Editorials True slow burn
Romances where at least one party takes a long time to fall in love, and/or the leads do not end up together until shortly before the end of the series.
BEWARE OF SPOILERS - if you don't want to know even broad notes on when the leads get together then don't read descriptions :)
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1. Love Like the Galaxy: Part 1
Chinese Drama - 2022, 27 episodes
FL is still not in love with ML by the end of the first season
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2. The Princess and the Werewolf
Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes
FL takes a long long time to truly fall for the ML
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3. The Secret Life of My Secretary
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
ML is slow to fall, and they don't get together until the very end
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4. Scent of Time
Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes
mainly because the drama is more focused on character development than romance
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5. Lucky Romance
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
FL really draws out the time between the ML confessing and her accepting his feelings
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6. Reply 1988
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
It takes until pretty much the last episode for the FL to make her feelings clear
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7. Reply 1997
Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes
Similar to Reply 1988, the FL doesn't reveal her feelings until the end, mostly because that's how this series builds suspense
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8. My ID Is Gangnam Beauty
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
both leads take their time
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9. Promise Cinderella
Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
ML is quicker to fall than FL, he realizes a little past halfway, but the FL doesn't realize her feelings until very late
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10. Story of Kunning Palace
Chinese Drama - 2023, 38 episodes
there's a lot going on besides romance and a lot of ML options so the FL doesn't choose or get together with any man for a while
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11. Soundtrack #1
Korean Drama - 2022, 4 episodes
It's a short series but within that range, the couple does not get together until the very end
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12. Clean with Passion for Now
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
There's a lot of ups and downs in this one, even after both leads have acknowledged to themselves that they're in love, they still don't admit it to each other for a while
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13. Arsenal Military Academy
Chinese Drama - 2019, 48 episodes
Because the FL isn't aware that the ML knows her identity/gender, she doesn't consider romantic relationships an option until the last few episodes
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14. My Unicorn Girl
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
Kind of a similar situation to Arsenal Military Academy, FL and ML like each other but can't admit it due to stupid gender conventions
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15. Cinderella and the Four Knights
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
don't get me started on these clowns
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16. Moonlight
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
pretty classic slowburn
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17. Who Rules the World
Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes
another case where there's a lot of other non-romance plot so the leads don't get aorund to sharing their feelings for some time
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18. I'm Not a Robot
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
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19. Don't Dare to Dream
Korean Drama - 2016, 24 episodes
basically just bc the ML is an ass
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20. Crazy Love
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
it's mostly enemies until at the end its lovers
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21. Love Better Than Immortality
Chinese Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
ML falls quickly, FL falls very slowly
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22. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
ML falls around halfway, FL falls slowly
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23. The Bride of Habaek
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
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24. Meow, the Secret Boy
Korean Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
it's complicated
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25. Legally Romance
Chinese Drama - 2022, 33 episodes
it feels like slowburn though I can't remember whether they actually take a long time to get together
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26. Go Ahead
Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes
slowburn for the FL, though the ML has been in love since childhood she does not see him that way until much much later
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27. Assistant of Superstar
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
ML falls fast ish, FL falls slow
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28. Best Mistake
Korean Drama - 2019, 15 episodes
no confessions until near the last episode iirc
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29. Cunning Single Lady
Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
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30. Confess Your Love
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
Even though one (or both, if you squint) of the leads is in love from the start, they don't confess or get together until the final few episodes.
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31. Falling into Your Smile
Chinese Drama - 2021, 31 episodes
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32. Lost Romance
Taiwanese Drama - 2020, 20 episodes
especially for the ML
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33. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
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34. My First First Love
Korean Drama - 2019, 8 episodes
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35. Romance Is a Bonus Book
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
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36. The King's Affection
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
ML falls first but takes his time and FL takes even longer
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37. The Untamed
Chinese Drama - 2019, 50 episodes
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38. The Heirs
Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes
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39. The Legends
Chinese Drama - 2019, 56 episodes
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40. Lost You Forever
Chinese Drama - 2023, 39 episodes
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41. The Double
Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes
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