Anti-hero Leads
The male/female leads in these dramas have the characteristics of what you'd expect out of a villain or an antagonistic character. This list only includes the main leads of the dramas, preferably not the second leads unless they come off as the main lead.
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1. Desejo de Verão
Chinese Drama - 2018, 36 episodes
There is something mentally wrong with all three leads. Both ML's are obsessed with the FL, one is more of a stalker whilst the other is like an unreasonable child with a crush (throwing a tantrum). The FL has a cold personality and seems almost emotionless through out the drama.
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2. Amor melhor que Imortalidade
Chinese Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
Both ML's are anti-hero's, however the main lead is originally presented to be an outright villain often referred to as the "devil".
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3. O Romance do Tigre e da Rosa
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
The ML is originally an outright villain both in the script and after the FL enters the script.
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4. Amantes da Lua
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
There are three male leads: the ML the SML and the villain. After some point in the story you can say that they all became the bad guy.
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5. Nascidos de Novo
Korean Drama - 2020, 32 episodes
Both ML's are anti-hero's, but they are both villainous in different ways. One is an actual psychopath and the other is somehow worse even with a conscious.
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6. Advogado Sem Lei
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
The ML is a gang leader and an outlaw who follows the law. The FL likes to use her fists to resolve issues as well as the law.
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7. Queijo na Ratoeira
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
The ML is obsessed with the FL and is an outright psychopath and stalker.
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8. Você é Humano Também?
Korean Drama - 2018, 36 episodes
Only included this one because the ML actor plays 2 characters and one of them starts off as the antagonist.
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9. Tudo Bem Não Ser Normal
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
All I'm going to say is that if the FL wasn't the FL she'd be the villain.
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10. Ondas da vida
Thai Drama - 2017, 15 episodes
None of the characters in this drama were particularily good people. It's only later that you'd see that they're not bad people.
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11. Uma Odisseia Coreana
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
The ML is a literal demon who intends to kill the FL at first.
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12. Xiang Long
Chinese Drama - 2018, 20 episodes
There are 2 ML's but the character whose name is the title of the drama is a VERY abusive person in every aspect and an outright murderer. He is described to be a child that can kill. The second ML is more strategic when it comes to killing and his entire plot is revenge.
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13. Meninos Antes de Flores
Japanese Drama - 2005, 9 episodes
Originally, the ML is not a good person, you can say a bad-boy, but his actions are more over the top and sometimes plain outrageous, especially in the first few episodes,
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14. The Journey
Chinese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
The villain in this season is said to be the ML Ya Long (vampire). He doesn't really seem like a bad guy and was actually really good to the FL.
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15. A Jornada 2
Chinese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
The ML who. is said to be 'good' is actually worse than the ML who is said to be 'bad'.
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16. Mate-me, Cure-me
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
ML has multiple personalities and one of them, the most dominant alternate personality is obsessed with the FL and is crazy for her. The kind of crazy I love.
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17. Segredo
Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
ML, SML and SFL were huge red flags. At first then ML is portrayed as one of the worst character, until you realise that literally everyone else (but the FL) is a lot worse.
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18. Por Trás do Seu Sorriso
Taiwanese Drama - 2016, 19 episodes
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19. Vincenzo
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
SML is a psychopath and killer. I was more interested in him. But, Vincenzo, the ML is definitely the most anti-hero lead here. As in, he is actually really good but doesn't do the most moral things do get what he wants.
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20. Novoland: o castelo no céu - inversão do tempo
Chinese Movie - 2020
No spoilers... A must watch.
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21. Desgraça ao Seu Dispor
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
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22. Talvez Seja Amor
Chinese Drama - 2018, 30 episodes
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23. Enorme Peixe Lendário
Chinese Movie - 2020
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24. Apesar dele ser paranoico, eu o amo
Chinese Drama - 2017, 10 episodes
ML is CRAZY
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25. Jardim de Meteoros
Taiwanese Drama - 2001, 19 episodes
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26. A Filha do Fogo
Chinese Drama - 2018, 52 episodes
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27. Últimos Amigos
Japanese Drama - 2008, 11 episodes
More like an outright villain ML.
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28. A Princesa Sem Dormir
Chinese Drama - 2020, 35 episodes
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29. Apaixonar-se
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
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30. Beleza Sombria
Korean Drama - 2021, 13 episodes
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31. A Mulher do Rei
Chinese Drama - 2017, 48 episodes
Idk where to start. A tyrant king (I believe historically the emperor that 'united' all of Chinese, something along those lines). Not the kind of red flag I'd usually ever recommend, this is the only one with cheating. ML cheats on FL, but to be fair the FL did not give a shit about him at that pont. Romance was horrible, started off cute though, went downhill fast. ML ruins everything he has and lives to regret it, satisfying end for him.
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32. Desejo de Verão
Taiwanese Drama - 2010, 14 episodes
My favourite modern ML, a red flag ML that becomes slightly greener by the end. Much better than the Chinese version, ML is very well written and has a lot of depth.
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33. Cubic
Thai Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
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34. As Lendas
Chinese Drama - 2019, 56 episodes
The FL is the red flag here, which for this type of drama was very new to me. After she becomes 'evil' she essentially stays that way throughout the drama.
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35. The Backlight of Love
Chinese Drama - 2015, 11 episodes
This drama really shows how you can't trust anyone.
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36. Lady & Liar
Chinese Drama - 2015, 46 episodes
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37. KinnPorsche The Series
Thai Drama - 2022, 14 episodes
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38. Amor Como Galáxia: Parte 2
Chinese Drama - 2022, 29 episodes
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39. Fall in Love in the Book
Chinese Drama - 2022, 22 episodes
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40. F4 Tailândia: Meninos Antes de Flores
Thai Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
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41. Amor Entre Uma Fada e um Demónio
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
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42. The Long Ballad
Chinese Drama - 2021, 49 episodes
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43. Wo De Fan Pai Nan You
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
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44. Kakegurui
Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes
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45. Kakegurui 2
Japanese Drama - 2019, 5 episodes
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46. Ning An Ru Meng
Chinese Drama - 2023, 38 episodes
My favoured red flag couple. I have never seen a couple so red, but so perfect for each other.
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47. Different Princess
Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes
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48. Canção de Amor para uma Ilusão
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
Ahki..... The actor portrayed his multiple personality type role really well. Though Ahki was never evil, just adorably obsessive, selfish and pitiful at the end.