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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)…
Some have a broader military theme. Some don't. There's often a lot of saluting or strategizing.
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…
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.
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…
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,…
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.
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…
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.
