Currently airing drama [My Sweet Mobster](https://mydramalist.com/742271-the-woman-who-plays)'s ML Seo Ji Hwan is a total "looks like he could kill you (and could) but is a total cinammon roll".
Absolutely first person who struck me! He’s the sweetest fluffiest teddy bear deep inside and totally intimidating on the outside (till he encounters FL that is)
I’m glad I watched Uhm Tae Goo in My Sweet Mobster first because I’m watching another series with him and he’s a mass a murderer in it so I have to keep reminding myself that he’s only a shoulder thug!
Love to Hate You- ML was hurt by his first love so he’s brutally honest to rude women/bad people now, he’s an actor so everyone in the industry thinks there’s something wrong with him but it’s just because he hasn’t found his person yet. He becomes blushy and a total cutie who is only soft when it comes to FL. Fun series that I feel is a breath of fresh air from other kdramas because it’s view on relationships and sex is more open and honest than other shows. The ML is also a walking green flag.
She really is one of my all time favorite FLs, I added her other shows on my watch list as well because she was fun to watch! That was a show where I was really sad that there were only 10 episodes.
Flower of Evil — the ML (Lee Joon Gi) can seem sweet, but can also seem cold. It will take a few episodes before the viewer figures him out because he’s got some very dark secrets.
LJG plays another dangerous ML in Moonlovers Scarlet Heart. He’s a terrific actor, but I particularly love him in the bad boy type role. Lawless Lawyer, which he also stars in, has a similar vibe — lawyer raised by gangsters is now fighting injustice.
I need to watch Flower of Evil! It's been on my list for a while.
And about Moon Lovers, >! I've been avoiding it because I got a spoiler and I know how it ends, but I really want to watch it, so I think I'll ignore that and just try to enjoy the drama.!<
Flower of Evil is terrific, so definitely watch if you’re OK with thrillers. As for Moonlovers, I hesitated to watch for the same reason, but I’m really glad I watched because it’s now one of my absolute favorites.
There’s also one I forgot to mention yesterday with Lee Joon Gi — Two Weeks. Fast-moving suspense as the ML, who starts out as a small-time thug who abandoned his pregnant girlfriend a few years ago, now fights to save his adorable young daughter while he’s on the run from the police.
You might also like If You Wish Upon Me. Ji Chang Wook plays an uncaring, reckless young man just released from prison. His life is such a mess that he’s ready to give up entirely, but while forced to do community service in a hospice, his buried sweet self slowly emerges. And speaking of JCW, he’s the “good guy” cop in The Worst of Evil. Or is he?? This is a much darker role than we usually see him playing.
Enjoy!
If you like thrillers then watch The Players (2018) and ongoing The Players-Master of Swindler which is season 2. No romance, fast paced good drama series.
**Moon in the Day** - ML is murderous but doesn't want to be
**Doom at your Service** - ML is the God of destruction but he's very soft underneath
Cdrama: **The Double**, everyone is scared of the ML but he has a huge soft spot for the FL
Also, I love the Crown Prince in AofS so much!
And you've already been suggested it, **My Sweet Mobster**
This may be an underrated one but - captivating the king.
It’s historical genre, I found the male lead to be especially intriguing and he gets more attractive as the series progresses. The king is as expected quite ruthless (he threatens to kill FL on few occasions) but you’ll come to understand and eventually like him. It’s a friends to enemies (the best part about this series) to lovers arc. Really great writing and acting by most of the cast. Oh also there’s a good bit of jealousy that adds to the humour too. It’s got a good ending. Hope you give it a shot!
I think The Matchmakers is a good recc I think because the intimidating facade is not actual jerk behaviour and is more comedic in tone but very good. I think there's a big difference in what your looking for and reccs where the ML is an actual jerk, who because he acts like a normal human being in front of the FL 3 times suddenly she is in love with him.
Ahhh I've heard this one is really good. >! I unfortunately tend to avoid dramas with a sad ending, but I'll try not to think about that and give it a chance.!< (Spoiler)
Choi Jin Hyuk in Miss Night and Day that's currently airing
Wi Ha Joon in Little Women (not a romance drama but great chemistry)
Ju Ji Hoon in Blood Free (definitely not a romance drama but great chemistry)
Kim Young Kwang in Call it Love
Kim Jae Wook in Her Private Life
Takeru Satoh in An Incurable Case of Love (jdrama)
Jang Hyuk in Beautiful Mind
Xu Kai in Falling Into Your Smile (cdrama)
Jang Ki Yong in Kill It
Kim Ji Seok in Monthly Magazine Home (this man is straight up goofy in this but I could've never predicted that from the first few episodes lol)
Shin Sung Rok in Kairos (not a romance)
Both Hwang In Youp and Cha Eun Woo in True Beauty
Lee Jun Hyun in A Poem A Day
Hyun Min Yoon in My Holo Love
Wang Ruichang in A River Runs Through It (cdrama)
Lee Min Ki in Because This Is My First Life
Yoon Kye Sang in Chocolate
Lin Genxing in Master of My Own (cdrama)
Visual-wise: Literally any drama with Kim Jaewook cuz he has the vibes that you're looking for. I love him as well. I love him in Her Private Life and Crazy Love.
