Looking for a manipulative but soft ML

Jan 27, 2022 05:25 pm

I find myself going back to this drama, particularly the scenes where the ML is being manipulative. There's a lot manipulators in dramaland but usually they are also quite aggressive and controlling. I want a ML who hides very well his intentions and makes the FL thinks she's independant when actually she's playing into his hand. He makes himself appear inoffensive and maybe even weak in order to keep her close. The ML from Well-Intended Love is also like that.

I don't care about the country, the year, or anything else. I prefer either happy endings or open endings.

Jan 27, 2022 07:01 pm

My Fated Boy - Very mild manipulation. Things like pretending he's sick or can't find a good housing situation so he can live with the FL.
Healer - Medium but well-intentioned manipulation. Hides his identity (as a very capable fighter / man-for-hire) and pretends to be a timid / weak office worker in order to get close to the FL as her assistant.
The Masked Lover - Medium manipulation. The ML is a seasoned cop who goes undercover (unofficially / for personal reasons) as a wannabe triad gangster / assistant to the FL in order to investigate her (actually her sister's) company.
Love O2O - Medium manipulation. Things like getting the FL to agree to marry him in a game (where he knows her IRL identity but she doesn't know his) before meeting in person and basically saying they're already dating.
My Roommate Is a Gumiho - Medium manipulation. After the FL swallows the ML's bead or whatever its called, he pretends that he can't easily remove it and gets the FL to move in with him so he can protect her and the bead (but he's honest about being a gumiho).
Madame Antoine - Serious manipulation. The ML pursues / dates the FL as part of his own experiment designed to prove (iiirc) that love isn't real.
Tempted - Serious manipulation. Pursues the FL as part of a bet with his friends that he can get her to date him.