Recommendations

Both are set in the late 90s/early 2000s and the stories span over highschool, university and adulthood

These two are just weirdly similar. Most obvious similarity is of course the actress who plays the FL, Yoo In Na.

These two also feature a love triangle with the FL, the ex-husband, and the current flame (husband, in the case of TSWLM). In both, reason for the divorce of the FL and ML was somehow a misunderstanding/communication error, and the second male lead is really a good person as well, and shows that he really does care about the FL.

There is also some degree of mystery to both, since there is a murder that they need to solve and a criminal that they need to pursue. The FL in both is a strong woman who handles her own business/department and gets things done, although how she deals with her love life is a bit questionable.

The FLs are comparable in both dramas (Thai ones are way stronger n fierce :P)
Both have similar MLs- Playboy, CEO, Cute gullible
Very similar to Thai series wrt- screen play n characters.
Classic 3 couplet story-line with well scripted sismance/ bromance/ and individual chemistry
The only Chinese drama with a Thai similar i've come across yet

Similar slow burn romance with a silent but caring ML
It has similar feel with one virtue per episode from each couple
Both are slice of life and light watch the chinese one has more romance

Find out what you want, how to deal with and get out of depression, think about life and how to live your life

In my opinion the most similar drama to each other
-same badd ass intelligent princess fl (long ballad had more warrior, but we get that warrior type at the end of jun jiu ling)
- both have them have hidden identity (jun jiu ling being more hidden bcs they cant act recognize her physically)
- both have princess revenge to uncover father/family death (both invokve the unlces but different)
- both have ml warrior head (but in long ballad he had his own power problem within his family while in jjl the power problem was with his family vs the emperor)
- both are, wait for it..... NON TRAGEDY?

- my opinion long ballad had slightly more interesting side character arcs / development, but i would argue that small main villains in both had that complicated stance / redeeming arc (in long ballad its mls brother, in jjl its her fls first husband/ brother in law)
- as again mentioned fl in long ballad was more warrior martial arts, while jjl was more scholarly
- jjl also definitely had mor suitors, but changge also had her fair share, but it wasnt as centered around all these males that loved het.
- long ballad also i think has slightly deeper connections between each characters, esp the girl friendships

Badass FL in both as it gives the same vibes & similar plot feel of the villainess
FL father's gets killed & later takes revenge for that she gets trained under a criminal boss
FL goes undercover for completing the mission assigned to her
Twist is she gets to know the truth about FL father's real killer

A little different in the storyline, however:

Both of these dramas have a focus on sibling relationships.
Both of them are very heart-warming.
Both talk about finding love as the characters grow and develop through the episodes.
Both features lead actresses who are very positive and cheerful, and they overcome challenges life threw their way.

This drama will be also like the drama Ancient Love poetry. Reincarnation, romance, fantasy, and more..

The daily life of certain families changes into a fight in a catastrophe situation. With humor and a bit tragic try the characters of both movies to fight the situation and offer creative ways to escape.

both have similar situations: politic, powerful people behind scenes, puppet politicians, agents, conspiracy, power struggle, enemies and allies ... multilayered characters and unexpected situations/story developments, when you don't know who is whose enemy or ally, what will happen next...

in both dramas there are characters who you start hating/loving in the beginning but then change your mind, or often you just don't know are they good or bad.
also in both dramas we have "bad person" characters who are so smart, strong and charismatic we love/hate them....

overall both dramas are "multi mains", with many well developed characters, so we could say they are mains. neither of this dramas are one or two character shows, though in K2 we have more obvious male lead and he is above all.

both have strong women characters, though SFL in the K2 is incomparable.

both have little romance as side story (though in DS60D it's really side story and very little, when in K2 romance was forced to be more on front and I think it was main issue with that great drama)

****Main difference is: K2 has lots of actions and badass/physically fighting ML who is center of the show, so drama is somehow more "adventure". But if you liked K2 not only character K2, then this drama is also for you.

The main characters both of them as the same as in Melodramic. I don't know exactly why but they give off the same energy

Both are Lord of the Flies esque Survival Games with social commentary.

Both show society as a miniature and interesting way, essentially being an anthropological scifi

Society Game is even further political than SQG, but in both winner gets a large sum of money

Society Game is a variety show though so obviously no killing like in Squid Game lol

Both series share a very dark atmosphere with a dark pallet of colors and they are taking part in a quiet city with a few residents. Also, both Beyond Evil and Hometown have a mystery that needs to be solved and the plot is unfolding in a way, that is difficult for the viewer to predict what will happen next. Lastly, both dramas have a very strong main cast and the themes that they deal with are similar.

Same monarch and time period. Some of the same characters. The Red Sleeve novel is written from the perspective of Deok-im so it is said that The Red Sleeve drama will have a greater focus on the female lead compared to 2007 Yi San.