So I'm looking for historical dramas with this type of ML instead of the usual outwardly cold type. Personally I find it to be quite frustrating that if there's a more expressive male character, it's usually the second ML. 

Examples of dramas I've  already seen and have what I'm looking for:

  • The Tale of Nokdu
  • Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung
  • Arsenal Military Academy

Some drama I love when I watch it back then:

Chinese Paladin 3 (ml is cute and expressive, I remember he's pouting and whining but since it's a long time ago I might remember wrong, fl should be naive but has some skill maybe)

Destined (ml is childish but kind, talkative but ready to help anytime, fl is the serious type)

Ever Night (ml is affectionate and often smile and talk softly towards fl, fl is innocent and kind)

Hillarious Family (ml has become unlucky since meeting fl, he's tortured and bullied after entering the family as a slave haha, fl is generous and foolish)

I've Fallen for You (it's been so long but I think ml is expressive and kind, often taken advantage of, fl is confident and smart)

Joy of Life (a transmigrator enter the world of novel, he's so extra and funny, fl is calm)

Legend of Fei (ml is cute and such a teaser while fl is the serious one)

Mr. Queen (from what I remember, ml is a bit tsundere but his face shown it all, fl is a total joker-male transmigrated into female body)

My Uncanny Destiny (ml is so fun and expressive, fl is even more expressive)

The Story of Minglan (ml always talk with expressive face and sometimes big hand gesture, and he's straightforward and scheming, fl is smart and vengeful but caring)

Warrior Baek Dong Soo 

Wonderland of Love 

My Journey to You 

The Untamed 

otherwise

Lost You Forever  - not a guy who is listed as ML ( that one also can be that way) , but he is main love interest

The Princess's Man  - again, not ML ( though is that at the beginning) but the guy in secondery couple (still important chracter). I'm  listing him anyway because he is epitome of  warm and affecionate (paired with reserved and cool lady) and honestly this couple's journey and story is as beautiful as heartwrenching

+My Uncanny Destiny, Yes, Her Majesty, Hilarious Family, The Romance of Tiger and Rose, ++Destined

  • Secret of Three Kingdoms - Warm and gentle, always affectionate, very emotional, sensitive and open with FL (FL is cold and serious. Secondary ML and FL have also a warm ML/cold FL dynamic)
  • Rise from the Ashes - He's a bit serious sometimes but very warm, kind and affectionate (FL is also sweet but colder than ML)
  • My Lady General - Dramatic, over the top and affectionate (FL is more serious)
  • Scent of Love - Sweet, cute and a little bit shy so somewhat quieter (FL is cold and aloof)
  • Tea of Destiny - A cheeky, endearing troublemaker (FL is rough)
  • The Princess Royal - Warm, kind and emotional (FL is cold)
  • Ye Cheng Fu & Ye Cheng: Reborn - Dramatic, charismatic, and cheeky (FL is cold)
  • Eternal Brotherhood - Mischievous and cheeky jokester (FL is the ditzy type)
  • Hail to the Princess - Sweet and bubbly ML (One FL is aloof the other is a jokester)
  • My Merman Brother - Cute and pouty puppy-like ML (aloof FL)
  • The Ingenious One - Expressive but not too affectionate (I'm still watching so maybe that changes later on) (FL is cool)
  • My Beloved Wife - Sweet and bubbly ML (cool FL)
  • Startling Love - Confident, cheeky and warm ML (sweet and kind FL)
  • Oh My General - Spoiled, emotional and sweet ML (Cool and mature FL)
  • Chasing Love - Sweet, kind, affectionate in the first arc, a bit of a tsundere but sweet and cute in the 2nd arc (cool girlboss FL)
  • Hong Dou’s Journey through Time - 2nd arc is the historical one: Cheeky, bubbly and sweet ML (cold and aloof FL)
  • The Blue Whisper: Part 1 - Hesitant with this one 'cause he starts out sweet, innocent and emotional but ends cold and aloof in Pt.2 (FL is cool and mature)
  • Dance of the Sky Empire - I dropped this one but ML was the lively jokester type (FL is cold)
  • My Heroic Husband - Dropped this one too, lmao. ML travels to the past and he's this expressive, bold and charismatic jokester (FL is mature and sweet)