Role Reversal (RR)

Very RR. Alternate universe where the gender roles are flipped and oh my god do they deliver. FL nailed the suave charmer role. 

Currently rewatching it and oh my god is it as good as I remember. Femboy/mascgirl rep at its FINEST. It really took the standard formula and just wrote women and men into the opposite roles. 

Very RR. Refreshing dynamics, actual kickass fl who's rough but kind and a femme fatale ML. Story is not very deep but there's quite some romance (and I loved it)

VERY RR. Matriarchy done good. It's by no means perfect but it's of the better ones I've seen with us actually being able to see all positions of power being occupied by women. Men also actually appear as husbands and fathers! 

Then there's the MCs. ML plays the supporting role to the two FLs. He often needs to be saved, he's protected and cherished and the FLs do most of the dangerous stuff/scheming without him. One FL is charismatic, and reckless while the other is the calm genius and ML is the sweet emotional support! 

There isn't a whole lot of skinship going on but the RR vibes are defs there. FL always talks about wanting to protect ML and see him happy, hardcore crushing stuff while teasing him because they're 'besties'. I will say the trio was giving more poly vibes but I love that too so 10/10

VERY RR. Taking Zhang Gong Zhu Zai Shang's vibes a step further... OMG, where to even start? FL has a whole group of (male) escorts, she's domineering af, she's the main character, a sect leader, cold, aloof, badass, skilled fighter. ML is her bodyguard so he can defs hold his own but he's very shy and reserved, especially when it comes to FL's very obvious flirting. He is sooo babygirl, I'm living and thriving 

Very RR. Very nice RR representation! Matriarchy setting (quite nonsensical and shallow), FL is absolutely smitten with ML, pursues him, flirts with him, spoils him, etc. Meanwhile ML is a total feisty tsundere.

Very RR and also steamy! Royalty FL x Bodyguard ML so definitely a lot of master-servant dynamics. FL is cold, assertive, and domineering while ML is cold, shy and devoted. 

Very RR. Some great role reversal moments. FL is a cold CEO while ML is a sweet doctor. FL pursues ML but he's a tsundere so it goes on for a while but eventually supports her. (Just... don't watch after the time-skip... please...)

^ Bonus content. 1st short was adorably RR. Protective and cool FL with a scardy cat ML, cuteness 100 tbh. Rest of the shorts had rr vibes like the rest of the show 

Very RR! Amazing representation of RR (somewhat problematic rep of OTHER things but that's for another time). ML is sweet, caring and cutesy while FL is cold, distant and rude. Not to mention ML's family are very RR as well with the mom being rowdy and taking the lead in the relationship while the father mostly looks out for the kids and takes care of them. 

Very RR. FL is so badass, saves ML plenty of times and bosses him around while ML tries tO fIx HeR

Still watching...

Very RR. Rowdy, rough, heroine FL x Weak, posh, clever ML. Honestly, pretty good RR rep. FL is actually rowdy and doesn't need saving and ML has limits and requires saving from FL. Really enjoyed it

Very RR. A classic RR story. FL is a rough general who pretended to be a man for years, she's an excellent fighter and a total tomboy while ML is a spoiled nobleman who can't fight worth an ish. ML starts off kinda mid asf but later grows tf up and they really support each other. 

Still watching...

Very RR, subtle but very present (the drama is not romance focused tho, more of a family drama but both leads are married). ML is a househusband who's the more caring and nurturing type while FL is a cop who's more cool and rough. I love them so hecking much

Fairly RR. Cute puppy ML x strong, feisty FL in the 1st arc, but the 2nd arc takes place in a matriarchy. FL peruses ML and he's very much a tsundere (though admittedly far sweeter than the usual) and she's all forward, trying to woo him. 10/10 rr dip kiss scene AND FL teaching ML how to shoot an arrow scene, would recommend. Also FL's mother, the empress actually has a husband who loves her dearly and takes care of her 10/10. There's still the expected traditional things things in the drama so yeah

Fairly RR. Most of the RR happens because of the matriarchy setting (think, fathers taking care of the household, male courtesans, female rules/officials/guards etc.). It's explored okay-ish (still lacking but at least there's an attempt) and the secondary couple were quite cute and rr (musician x princess. Both are gentle and sweet towards each other which is a refreshing dynamic for sure and the musician has gentle vibes I've never seen before or since, tbh). Lead couple aren't RR

