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Dramas With Most Satisfying/Best Ending

Angel

If there's one thing that frustrates me the most in terms of watching dramas (other than too-much-of-a-weakling-to-be-real female leads), that would be spending long hours (and worse case scenario several days) on a drama just for it to have rushed and unsatisfying ending!

I get that I'm not really being THAT productive by binge-watching a 16 episodes long drama, for example, but I mean, wouldn't it be better if I spent all of those hours into, if not a masterpiece, a really WORTH WATCHING DRAMA (leaving me less guilty afterwards)???

[CRITERIA]

-STRICTLY DRAMAS ONLY. It doesn't matter if it's Korean, Chinese, Japanese, or Thai (Lakorns).

-OF COURSE, a satisfying ending. The ending DOESN'T HAVE to be a happy one, although that would be very appreciated! 

-EPISODES must, as much as possible, range from 5-50 episodes. It could be longer, as long as it is very easy watch (fast paced)/not dragging and the ending is worth the journey. (Longer dramas with 30 mins. per episodes are acceptable).

[PERSONAL PREFERENCES]

-CHARACTERS: Strong female lead (or at least a normal female who knows how to stand up for herself/someone who doesn't keep making bad and stupid decisions).

-GENRE: I'm not picky in terms of genres BUT, I tend to watch more, if not ROMANCE heavy, has romance in it (not gonna lie). I refrain from watching dramas that involve the following: Rape / Abusive Relationship or Domestic Abuse / Too Much Angst.

Note: I would really appreciate a brief description for the recommendations. Also, although I don't mind spoilers, it would be nice if they are minimal or hidden for the sake of everyone!

THANK YOU!!! 

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TeaBear

Kdrama:

W

Giant

king 2 heart

healer

good doctors (but I dont renember the how it ends.)

Doctor stranger 

secret garden

sweet 18  (hehe... when he see pink everywhere...haha.. but not a strong female lead  tho!)


mandarin spoken dramas:

Love me if you dare 

Rockie agent rouge

Romance in the rain

Hua Jian Ti Hu Fang Da Chu  (maybe...!)

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CeeCee

OH MY VENUS

THE MASTER'S SUN

MADAME ANTOINE

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flowersoverboys

WARNING: IT'S LONG
(in no particular order)

Marriage, Not Dating is one of my favorite dramas. It's faced paced like you ask, super funny, extremely romantic, and while the ending isn't perfect it was still good. And the drama overall is just super fun. Also the female lead is pretty strong, can get somewhat annoying but most of the time is someone you'll probably end up liking.

Oh Hae Young, Again is very romance driven with a supernatural element to it, again faced paced and funny in some ways, the ending was seriously satisfying and I binged watched it and honestly it only took 2 to 3 days to finish. Female lead can get annoying but most of the time she was fine. The secondary characters are a highlight of the drama.

Heart to Heart, again, very romance driven but also sort of like a melodrama but not really. It has it's cute moments, but wasn't really faced paced. The female lead was definitely strong and wasn't annoying and the ending was super sweet. (Can get a bit tedious in the middle of the drama but still a good drama overall).

My Father is Strange, it's a family drama so it's long, 52 episodes but they are only 30 minutes each and it goes by super quick. There is a lot of romance, a lot of fun, all the female leads are strong and not whiny or annoying and the family aspect is very sweet. The ending is also extremely cute, and just a satisfying watch overall. (The only bad part is the grandmother but she barely showed up)

Falling for Innocence, not my favorite drama but romance is sort of the main plot and does fit all the category's you listed. It's fast paced, and it has a good ending and it's sort of cute watch when looking back at it. I think it's worth a watch but not that memorable.

My Girl, it's honestly such a good drama and it's technically a classic. The romance is both funny, cute, and beautiful. The plot is sometimes sad sometimes hilarious. The female lead is one of the best I've ever had the pleasure of watching in kdrama's. The second leads aren't as annoying as they are in most drama's. The plot is mostly faced paced and the ending is extremely cute and very satisfying. 

U-Prince the Crazy Artist, it's very short and quick, and romance centered. Honestly one of the best Thai drama's I've ever seen. The main leads have a ton of chemistry and the plot overall is just incredibly sweet (even though it's not that original). The main girl can get annoying because of her indecisive feelings but that doesn't last long. (I don't really recommend the other U-Prince series, but if you like this one there are a few other good one's you might want to check out plus they're all short so they're easy to get through but some of them are just dumb).

