Anti-hero Leads
The male/female leads in these dramas have the characteristics of what you'd expect out of a villain or an antagonistic character. This list only includes the main leads of the dramas, preferably not the second leads unless they come off as the main lead.
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1. Summer's Desire
Chinese Drama - 2018, 36 episodes
There is something mentally wrong with all three leads. Both ML's are obsessed with the FL, one is more of a stalker whilst the other is like an unreasonable child with a crush (throwing a tantrum). The FL has a cold personality and seems almost emotionless through out the drama.
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2. Love Better Than Immortality
Chinese Drama - 2019, 40 episodes
Both ML's are anti-hero's, however the main lead is originally presented to be an outright villain often referred to as the "devil".
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3. The Romance of Tiger and Rose
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
The ML is originally an outright villain both in the script and after the FL enters the script.
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4. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
There are three male leads: the ML the SML and the villain. After some point in the story you can say that they all became the bad guy.
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5. Born Again
Korean Drama - 2020, 32 episodes
Both ML's are anti-hero's, but they are both villainous in different ways. One is an actual psychopath and the other is somehow worse even with a conscious.
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6. Lawless Attorney
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
The ML is a gang leader and an outlaw who follows the law. The FL likes to use her fists to resolve issues as well as the law.
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7. Cheese in the Trap
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
The ML is obsessed with the FL and is an outright psychopath and stalker.
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8. Are You Human Too?
Korean Drama - 2018, 36 episodes
Only included this one because the ML actor plays 2 characters and one of them starts off as the antagonist.
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9. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
All I'm going to say is that if the FL wasn't the FL she'd be the villain.
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10. Kleun Cheewit
Thai Drama - 2017, 15 episodes
None of the characters in this drama were particularily good people. It's only later that you'd see that they're not bad people.
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11. A Korean Odyssey
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
The ML is a literal demon who intends to kill the FL at first.
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12. Xiang Long
Chinese Drama - 2018, 20 episodes
There are 2 ML's but the character whose name is the title of the drama is a VERY abusive person in every aspect and an outright murderer. He is described to be a child that can kill. The second ML is more strategic when it comes to killing and his entire plot is revenge.
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13. Hana Yori Dango
Japanese Drama - 2005, 9 episodes
Originally, the ML is not a good person, you can say a bad-boy, but his actions are more over the top and sometimes plain outrageous, especially in the first few episodes,
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14. The Journey
Chinese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
The villain in this season is said to be the ML Ya Long (vampire). He doesn't really seem like a bad guy and was actually really good to the FL.
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15. The Journey 2
Chinese Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
The ML who. is said to be 'good' is actually worse than the ML who is said to be 'bad'.
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16. Kill Me, Heal Me
Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
ML has multiple personalities and one of them, the most dominant alternate personality is obsessed with the FL and is crazy for her. The kind of crazy I love.
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17. Secret
Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
ML, SML and SFL were huge red flags. At first then ML is portrayed as one of the worst character, until you realise that literally everyone else (but the FL) is a lot worse.
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18. Derrière ton sourire
Taiwanese Drama - 2016, 19 episodes
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19. Vincenzo
Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes
SML is a psychopath and killer. I was more interested in him. But, Vincenzo, the ML is definitely the most anti-hero lead here. As in, he is actually really good but doesn't do the most moral things do get what he wants.
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20. Novoland: The Castle in the Sky - Time Reversal
Chinese Movie - 2020
No spoilers... A must watch.
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21. Destruction
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
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22. About Is Love
Chinese Drama - 2018, 30 episodes
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23. Enormous Legendary Fish
Chinese Movie - 2020
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24. I Love My President Though He's A Psycho
Chinese Drama - 2017, 10 episodes
ML is CRAZY
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25. Meteor Garden
Taiwanese Drama - 2001, 19 episodes
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26. The Flame's Daughter
Chinese Drama - 2018, 52 episodes
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27. Last Friends
Japanese Drama - 2008, 11 episodes
More like an outright villain ML.
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28. The Sleepless Princess
Chinese Drama - 2020, 35 episodes
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29. Fall In Love
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
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30. Shadow Beauty
Korean Drama - 2021, 13 episodes
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31. La femme du roi
Chinese Drama - 2017, 48 episodes
Idk where to start. A tyrant king (I believe historically the emperor that 'united' all of Chinese, something along those lines). Not the kind of red flag I'd usually ever recommend, this is the only one with cheating. ML cheats on FL, but to be fair the FL did not give a shit about him at that pont. Romance was horrible, started off cute though, went downhill fast. ML ruins everything he has and lives to regret it, satisfying end for him.
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32. Summer's Desire
Taiwanese Drama - 2010, 14 episodes
My favourite modern ML, a red flag ML that becomes slightly greener by the end. Much better than the Chinese version, ML is very well written and has a lot of depth.
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33. Cubic
Thai Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
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34. The Legends
Chinese Drama - 2019, 56 episodes
The FL is the red flag here, which for this type of drama was very new to me. After she becomes 'evil' she essentially stays that way throughout the drama.
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35. The Backlight of Love
Chinese Drama - 2015, 11 episodes
This drama really shows how you can't trust anyone.
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36. Lady & Liar
Chinese Drama - 2015, 46 episodes
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37. KinnPorsche
Thai Drama - 2022, 14 episodes
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38. Love Like the Galaxy : Partie 2
Chinese Drama - 2022, 29 episodes
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39. Tomber amoureux dans le livre
Chinese Drama - 2022, 22 episodes
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40. F4 Thailand : Boys Over Flowers
Thai Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
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41. Love Between Fairy and Devil
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
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42. The Long Ballad
Chinese Drama - 2021, 49 episodes
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43. Mr. Bad
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
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44. Kakegurui
Japanese Drama - 2018, 10 episodes
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45. Kakegurui Season 2
Japanese Drama - 2019, 5 episodes
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46. Story of Kunning Palace
Chinese Drama - 2023, 38 episodes
My favoured red flag couple. I have never seen a couple so red, but so perfect for each other.
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47. Different Princess
Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes
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48. Love Song for Illusion
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
Ahki..... The actor portrayed his multiple personality type role really well. Though Ahki was never evil, just adorably obsessive, selfish and pitiful at the end.