Recommendations

Tastefully Yours and Itaewon Class share core themes of underdog ambition, food-centered entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Both explore clashes between heartfelt integrity and corporate power, with emotionally rich character arcs and strong “found family” dynamics—so if you enjoyed the determination and emotional depth of Itaewon Class, Tastefully Yours offers a softer, more romantic twist on a similar journey, similarly tge other way around.

- Historical / past setting
- Woman disguised as a man in military training
- Romance
- War / Action involved

Both "The Legend of Shen Li" and "Fox Spirit Matchmaker: Sword and Beloved" are fantastic dramas that feature strong female leads, captivating love stories, and a sprinkle of fantasy mixed with historical drama. In "The Legend of Shen Li," we follow the journey of a brave general who turns down a political marriage to find love with a mysterious man. Meanwhile, "Sword and Beloved" shares the touching tale of a warrior and a spirit, bound together by a love that comes with its own set of challenges. Both dramas beautifully explore themes of love, destiny, and the obstacles characters face in their enchanting worlds.

**Similarities:**

**Fantasy and Historical Elements:**
These dramas do a great job of blending magical elements with historical settings, inviting viewers into unique worlds filled with their own fascinating rules and lore. "The Legend of Shen Li" brings immortals and demons to life, while "Sword and Beloved" introduces us to spirits and mythical creatures.

**Powerful Female Leads:**
You’ll love the strong, capable female characters at the heart of both stories! Shen Li from "The Legend of Shen Li" is an inspiring general, and in "Sword and Beloved," we meet Qing Tong, a little spirit with incredible potential waiting to be uncovered.

**Epic Love Stories:**
Expect to be swept off your feet by the epic love stories in both dramas! Shen Li and Xing Yun’s love faces incredible challenges from external forces, while the relationship between Wang Quan Fu Gui and Qing Tong is beautifully drawn with all its pains and lingering hopes.

**Themes of Destiny and Choice:**
Both dramas delve into the themes of destiny and the choices we make along the way. Shen Li's bold rejection of her political marriage and the choices Xing Yun faces during tough times highlight this theme beautifully, as does the connection between Wang Quan Fu Gui and Qing Tong, shaped by their unique circumstances.

**Visual Spectacle:**
Prepare to be dazzled! Both dramas boast stunning visuals and cinematography. "The Legend of Shen Li" offers epic scenes that take your breath away, while "Sword and Beloved" impresses with its imaginative portrayal of fantastical elements.

If you are interested in "The Sword" and "Beloved," you may also find "Love's Rebellion" appealing. "The Sword" likely refers to "The Song of Achilles" by Madeline Miller, rather than a literal sword, while "Beloved" is the novel by Toni Morrison. All three works, along with the Chinese drama "Love's Rebellion," explore themes of trauma, memory, and the enduring effects of difficult pasts, particularly focusing on female characters. They also examine the complexities of love, loss, and the struggle for freedom, albeit in different historical and cultural contexts.

Both our female leads are very strong. One comes from unknown background, living with the lowest identity in the empire. One comes from noble background but forced to build themselves back up with another identity.

Princess agents follows a girl with various secrets; she doesn’t remember who she was and must survive the brutal nobles’ harrassment as a lowly maid. Her unusual martial art potential stirs the interest of a prince, leading them to depend on each other while the political powers sway in different directions.

Legend of the female general is about a great general who took the place of her brother and earned military merits. She is betrayed by her cunning family and is thrown to Yuning temple with blinded eyes. She escapes half-dead and joins the military camp in Yezhou, lead by Xiao Jue (man who’s family was framed by the female lead’s brother as someone who is incompetent).

Similarities:
- Both are workplace romance dramas centered around law firms
- Feature a boss-employee dynamic that evolves into a romantic relationship
- Female leads are rookie lawyers who surpass their male leads’ expectations
- Male leads are experienced, high-ranking lawyers with demanding personalities
- Emphasize themes of professional growth, mentorship, and personal development
- Both series explore the blending of personal and professional boundaries
- Strong chemistry between the lead couples, driving the romantic plot
- Set in modern-day China and South Korea
- Both dramas have garnered positive reviews for their storytelling and character development

Similarities:
- Food and cooking are central themes
- Male leads start off cold or uninterested in cooking
- Female leads are skilled cooks who teach the male leads
- Cooking becomes a path to emotional growth
- Romance develops slowly through shared cooking
- Workplace/corporate backdrop with a crisis element
- Food is beautifully and deliberately showcased
- Both focus on redemption and personal transformation
- Strong supporting characters help drive growth
- Mentor–mentee dynamic between leads
- Themes of authenticity, healing, and connection through food

Liang Chen Mei Jin is a female-centered historical drama set in the Ming Dynasty, following the story of Gu Jin Chao, a resilient woman who is given a second chance at life through rebirth. After a tragic past, she awakens in her younger body, determined to rewrite her fate and take control of her destiny. Surrounded by multiple male leads with varying loyalties and intentions, Gu Jin Chao navigates a web of palace intrigue, family conflict, and emotional entanglements. With her intelligence and inner strength, she rises against the constraints of a patriarchal society, challenging not only her enemies but the expectations placed upon women of her time. The drama blends romance, revenge, and political power plays, all set against the backdrop of lavish costumes and the intricate beauty of the Ming court. Ideal for fans of strong female protagonists and reincarnation narratives, Liang Chen Mei Jin promises a gripping tale of empowerment, love, and second chances.

