oh no, am I gay? - every man in these dramas
Are cross-dressing dramas gender defying or do they perpetuate the binary thing? idk but watching men freak out over their sexuality is pretty fun.
(List is random and ranked by similarities. Idc if they're terrible, I literally love them all. Ending is a compilation of dramas I haven't seen.)
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1. Hanazakari no Kimitachi e
Japanese Drama - 2007, 12 episodes
And also every other version of Hana Kimi, thank you:
- Hana Kimi (2006, Taiwanese version) https://mydramalist.com/343-hana-kimi
- Hana Kimi Remake (2011, Japanese version) https://mydramalist.com/2219-hana-kimi-remake
- To the Beautiful You (2012, South Korean version) https://mydramalist.com/2278-to-the-beautiful-you
- Runaway Sweetheart (2013, Chinese version) https://mydramalist.com/2239-runaway-sweetheart
Can we take a moment to appreciate the 2nd ML? Literally every rendition is *chefs kiss* fantastic.
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2. Ouran High School Host Club
Japanese Drama - 2011, 11 episodes
The anime is way better and my score is 100% based on a bias
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3. My Unicorn Girl
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
Whenever I try to write something for this I lose my words. It's really good. The development is strong with these two and we love to see it!
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4. You're Beautiful
Korean Drama - 2009, 16 episodes
And once again, all the interesting renditions:
- Ikemen Desu Ne (2011, Japanese version) https://mydramalist.com/2277-ikemen-desu-ne
- Fabulous Boys (2013, Taiwanese version) https://mydramalist.com/6015-fabulous-boys
Anyone else not able to get over the "fashion"
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5. K-POP - The Ultimate Audition
Korean Drama - 2012, 14 episodes
I don't even remember this, but I rated it really high... perhaps accidentally. Who knows.
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6. Two Souls in One
Chinese Drama - 2021, 30 episodes
Still waiting on the 25th+ episodes to be subbed, but honestly worth the watch regardless. A little different than the other dramas (with FL not always being herself).
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7. Coffee Prince
Korean Drama - 2007, 17 episodes
Here are the many adaptations:
- Coffee Prince (2012, Filipino version) https://mydramalist.com/27964-coffee-prince
- Happy Michelin Kitchen (2012, Taiwanese version) https://mydramalist.com/2938-happy-michelin-kitchen
- Coffee Prince Thai (2012, Thai version) https://mydramalist.com/10042-coffee-prince-thai
- Prince Coffee Lab (2018, Chinese version) https://mydramalist.com/19046-prince-coffee-lab
Dear god of all dramas, please continue to make more and more versions of this so we never cease to see men have existential crisis' over their sexuality. Amen.
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8. Ti Amo Chocolate
Taiwanese Drama - 2012, 80 episodes
Longest drama ever. I'm not even done it but I'm not mad.
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9. Bromance
Taiwanese Drama - 2015, 18 episodes
This was my first cross-dressing drama and boy oh boys. So dramatic. I still love it despite the low rating.
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10. Arsenal Military Academy
Chinese Drama - 2019, 48 episodes
Okay, hear me out, I'm only on ep 19, but abandon all expectations. It's cute and shot hella beautifully, but it's not above other cross-dressing shows romance wise. FL still acts like an emotional "can't use brain during scary things uwu" baby (despite literally training for months on how to act in combat?) and the MLs still do the heroic stuff. Basically, I expected badass boss chick and got flightless baby bird stranded outside its nest. FL pisses me off, tbh--her character is so inconsistent. *end rant*
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11. The King's Affection
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
Watch it, watch it, watch it! The smiles form the 2nd ML alone is worth it *insert squealing noises here* literally every young man in this is perfect and the FL is phenomenal. 100/10 and it's not even finished yet.
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12. Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Korean Drama - 2010, 20 episodes
I absorbed this until the last couple of episodes. Idk how it ends yet, but it's definitely worth the journey. Apparently there is another version of it:
- In a Class of Her Own (2020, Chinese version) https://mydramalist.com/34415-in-a-class-of-her-own
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13. Oops! The King Is in Love
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
Lower budget (with make up/hair) but idc, the scenes between ML and FL are just so dang sweet, I've surely got cavities. Treating your partner with equality is a beautiful thing. I'm here for it.
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14. The Heiress
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
I loved FLs acting in this. As per the recommendation of fellow watchers, I stopped after watching episode 21 (and then read spoilers). Highly recommended as I feel completely satisfied, and as seen in the comments, the real ending left a dissatisfied crowd lol.
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15. The Tale of Nokdu
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
Only on 6/16 episodes, but my goodness this is a refreshing actual gender-defying tale. I find both ML and FL have strong points and weak points. With the ML being the main character, he does have more development and traits, but the FL holds her own by not being overly cliched. ML does a fantastic job at exhibiting both female and male traits and mixing the two into his own characters. I very much enjoy it.
9/16 and it just got SO MUCH BETTER. This is INCREDIBLE.
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16. King Is Not Easy
Chinese Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
The ending plot twist fcking ruined it. Avoid that though, and it's A1 and a fun watch.
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17. Portrait of a Beauty
Korean Movie - 2008
Beautifully done and the whole thing is artistic as hell. Far from PG or being like any of these other dramas on this list. Much more realistic. Grab tissues.
This drama is also based on the same book, but it's completely different (PG for starters):
- The Painter of The Wind (2008, South Korean drama version) https://mydramalist.com/422-the-painter-of-the-wind
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18. Yamato Nadeshiko Shichi Henge
Japanese Drama - 2010, 10 episodes
Cross-dressing dramas set in the modern age that I haven't watched yet (ordered by similarities):
- - about ML trying to give FL a makeover because she doesn't dress like a 'lady'.
