IFA

Dazzling and You Are Desire share a similar premise: a girl is forced to move to another city because of family issues. There, she meets a rough-looking guy who turns out to be incredibly smart and talented. In both dramas, the male leads are even skilled at fixing things. As the story unfolds, their relationship gradually evolves from constant bickering to romance. Not to mention, both dramas also feature a lovable ensemble cast whose friendships add warmth to the story.

A Splendid Match really reminds me of Love Like the Galaxy. Both Gu Jin Zhao and Chen Shao Shang are schemers and will always stand up for themselves. They don’t rely on or wait for their knights in shining armor. Instead, they immediately take matters into their own hands and deal with problems themselves.

Aside from the female leads, the male characters also resemble each other. Both Chen Yan Yun and Ling Bu Yi are the type of male leads who creeps in slowly but surely. They don’t immediately love bomb their female leads but schemes with them, tease them, and help them from afar (when needed). The other male characters also have resemblance, though I won’t elaborate here.

Although both dramas have different premise, one being *uhm* transmigration while one entering a game, both Dream of Golden Years and Romance on the Farm feature female leads basically making a living out of a cheat sheet they have from their original, modern lives.

Time travel back to the past with memories and experiences of the future. Dream of Golden Years and Blossom features independent and smart female leads who went back to the past from a life full of regrets.

Gifted a new chance at life, they use the knowledge and skills that they have and make the most of their new life — gaining wealth, building business ventures, and making a name for themselves.

Aside from business ventures and wealth, both dramas also feature new romance vs regretful past romance, as well as family drama.

Dream of Golden Years and Blossoms in Adversity share a common theme of women doing business ventures with a fair share of family drama.

Dream of Golden Years and Marry My Husband’s similarities lies in the premise of righting regrets from the previous life. Both dramas start with the female lead’s past. It shows all her regrets and “failed life.”

After she goes back in time, she is determined to make the more of her new life using the knowledge from her past life (or the future). There is business ventures/career, romance, family, and many more.

Dream of Golden Years and A Virtuous Business share the theme of business ventures in the 80s and 90s.

Putting aside the fact that Ren Jia Lun stars both dramas, One and Only and Love of Nirvana have a strikingly similar calm before the storm mood, angst, and tragic tale. Ren Jia Lun’s character for both dramas are caught up in political intrigues either through accusations of rebellion, or injustice and revenge.

Romance becomes a variable in their purpose, though it doesn’t make them stray as they are no love fools. To the male lead characters, the female lead characters in both dramas are like flowers or sunshine in their dark world full of spheres, swords, and blood.

Watching these two dramas, you just know that things are definitely going bad. Despite so, the well-written story and characters reel you in, holding a tight grip over you to keep you seated.

One and Only and Mr. Sunshine are similar in a way that both dramas features a tragic love story. Watching these two dramas feel like calm before a storm.

Perfect Crown and The Last Empress are both set in an alternate version of Korea ruled by a constitutional monarchy in the 21st century. Although the story and plot differs, both dramas follow the marriage between a woman, who is a commoner, and a man, who is of royalty.

Perfect Crown and Princess Hours, or Goong, are both set in an alternate version of Korea ruled by a constitutional monarchy in the 21st century. Both dramas follow the marriage and romance between a woman, who is a commoner, and a man, who is of royalty. What started as an arranged and contract marriage, eventually turns to something real.

Legend of Zang Hai and The Glory both revolves around the theme of revenge. The male lead of Legend of Zang Hai and the female lead of The Glory are determined to seek revenge. Yet, despite their determination and long time planning, you can tell they still have moments where they feel nervous and agitated. Their path to revenge is not smooth. It’s full of obstacles. However, revenge is sweet for both dramas! Cinematography wise, both dramas are visually stunning.