My top 100 Asian drama dope AF list

Jin Seon Mi (Oh Yeon Seo), born with the ability to see spirits, is tasked by the powerful demon Woo Ma Wang (Cha Seung Won) to retrieve a mystical fan from a haunted house. There, she encounters the mischievous deity Son Oh Gong (Lee Seung Gi), who tricks her into freeing him by promising to protect her but erases her memory and abandons her. Years later, Seon Mi runs a real estate business flipping haunted properties, using her powers to exorcise spirits. She reconnects with Oh Gong, now trying to regain his immortality by performing good deeds. As their lives become intertwined, Seon Mi discovers she holds the key to his destiny. Together, they face dangerous spirits and scheming deities, but their growing bond raises the ultimate question: can their love overcome fate, or is it doomed to end in heartbreak?

Hwayugi

The Monkey Minions

Betrayed by his king, Kim Shin (Gong Yoo), a decorated military general from the Goryeo Dynasty, was forced to watch his family die before him. Saved by the Almighty, yet condemned to an eternal life as a goblin, Kim Shin uses his supernatural abilities to save humans, including the mother of Ji Eun Tak (Kim Go Eun), an optimistic high school student with a strange connection to the supernatural. When Eun Tak is repeatedly drawn to him, Kim Shin wonders if she might be the one he has spent an eternity searching for, the only one who can set his soul free, the Goblin Bride. Written by Kim Eun Sook, this award-winning 2016 South Korean fantasy romance series was directed by Lee Eung Bok and Kwon Hyuk Chan.

Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

The Immortal Team

When Joseon-era mermaid Sim Cheong (Jun Ji Hyun) follows her true love, she finds herself mysteriously transported into modern-day Seoul. Though separated from her true love, she soon crosses paths with his doppelgänger, Heo Joon Jae (Lee Min Ho). With nowhere else to go, Joon Jae takes the stranded mermaid in, though not out of the goodness of his heart. As a con artist, Joon Jae is quick to spot the priceless jade bracelet Sim Cheong wears. Determined to take Sim Cheong for all she’s worth, Joon Jae soon finds himself thinking twice about the mermaid after she helps him evade the lethal plans of his greedy stepmother. As the two draw closer together, will the charms of the ancient mermaid begin to melt the icy heart of a bitter conman? Inspired by a historical folktale, this 2016 South Korean drama series was directed by Jin Hyuk.

The Legend of the Blue Sea

The Blue Sea

Hunan TV

Zhang Guo Guo (Sun Yi) is a bubbly young woman raised by Wang Ai Yu (Guo Hong) in a small town, working at the family wonton shop. Unbeknownst to her, she is actually the daughter of a famous embroidery workshop owner. Her adoptive sister, Zhang Yu Xin (Wu You), becomes an apprentice to Guo Guo's biological mother, Xu Hui Jie (Pan Yi Jun), and studies design overseas. As Guo Guo's unique embroidery talents emerge, she works to earn a chance at her father's workshop. The sisters become professional rivals and compete for the love of two brothers, Li Yun Kai (Deng Lun) and Li Yun Zhe (Dai Chao). This is a 2017 Chinese drama series directed by Zhou Xiao Peng, featuring a special 45-minute episode version.

Because of Meeting You

Stitched Into Your Heart Team

Chae Do Jin (Jang Ki Yong) is a detective whose life is forever scarred by a tragic past. His father, Yoon Hee Jae (Heo Joon Ho), murdered the parents of Gil Nak Won (Jin Ki Joo), a popular actress who now goes by the name Han Jae Yi. Do Jin and Jae Yi were each other's first loves, sharing a brief but intense connection before the devastating crime separated them. Years later, their paths cross again. As Do Jin seeks to atone for his father's sins and protect Jae Yi, they find themselves drawn back together, forced to confront their traumatic shared history and the lingering shadow of Hee Jae, who remains a dangerous presence. Can their love heal the deep wounds of their past?

Come and Hug Me

Tencent

Gu Cheng Ze (Jiang Chao), CEO of Gu Mall Corporation, is tasked by his adopted family to groom their biological son Gu Jin Yu (Daniel Zhang) as the heir. Strategically, Cheng Ze hires fashion designer Li Yan Shu (Tan Song Yun), Jin Yu's ex-girlfriend, to entice him into the company. His plan initially succeeds, but Jin Yu's mother demands they be separated. Complications arise when Cheng Ze unexpectedly develops romantic feelings for Yan Shu, threatening to unravel his carefully constructed scheme. This 2017 Chinese drama series, based on the online novel "When the President Falls in Love" by Shen Cang Mei, was directed by Yu Zhong Zhong.