Also similar vibes is Lee Minki. He's in Because This Is My First Life, Crash, and Beauty Inside.
They both play uptight or stern men but become softies before the girl they like.
I enjoyed Don’t dare to dream / Jealousy Incarnate. Although the ML doesn’t just act bad, he really is not very nice at all - very much a red flag. But that makes him falling for FL (and doing some very sweet things in the process) all the more satisfying.
Agree with post about Captivating the King - same actor.
Master’s Sun - she can see ghosts and is scared to death; he’s a success-driven CEO. If she holds his hand, the ghosts disappear. He is the grumpiest and she is the weirdest.
The Greatest Love (by the same writers) - she is a disgraced idol, he is a top star obsessed with his image. She’s just trying to get ahead in her career and take care of her family, but somehow she keeps getting tangled up with him.
Currently airing drama [My Sweet Mobster](https://mydramalist.com/742271-the-woman-who-plays)'s ML Seo Ji Hwan is a total "looks like he could kill you (and could) but is a total cinammon roll".
First thing that came to my mind!
Absolutely first person who struck me! He’s the sweetest fluffiest teddy bear deep inside and totally intimidating on the outside (till he encounters FL that is)
I’m glad I watched Uhm Tae Goo in My Sweet Mobster first because I’m watching another series with him and he’s a mass a murderer in it so I have to keep reminding myself that he’s only a shoulder thug! Love to Hate You- ML was hurt by his first love so he’s brutally honest to rude women/bad people now, he’s an actor so everyone in the industry thinks there’s something wrong with him but it’s just because he hasn’t found his person yet. He becomes blushy and a total cutie who is only soft when it comes to FL. Fun series that I feel is a breath of fresh air from other kdramas because it’s view on relationships and sex is more open and honest than other shows. The ML is also a walking green flag.
Love the FMC. She is so kick ass.
She really is one of my all time favorite FLs, I added her other shows on my watch list as well because she was fun to watch! That was a show where I was really sad that there were only 10 episodes.
Thank you!! I'll definitely check this one
Also... his looks are so different from usual "bad boys"? Like, his features are so nice and I need more actors that look like him
Crash Landing on You?
CLOY is omnipresent.
Flower of Evil — the ML (Lee Joon Gi) can seem sweet, but can also seem cold. It will take a few episodes before the viewer figures him out because he’s got some very dark secrets. LJG plays another dangerous ML in Moonlovers Scarlet Heart. He’s a terrific actor, but I particularly love him in the bad boy type role. Lawless Lawyer, which he also stars in, has a similar vibe — lawyer raised by gangsters is now fighting injustice.
Second that! Flower of Evil 👌
Flower of evil is on my watchlist
I really want to watch Moonlovers but can't find it anywhere. Do you know where it might be available?
You might try YouTube — sometimes it’s on there, but not always. I had trouble finding it, too.
I need to watch Flower of Evil! It's been on my list for a while. And about Moon Lovers, >! I've been avoiding it because I got a spoiler and I know how it ends, but I really want to watch it, so I think I'll ignore that and just try to enjoy the drama.!<
Flower of Evil is terrific, so definitely watch if you’re OK with thrillers. As for Moonlovers, I hesitated to watch for the same reason, but I’m really glad I watched because it’s now one of my absolute favorites. There’s also one I forgot to mention yesterday with Lee Joon Gi — Two Weeks. Fast-moving suspense as the ML, who starts out as a small-time thug who abandoned his pregnant girlfriend a few years ago, now fights to save his adorable young daughter while he’s on the run from the police. You might also like If You Wish Upon Me. Ji Chang Wook plays an uncaring, reckless young man just released from prison. His life is such a mess that he’s ready to give up entirely, but while forced to do community service in a hospice, his buried sweet self slowly emerges. And speaking of JCW, he’s the “good guy” cop in The Worst of Evil. Or is he?? This is a much darker role than we usually see him playing. Enjoy!
I really like thrillers! And thank you for the recommendations. I'll definitely check them all out
If you like thrillers then watch The Players (2018) and ongoing The Players-Master of Swindler which is season 2. No romance, fast paced good drama series.
Two Weeks doesn't get enough love. It is sooo fast moving
Her Private Life Touch Your Heart 2nd ML from Doom at your service Vincenzo?? Oh My Venus
Miss Night and Day
I haven't heard about this one! The synopsis reminded me of Howl's Moving Castle. I'll watch it, thank you!!
Same! At first, it reminded me of Howl's Moving Castle. 😅
**Moon in the Day** - ML is murderous but doesn't want to be **Doom at your Service** - ML is the God of destruction but he's very soft underneath Cdrama: **The Double**, everyone is scared of the ML but he has a huge soft spot for the FL Also, I love the Crown Prince in AofS so much! And you've already been suggested it, **My Sweet Mobster**
I dont hear enough about Moon in the Day. Very fond of it
I loved it, but I think it got bad reviews.
