Puppet Ruler, Political Hostage, Prisoner, and Slave MCs

This list compiles titles where either a main character or prominent character is a puppet ruler, political hostage, captive/prisoner, or slave. In order to make it onto this list the character has to have been either of these things for a substantial period of the drama or it has to have had a lasting impact on the character.

The first two tropes (puppet ruler and political hostage) will include characters of any gender but the last two (captive/prisoner and slave) will include only MLs.

Puppet Ruler: Someone who holds a title of political authority, but is loyal to or controlled by outside persons or groups. [Wikipedia] [TV tropes]
Political Hostage/Hostage Diplomacy: Hostages taken (usually sent or gone willingly) for diplomatic purposes [Wikipedia] [TV tropes]

Some titles sourced from Political Hostage and Puppet Ruler MLs

Arclei Apr 22, 2024

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1. Stand by Me

Chinese Drama - 2021, 49 episodes

Puppet ruler (emperor) (ML)
2. Secret of Three Kingdoms

Chinese Drama - 2018, 54 episodes

9.0

Puppet ruler (emperor) (ML)
3. Novoland: Eagle Flag

Chinese Drama - 2019, 56 episodes

Political hostage (prince) (ML)
4. The Legend of Hao Lan

Chinese Drama - 2019, 62 episodes

7.0

Political hostage (prince) (ML)
5. Bloody Heart

Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

9.0

Puppet ruler (king) (ML)
6. The Legendary Life of Queen Lau

Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes

7.5

Puppet ruler (emperor) (ML)
7. Eternal Brotherhood

Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes

6.0

Hostage hostage (princess) (SFL)
8. Creation of the Gods Ⅰ: Kingdom of Storms

Chinese Movie - 2023

9.0

Political hostage (prince) (ML and 3 other princes)
9. Yue Rou Fu

Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes

Puppet ruler (emperor) (supporting character)
10. Colourful Bone

Chinese Drama - 2017, 54 episodes

Political hostage (ML)
11. Captivating the King

Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes

Political hostage (ML)
12. Grand Prince

Korean Drama - 2018, 20 episodes

Political hostage (prince) (ML)
13. The Emperor: Owner of the Mask

Korean Drama - 2017, 40 episodes

Puppet ruler (king) (ML)
14. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

Political hostage (ML) (formerly)
15. The Crowned Clown

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

Puppet ruler (king) (ML)
16. Till the End of the Moon

Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes

Political hostage (ML)
17. Lost You Forever

Chinese Drama - 2023, 39 episodes

Political hostage (ML)
18. The Romance of Tiger and Rose

Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes

8.5

Political hostage (prince) (ML). Kinda, 'cause it's more focused on a marriage arrangement than purely a political hostage.
19. Dou Suru Ieyasu

Japanese Drama - 2023, 48 episodes

Political hostage (ML)
20. The Blue Whisper: Part 1

Chinese Drama - 2022, 22 episodes

7.5

Prisoner (ML)
21. Men Zhu

Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes

5.5

Prisoner & slave (ML)
22. Bad Guys

Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

9.5

Prisoners (SML, TML & 4thML)
23. Ready, Set, Love

Thai Drama - 2024, 6 episodes

7.0

Captive (all MLs)
24. Love Crossed

Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes

8.0

Captive (all MLs)
25. Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan

Chinese Movie - 2007

7.5

Captive, enslaved and imprisoned (ML)
26. Big Mouth

Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

8.5

Imprisoned (ML)
27. Dominion and Devotion

Chinese Drama - 2025, 24 episodes

9.0

Puppet ruler (emperor) FL (pretending to be a man)
28. A Dream like the True Love

Chinese Drama - 2025, 24 episodes

8.5

Prisoner/Slave ML
29. Voyage to Haihun

Chinese Drama - 2025, 24 episodes

9.0

Puppet ruler SML (for a portion of the drama)
30. In the Name of Loyalty

Chinese Drama - 2025, 24 episodes

Puppet ruler (emperor) ML
31. The Last Duel

Thai Drama - 2026, 10 episodes

Political Hostage ML
32. Mr. Queen

Korean Drama - 2020, 20 episodes

6.0

Puppet ruler (king) ML
33. Di Que

Chinese Drama - 2026, 80 episodes

8.0

Puppet ruler (emperor) ML