▸ Trope: fake it till you make it
dramas I have watched/tried (or planning to) with marriage/dating of convenience tropes:
- contract/pretend dating/marriages: usually an agreement entered by both leads for anything but love
- arranged/forced/accidental marriages: usually happening against the intention or without knowledge of both or either one of the leads
- substitute bride: a very special subtrope of arranged marriage - in which the marriage is intended but a wrong bride is introduced instead
- marriage romance: in particular ones we're shown the leads are already married to each other for anything but love - the romance develops only in their marriage life
by extension, it also includes:
- forced living arrangement or cohabitation when leads are forced to live together with romance as end point
off-MDL:
- Siyah Beyaz Aşk (Turkish drama): forced marriage
- 过江新娘 My Star Bride (SG drama): pretend marriage / A+
I will also attempt to grade how good each drama is for their tropes.
P/S: PLEASE BE REMINDED THAT THIS IS A PERSONAL LIST.
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1. Inborn Pair
Taiwanese Drama - 2011, 84 episodes
arranged marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
2. Fated to Love You
Taiwanese Drama - 2008, 24 episodes
accidental pregnancy + forced marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
3. Marriage, Not Dating
Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
fake dating
(Grade: A+)
-
4. Perfect Couple
Chinese Drama - 2014, 45 episodes
substitute bride
(Grade: A+)
-
5. Lie to Me
Korean Drama - 2011, 16 episodes
fake dating
(Grade: A+)
-
6. Itazura na Kiss: Love in Tokyo
Japanese Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
forced living arrangement
(Grade: A+)
-
7. Drunken to Love You
Taiwanese Drama - 2011, 30 episodes
accidental marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
8. Full House
Thai Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
forced living arrangement + contract marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
9. On the Wings of Love
Filipino Drama - 2015, 145 episodes
contract marriage + cohabitation
(Grade: A+)
-
10. Chef Fang
Chinese Drama - 2017, 36 episodes
substitute bride
(Grade: A+)
-
11. Wars of In-Laws
Hong Kong Drama - 2005, 20 episodes
substitute bride
bonus: identity porn!!(Grade: A+)
-
12. Go Princess Go
Chinese Drama - 2015, 35 episodes
post-marriage romance
(Grade: A-)
-
13. Something About 1 Percent
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
arranged marriage/contract dating
(Grade: A-)
-
14. Good Morning Call
Japanese Drama - 2016, 17 episodes
forced living arrangement
(Grade: A)
-
15. Kiss Me
Thai Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
forced living arrangement
(Grade: B)
-
16. Master Devil Do Not Kiss Me
Chinese Drama - 2017, 23 episodes
forced living arrangement
(Grade: B)
-
17. Goong
Korean Drama - 2006, 24 episodes
arranged marriage
(Grade: B)
-
18. Mi-a Fost Dat Să Te Iubesc
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
accidental pregnancy + forced marriage
(Grade: A)
-
19. Pride
Japanese Drama - 2004, 11 episodes
fake dating
(Grade: B)
-
20. The Fox's Summer
Chinese Drama - 2017, 21 episodes
cohabitation
(Grade: A)
-
21. Please Love Me
Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes
pretend marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
22. Wrong Carriage, Right Groom
Chinese Drama - 2001, 20 episodes
substitute bride
(Grade: A+)
-
23. Paen Rai Long Tai Wa Rak
Thai Drama - 2017, 30 episodes
accidental marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
24. Dame na Watashi ni Koishite Kudasai
Japanese Drama - 2016, 10 episodes
cohabitation
(Grade: A+)
-
25. The Eternal Love
Chinese Drama - 2017, 24 episodes
post-marriage romance
(Grade: A)
-
26. Oum Ruk
Thai Drama - 2006, 14 episodes
accidental pregnancy + fake marriage
(Grade: A)
-
27. It Started with a Kiss
Taiwanese Drama - 2005, 20 episodes
forced living arrangement
(Grade: A+)
-
28. Surgeons
Chinese Drama - 2017, 44 episodes
cohabitation
(Grade: B)
-
29. Gochisousan
Japanese Drama - 2013, 150 episodes
cohabitation
(Grade: A)
-
30. Nagareboshi
Japanese Drama - 2010, 10 episodes
contract marriage
(Grade: C)
-
31. My Amazing Boyfriend
Chinese Drama - 2016, 28 episodes
cohabitation
(Grade: B+)
-
32. Zettai Kareshi
Japanese Drama - 2008, 11 episodes
cohabitation
(Grade: A-)
-
33. Tawipob
Thai Drama - 2011, 17 episodes
forced living arrangement
(Grade: A+)
-
34. Împreună Acasă
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
cohabitation + contract marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
35. Piang Chai Khon Nee Mai Chai Poo Wised
Thai Drama - 2016, 15 episodes
contract marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
36. Padiwaradda
Thai Drama - 2016, 14 episodes
substitute bride
(Grade: A+)
-
37. Koo Gum
Thai Drama - 2004, 16 episodes
political marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
38. Koo Gum
Thai Drama - 2013, 24 episodes
political marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
39. Paragit Ruk Series: Yeut Fah Ha Pigat Ruk
Thai Drama - 2017, 10 episodes
pretend marriage
(Grade: F)
-
40. Bpoop Phaeh Saniwaat
Thai Drama - 2018, 15 episodes
cohabitation + arranged marriage
(Grade: A-)
-
41. You're My Destiny
Thai Drama - 2017, 17 episodes
accidental pregnancy + forced marriage
(Grade: A)
-
42. Khun Chai Rachanon
Thai Drama - 2013, 11 episodes
arranged marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
43. Khun Chai Puttipat
Thai Drama - 2013, 10 episodes
pretend marriage
(Grade: B)
-
44. Like in the Movies
Filipino Drama - 2020, 8 episodes
fake dating + forced living arrangement
(Grade: A+)
-
45. How Long Will I Love U
Chinese Movie - 2018
forced living arrangement
(Grade: B)
