Male lead falls first and chases first
Some special cases...
1 - ML is already in love with the FL by the beginning of the drama. This may be because of a long-time secret crush, some fateful past connection (see this list), etc.
1a - FL does not know about the ML's feelings or doesn't know him at all.
1b - FL knows about his feelings but doesn't reciprocate for some time.
1c - FL has reciprocated ML's feelings for a long time but doesn't tell him.
1d - leads are ex-lovers. ML always loved FL and chases first upon reunion.
1* - ML falls in love at first sight with the FL in an early episode.
2 - two (or more) MLs/SMLs all fall first and chase the FL first. Noted only if the SML's pursuit of the FL plays a big role in the plot. (For cases where the FL likes/chases the SML first, check this list.)
3 - the ML pursues the FL openly for a long time. There are many episodes between the ML realizing or trying to confess his feelings and the FL accepting his advances.
4 - FL pursues the ML first technically but for some plot reason other than love (e.g. revenge, deception).
Related lists: Crazy-In-Love MLs, ML constantly seeks out FL, Green Flag MLs, Red Flag Toxic/Taboo Romance, FL Chases First
-
201. Because It's the First Time
Korean Drama - 2015, 8 episodes
-
202. Best Mistake
Korean Drama - 2019, 15 episodes
2
-
203. Better a Lie Than a Truth
Chinese Drama - 2022, 18 episodes
1a
-
204. Binary Love
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
1a, 2
-
205. Birth of a Beauty
Korean Drama - 2014, 21 episodes
-
206. Bromance
Taiwanese Drama - 2015, 18 episodes
-
207. Catch the Ghost
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
3
-
208. Cheat My Boss
Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes
-
209. Cinderella and the Four Knights
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
SML definitely falls first, ML is debatable ig
-
210. Coffee & Vanilla
Japanese Drama - 2019, 10 episodes
cw very possessive and controlling ML
-
211. Dear Diary
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
-
212. Dear Little Mermaid
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
1d
-
213. Destined with You
Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
-
214. Doctor Slump
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
1a - ML fell for FL in high school but doesn't confess or pursue her until they're both working adults
-
215. Don't Mess With Ex-Girlfriend
Chinese Drama - 2022, 20 episodes
1a
-
216. Dreaming Back to the Qing Dynasty
Chinese Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
1*
-
217. Ex-Boyfriend & Boss
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
1d
-
218. Extraordinary You
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
-
219. Extremely Perilous Love
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
1b or kind of 1d
the leads fell in love in the past but when they meet again the FL sees him as her enemy and doesn't recognize him as the man she loved. So while he's pursuing her, she's trying to kill him haha