- Soft Memory (2019, Chinese drama) https://mydramalist.com/48775-soft-memory - about mistaking FL1s gender identity, FL2 & ML both fall for him(her).
- Mae Ka Khanom Wan (2009, Thai drama) https://mydramalist.com/10262-mae-ka-khanom-wan - about FL dressing up as a guy to get revenge (after always getting mistaken as a guy). Best part: it's to try to steal MLs fiance lmao
- Dear Renew (2020, Chinese drama) https://mydramalist.com/682211-dear-renew - about .. well, pretty much seems like a Coffee Prince remake (but it's not listed as such).
- Cute Programmer (2021, Chinese drama) https://mydramalist.com/63929-cute-programmer - about FL following ML and pretends to be a dude to get into whatever institution he's at. Seems more like a 'contract marriage' plot after the gig is up. Also, forewarning, it seems hella sexist lol
- Secretly Loving You (2002, Taiwan drama) https://mydramalist.com/91-secretly-loving-you - about, eh, basically 'Hana Kimi': FL follows ML (who doesn't know she exists, I don't think) into whatever institution by pretending to be a boy. And of course, they end up as roommates.
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19. 4 Kinds of House
Korean Drama - 2018, 4 episodes
List continuation:
- - about FL pretending to be a boy to live in an all-males share home (after losing her apartment). About the people living there.
- Ma Boy (2012, South Korean drama) https://mydramalist.com/5104-ma-boy - about FLgetting a roommate who turns out to be the ML cross dressing. Apparently is super cute.
- We Are Eighteen (2019, Chinese drama) https://mydramalist.com/34109-we-are-eighteen - about FL covering for brother by pretending to be him at his school. ML probably ends up being a roommate? Not sure if subbed yet.
- The Day of Becoming You (2021, Chinese drama) https://mydramalist.com/66743-the-day-of-becoming-you - about FL and ML body swapping. Involves the entertainment industry.
- Back Street Girls Gokudoruzu (2019, Japanese drama) https://mydramalist.com/33700-back-street-girls-gokudoruzu - about 3 men who have sex changes and plastic surgery (for their boss after angering him lol) to become female idols.
- Mendol (2008, Japanese drama) https://mydramalist.com/170-mendol - about 3 girls who pretend to be guys to become male idols in order to escape a crime they witnessed.
- Sompong Nong Somchai (2004, Thai drama) https://mydramalist.com/10202-sompong-nong-somchai - about 2 girls who go undercover as male dancers to solve a crime (in order to get out of trouble). One of the MLs is apparently homophobic, how fun (h a r d sarcasm)
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20. Dok Ruk Rim Tang
Thai Drama - 2010, 29 episodes
List continuation:
- - about FL pretending to be a boy to go back her old house to solve her father's death. Becomes ML's assistant (who also owns the house). There's a dog in it.
- Pooh Dee E Sarn (2013, Thai drama) https://mydramalist.com/14881-pooh-dee-e-sarn - about FL pretending to be a boy to get her ex-governor father out of jail after he was wrongly accursed. Works for ML who is the new governor. (there are also other versions of this)
- That Whistling By Youth (2017, Chinese drama) https://mydramalist.com/25975-that-whistling-by-youth - Homeschooled FL disguises as a boy at an all-girls school to figure out why her friend tried to kill herself. I doubt that it has a ML or romance. Not sure if subbed.
- Huk Leam Kularb (2001, Thai drama) https://mydramalist.com/687319-huk-leam-kularb - about FL pretending to be ML's long lost little brother for money (goddamn ruthless).
- Nang Sao 18 Mongkut (2020, Thai drama) https://mydramalist.com/39585-nang-sao-18-mongkut - about hardworking FL (who was stolen as a baby by her current parents?!) pretending to be some long lost grandson for money (goshdarn these plot lines are ruthless). The leads at the time were in love irl apparently, awe.
- Taddao Bussaya (2005, Thai drama) https://mydramalist.com/24777-taddao-bussaya - about FL who's mother wants her to marry some old rich dude for money, running away (disguised as a boy). She meets the old dude's son unknowing he's the son, and they runaway together. (there are more version of this too)
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21. Khun Por Jorm Sa
Thai Drama - 2018, 18 episodes
List continuation:
- - about FL disguising as a boy to find her absentee father. Seems to be a father-daughter relationship plot. Dad tries to be a good male role model, thinking she's a girly guy. (there are also more versions)
- One Well Raised Daughter (2013, South Korean drama) https://mydramalist.com/8433-one-well-raised-daughter - about FL raised as a boy after parents kept having daughters lol. Something about a soy sauce business. Love triangle where the dudes think they are gay. HOLY CRAP IT'S LONG
- Ngao Kammathep (2010, Thai drama) https://mydramalist.com/10852-ngao-kammathep -about FL raised as a boy (she was swapped as a baby or kid or something by her father with the caretaker's son?) and the guy that raised her didn't realize until later, somehow? Anyways, father doesn't want to give his adoptive son the family money so he searches for her (now him). Idfk, the description is a whole mess.
- Roong Thip (2002, Thai drama) https://mydramalist.com/34066-roong-thip - about FL's mother's sad ass past, and how FL has been waiting for her mother's return her whole life. Dressed as a guy, she meets someone (ML?) who takes her to his house, then leaves, and then comes back when they are both older (large age gap maybe)? Idk, probably connected to her mother lmao
- Leh Game Rak (2020, Thai drama) https://mydramalist.com/35147-leh-game-rak - Orphan FL gets asked to become a male heir to some rich family. Years go by and the family keeps 'hiring' orphans? Mysteries and stuff about the family and orphanage. I'm stressed just writing this.