Both series leverage gender transformation as a device to explore love, identity, and personal growth. Though My Girlfriend Is the Man! accents comedic romance in a modern college setting, and God’s Favor draws more on youthful fantasy and exploring Shinto folklore, they share a thematic heart: what if the person you love looked completely different—would your love still hold?

Both FLs are humans who were born with heart defects and as a child magically absorbed a scale from the ML which healed them. Both MLs are supernatural beings looking for that scale.

Similarities:
- Both FLs disguise themselves as men to enter the military
- Setting: academy/training camps
- Both are strong female leads who are skilled and stand out amongst the others
- Brotherhood: FLs bond with male comrades, friendship and loyalty are central themes

Differences:
- FLs have different goals (LotFG: revenge vs. AMA: investigation of her brother's death)
- Time period (LotFG: Wei & Jin dynasties vs. AMA: Republican era)

Liang Chen Mei Jin is a female-centered historical drama set in the Ming Dynasty, following the story of Gu Jin Chao, a resilient woman who is given a second chance at life through rebirth. After a tragic past, she awakens in her younger body, determined to rewrite her fate and take control of her destiny. Surrounded by multiple male leads with varying loyalties and intentions, Gu Jin Chao navigates a web of palace intrigue, family conflict, and emotional entanglements. With her intelligence and inner strength, she rises against the constraints of a patriarchal society, challenging not only her enemies but the expectations placed upon women of her time. The drama blends romance, revenge, and political power plays, all set against the backdrop of lavish costumes and the intricate beauty of the Ming court. Ideal for fans of strong female protagonists and reincarnation narratives, Liang Chen Mei Jin promises a gripping tale of empowerment, love, and second chances.

Liang Chen Mei Jin is a female-centered historical drama set in the Ming Dynasty, following the story of Gu Jin Chao, a resilient woman who is given a second chance at life through rebirth. After a tragic past, she awakens in her younger body, determined to rewrite her fate and take control of her destiny. Surrounded by multiple male leads with varying loyalties and intentions, Gu Jin Chao navigates a web of palace intrigue, family conflict, and emotional entanglements. With her intelligence and inner strength, she rises against the constraints of a patriarchal society, challenging not only her enemies but the expectations placed upon women of her time. The drama blends romance, revenge, and political power plays, all set against the backdrop of lavish costumes and the intricate beauty of the Ming court. Ideal for fans of strong female protagonists and reincarnation narratives, Liang Chen Mei Jin promises a gripping tale of empowerment, love, and second chances.

Liang Chen Mei Jin is a female-centered historical drama set in the Ming Dynasty, following the story of Gu Jin Chao, a resilient woman who is given a second chance at life through rebirth. After a tragic past, she awakens in her younger body, determined to rewrite her fate and take control of her destiny. Surrounded by multiple male leads with varying loyalties and intentions, Gu Jin Chao navigates a web of palace intrigue, family conflict, and emotional entanglements. With her intelligence and inner strength, she rises against the constraints of a patriarchal society, challenging not only her enemies but the expectations placed upon women of her time. The drama blends romance, revenge, and political power plays, all set against the backdrop of lavish costumes and the intricate beauty of the Ming court. Ideal for fans of strong female protagonists and reincarnation narratives, Liang Chen Mei Jin promises a gripping tale of empowerment, love, and second chances.

Liang Chen Mei Jin is a female-centered historical drama set in the Ming Dynasty, following the story of Gu Jin Chao, a resilient woman who is given a second chance at life through rebirth. After a tragic past, she awakens in her younger body, determined to rewrite her fate and take control of her destiny. Surrounded by multiple male leads with varying loyalties and intentions, Gu Jin Chao navigates a web of palace intrigue, family conflict, and emotional entanglements. With her intelligence and inner strength, she rises against the constraints of a patriarchal society, challenging not only her enemies but the expectations placed upon women of her time. The drama blends romance, revenge, and political power plays, all set against the backdrop of lavish costumes and the intricate beauty of the Ming court. Ideal for fans of strong female protagonists and reincarnation narratives, Liang Chen Mei Jin promises a gripping tale of empowerment, love, and second chances.