ML centric/protagonist rom

Nov 5, 2021 08:17 pm

Any modern rom that centers around the ML, rather than the female protagonist? I've seen a few historical/fantasy dramas where it's clear the ML is the protagonist, but very few or none that are modern.

And please where the ML is a true love character, rather than a "harem-guy" or where he's supposedly a true love character, yet always finds himself in harem situations, ugh...

So far I've only watched one drama that matches what I'm looking for, however I don't remember its name, but it's Chinese and the guy is really old, sigh.

Hanah

Nov 6, 2021 03:21 am

I have not watched it myself but I heard Fool's Love is supposed to be more from the ML's perspective. Generally well-received too.

xinya

Nov 6, 2021 03:56 am

I think You Are My Glory fits this. It's somewhat balanced between the two lead, but I think the focus is definitely weighted more towards the male lead. There's a lot more emphasis on his internal struggles and career decisions than hers. There are also a number of episodes in the middle where the male lead has much more screen time than the female lead (I felt like she was hardly in them). The ending is mainly focused on his career as well.

xinya

Nov 6, 2021 04:48 am

I came up with some other ones:

Male lead is definitely the protagonist:

Boku no Ita Jikan

Familiar Wife

A Gentleman's Dignity - Don't remember this one very much to be honest, but I think it's centered on a group of male friends.

City Hunter - Male lead is the title character. A significant amount of the story is from the female lead's perspective, but she's just not that important compared to the male lead.

Flower of Evil - The female lead could probably also be considered a protagonist and the story does focus on her perspective a lot, but it's definitely more about the male lead.

Healer - The female lead could probably also be considered a protagonist and it's told from both perspectives, but the male lead is the title character ...

The story is told mostly from the male lead's perspective:

Tatta Hitotsu no Koi

A Love to Kill

Tempted

That Winter, The Wind Blows

The Innocent Man - Wouldn't say it's a harem, but there are a number of other women interested in the male lead. However, most of them are insignificant and probably don't even have names.

Male lead is definitely the protagonist, and there is a romance, but I'm not sure I would recommend them for the romance.

IRIS - The main genre is action/espionage thriller. The romance is a side plot.

Man to Man - Again it's rather plot-focused, though less so than IRIS. The bromance is given as much emphasis as the romance.

Taisetsu na Koto wa Subete Kimi ga Oshiete Kureta - It's hard to describe the romance without spoilers.

The K2 - This is actually pretty romance heavy, I've just never talked to anyone who actually liked the main romance. It seems like many people, myself included, preferred his chemistry with the second female lead.

Vincenzo - I watched this a few months ago and I already can't remember anything about the romance. It's definitely a side plot.

Told more from the female perspective, but the male lead is the more memorable character who is more central to the main plot:

Kill Me, Heal Me

My Love from the Star - Actually this one might be told from the male perspective. There are these "interview" type scenes where he directly explains his thoughts. I actually can't really remember which perspective is the focus.

Nov 6, 2021 08:17 pm

Modern romance dramas where the ML and FL each feel like the main character for significant parts of the drama:

NiSkywalker

Nov 6, 2021 11:05 pm

xinya:
A Love to Kill

Tempted

That Winter, The Wind Blows

The Innocent Man

AH :
Itaewon Class
It's Okay to Not Be Okay

good examples and focused on romance (some other recommendations really are ML center but not so romance focused)

I would add:

I Hear Your Voice very beautiful story, good acting, good characters, FL is great and has big screen time but most drama is point of view of ML

High School King of Savvy ML is absolutely center and amazing funny character, great acting

Hit the Top ML is literally star of the show, though not so much in first episodes

My First First Love ML is absolutely center, it's not cliche realistic and positive story, ML himself is very likable and realistic character, romance is good, drama vibe: positive, realistic, healthy relationships.

One More Time 90% ML's point of view, was 1 episode with FL's point of view. it's really good drama from Netflix with realistic romance, relationship and characters.

Hyde, Jekyll, Me great emotional romance and chemistry, ML and his alter identity are main focus

Falling for Innocence ML is center and romance is main plot

The Smile Has Left Your Eyes (it's kind of more FL's POV but ML is more center of the story)

Goblin it's so popular doesn't need description )))

Nine: Nine Times Time Travel ML is real main character, it isn't only romance but they have great chemistry

Kill It both are quite equal but if compare - ML more

Lucifer if you like anti hero ML this one, like "Kill it" has great one, here he is SML but trust me he is more star of the show, though in both dramas no happy end and more platonic romance but soo amazing chemistry and overall story trust me both are must see

A Man's Story also anti hero/villain SML (star of the show) & FL

My Beautiful Bride ML is center and his loved one is SFL, it's twist and turns and interesting, also ML in love like crazy but most of the drama he is searching for her.

Memories of the Alhambra not romance focused but it has romance and it's great drama with amazing charismatic ML, very interesting plot which make you watch almost without pause )))) very high quality drama must say

Remember: War of the Son ML center

Shut Up: Flower Boy Band ML center

Are You Human Too? ML center

Doctor Stranger ML center

Pinocchio almost equal but it's kind of ML's story

Tale of the Nine-Tailed starts more with FL's POV but ML is center (even name of drama tells it)

Angel's Last Mission: Love though maybe they are equally mains

Bread, Love and Dreams ML center

My Strange Hero ML center