Do you know any dramas with unattractive or ugly ML? Or ML with some visible defect?
Example that come to my mind is Wang So from Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. He was ashamed of his scars.

Edit: Of course Wang So wasn't unattractive, it's just the best example that came to my mind.

unattractive or ugly is rather subjective.

In Abyss the ML (character) is considered unattractive, but he has a major transformation in the beginning.

 Rien:

unattractive or ugly is rather subjective.

In Abyss the ML is considered unattractive, but he has a major transformation in the beginning.

You're right. I mean someone who isn't handsome by a drama standards.

Takane no Hana  If we are only talking about outer look. The ML isn't that good looking by drama/movie standard. He further stands out because of the FL Ishihara Satomi who is an outstanding beauty(by look).

If you're looking for ML's with defects/ faults...

Perfect World- ML is in a wheelchair, and the story somewhat revolves around how he is "undateable" (as stated by FL dad) . Another character in the show also has one leg, and his story is similar to ML's (his crush freaks out and runs away when she finds out) 

The Smile Has Left Your Eyes  - ML has large burn scars from when he was younger. Doesn't play a major role in story, but it is essential to his character.

Crush - ML is blind and throughout the story people around him pity/ avoid him. 

Where Stars Land - ML has hidden paralysis, he is greatly ashamed of it and tries to hide it. In one scene he received some strange looks and comments from people around him)

However the actors who play these characters irl are pretty attractive, I guess these are more 'faults' for story purposes rather than them just being downright unattractive if that's what you were looking for? In the end it is kinda subjective to who you do/ don't find attractive. 

This is what come to my mind: 101st Proposal it's old drama though and I haven't watched it

Another suggestion is to look for any unattractive actors according to your taste and look for the drama/movie they are in...example: Yoo Hae Jin (movie Luck-Key) or Takeda Tetsuya (ML in 101st Proposal)

You may want to check out other Hong Kong dramas. I think many times the male leads tend to skew older and more average looking than male leads from other countries' dramas.

  • That fool
  • Densha otoko
  • Takane no hana
  • Zeni Geba