He's the Man: Male Leads with Major Aura

Mei Changsu returns, after catastrophy and disfigurement, to the capital. Once an idealistic young general, he's become an über manipulator, having grown his mastery in the martial arts realm. Now unrecognizable to his connections in the court, he sets his sights on the morally putrid. It's breathtaking watching him deceive and manipulate, and it's connecting to see how he becomes the center of a supportive group of valiant individuals - exceptions to the court's rot. Can he restore justice before his disease ends his life?

"Un diavolo scaccia l'altro."

"One devil drives out another."

Or in this case, set a lethal Korean adoptee / Italian Mafia consigliere to catch everything that's wrong with an entire country. The main setting of the drama, Geumga Plaza, is like South Korea in miniature. While Vincenzo's initial aims are far from altruistic, it's nevertheless extremely satisfying to watch him rain down his tactical powerhouse damage on everything standing in his way.

It's also quite entertaining that Vincenzo comes across an edgy female lead, giving the drama a back-burnered, darkly humorous, diamond-cuts-diamond love story.

What is it that makes a man refuse to bow his head to a more powerful foe? Why do people follow him? Whatever it is that makes a natural leader and charismatic rebel, Park Saeroyi's got it. His life is a master class in how to seek revenge while holding onto your soul and building your dream. Saeroyi also has to navigate two flawed female leads, which he manages to do with his innate nobility intact.

Fan Xian is naturally gifted and shaped by mysterious masters to become the player who outplays all the other players. A modern man in a feudal setting, he's the ultimate wild card.

Fan Xian's obstacles increase, and his extreme mastermind abilities are called upon for greater and more mortally dangerous stakes.

Ling Buyi lives with a terrible secret and the kind of overwhelming imperative to seek revenge that flourished during his historical period. His fictionalized world resembles the Eastern Han Dynasty. And it's accurate to say that one motto of the time was: We <3 blood feuds! In Part 1, despite his dedication as a suitor and extreme skill as a protector, he fails to impress female lead Cheng Shaoshang, who immaturely prefers a gentler fiancé.

Fate intervenes, and the indomitable Cheng Shaoshang takes an interest in Ling Buyi. Unfortunately, more complex obstacles to their happiness begin to appear, as the drama reveals more of Ling Buyi's complex, hidden agenda.

Sadly, this incredible drama is marred by the loss of ten episodes that didn't make it into post production, when the airing schedule was abruptly hastened. Yet Ling Buyi remains a compelling, large than life figure, particularly notable for his martial arts prowess in a drama with top notch fight choreography.

This drama not only spans two generations, it also has two charismatic male protagonists. Seo Jeong Hu, the romantic action hero, parkours through Seoul as a night messenger. He masters many disguises and rescues the female lead - a lot. But the radiant mastermind is star reporter Kim Mun Ho, caught between generations, holding secrets, guilt, and a hunger for justice.

Choi Dal Po is fueled by resentment for the destruction of his family, but maintains a cool exterior. Life gives him many roles: orphan, foundling, star-crossed lover, truth seeker. And he fulfills these roles as a crouching tiger and avenging angel. He's a vehicle to explore the nature of truth. And he's the agent of revenge and redemption.

The origin story of notorious ruler King Taejong, this sweeping fusion historical has extreme highs and lows, industrial strength sword slinging, and gripping machinations, conspiracies, head games, and bloody betrayals, both fictionalized and true to the past. For viewers aware of the history, watching King Taejong as youth Yi Bang Won is like watching Season 3 of Game of Thrones when you've already read the books.