My Top Recommendations
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1. A Lua que Abraça o Sol
Korean Drama - 2012, 20 episodes
Classic historical. Lots of political conflicts, court politics, and magic. Good romance and lots of tears.
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2. O Destino do Amor
Thai Drama - 2018, 15 episodes
Reincarnation drama where the quirky main lead finds herself in another person's body in the past. Where she has to navigate herself through this new time period and win everyone's heart including are dashing male lead.
Fun and smart female lead. Rigid but understanding male lead. They both undergo some character development and learn from one another.
Some typical repetitive tropes, but the chemistry is very strong.
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3. Rookie Agent Rouge
Chinese Drama - 2016, 45 episodes
Smart and strong female leads that undergo lots of character development. Little romance sprinkled throughout.
Plot takes place during the time the Japanese begin making their way into China and spreading their influence. My favourite aspect of this drama is the female lead's development throughout the story. She starts off as a really smart person who finds herself involved in a group who are fighting against the Japanese. She acts on her loyalty to China and loses the trust of her friend. She then trains hard and becomes more invested to work against the Japanese and begins to mature as a secret agent
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4. Sol do Mestre
Korean Drama - 2013, 17 episodes
Quirky female lead who is able to see and communicate with ghosts finds herself drawn to our CEO. Their fates are now intertwined as they slowly fall for one another.
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5. Dung Duang Haruetai
Thai Drama - 1996, 20 episodes
Our female lead is a Princess who was kidnapped by the Kasikan king because of their people's conflicting politics. She, along with another princess, are forced in this game between the three lands.
Our male lead is a strong, intelligent and sometimes immature king. Although he is clearly in love with our female lead, he is never able to communicate his feelings towards her and ultimately causes her to misunderstand him. The female lead is relatively strong, independent and smart. She finds her self conflicted with her feelings towards the supposedly cruel King. She takes pride in being the princess of her people and does not want to confide in the enemy.
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6. A Fada do Levantamento de Peso, Kim Bok Joo
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Kim Bok Joo is a strong weightlifter who is not stereotypically "feminine." Although, she has lots of confidence initially, she begins to question her self-worth and dreams. Our male lead is a handsome swimmer. The two begin as friends, but as they find themselves growing more comfortable with one another, they begin to develop romantic feelings for one another.
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7. Hello, My Twenties!
Korean Drama - 2016, 12 episodes
5 university students rent at the same location. Each woman has their own unique personality, personal issues and conflicts that they must overcome.
Very relatable and likable female leads.
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8. Concerto de Outono
Taiwanese Drama - 2009, 21 episodes
Two star-crossed lovers who meet one another on a university campus. Initially, they started off on the wrong foot, they begin to see each other more often. After a number of hardships and conflicts, they are forced to confide in one another and begin to develop strong romantic feelings. Unfortunately, things do not go as planned and the pair are separated only to be reunited once again.
There is some pregnancy, amnesia, and discussion of sexual assault. Not necessarily a happy drama (there are happy moments) but it is quite enjoyable and angsty.
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9. Voltem Cônjuges
Korean Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
The drama is about a married couple who have a child with one another and find themselves at the end of their relationship. With a divorce in the air, the two find themselves back in their earlier years when they first met in university. Although they recognize one another, they find themselves distancing from each other. However, with their baby on the line, they are drawn towards one another once again.
Overall it is a light drama but I loved the part where they talk about the relationship and love of a mother towards her child. It makes me think about my own mother and how much I love her. This is what made me cry.
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10. Curador
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
I am sucker for Ji Chang Wook. His character is sometimes cold and cool but them sweet and soft at the same time.
The two leads have very good chemistry and lots of iconic romantic moments. Nothing much to say but highly recommend for whomever wants some action and romance in their lives.
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11. Beijo da Morte
Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes
Male lead is constantly seducing the audience through the screen. He is not sexy because of him showing of his body or whatever, but his acting and the way the character holds himself. He is truly a "bad boy" who is initially very selfish but finds himself beginning to care about someone.
Our female lead is a bit odd, yet quite unique. She offers an ability to our male lead that will help him seduce a rich heiress so that he can become rich. The male lead initially manipulates her, but begins to care for the female lead as he realizes that there are people in the world that he can trust.
Is there a happy ending? I don't know. It depends on how you interpret it and what you consider as a happy ending. The selfish side of me wants to see everything be happy and good but I know that it just can't happen.
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12. Amantes da Lua
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
Very angsty. Lots of cute guys and a cute female lead.
Lee Joon Gi and Lee Jieun have such good chemistry. The plot of the drama is not anything to bow down to but the angst and chemistry really carry this drama through.
The ending is not what I personally wanted. I know Korean dramas don't tend to do multi-seasons, but man how much I would pay for a season of this drama.
No matter what, I think everyone can selfishly enjoy this trope-filled and angsty historical.
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13. Academia Militar Arsenal
Chinese Drama - 2019, 48 episodes
To fulfill her brother's dream, our female lead finds herself impersonating her brother and joining a military academy. She meets our immature, spoiled but kind-hearted male lead. The two are polar opposites but find themselves growing towards one another and eventually developing romantic feelings.
I just really enjoyed their chemistry even though SPOILER ALERT there is no final kiss. But I am not one to desire a kiss in a drama. If the chemistry is strong enough, I think I can make do. Unpopular opinion, but I would rather have strong chemistry between the leads than a really good kiss scene.
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14. Um Conto de Mil Estrelas
Thai Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
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15. Bad Buddy
Thai Drama - 2021, 12 episodes
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16. KinnPorsche The Series
Thai Drama - 2022, 14 episodes