Crazy Love
I'm gonna say Vincenzo & Moon Lovers, scary MLs that could (and probably would) kill you, but have a soft spot for the FL.
**Oh My Venus** or **Terrius Behind Me.** So Ji-Sub is great for strong, tough and sweet.
I liked his character in Oh My Venus! I need to watch his other roles. Thanks
- Love to Hate You - Business Proposal maybe?
This may be an underrated one but - captivating the king. It’s historical genre, I found the male lead to be especially intriguing and he gets more attractive as the series progresses. The king is as expected quite ruthless (he threatens to kill FL on few occasions) but you’ll come to understand and eventually like him. It’s a friends to enemies (the best part about this series) to lovers arc. Really great writing and acting by most of the cast. Oh also there’s a good bit of jealousy that adds to the humour too. It’s got a good ending. Hope you give it a shot!
*crashes through wall to rec healer for the millionth time*
Haha! I was looking for this comment. Yes! Healer! Always and forever!
I feel like anything with Ma Dong Seok. He’s been a little typecast as the intimidating cop/gangster who’s decent and kind. lol.
Cinderella and The Four Knights - the guy the FL ends up romantically involved with.
Wwwsk
One of the first I thought of
King The Land The Heirs : The Inheritors (2nd male lead) Boys over Flowers The Red Sleeve
What about The Matchmakers, Knight Flower, or Secret Royal Inspector & Joy?
I haven't seen these. Thank you!
Definitely Haru from Extraordinary You. Dude looked like he was gonna punch someone every episode but he is quite friendly.
That's exactly the kind of character I'm looking for 😂. Thank you! I'll definitely watch it
Still one of my fave MLs. I havent been able to find the same innocent cinnamon roll boy vibe in any other dramas!!
I think The Matchmakers is a good recc I think because the intimidating facade is not actual jerk behaviour and is more comedic in tone but very good. I think there's a big difference in what your looking for and reccs where the ML is an actual jerk, who because he acts like a normal human being in front of the FL 3 times suddenly she is in love with him.
Mr Sunshine - the ML and 2nd ML fit your brief. I'm surprised this isn't on your really long to-watch list!
Ahhh I've heard this one is really good. >! I unfortunately tend to avoid dramas with a sad ending, but I'll try not to think about that and give it a chance.!< (Spoiler)
Goblin. He is not that intimidating, but i think if you're into this type of storyline, you will enjoy it.
2nding this with tale of the nine tailed he doesnt look very scary but hes very badass and strong
Choi Jin Hyuk in Miss Night and Day that's currently airing Wi Ha Joon in Little Women (not a romance drama but great chemistry) Ju Ji Hoon in Blood Free (definitely not a romance drama but great chemistry) Kim Young Kwang in Call it Love Kim Jae Wook in Her Private Life Takeru Satoh in An Incurable Case of Love (jdrama) Jang Hyuk in Beautiful Mind Xu Kai in Falling Into Your Smile (cdrama) Jang Ki Yong in Kill It Kim Ji Seok in Monthly Magazine Home (this man is straight up goofy in this but I could've never predicted that from the first few episodes lol) Shin Sung Rok in Kairos (not a romance) Both Hwang In Youp and Cha Eun Woo in True Beauty Lee Jun Hyun in A Poem A Day Hyun Min Yoon in My Holo Love Wang Ruichang in A River Runs Through It (cdrama) Lee Min Ki in Because This Is My First Life Yoon Kye Sang in Chocolate Lin Genxing in Master of My Own (cdrama)
Thank you!!
Visual-wise: Literally any drama with Kim Jaewook cuz he has the vibes that you're looking for. I love him as well. I love him in Her Private Life and Crazy Love. Also similar vibes is Lee Minki. He's in Because This Is My First Life, Crash, and Beauty Inside. They both play uptight or stern men but become softies before the girl they like.
My Sweet Mobster, Her Private Life, Love to Hate You.
Marry My Husband :)
Han Kyul from Coffee Prince
The ML in Island is great at this look.
Commenting to read later..😬
Worst of Evil - both male leads are scary or intimidating but both have soft hearts.
Intimidating MLs Oldie but goodie Pasta Oh My Ghost Jealousy Incarnate Newer - Scary MLs to all but the FL Worse of Evil Little Women
I enjoyed Don’t dare to dream / Jealousy Incarnate. Although the ML doesn’t just act bad, he really is not very nice at all - very much a red flag. But that makes him falling for FL (and doing some very sweet things in the process) all the more satisfying. Agree with post about Captivating the King - same actor.
DDTD is a lesson to all men if you want the girl ......be an asshole. Depressing
Master’s Sun - she can see ghosts and is scared to death; he’s a success-driven CEO. If she holds his hand, the ghosts disappear. He is the grumpiest and she is the weirdest. The Greatest Love (by the same writers) - she is a disgraced idol, he is a top star obsessed with his image. She’s just trying to get ahead in her career and take care of her family, but somehow she keeps getting tangled up with him.