3
1
1
The leads start out as rivals (or the leaders of rival groups), or simply dislike each other at first. They face-off, fight, compete, or exchange…
I've indicated "way before" where it's clear that the ML fell for the FL way before the FL falls for the ML. Where the ML falls for…
The leads survive, are in a romantic relationship with each other, and are relatively happy at the end of the drama.
Historical dramas where the ML is not / does not become Emperor and is not a prince fighting for the throne. Also not a sect leader or equivalent…
At least one secondary character has feelings for one of the leads, but the lead is never torn / the leads' feelings for each other never waiver.…
At least two guys fall for / pursue the FL.1 - The FL either has feelings for the SML first, or is torn between the ML and SML (and genuinely…
Romance dramas where at least one of the leads (but sometimes both of the leads) chooses to do something that carries a very high risk of death…
Some have a broader military theme. Some don't. There's often a lot of saluting or strategizing.
Romance dramas where the leads are highly competent and don't have any *significant* issues or flaws. The kind of people / couple that inspire…
Both leads are smart, skilled and able to predict / calculate moves several steps ahead. When they work together to take on their enemies, they…
A character dies (or disappears and is believed to have died) but comes back from the dead somehow. Includes reincarnations.
The drama devotes a good amount of screen time to showing us just how much the ML loves his wife and its a joy to watch.
The ML and FL get married before either of them is in love with the other person.
One or both of the leads hide their identity (secret cross dressing / vigilante / mission / non-human / etc.)
Amnesia or memory issues, blindness or vision issues, deafness or hearing issues, trauma / phobias or panic attacks, and paralysis or wheelchair…
Prepare to be frustrated. There might be some hand holding or hugs or a kiss on the cheek but these dramas have very limited skinship. Mostly…
Lead B does not want to stab Lead A. ZLH is involved one way or another.
Lead 1 tries to convince Lead 2 that Lead 1 never loved Lead 2 / was just using Lead 2. Usually done because Lead 1 is trying to protect Lead…
1 - Dramas primarily set in the first half of the 20th century2 - Dramas primarily set in the 1980s or 1990s (sometimes with a few scenes in…
The leads either fall asleep beside each other (or near each other with some kind of contact), or there's a scene after they sleep together.
Dramas where the ML actor was "older" by dramaland standards (in his mid 30s or older) at the time of filming.
In some cases the ML spies on the FL expecting to catch her conspiring against him, but instead he overhears her unexpectedly defending and…
One character (Character A) uses their hand, another body part, their whole body or an object (e.g., a book) to block the sun from hitting the…
Dramas where both lead actors were "older" by dramaland standards (30+) at the time of filming.
One of the leads uses a character, an alternate persona, or translating another person's words to express or discuss their feelings for the…
I'm a complete sucker for this dynamic. "Use me."
1 - ML falls for (or at least clearly has strong romantic interest in) the FL when he first meets or sees her. 2 - ML falls for (or at least…
