Attractive evil leads
Mysterious evil characters will always be more fascinating and appealing!
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1. Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi
Japanese Drama - 2002, 11 episodes
That's the one which made me realized I really enjoy this kind of characters. Ryo is an archetype of complex and bad, but really fascinating. Outstanding acting performances, especially with the unique charm of Kimura Takuya.
What about the female lead? Yuko is the naive and young flower type, therefore a bit boring. She keeps turning back to Ryo despite her brother and even Ryo's himself advertencies.She lives in the shadow of others, her brother, her best friend. The truth is I never got to really feel much sympathy for her. I prefer by far the character of Yuki, Ryo's girlfriend, a rebellious and extreme character.
Strength or flaws: a strength is certainly the storytelling by the hand of screen writer Kitagawa Eriko, I particularly enjoyed the older brother storyline. The drama is quite old so you'll have to get used to an old fashioned filming and editing, but it's worth it.
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2. Tempted
Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes
That's a version of the most classical "sexy and evil guy" of all times, le marquis de Valmont (les liaisons dangereuses). Kwon Shi Hyun portrays a cynical "player" who gets caught in his own game. Woo Do Hwan gives the character deepness and complexity, he's in fact not childish nor playful at all contrary to what you could expect here.
What about the female lead? Tae Her is the archetype of a normal, sincere and straightforward girl, thus a bit of a boring character for me. But I guess all women identify easily with her. On the other hand is the mischievous Son Ji, whose sorrows and frustration get the best of her.
Flaws and strength: the story does not impress much, it lacks a bit of originality, especially with the "baddie" a boring devil in suit.
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3. The Innocent Man
Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes
Kang Ma Roo is actually more a victim than pure evil but really all the characters on this list have in common a difficult and painful past. Song Joong Ki masters this unique combination of innocence and perversity.
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4. A Korean Odyssey
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
Probably the least evil of the list which is quite ironical considering that Son Oh Gong is truly a demon. Yet, whatever evil doing Lee Seung Gi's character perpetrates you always feel that you would forgive him. A childish and cute evil demon.
What about the female lead? I loved the part of Oh Yeon Seo as Jin Seon Mi. She's an outcast, it's as if she had been trapped in a mental castle (just as Son Oh Gong was indeed trapped in a palace in the beginning). She has always waited for her personal guardian angel to free her. But she hesitates, is Son Oh Gong really the one? Can she trust him? I could relate with this character very well.
Strength and flows: very good and funny support roles (the zombie and the pig storyline, Cha Seung Won over the top, maybe too much at times?, Seon Mi's assistant, and the faithful dog). Very solid screenplay thanks to the Hong sisters and very good realization too. No flaws from my point of view!
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5. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
One of the first dramas I watched, so I'm not that sure it qualifies. The 4th prince Wang So is really touching as the outcast brother, rejected even by his own mother. Might be more misunderstood than bad (which may apply to most of the characters on this list...) as he tries to live up to his bad reputation.
What about the female lead? The character played by Iu is perfect in the first half of the series, daring, funny. with all the historical misunderstandings. Then in the second half begins her psycollagical and even physical agony To tell the truth it's very painful to watch and I had to skip some episodes.
Flaws or strength? Second male lead not really convincing, gets from the good guy to evil in a finger swap. The drama pace is quite disturbing and you loose interest at some points.
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6. Hotel King
Korean Drama - 2014, 32 episodes
The kind of cold blooded, emotionless creature that really deserves the evil tag, at least in he beginning. Gets a bit on your nerves though because he lets himself played with by others a lot.
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7. A Love to Kill
Korean Drama - 2005, 16 episodes
Forget the music, the weird camera moves and the really ridiculous writing at times, skip the episodes one to four, and you may really enjoy this series. Both leads are really great.
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8. Bel Ami
Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
Definitely not your good guy. A character that defies all what masculine pride is supposed to account for and therefore original and complex. An interesting and somewhat refreshing kdrama version of a classical French novel. I think it serves Maupassant right.
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9. Cruel City
Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes
One of the most resilient character you get in a drama. He is on the edge the whole drama but never fails to pursue his resolve. In this Korean Peaky Blinder world, the Doctor's son would be Tommy Shelby.
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10. Flower of Evil
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
On the book Baek Hee Sung is exactly your dark and evil character. Charming but mysterious and secretive and even with some very serious mental issues. Yet as the story develops, you'll find out that there's not much evil in him. Very interesting form the point of view of character development. One of the best series for me for the original love story.
What about the female lead? Cha Ji Won is potentially a one of a kind character. What drives her to get so fascinated by a guy who makes everyone feel so awkward ? I mean, there should be something not completely right with her as well... It's a pity her story and background has not been dealt with more deeply. Yet her character development and the way she reacts and resists to the suspicion around her lover is very well depicted and truly touching.
Flaws and strengths: the daughter Baek Eun Ha is adorable and a strength in her own right. I've loved too the youth friend and sassy journalist Kim Moo Jin who never could quite forget his first love. Finally the bad guys are really convincing. Their actions make sense in their madness and you even finish understanding the evil couple. Great writing and directing! Summing up: no flaws!
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11. Todome no Kiss
Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes
To tell the truth he doesn't really fall into the dark characters category as he tries his best to be an easy going and lively young man, fighting his way to success and money. Yet Dojima Otaro is a cold hearted playboy, convinced that getting rid of love opens up a world of opportunities. He doesn't hesitate to use other's love and feelings to his benefit.
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12. Lust, Caution
Chinese Movie - 2007
The only movie of the list so far. Mr Yee is indeed a case study of evil and attractive. You'll find it very hard to find allowances for the main lead, played by Toni Leung, Traitor to his country, quite coward when faced with danger and a behavior that would pass for sexual agression especially in one scene. Yet you can't help but finding him fascinating and attractive, just as the FL Wong Chia Chi who finds herself entangled in a passionate, dangerous and ambiguous relationship. Toni Leung is really the asian Al Pacino. Or is Pacino the western Tony Leung?
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13. It's Okay to Not Be Okay
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
The first female character I've ever included in this list. Moon Young (Seon Yea Ji) pulls off most of the requirements to be eligible here and I dare say her character even stands for the definition of a distinctive dysfunctional personality disorder. Among the personality traits worthy of this "evil characters list" you could include: the feeling that nobody can be relied upon, no ability whatsoever to share the feelings of others, she is absolutely self-centered and harbors anger and resentment against certain people (her father) due to past traumas. To complete the picture you have to add boldness and a tendency towards behaving as a troublesome and disruptive brat. She begins to crave the male lead without any regard for his own feelings or issues. Yet she's a strong and bewitching character who eventually manages to win over both the ML and the audience.