Ugly Duckling Series: Boy's Paradise, Thai drama its cute, romance driven, and such a quick watch. It's one of my favorite out of the series because the main couple have incredible chemistry. I recommend all of them except for Pity Girl (if you hate annoying female leads, you'll hate that one, trust me) but this one along with Don't and Perfect Match are really well done.

Hormones the Series, I really only recommend the first and second season because the rest aren't up to the same standard. I think anyone who's going to watch Thai drama's should know about this one. It has a mixture of school related topics, romance, and has a reality to it that not many drama's achieve. Every single character is really fleshed out, three-dimensional, and while they can be annoying in episodes not centered on them once you get to the ones that are about them you realize they're actually extremely fleshed out characters.

Senior Secret Love: Puppy Love, a very short and quick paced Thai drama. Romance driven and super cute. I mainly watched for the second couple because the main girl can get annoying but it's so cute and has a sweet ending. Plus the male lead is everything kdrama male leads are missing. (Please don't watch the second season, it ruins everything from the first).

Back to 1989, Taiwanese drama it's both romance and supernatural. The female lead is played by Ivy Shao and she's one of my favorite actresses so I may be biased but the show is honestly one of the best Taiwanese dramas I've ever had the pleasure of watching. The romance is more toward's the middle but you get really wrapped up in the series immediately despite that. But once the romance begins you can really feel the chemistry between the leads and dynamic between the characters. The ending is bittersweet but still good and it fits the show. (A second season is happening as well).

Our Times, not a drama but an amazing Taiwanese movie. If you like romance, with a good ending and a strong female lead, I'd recommend this movie. The couple has amazing chemistry and honestly it's just a beautiful story that I was actually sad when it ended. It is a quick watch and the rewatch value is like 11/10 (seen it like 10 times). If you want something easy to watch, but also meaningful and have the time, I recommend this.

Moon River, Taiwanese drama it's like 'Boys Over Flowers' but 100% funnier and the female lead is a total boss. It is romance driven and the chemistry is off the charts between the leads (they've done other drama's together so that's why) and most of the other characters are fun (except for the second female lead, she's just crazy). It's quick paced and cute but don't take it seriously because it tends to get stupid fast but if you look past that it's a fun watch and the ending is also really sweet.

My Amazing Boyfriend, Chinese drama not necessarily perfect but if you like romance this is for you. It's sort of inspired by 'You Who Came from the Stars' but like it's honestly just a crazy ride and the romance is off the charts. Every character, in some way, is interesting and the female lead (while crazy) is super funny and extremely strong. The ending was also good and there's a second season coming as well.

Honorable Mentions: Fated to Love You, Girl's Generation 1979, Age of Youth, Love O2O, Coffee Prince, Splash Splash Love, Go Back Couple, Beautiful Gong Shim, The Greatest Love, Boarding House #24, Reply Series, My Mr. Mermaid, Witch's Romance, and Love @ Seventeen.

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Czakhareina

Nirvana in Fire - 2015 chinese wuxia historical drama with 54 episodes of about 45minutes duration. It is, for me, the best show ever not only because it has the most satisfying from start to end but it really is just an epic drama (okay it was  probably draggy the first 3-4 episodes due to set up and character intro but every episodes after the intro part, kept getting better and better... until the end). Very epic. This has very strong female character, though its is not really heavy on romance. Well honestly, the romance takes only around 10% of the story, which for somelike me who also loves romance wpuld have been a drag, but i am actually unexpectedly surprised that i love everything about it. 

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Rigby

In no particular order:

1% of Something (2016)

Healer

Cunning Single Lady

Marriage Not Dating

Go Back Couple

Giant

Sungkyungkwan Scandal

It's OK it's Love

Bridal Mask

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missjb21

It doesn't mean to be a happy ending, they all got resolution and happy ending. For me the best ending, is the ending which will make that drama stay with you and you will never forget the drama forever. You can hardly move on because that ending is that deep have an impact on you. 