Fairly RR. Lovely RR and very steamy scenes! Same coupling as Zhang Gong Zhu Zai Shang but the roles are reversed (haha). ML is the naive and delicate prince while FL is his servant who's more like an assassin/bodyguard and is cold and distant (she's also his mentor). GFD steamy scene 

Fairly RR. I'd say the lead couple fall more into egalitarian territory but FL fawns about ML's beauty a lot, shamelessly chases after him and takes initiative, ML calls himself FL's lover rather than the other way around, etc. But then there's also the secondary couple with a female villain x the one person she actually likes. She's so commanding of him, takes what she wants from him, is assertive afff and he rather eagerly lets her-- Yes, they're toxic but it is RR

Fairly RR. Main leads are definitely giving girlboss x malewife. ML is more focused on his looks and is the drama queen while FL is very tomboy and rather rowdy. Secondary couple also have RR vibes, basically quiet & shy assassin guy x bold & assertive princess. 

Fairly RR. Role reversal extends only as far as the matriarchy concept goes which by itself is already rather shallow. ML still saves the day and all that but at least they do have some cute RR moments between the leads. Pretty boy ML x Cold & aloof FL 

Fairly RR. FL is domineering but in an underwhelming attempt at RR kinda way, I'll take whatever I can get but it's worth mentioning. ML however is adorably pouty and cute (but still the butt-kicker because of course).

Fairly RR. Cold woman x Warm man, Innocent ML x Mature FL, and Broken FLs (FL & SFL) x I-Can-Fix-Her MLs (ML & SML). FL is cold and aloof, unafraid of making the tough calls and very distant and broken while ML is warm and kind, far too innocent and idealistic for his own good. In pretty much everything, FL is more experienced (love, politics, etc) while ML is not. Though he's the emperor, she definitely takes the lead in the relationship. Secondary couple have similar vibes but more badass power couple vibes since both are fighters. SML still has that "I can fix her" energy 

^ Impression after 18 eps. Still watching... 

Fairly RR. Vampire FL x Human ML, FL is tragic and gloomy (cat energy) while ML is cutesy and sweet (retriever energy). It's got the age gap, FL struggling to control herself with ML (cuz of the vampirisim), ML being bridal carried, protective mother-- what more can one want?

Fairly RR. Started out very RR, later faltered (mostly in pt.2 which is why I didn't include it). ML is the sweet and naive prince (a merman, yay!), FL is the hardened and cold warrior. Also the secondary couple which is basically girlboss x malewife (bonus points for the malewife being a literal catboy) and also the tertiary couple were the woman is very forward and confident while her man is shy and reserved (at least when it comes to relationships). 

Fairly RR. FL is a powerful demon who's cold and aloof, ML is a scholar with a child who needs saving (it did have some unusual themes though. Yes, I mean Mpreg)

Fairly RR. Valid enough attempt at role reversal, nothing wow but better than others

Fairly RR. General FL x 'Weak' cute ML. 

Still watching... 

Fairly RR. Slight RR within the main couple (FL is somewhat of a player, ML plays hard to get. Also he's her consort(!!)) but most obvious with the secondary couple (domeneering warrior x submissive nobleman. Nothing deep but pretty cute and she's assertive AF)

Fairly RR. Not romance focused but secondary couple have the cold, badass, fighter woman x warm, sweet, can't-fight man dynamic which was very sweet even if it didn't appear often 

Fairly RR. Bossy female CEO x tsundere male employee 

Somewhat RR. Pretty ML who depended on his cute persona all his life with a cold, socially awkward FL who doesn't get the hype. 

Somewhat RR. The embodiment of r/therewasanattempt. They tried to do the matriarchy and sometimes they did fine but... no. They had some good things for sure, FL having two husbands, SML was giving, secondary and tertiary couple were kinda giving, but yeah...

Somewhat RR. Mostly the secondary couple. SFL takes the lead in the relationship while SML is the cutesy one. She's a CEO while he's a broke art student. Wasn't too big a fan of them though. 

Lead couple are quite egalitarian imo. They kinda give the same in the relationship, there are no overly big gestures from either of them without it being reciprocated. Both give and take the same, so it's very healthy and balanced. I will say that FL is quite assertive, stubborn, and no-nonsense, while ML is quiet, shy, and reserved. She's also quite protective of him 

Somewhat RR. Nothing wow, faltered quickly after the very beginning. FL was the empress and ML was her consort but plot twists happened.

