She's the Boss of Me

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML (in a contractual BDSM relationship)

dominant FL/submissive ML (in a master/servant relationship)

he insists that "she belongs to herself" (NOT him or the 2nd ML) & happily plays a supporting role in her plans

cold & dominant FL/submissive ML

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML (in a master/servant relationship)

FL rescues the ML from physical danger while the ML happily plays a supporting role in her plans

cold FL/warm ML

the FL is self-confident, morally uncompromising, and fierce in combat or confrontation, while the care-giving and communicative ML is more emotive and less physically imposing (from the same author as Rattan)

cold FL/warm ML

nearly everything about this gender dynamic is flipped:  

• the FL is cold, cunning, and stoic, while the ML is sensitive, empathetic, and naively trusting 
• the FL is a pragmatist while the ML is a hopeless romantic
• the FL has been ruthlessly indoctrinated into the violent world they live in, while the ML  has been spoiled and purposefully kept away from danger
• the FL operates in isolation while the ML has a network of warmly supportive friends and family
• the FL acts as a tutor while the ML struggles to gain competency
• the FL repeatedly rescues the ML from danger  

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML (in a princess/bodyguard relationship)

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML

[This drama is like the Chinese version of the British show "The End of the F**king World" if the ML was apathetically suicidal instead of apathetically homicidal.]

cold, dominant, & older FL/warm, submissive, & younger ML (in a bestselling author/editing intern relationship)

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML (in a princess/slave relationship)

cold, dominant, & older FL/warm, submissive, & younger ML (in an owner/pet relationship)

she's also rich and successful while he's poor and unhoused

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML (in a king/subject relationship)

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML

the prince ML pretends to be simple-minded and easily bullied, which inspires the fierce FL to defend his honor, protect him from assassins, and rescue him from palace intrigue

cold, dominant, & older FL/warm, submissive, & younger ML (in an empress/prince relationship)

cold, dominant, & older FL/warm, submissive, & younger ML (in a governess/student relationship)

the FL has a bunch of relationships with powerful men in this drama and I'd argue she's the boss in ALL of them eventually, however the pairing between Ha Ji Won & Ji Chang Wook is the best fit for this list since his character sees himself as dependent on hers from the get-go (she's more competent, outsmarts his rivals, rescues him from physical danger, etc.)

like Empress Ki,  the FL has a bunch of relationships with powerful men in this drama and I'd argue she's the boss in ALL of them, however the pairing between Yang Zi & Deng Wei is the best fit for this list since his character is the most submissive, self-sacrificial, and willing to relinquish his personal agenda

cold FL/warm ML

this relationship goes through a few different stages, but I felt the FL was the dominant partner throughout (she rescues him from a variety of dangers, her self-determination is prioritized, she continually sets the tone/pace of their relationship, etc.)

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML

like Love and Redemption, the FL is the dominant partner in this relationship, even as their power dynamic shifts over time

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML

cold & dominant FL/warmer & submissive ML

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML (in a captor/captive relationship)

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML (in a captor/captive relationship)

cold FL/warm ML (in a master/disciple relationship)

cold FL/warm ML

the ML has a lot of institutional power in this drama (he's older, financially secure, works as her boss, etc.) but the FL is cunning, cynical, and self-reliant, which are all traits that she uses to secretly protect him

not a romance, but definitely a love story, in my opinion

cold FL/warm ML (in a student/teacher relationship)

like My Mister, this drama has an older man/younger woman pairing that contains an uncomfortable power dynamic (he's her homeroom teacher in high school) however she's emotionally tougher, street-smart, and physically intimidating, which are the reasons he's drawn to her (the first time we see him really, really attracted to her is when she beats him up on the street!)

cold FL/warm ML (in a doctor/patient relationship)

she's also rich, successful, and popular while he's poor, struggling, and socially ostracized

[I thought this drama was fascinating and subversive, it's also the only show on this list with a FL who was too unfeeling for my comfort level.]

almost everyone in this show exists on a morally grey continuum so I wouldn't say that the ML is warm but the FL displays MORE sociopathic tendencies (low empathy for others)

not a romance 

the ML goes undercover as the FL's work subordinate and pretends to be insecure, easily bullied, and physically cowardly, which inspires her to act as his protector

secondary romance is princess FL/bodyguard ML

the characterization of this couple is conventional (she's warm & bubbly while he's cold and morally grey), but ML is unusually subservient -- he obeys her commands, selflessly prioritizes her happiness, and devotes himself to helping her lead the life she wants

princess FL/minister ML, in the context of the drama they film and then recreate privately

like The Long Ballad, the premise and characterization are conventional: the FL is younger, emotionally open or warm, and just making her acting debut, while the ML is older, emotionally distant or cold, and his career as an actor has made him wealthy, famous, and well-regarded in the entertainment community

