Recommendation for enemies to lovers trope
Hi Xavier77, I compiled this list based on what you said, focusing on dynamics of enemies to lovers and lack of/low of abuse, Main Leads trust each other or grow to trust each other. I did rank the potential level of severity for ML and FL suffering based on conditions. Excluding #1 on the list, everything is based on recommendation order by your drama searching criteria, not based on how I personally rate the drama in terms of objectively how good it is.
Note that Ancient Costume dramas on this list such as Fantasy/Politics/Martial arts tend to feature fight therefore they will include both physical and verbal suffering/and maybe abuse of support roles (warnings: blood, wounds, deaths) while Modern dramas on this list will mostly have verbal suffering or potential abuse at most, and social consequences.
I mostly watch Chinese and Korean. Hope this helps!
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1. Shao Nian Ge Xing
Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes
This is just my personal recommendation, not related to your watching criteria, but my favorite of Late 2022 and 2023
great in logic and depth, friendship focused, adventure, seeking justice, very smart ML, heroic journey
politics, martial arts, borderline fantasy
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2. Nirvana in Fire
Chinese Drama - 2015, 54 episodes
Not necessary enemies to lover but more of enemies/untrusting duo (2MLs) to brotherhood and comrades, Court battle, romance is not prominent but present with main ML and a lesser presence FL
Depth and logic: 9.5/10
Potential level of suffering Leads cause each other: 15-30%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause themselves: 5-20%
Potential level of suffering Leads and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 40-50%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 50-60%
My recommendation to you: 8.5/10
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3. Lost Love in Times
Chinese Drama - 2017, 56 episodes
Forbidden love, Enemies to lover in 2nd cycle of life, Fantasy
Depth and logic: 7/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 10-15%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 35%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 35-50%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 30-35%
My recommendation to you: 8/10
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4. My Secret Roommate
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
Enemies to lovers, roommates by circumstance, forced to work together and cohabit, mystery
Depth and logic: 7/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 15%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 30%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 35%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 10% (so low I'm offended on their behalf, should be more)
My recommendation to you: 8/10
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5. Try the World
Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes
Frenemies to lover, martial arts world, political battle
Depth and logic: 7/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 5-10%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 5-10%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 40-50%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 40-45%
My recommendation to you: 7.5/10 (ignore my low rating, I gave it a 6 stars b/c I read the novel and the drama disappointed me, but nevertheless its a decent enough drama, btw highly recommend the book, same title)
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6. Legend of Hua Mulan
Chinese Drama - 2013, 48 episodes
Enemies at war, Forbidden love
Depth and logic: 7/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 25%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 30%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 30-50%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 30-40%
My recommendation to you: 7.5/10
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7. Sound of the Desert
Chinese Drama - 2014, 35 episodes
Enemies at by circumstance to lovers, Forbidden love, calculative leads, politics, heart wrenching but worth it
Depth and logic: 8/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 25%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 30%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 45-50%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 40%
My recommendation to you: 7.5/10
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8. I Will Never Let You Go
Chinese Drama - 2019, 51 episodes
Bickering pair/almost enemies to lovers
Depth and logic: 6-6.5/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 10-25%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 20-30%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 40-50%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 25-30%
My recommendation to you: 7.5/10
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9. Qing Luo
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
Enemies to lover, bickering pair, politics, martial arts, comedy
Depth and logic: 6.5/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 10-20%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 20%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 30-40%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 35%
My recommendation to you: 7/10
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10. Chinese Paladin 3
Chinese Drama - 2009, 37 episodes
Bickering pair/almost enemies to lovers, many good CPs, adventure building brotherhood, and sisterhood, Fantasy
Depth and logic: 6.5/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 15%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 20%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 35%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 30%
My recommendation to you: 7/10 (*2nd pairing will make YOU suffer, as you watch them suffer)
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11. The Vigilantes in Masks
Chinese Drama - 2011, 30 episodes
Frenemies to lover, politics, martial arts, fighting for justice, lead roles forms a team/found family
Depth and logic: 7/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 10-20%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 15%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 20-35%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 30%
My recommendation to you: 7/10
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12. Marry Me
Chinese Drama - 2020, 35 episodes
Enemies to lover, politics, humor
Depth and logic: 6.5/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 5-15%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 10-20%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 40-45%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 30%
My recommendation to you: 7/10
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13. Nu Sunt un Robot
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
Enemies to lover, comedy
Depth and logic: 5.5/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 5-10%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 15-20%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 25-35%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 20%
My recommendation to you: 6.5/10
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14. Cai Bu Yao He Lao Ban Tan Lian Ai
Chinese Drama - 2022, 33 episodes
Frenemies to lovers
Depth and logic: 5.5/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 10%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 15%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 15-30%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 10-20%
My recommendation to you: 6.5/10
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15. Legend of Yun Xi
Chinese Drama - 2018, 48 episodes
Enemies to lovers by circumstance that they were forced to marry without knowing each other.
Depth and logic: 6/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 25%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 15%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 35%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 30%
My recommendation to you: 6.5/10
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16. Ultima Misiune a unui Înger
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
Bickering pair/almost enemies to lover, Forbidden love, healing
Depth and logic: 6/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 0-10%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 15%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 25-35%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 10-20%
My recommendation to you: 6.5/10
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17. Cenușăreasa și Cei Patru Cavaleri
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Enemies to lover, comedy
Depth and logic: 6/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 5-15%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 10%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 10-20%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 10-15%
My recommendation to you: 6.5/10
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18. Frumusețea Vine din Interior
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
Frenemies to lover, comedy
Depth and logic: 5.5/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 5-10%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 15%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 15-20%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 10-20%
My recommendation to you: 6/10
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19. Shooting Star
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Frenemies to lover, comedy
Depth and logic: 5/10
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause each other: 5-10%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML cause themselves: 10-15%
Potential level of suffering FL/ML and support roles get based on events or by other characters: 10-20%
Potential level of suffering Leads cause other characters mainly villains: 10-20%
My recommendation to you: 6/10