- Uncontrollaby Fond - That final ending Joon Young with his mom is one of the best scene in the series. The resolution is not feeling rush at all

- Que Sera-Sera - That final ending is still lingering in my head after watching it 6 years ago. They smile with their tears to each other after they face so many hardship. Does it a dream or does it real? Hanging, but hopeful 

- I'm sorry I Love you... That final ending with her following him in aftermath might be qualify as one of the saddest ending I've seen. Can I just said I was bawling for 1 hours, and sad the whole month just for thinking that ending

- 

- 

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Angel
 TeaBear:

Kdrama:

W

Giant

king 2 heart

healer

good doctors (but I dont renember the how it ends.)

Doctor stranger 

secret garden

sweet 18  (hehe... when he see pink everywhere...haha.. but not a strong female lead  tho!)


mandarin spoken dramas:

Love me if you dare 

Rockie agent rouge

Romance in the rain

Hua Jian Ti Hu Fang Da Chu  (maybe...!)

For Kdramas: I already watched W, Healer, and Secret Garden (These are some of my faves, actually!).

I'll most probably watch Giant and King2Hearts and try Good Doctors (I heard it was good). I'll check Doctor Stranger and Sweet 18 out.

For CNDrama: Love Me If You Dare was amazing! I love Wallace Huo and his dramas. I had my eyes on Rookie Agent Rouge for a while now and Hua Jian Ti Hu Fang Da Chu (It seems interesting). I'll check Romance in the Rain out (This is an old one, right?)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

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Angel
 Jang Hyuk:

OH MY VENUS

THE MASTER'S SUN

MADAME ANTOINE

I enjoyed Oh My Venus and The Master's Sun immensely! They are very entertaining and fun. I am still skeptical about Madame Antoine because of the male lead and plot development, but I'll consider it. :)

THANK YOU!

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TeaBear
 Angel:

For Kdramas: I already watched W, Healer, and Secret Garden (These are some of my faves, actually!).

I'll most probably watch Giant and King2Hearts and try Good Doctors (I heard it was good). I'll check Doctor Stranger and Sweet 18 out.

For CNDrama: Love Me If You Dare was amazing! I love Wallace Huo and his dramas. I had my eyes on Rookie Agent Rouge for a while now and Hua Jian Ti Hu Fang Da Chu (It seems interesting). I'll check Romance in the Rain out (This is an old one, right?)

THANK YOU SO MUCH!

 Romance in the rain is from 2001. So yeah,  it is a old one. 

And a addition to the list: Nothing Gold Can Stay Its a mandarin drama.  I dont know the ending yet. I  just have start on the drama now recently. But the heroine seems to be pretty interesting. But the drama is 74 eps long tho... uggh....! 

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fanitha
  • The Greatest Love - this one is one of my favorite romance dramas with the troupe "the male lead falls in love first"
  • Kill me Heal me - asides from the romance, there's also mystery. The female lead has her own opinion, there's no love triangle.
  • Healer - no love traingle, very strong female lead, the story also has a little bit of mystery and there's also action. Very good chemistry between the leads. 
  • It's Okay that's Love - this one for me was a very atypical drama, but the story was very well developed and loved the OTP. No love triangle involved. 
  • Live up to your name - one of the best romance dramas of last year, the story is very lighthearted (though it made me cry in one episode) and the male lead is very endearing. Strong femele lead. 
  • The Moon Embracing the Sun - a historical drama loved the child actors who portrayed the younger versions of the leads. The second male lead is also very endearing
  • Can you hear my heart - this drama is very sweet and deals with many things as disabilities, family bonds beyond blood relation and more. 
  • Marriage not Dating - Contracted relationships is my favorite troupe ever!! and this ones makes good use of it, it's also pretty hilarious to watch. 
  • Soratobu Kouhoushitsu - I like this one, because is also about 2 persons who had their dreams broken about their ideal jobs but with the help of each other discover a new passion in life.
  • Pride - a classic romance drama with a mature couple who grow and learn from each other and also heal each others wounds
  • Boku Unmei no Hito desu - This one is also pretty lighthearted, the male lead is very sweet and kind and it's totally focused on romance.
  • Tatta Hitotsu no Koi - a very good romance and it’s a Cinderella story but inverse (rich girl, poor boy)
  • We married as a job - this one is compared to Because this is my first life, I liked both of them but I'll have to say I liked better how they managed the "contract relationship" at the final episodes here.
  • Buzzer Beat – good romance drama about 2 people that meet and fall in love but first they have to find the perfect timing for them to be together
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Angel

@flowersoverboys

That is such a GREAT LIST, thank you! Your descriptions are very helpful and relatable, too!