The Fox's Summer

The Fox's Summer Team

JSTV

Computer science major Bei Wei Wei (Zheng Shuang) wants to become a leading video game developer who is known for her skills, not just her good looks. She spends her free time on a role-playing video game, but is in for a complete shock one day when her “online husband” dumps her. In another twist, the game’s leading player makes her an “online proposal.” She accepts, and the duo draws close in the virtual world. However, she soon learns that her new online “spouse” is someone she knows in real life: her college senior Xiao Nai (Yang Yang). The pair begin to spend time together both online and in the physical world. Could their online chemistry lead them to romance in the real world, too? This 2016 Chinese drama is based on the novel by Gu Man.

Love O2O

The Love O2O Team

QQLive

A bizarre twist of fate brings impoverished milk delivery girl Chu Xia (Fei Xing) together with ruthless business heir Han Qi Lu (Li Hong Yi), known as Master Devil. After Chu Xia is orphaned, the Han family takes her in at her mother's dying request, much to Han Qi Lu's dismay. Forced to attend the same exclusive private school, Chu Xia faces hostility, especially from Han Qi Lu. However, her street-smarts help her navigate challenges and win over some friends. As tensions rise between the two, their relationship begins to shift from bitter rivalry to something more complex. Based on a hit novel by Jin Xia Mo, this is a 2017 Chinese romantic comedy-drama that explores the unexpected connection between two very different personalities.

Master Devil Do Not Kiss Me

No Ji Wook (Ji Chang Wook) is a successful public prosecutor whose life changes suddenly after intern Eun Bong Hee (Nam Ji Hyun) joins his team. The duo becomes close, but things get chaotic when Bong Hee is wrongly accused of murdering her ex-boyfriend. Ji Wook pulls out all the stops to help Bong Hee – jeopardizing his stellar career in the process. Ji Wook and Bong Hee realize that the only way out of this mess for both of them is to track down the real killer. But will they close the net in time? And could they find love together as they hunt this cunning criminal?

Suspicious Partner

The Suspicious Team

Lee Yeong Joon (Park Seo Joon) is the arrogant hotshot vice president of his family’s company, thanks to the tireless efforts of his incredibly talented secretary, Kim Mi So (Park Min Young). With her by his side for the last nine years, Yeong Joon has been able to appear like the shining star he believes he is. But when Mi So suddenly decides to quit, Yeong Joon quickly realizes just how important she is... and not just to his career. Jealous over his older brother, Lee Seong Yeon’s (Lee Tae Hwan) growing relationship with Mi So, Yeong Joon decides it’s time to get his secretary back, no matter what. Based on the novel of the same name by Jung Kyung Yoon, this 2018 South Korean romantic comedy series was directed by Park Joon Hwa.

What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim

The Perfect Secretaries Team

JTBC

Born from a long line of women gifted with monumental strength, Do Bong Soon (Park Bo Young) is far from ordinary. Only able to use her power for good, Bong Soon agrees to work as a bodyguard for Ahn Min Hyeok (Park Hyung Sik), the recently endangered chaebol heir and CEO of gaming company Ainsoft. With dreams of developing a video game of her own, Bong Soon hopes that by working with Min Hyeok, she’ll find a way to turn her dreams into reality. Meanwhile, her childhood friend, Detective Gook Doo (Ji Soo), is on the hunt for a kidnapper whose path soon crosses with Bong Soon. Using her gifts for the greatest good, will Bong Soon find her life full of everything she’s dreamed of and more? This is a 2017 South Korean romantic comedy series directed by Lee Hyung Min.

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

Small but Mighty Team

KBS02

Seo Jung Hoo (Ji Chang Wook), also known as “Healer,” works as a night courier who executes any task for the right price, leaving no trace. His latest mission? Track down and protect rookie reporter Chae Young Shin (Park Min Young) at the behest of fellow news reporter Kim Moon Ho (Yoo Ji Tae). As Jung Hoo, masquerading as a bumbling reporter, integrates himself into Young Shin’s life, they uncover a deeply buried secret connecting their pasts to a tragic incident over a decade prior. Can Jung Hoo protect Young Shin from the powerful forces determined to keep the truth hidden, all while navigating his own growing feelings for his charge?

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