Somewhat RR. Not really RR in themes, tbh... The coupling is rather traditional but on the healthy side (no toxic ML or FL!!). ML is a cross-dresser and honestly rocks it which is the most RR aspect of the drama (it is one of the main aspects though, so) and FL is lowkey fascinated by him and his beauty.

Somewhat RR. FL is the cool breadwinner while ML works mostly from home and takes on more of the household & child-rearing jobs. FL saves ML plenty of times, too and is protective of him. 

Somewhat RR. Very short and left somewhat inconclusive (hoping for a season 2) but an extremely cute and wholesome subtle RR story (leaning more into the noona territory). ML is the cutesy, bubbly and energetic one while FL is strict, stern and more mature. 

Somewhat RR. ML cross-dresses for a great deal of the drama (and honestly goes all out- he looks immaculate, ok?) and has to pretend to be a woman thus behaving the part. He's not actually quite like that but shshshshs- FL is strong and assertive. 

Still watching (but subs are bad so I'm waiting...)

Somewhat RR. Multiple couples but some have RR vibes. Most obviously there's the youngest daughter x the prince. She's very rowdy and strong, a local heroine as she likes to call herself. He's a prince who's quite shy and reserved. She manhandles him a lot. 

Then there's the mother (FL) and they family friend who has a thing for her (SML). He's submissive to her and tries very hard to please her, meanwhile she's tough as nails and uninterested. Finally, there's the second daughter (SFL) and the family servant (ML). 

The least RR out of the three but she often has to look out for him and stand up for him and he IS her servant 

Still watching... (8/24)

Somewhat RR. No romance but I didn't ship leads this much in a LONG time. Strong, badass, cold detective FL & warm, kind, weak teacher ML (AND SHE'S TALLER THAN HIM). They're dynamic was GIVING so much RR. He worries about her, she protects him, he tags along and she's reluctant, he breaks through her cold and aloof persona and she warms up to him-- what a DUO! 

Also FL is basically the typical depressed workaholic detective but a woman and she's protective of her son-figure too so some great and unusual 'mother'-'son' bonding 

Slightly RR. Was debating adding this one for a while... Basically, the story is about FL while ML plays her supporting role. She takes the lead, she's the only fighter, she takes no ish and she also kinda sorta abducts ML to come with her. Meanwhile ML is kinda just the boyfriend™ who tags along and needs to be saved. The only reason this wasn't a "Hell yeah" is because both still kinda behave traditionally

Slightly RR. Started out promising, faltered later on. FL is a demon who saves ML plenty of times. I wouldn't go as far as to say they're perfectly RR but there are some elements here and there

Slightly RR. ML is being pursued by 3 women, all of whom are very protective of him. He can't really fight (he's a doctor) while they can. He's carried to safety more than once and lowkey objectified too. I'd say ML is more RR than any of the FLs since he's the gentle and kind prince-in-peril type who only really cares about helping people and love. Meanwhile the FLs are kinda written more traditionally and not all that feminist 

Slightly RR. FL is a powerful demon, ML is a weak himbo scholar who sees the good in everyone. She saves him bunch of times and does most of the butt-kicking. Giving more subtle girlboss & malewife vibes

Slightly RR. Mostly supernatural badass FL x Weak scholar ML. She saves him multiple times but still kinda falls under the seductress role so...They were still cute 

Slightly RR. Badass demon FL x Sweet human ML. She's assertive and more dominant, also meaner while he's sweet and naïve, seeking out her affection. 

Slightly RR. General FL ftw and her husband (SML), though also a warrior, stays at home due to an injury while she goes do cool girl stuff (lowkey living for this set up). ML is elegant and gentle and has a bigtime crush on FL which gives rr vibes too, kinda giving that naive supernatural creature x rough human vibes. Admittedly, it was very short so 

Slightly RR. Slight romance (married leads) and though ML is a bit more pathetic than ideal, they still give off RR vibes. ML is unlucky and kinda dim so FL takes charge in the relationship, stands up for him (and to him), takes no ish, gives no ishs, is assertive, stubborn and no-nonesense. Meanwhile ML is more the talker type, a bit of a himbo with a dash of pathetic, if you will. Giving Girlboss x Boyloser (for plot reasons, this later changes and ML becomes more protective but yeah, present in the beginning)

Still watching... 