-
220. Fake Princess
Chinese Drama - 2020, 27 episodes
-
221. Fall in Love
Chinese Drama - 2022, 18 episodes
-
222. Fall in Love with My Bad Boy
Chinese Movie - 2020
-
223. Love Yourself
Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes
-
224. Flower Boy Next Door
Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
-
225. Flower Boy Ramen Shop
Korean Drama - 2011, 16 episodes
-
226. Forever Love
Chinese Drama - 2020, 28 episodes
-
227. Girlfriend
Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes
-
228. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
-
229. I Love My President Though He's A Psycho
Chinese Drama - 2017, 10 episodes
cw intense, toxically possessive ML
-
230. In Time with You
Taiwanese Drama - 2011, 13 episodes
1a
-
231. Iyashi no Otonari-san ni wa Himitsu ga aru
Japanese Drama - 2023, 13 episodes
1a
cw stalker ML
-
232. Jun Jiu Ling
Chinese Drama - 2021, 40 episodes
1a
-
233. Just an Encore
Chinese Drama - 2019, 31 episodes
-
234. Large Queen
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
1*
-
235. Lost You Forever
Chinese Drama - 2023, 39 episodes
-
236. Love Is Science?
Taiwanese Drama - 2021, 18 episodes
1a, 1d, 2
-
237. Love Me in Three Days
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
1a
-
238. Love of Thousand Years
Chinese Drama - 2020, 30 episodes
1a/1b
-
239. Lovely Us
Chinese Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
-
240. Maid Escort
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
-
241. Maiden Holmes
Chinese Drama - 2020, 32 episodes
-
242. Marriage, Not Dating
Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
There are like three MLs pursuing the FL and as far as I remember they all chase first
-
243. Marry Me
Chinese Drama - 2020, 35 episodes
-
244. Marry My Husband
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
1a
-
245. Miss Mystery
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
1a, 3
-
246. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
SML falls first for the FL and she falls for him too, then the ML pursues the FL first as well
-
247. Mr. Sunshine
Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
-
248. My Absolute Boyfriend
Korean Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
-
249. My Lady General
Chinese Drama - 2023, 23 episodes
very flirty, touchy ML who pretends to fall first and then actually falls first too
-
250. My Love, Enlighten Me
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
-
251. My Merman Brother
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
-
252. My Queen
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
-
253. No Going Back Romance
Korean Drama - 2020, 10 episodes
1
-
254. Oh My Baby
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
-
255. Oh! My Sweet Liar!
Chinese Drama - 2020, 29 episodes
-
256. Perfect Couple
Chinese Drama - 2014, 45 episodes
-
257. Perfect Marriage Revenge
Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
1*
absolute simp ML. Falls at first sight, chases first, confesses first.
-
258. Pin Anong
Thai Drama - 2012, 22 episodes
-
259. Pin to Kona
Japanese Drama - 2013, 10 episodes
-
260. Please Feel at Ease Mr. Ling
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
1a ish, 3
-
261. Professional Single
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
1a
-
262. Refresh Man
Taiwanese Drama - 2016, 17 episodes
-
263. Royal Rumours
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
1a
-
264. Ru Hua Ru Tu
Chinese Drama - 2022, 20 episodes
1a (and 1d but FL doesn't remember)
-
265. Secret
Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
-
266. Secretary Bai Wants to Resign Everyday
Chinese Drama - 2022, 21 episodes
1a
-
267. Sekai Ichi Muzukashii Koi
Japanese Drama - 2016, 10 episodes
-
268. She Would Never Know
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
1b, 3
-
269. Sm:)e
Chinese Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
-
270. Someday or One Day
Taiwanese Drama - 2019, 13 episodes
-
271. Song of Youth
Chinese Drama - 2021, 43 episodes
-
272. Sungkyunkwan Scandal
Korean Drama - 2010, 20 episodes
many love interests for the FL and I think they all fall first
-
273. That Winter, the Wind Blows
Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
-
274. The Love by Hypnotic
Chinese Drama - 2019, 36 episodes
-
275. The Oath of Love
Chinese Drama - 2022, 32 episodes
-
276. The Perfect Match
Taiwanese Drama - 2017, 22 episodes
-
277. The Sweet Girl
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
-
278. The Wonder Woman
Taiwanese Drama - 2020, 18 episodes
-
279. Till the End of the Moon
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
it's complicated because this is such an intense enemies to lovers situation but I think the ML falls first and does pursue the FL first, he makes all the moves while she's guarding her heart
-
280. Time to Fall in Love
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
-
281. Unforgettable Love
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
-
282. Well Dominated Love
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
-
283. When I See You Again
Taiwanese Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
1b, 3
-
284. The Wolf Princess
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
-
285. Ye Cheng Fu
Chinese Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
-
286. You Drive Me Crazy
Korean Special - 2018, 4 episodes
1a
-
287. Yumi's Cells
Korean Drama - 2021, 14 episodes
-
288. The Rational Life
Chinese Drama - 2021, 35 episodes
-
289. Boku, Unmei no Hito desu
Japanese Drama - 2017, 10 episodes
-
290. Amidst a Snowstorm of Love
Chinese Drama - 2024, 30 episodes
1*
-
291. Falling Into You
Chinese Drama - 2022, 26 episodes
-
292. To Fly with You
Chinese Drama - 2021, 35 episodes
-
293. Scent of Time
Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes
-
294. Qing Qing Zi Jin
Chinese Drama - 2020, 40 episodes
-
295. My Uncanny Destiny
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
-
296. Beauty Killer
Chinese Drama - 2023, 20 episodes
-
297. Everyone Wants To Meet You
Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes
-
298. Kahogona Wakadanna-sama no Amayakashi Kon
Japanese Drama - 2024, 6 episodes
1
-
299. The Girl Who Sees Smells
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
-
300. Little Doctor
Chinese Drama - 2020, 40 episodes