gets with the ML, the FL's boyfriend or husband cheats on her.
The ML falls in love with the FL more than once (not realizing she is the same person or not able to remember the first time) and / or views…
A character dies (or disappears and is believed to have died) but comes back from the dead somehow. Includes reincarnations.