Slightly RR. ML is the more sensitive and bratty one (a drama queen, if you will) while FL is stuck having to deal with his shenanigans (aka, the reversal of the typical bratty FL & done ML). Also merman ML AND she has to save him 

Slightly RR. ML is a courtesan, tends to be somewhat flamboyant, and has what were considered more traditionally feminine hobbies (flower picking, dancing, etc). Totally here for the male entertainment aspect (which was giving a lot of host club vibes) but ML ultimately had more playboy vibes than anything else. Lead couple are NOT rr but the brief secondary couple had the assertive woman x shyer man 

Slightly RR. Not of the romantic kind of RR tho. Mostly the classic deadbeat detective with a dead spouse trope but for FL (and her dead husband is kind of like 'saving' her in her mind cuz of reasons, it was kinda giving ok). Also involuntary child-acquisition arc which is always peak when it's with a deadbeat woman ^^ 

Dropped @ ep 3 cuz boring and not my scene.  

Subtle RR of the fucked up kind... Has very little romance but it's there, kinda... FL is a psychopath so not very romantic but.... she's assertive, takes initiative with ML and controls his every move, meanwhile ML is shy, awkward and gullible. It's more of a cult leader x cultist situation but yeah

Subtle RR but the leads were very much giving depressed FL x manic pixie dream boy ML which is the reversal of the usual trope so a win in my book! 

Subtle RR. No romance but FL is cold and aloof while ML is sweet and emotional. Honestly, most men in this drama are very sensitive and emotional while the women are confident and cool. Also there's a badass older sister character.

Very slightly RR. FL chases after ML, she's the one to initiate romance and all that but it's honestly very light on the rr

Very slightly RR. FL manhandles ML like once or something iirc and she's a cold general while he's a flirty doctor (which is nice) but other than that, pretty standard coupling. Also the quality was so bad it was basically unwatchable t-t

part of the above so the same applies

Very slightly RR. FL is assertive, chases ML first, she saves him, manhandles him and can kick butt. It was really looking out to be a lot more RR than it actually was (with the poster and set up). In the end, the MCs are more along the 'similars attract' & 'power couple' than RR.

Very slightly RR. 

I watched this way back so my memory is a bit hazy, I'll rewatch later and clarify

Very slightly RR. It should've been RR, it is RR in theory but definitely not in execution. Despite taking place in a modern matriarchy similar to Ooku (low male population), the characters and the world are painfully traditional, ESPECIALLY so the women (it's giving high school cliches in the worst way). The only RR-ish elements are the fact that women are competing to win the men, and men are highly valued and thus treated more as luxurious commodities than actual people, but even that doesn't really give off a lot of RR energy, more idol energy? 

Not really RR. I... I guess there was an attempt? They tried the whole crossdressing and matriarchy thing but wow did they miss the mark (There's quite a bit of crossdressing though and in the beginning they show a bit of the world which was nice even if played for laughs). Not only is there little to no RR amongst the leads but in the end the role reversal is 'fixed' because it was 'wrong'. Also, very standard characters and a female villain who's entire thing is being wronged by a man. Idk what I was expecting with the censorship but this was definitely disappointing... 

Not really RR. I found this one to be somewhat misleading based on the synopsis. Both mcs act rather traditionally when with each other and only act prince-like (for the FL) or princess-like (for the ML) when with their friends/fans. There is some enjoyable but more subtle RR to the show, like the fact that both MCs are confused as being the opposite gender and that they cross-dress (and generally speaking, dress somewhat androgynous) but yeah, I was expecting (and hoping for) more.

Not really RR. This one was bad even for a noona romance. ML is younger, yes and FL is allegedly a successful businesswoman, but she acts like an immature child (she is somewhat assertive in the beginning but that's about it). Secondary couple aren't much better but SFL does have to carry SML when he's drunk which was endearing

Not RR. Honestly, only really RR in the sense that FL does weightlifting so she's a bit more tomboyish, strong and rough. Other than that, extremely traditional 

Not RR. I don't remember a single RR instance? Idk why it has the Gender Role Reversal tag...

Not RR. ML marries into FL's home but their dynamic is extremely conventional otherwise. If anything, ML is more insufferably overpowered than other MLs

Dropped halfway through

Not RR. I remember there might've been a slight RR moment but I honestly hated the drama so much I can't remember.