-
46. Can't Help Falling in Love
Filipino Movie - 2017
accidental marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
47. Go Go Squid!
Chinese Drama - 2019, 41 episodes
fake dating
(Grade: A-)
-
48. My Neighbour Can't Sleep
Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes
forced living arrangement
(Grade: A-)
-
49. Pope Rak
Thai Drama - 2014, 12 episodes
forced living arrangement (well technically they're physically bound to each other)
(Grade: A+)
-
50. The Story of Souls from Endless Books
Chinese Drama - 2018, 20 episodes
post-marriage romance (kinda)
(Grade: A-)
-
51. 2gether
Thai Drama - 2020, 13 episodes
fake dating
(Grade: A)
-
52. You are My Destiny
Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes
accidental pregnancy + forced marriage
(Grade: A-)
-
53. Ratee Luang
Thai Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
forced marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
54. Rahut Rissaya
Thai Drama - 2020, 17 episodes
forced marriage + forced living arrangement
(Grade: B+)
The pairing's appeal was more in its hurt/comfort! -
55. Jin Xin Si Yu
Chinese Drama - 2021, 45 episodes
arranged marriage
(Grade: A+)
-
56. The Trick of Life and Love
Chinese Drama - 2021, 32 episodes
fake dating + cohabitation (+ amnesia)
(Grade: A)
-
57. Cang Lan Jue
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
forced living arrangement
(Grade: A-)
-
58. Qing Chuan Daily Life
Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes
arranged marriage
(Grade: A-)
-
59. Osama ni Sasagu Kusuriyubi
Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
contract marriage
(Grade: A-)
-
60. Modawi's Secret
Chinese Drama - 2023, 22 episodes
fake dating (pretty much substitute bride but make it modern fake dating)
(Grade: A-)
-
61. Have a Crush On You
Chinese Drama - 2023, 36 episodes
marriage romance
(Grade: A++)
-
62. Hi Venus
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
fake dating (the story is not built on it though still good!)
(Grade: A)
-
63. Addicted Heroin
Chinese Drama - 2016, 15 episodes
cohabitation
(Grade: A+)
-
64. To My Star
Korean Drama - 2021, 9 episodes
cohabitation
(Grade: A-)
-
65. O Iubire ca-n Afaceri
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
fake dating
(Grade: D)
-
66. Love When the Stars Fall
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
substitute bride
(Grade: C)
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67. Lovely Swords Girl
Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes
marriage romance
(Grade: C)
-
68. Stupid Cupid
Thai Drama - 2015, 12 episodes
arranged marriage
(Grade: F)
-
69. Siege in Fog
Chinese Drama - 2018, 50 episodes
marriage romance
-
70. Manee Yard Fah
Thai Drama - 2000, 13 episodes
pretend marriage
(PTW)
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71. Wanida
Thai Drama - 2010, 16 episodes
arranged marriage
(PTW)
-
72. Sapai Glai Peun Tiang
Thai Drama - 2009, 13 episodes
fake marriage
(PTW)
-
73. Lom Sorn Ruk
Thai Drama - 2015, 14 episodes
fake marriage
(PTW)
-
74. Nigeru wa Haji da ga Yaku ni Tatsu
Japanese Drama - 2016, 11 episodes
contract marriage
(PTW)
-
75. Kao Waan Hai Noo Pen Sai Lub
Thai Drama - 2019, 18 episodes
pretend marriage
(PTW)
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76. Peace Hotel
Chinese Drama - 2018, 38 episodes
pretend marriage
(Status: dropped at 15/38)
-
77. Hotaru no Hikari
Japanese Drama - 2007, 10 episodes
forced living arrangement
(Status: perennial on-hold)
-
78. Hapimari: Happy Marriage!?
Japanese Drama - 2016, 12 episodes
arranged marriage
(Status: Dropped at 3/12)
would recommend to read the manga instead! A+ for arranged marriage feels -
79. Oh My General
Chinese Drama - 2017, 60 episodes
arranged marriage
(Status: Dropped at 17/60)
-
80. Well Intended Love
Chinese Drama - 2019, 20 episodes
contract marriage
(Status: Dropped at 12/20)
-
81. Begin Again
Chinese Drama - 2020, 35 episodes
contract marriage
(Status: Dropped at 2/35)
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82. Perfect and Casual
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
contract marriage
(Status: Dropped at 2/24)
-
83. She Is The One
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
substitute bride
(Status: Dropped at 2/24)
-
84. Unforgettable Love
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
fake marriage
(Status: Dropped at 4/24)
-
85. My Husband in Law
Thai Drama - 2020, 15 episodes
contract marriage
(Status: Dropped)
-
86. O Nora de Import
Thai Drama - 2020, 17 episodes
contract marriage
(Status: Dropped)
-
87. Khing Kor Rar Khar Kor Rang
Thai Drama - 2019, 34 episodes
arranged marriage
(Status: Dropped)
-
88. Khun Mae Suam Roy
Thai Drama - 2018, 31 episodes
forced marriage
(Status: Dropped)
-
89. Suparburoot Jorm Jon: Maturot Lohgan
Thai Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
forced marriage
(Status: Dropped)
-
90. Wiwa Fah Laep
Thai Drama - 2022, 17 episodes
contract marriage
(Status: Dropped)
-
91. Till the End of the Moon
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
arranged marriage
(Status: Dropped)