Recommendations

Tearjerker, in both movies some characters are suffering for an illness, both movies have a bittersweet endings.

The story follows a desperate housewife who signs a contract with a cold and sadistic mafia boss, turning a relationship of domination into love.

The story follows a desperate housewife who signs a contract with a cold and sadistic mafia boss, turning a relationship of domination into love.

The story follows a desperate housewife who signs a contract with a cold and sadistic mafia boss, turning a relationship of domination into love.

The story follows a desperate housewife who signs a contract with a cold and sadistic mafia boss, turning a relationship of domination into love.

Both dramas slowly show that the "simple" case, as it was portrayed, is much more complex and all characters have reasons for their actions. In both cases we get told over the episodes the real truth of what happened. It uses the investigation to tackle heavy themes like domestic violence, child abuse, and victim-blaming, particularly from a female perspective. The story ultimately becomes less about "who did it" and more about understanding the victim's life and the systemic injustices that led to her death

It is the same story, but in Ye Chong the main couple touch each other more, they kiss from the start, and I think they also challenge each other more. They start "dating" sooner, so they have other types of fight and misunderstandings. And I don't remember if, in A Hedgehog-Like Hug, they explained about the adoptive sister / someone close to the family or if they only made her someone that the male lead used to make the female lead jealous. In Ye Chong, this adopted sister had another purpose and there were also a secondary couple and another secondary female character.

female cast centered with strong yet submissive husbands
Humorous
Beautiful and slice of lice
Happy ending

Well... I think these are very similar (as you may be able to guess from the descriptions). I don't want to give any spoilers, but even some major plot points are similar.

The political scheming - which I would say is the focus of both shows - is a bit different in the sense that in 'Rise of the Phoenixes' the ML is an Imperial Prince competing for the throne (therefore there is a lot of infighting in the Imperial Family), whereas in 'Royal Betrothal' there doesn't really seem to be an Imperial Family outside of the ML and he is completely focused on retaking power as the Emperor within the Court/fighting external/hidden threats (external in the sense that they're outside of the State Apparatus, not meaning foreign exclusively) - which happens in 'Rise of the Phoenixes' as well.

The dynamic between the Leads is similar as well - Both ML's are born into high positions, but live a double life where they go undercover to investigate different injustices, which is something they cooperate with the FL with.
The FL is a 'Scholar' from a complicated background (though I would say Meng Tinghui's story is much worse, I mean they really put my girl through the ringer), who is also passionate about getting into government to serve, because they have a sense of justice - however the FL in "Rise of the Phoenixes' is hiding her identity as a woman. Because of this, the main couple in both shows also as interesting discussions about duty, politics and related things.
I'd say both ML's are also very scheming (and good at it).

The theme of a lost Kingdom and a secret society trying to pointlessly restore it is also present in both shows.

The male leads share very similar personalities. The story also features shady characters and gangster elements. In Buried Hearts, romance is not the main theme

Both dramas have something to do with the legal system:
'Duty First, Kiss Later' is set in a police station where (both of) the protagonists solve crimes by rushing to the crime scene themselves, 'Love Is a Poison' has a lawyer lead that solves difficult crimes and other judicial problems through lawsuits that take place in the courtroom. In addition, later on in 'Love Is a Poison' sees the protagonist Haruto partake in lawsuits by being Shiba's partner for multiple lawsuits.
Besides, in both dramas, the protagonists try to combine falling in love with their work in the legal system. Something that despite the sweetness of it all creates problems like distraction from work and secrecy against colleagues.

Both dramas clear personality differences between the protagonists:
'Duty First, Kiss Later' has two protagonists that strongly differ in personality, Shiono being rather cold and Takoi being very cheerful with and towards (basically) anyone.
'Love Is a Poison' has Shiba, the cold lawyer that is unwilling to keep the same partner to help with his lawsuits and Haruto, the cheerful guy that just seemed to be appear out of nowhere that turns out to hide a rather dark past.
Furthermore, 'Love Is a Poison' sees two guys from very different social backgrounds falling in love, Shiba being a lawyer and Haruto having been involved in a lawsuit regarding him as a scammer (!)


Both dramas see someone trying not to give into liking the other person:
In 'Duty First, Kiss Later', it's Takoi that is trying to surpress his feelings for Shiono, in 'Love Is a Poison, it's Shiba that keeps trying to deny and even ignore his attraction to Haruto.

Blood of Youth Season 1 is the first part of the story that continues in season 2. Same characters, same world, different season.

- loser/nerd x popular/athlete trope
- astronomy as a large theme
- both have neurodivergent characters
- socially awkward and relatable characters
- highschool romcom

S Line
- not BL
- darker story
- girl who can see the red line
- mysterious red line that appears above people’s heads
- detective who wants to discover the truth about the mysterious red line

Connecting to You (2026)
- BL
- boy who can see colored threads
- different colored thread that appears above people’s heads connecting them
- helping with police cases

Both are thai boys love shows about students falling in love with each other.
Both dramas are sweet shows with a school setting and a pretty young cast/fresh faces