Protection with Ulterior Motives
Initially, one lead has to protect the other lead for reasons other than genuine romantic feelings, but later on that same lead protects the other lead due to genuine romantic feelings.
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![Cang Lan Jue]()
1. Cang Lan Jue
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
ML protects the FL.
The FL and ML are connected. If the FL is harmed, the ML is harmed in the same way.
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![Alchemy of Souls]()
2. Alchemy of Souls
Korean Drama - 2022, 20 episodes
ML protects the FL.
The ML wants the FL to be his teacher.
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![Yu Jiao Ji]()
3. Yu Jiao Ji
Chinese Drama - 2022, 22 episodes
FL protects the ML.
The FL protects the ML in order to get him to trust her so she can manipulate / control him to gain recognition from her superiors and get closer to escaping flower valley.
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![Hei Yue Guang Wen Na BE Ju Ben]()
4. Hei Yue Guang Wen Na BE Ju Ben
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
FL protects the ML.
If the ML dies before the FL destroys his "evil bone", he will transform into the devil god.
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![De Retour du Gouffre]()
5. De Retour du Gouffre
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
ML protects the FL.
The ML's heart-protecting scale is inside the FL.
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![Goblin]()
6. Goblin
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
ML protects the FL.
The ML protects the FL because he thinks she is the only person who can remove the sword from his chest - allowing him to finally die.
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![A Korean Odyssey]()
7. A Korean Odyssey
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
ML protects the FL.
The FL puts a magical bracelet on the ML that controls his heart and makes the ML protect the FL as if he were in love with her.
