Puppet Ruler, Political Hostage, Prisoner, and Slave MCs
This list compiles titles where either a main character or prominent character is a puppet ruler, political hostage, captive/prisoner, or slave. In order to make it onto this list the character has to have been either of these things for a substantial period of the drama or it has to have had a lasting impact on the character.
The first two tropes (puppet ruler and political hostage) will include characters of any gender but the last two (captive/prisoner and slave) will include only MLs.
- Puppet Ruler: Someone who holds a title of political authority, but is loyal to or controlled by outside persons or groups. [Wikipedia] [TV tropes]
- Political Hostage/Hostage Diplomacy: Hostages taken (usually sent or gone willingly) for diplomatic purposes [Wikipedia] [TV tropes]
Some titles sourced from Political Hostage and Puppet Ruler MLs
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![Stand by Me]()
1. Stand by Me
Chinese Drama - 2021, 49 episodes
Puppet ruler (emperor) (ML)
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![Secret of Three Kingdoms]()
2. Secret of Three Kingdoms
Chinese Drama - 2018, 54 episodes
Puppet ruler (emperor) (ML)
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![Novoland: Eagle Flag]()
3. Novoland: Eagle Flag
Chinese Drama - 2019, 56 episodes
Political hostage (prince) (ML)
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![The Legend of Hao Lan]()
4. The Legend of Hao Lan
Chinese Drama - 2019, 62 episodes
Political hostage (prince) (ML)
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![Bloody Heart]()
5. Bloody Heart
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Puppet ruler (king) (ML)
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![The Legendary Life of Queen Lau]()
6. The Legendary Life of Queen Lau
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
Puppet ruler (emperor) (ML)
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![Eternal Brotherhood]()
7. Eternal Brotherhood
Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes
Hostage hostage (princess) (SFL)
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![Creation of the Gods Ⅰ: Kingdom of Storms]()
8. Creation of the Gods Ⅰ: Kingdom of Storms
Chinese Movie - 2023
Political hostage (prince) (ML and 3 other princes)
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![Yue Rou Fu]()
9. Yue Rou Fu
Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes
Puppet ruler (emperor) (supporting character)
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![Colourful Bone]()
10. Colourful Bone
Chinese Drama - 2017, 54 episodes
Political hostage (ML)
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![Captivating the King]()
11. Captivating the King
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
Political hostage (ML)
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![Grand Prince]()
12. Grand Prince
Korean Drama - 2018, 20 episodes
Political hostage (prince) (ML)
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![The Emperor: Owner of the Mask]()
13. The Emperor: Owner of the Mask
Korean Drama - 2017, 40 episodes
Puppet ruler (king) (ML)
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![Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo]()
14. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
Political hostage (ML) (formerly)
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![The Crowned Clown]()
15. The Crowned Clown
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Puppet ruler (king) (ML)
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![Till the End of the Moon]()
16. Till the End of the Moon
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
Political hostage (ML)
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![Lost You Forever]()
17. Lost You Forever
Chinese Drama - 2023, 39 episodes
Political hostage (ML)
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![The Romance of Tiger and Rose]()
18. The Romance of Tiger and Rose
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
Political hostage (prince) (ML). Kinda, 'cause it's more focused on a marriage arrangement than purely a political hostage.
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![Dou Suru Ieyasu]()
19. Dou Suru Ieyasu
Japanese Drama - 2023, 48 episodes
Political hostage (ML)
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![The Blue Whisper: Part 1]()
20. The Blue Whisper: Part 1
Chinese Drama - 2022, 22 episodes
Prisoner (ML)
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![Men Zhu]()
21. Men Zhu
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
Prisoner & slave (ML)
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![Bad Guys]()
22. Bad Guys
Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
Prisoners (SML, TML & 4thML)
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![Ready, Set, Love]()
23. Ready, Set, Love
Thai Drama - 2024, 6 episodes
Captive (all MLs)
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![Love Crossed]()
24. Love Crossed
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
Captive (all MLs)
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![Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan]()
25. Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan
Chinese Movie - 2007
Captive, enslaved and imprisoned (ML)
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![Big Mouth]()
26. Big Mouth
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Imprisoned (ML)