I've already seen Marriage, Not Dating, Another Oh Hae Young, Falling For Innocence, My Girl, Our Times, My Amazing Boyfriend, Age of Youth (1 and 2), Love O2O, Coffee Prince, Splash Splash Love, Go Back Couple, and Reply 1997!

Like you said, Heart to Heart gets a little tedious at the middle, which is why I had to put it on-hold (sadly). I haven't finish My Father Is Strange, Beautiful Gong Shim, and The Greatest Love but, I really look forward to these. I'm glad you mentioned some good Lakorns, too. I can't wait to watch them! I'm currently watching You're My Destiny, which is the Thai version of Fated To Love You, so I think i might finally watch other versions of it after, since Thai is REALLY good with remakes! I think I tried Hormones before, though I wasn't able to finish it. 

As for the rest, I've heard about Back To 1989 (It's truly interesting), as well as My Mr. Mermaid and Witch's Romance. Reply 1988 is still stuck on my PTW list but, hopefully, I'll have more time to watch it. I'm unfamiliar with Moon River, Boarding House #24, and Love @ Seventeen so, I'll check them out!

Again, thank you so much!

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Angel
 Czakhareina:

Nirvana in Fire - 2015 chinese wuxia historical drama with 54 episodes of about 45minutes duration. It is, for me, the best show ever not only because it has the most satisfying from start to end but it really is just an epic drama (okay it was  probably draggy the first 3-4 episodes due to set up and character intro but every episodes after the intro part, kept getting better and better... until the end). Very epic. This has very strong female character, though its is not really heavy on romance. Well honestly, the romance takes only around 10% of the story, which for somelike me who also loves romance wpuld have been a drag, but i am actually unexpectedly surprised that i love everything about it. 

Yes, a wuxia! Nirvana in Fire  wouldn't have a second season and be highly rated if it's not good and epic, of course. Also, Hu Ge is in it so, I'm not surprised. 

I'm honestly planning to watch it next, but I feel like I need a break first from long dramas after watching them for consecutive days. I am looking forward to its intelligent and well-written lines, though. I know it only has little romance but in your opinion, how was it? Does it end well? Lastly, have you watched the season two already? I haven't heard people talk about it as much as the first season so, i'm curious. :)

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Angel
 Rigby:

In no particular order:

1% of Something (2016)

Healer

Cunning Single Lady

Marriage Not Dating

Go Back Couple

Giant

Sungkyungkwan Scandal

It's OK it's Love

Bridal Mask

I second this list, especially Something About 1%, Healer, Marriage, Not Dating, Go Back Couple, and It's Okay, That's Love!!! I like Sungkyungkwan Scandal's ending, too, despite having second/third lead syndrome. I haven't finished Cunning Single Lady, but I forgot why I put it on-hold. Is it worth finishing?

I got two Giant recommendations, I'm sold! I might also try Bridal Mask (I hope my heart could handle its intensity!).

THANK YOU!!

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Angel
 missjb21:

It doesn't mean to be a happy ending, they all got resolution and happy ending. For me the best ending, is the ending which will make that drama stay with you and you will never forget the drama forever. You can hardly move on because that ending is that deep have an impact on you. 

- Uncontrollaby Fond - That final ending Joon Young with his mom is one of the best scene in the series. The resolution is not feeling rush at all

- Que Sera-Sera - That final ending is still lingering in my head after watching it 6 years ago. They smile with their tears to each other after they face so many hardship. Does it a dream or does it real? Hanging, but hopeful 

- I'm sorry I Love you... That final ending with her following him in aftermath might be qualify as one of the saddest ending I've seen. Can I just said I was bawling for 1 hours, and sad the whole month just for thinking that ending

- 

- 

I strongly agree! Although I personally prefer happy ending dramas, sometimes few of them could get a little unrealistic and unreasonable/ridiculous. At the end of the day, we can't still help but love and be thankful for coming across series that leave us thinking or crying or subject us to roller coaster of emotions. That's the beauty of them, I'd say. Nonetheless, thank you for these! I saw that I'm Sorry, I Love You has a Japanese version now, I might also check that out! :)

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