BUT the romantic arc -- the story of the couple falling in love -- takes place in the context of a dominant/submissive relationship wherein the FL is a regal princess and the ML is her subservient minister/servant 

empress FL/commoner ML

the power dynamic of this relationship changes over time, but I'd argue the FL is the dominant partner throughout, as they both privilege her agency and decision-making -- she's also more aware of the conditions of their relationship and experienced with the historical setting in which it develops

cold & older FL/warm & younger ML

cold & older FL/warm & younger ML

the FL is distant, isolated, and closed off emotionally due to the stigma she faces as a female bar owner and single mother while the ML is sweet-tempered, gregarious and open-hearted

[Although this drama was perfectly lovely, it didn't come together in a successful way for me. The warm romance and the serial killer section felt too discordant.]

older FL/younger ML

[Baby's first drama!!!]

older FL/younger ML

[My first Chinese drama!]

older FL/younger ML (in a client/sex worker relationship)

[Everyone knows and loves My Mister, but I actually thought this drama was like My Mister but even better...? Sacrilege, I know! One of my favorites.]

older FL/younger ML

older FL/younger ML (in a manager/subordinate relationship)

the FL recruits the ML out of college, trains him as an intern, and continues as his supervisor, however his pursuit of her sometimes verged on domineering for me  :I

older FL/younger ML

the relationship in this drama rests on a familiar power dynamic (he's assertive, wealthy, housed, somewhat famous, and wildly successful in his career which are all qualities that the FL lacks) but Romance is a Bonus Book is notable for how realistically it depicts the struggle and stigma surrounding divorcees, single mothers, and middle aged women trying to return to the workplace, which means the age gap is always front and center

older FL/younger ML (in a professor/student relationship)

older FL/younger ML x 2

older FL/younger ML (in a teacher/student relationship)

[I wouldn't recommend this drama. I had hoped this controversial show would capture some of the character-driven magic of Lost or My Mister (with two very different yet similarly adrift individuals finding a taboo connection in a world that doesn't understand them) but its second half devolved into a lukewarm thriller about educational corruption...so, not so much]

confident FL/shy ML (in a boss/secretary relationship briefly)

both of the leads in this drama are competent in their own ways, but she's definitely the star of the show while he quietly supports her from behind the scenes as her #1 fan

confident FL/shy ML

like Into the Ring, both leads in this drama possess their own distinct skills, but I thought the FL was more independent, resilient, and comfortable in the face of confrontation; the ML also cedes important leadership positions to the FL throughout the drama, despite facing opposition from others

confident FL/shy ML

the FL is socially confident, comfortable in her eccentricity, and unafraid of confrontation, while the quiet ML happily acts as her sidekick

confident FL/shy ML

the flirtatious FL actively pursues the emotionally withdrawn ML; she also models healthy communication and gently guides him in advocating for himself

confident FL/socially anxious ML

the FL chooses to act as the ML's guide in relationships, communication, and workplace cooperation while he remains sweetly passive in the face of her assertiveness

[This drama didn't click for me. I'm not a fan of Park Hye Soo or the type of FLs she tends to play (cheerful, naive, bubbly, etc.) nor do I like romances that noticeably prioritize the ML's character arc.]

experienced FL/sheltered ML (in a contractual big brother/little sister relationship)

experienced FL/sheltered ML, in the context of the game world they're in

experienced FL/sheltered ML, in the context of the novel they're in

experienced human FL/sheltered AI ML (in a bodyguard/client relationship)

amnesiac ML who becomes dependent on the self-reliant FL

popular FL/bullied ML

the FL actively pursues the outcast ML and defends him from his accussers, despite the objections of her friends, family, and school community; the FL also belongs to the middle class while the ML is decidedly working class

popular FL/bullied ML

like Moment at Eighteen, the well-liked FL actively pursues the outcast ML and stands up for him in his most vulnerable moments

immortal vampire FL/human ML

immortal vampire FL/human ML 

immortal ginseng fairy FL/human ML

master ML/bodyguard FL

like Wulin Heroes, the FL possesses good health, incredible strength, and high-level martial arts abilities, which the ML lacks

dominant FL/submissive ML (in a contractual BDSM relationship)

~ on hold ~

cold & dominant FL/warm & submissive ML

~ on hold ~

cold FL/warm ML

~ on hold ~

cold FL/warm ML

~ on hold ~

older & cold FL/younger & warm ML

[I dropped this drama because its tone was too mopey and its slow was too slow.]

cold & rich FL/warm ML

[I dropped this drama because I didn't sense enough relationship building in the romance and Kim Myung Soo's performance felt perfunctory, although Shin Hye Sun was luminous as usual!]

dominant FL/submissive ML (in an arranged marriage)

[I dropped this drama because I thought Peter Sheng's performance was lacking, but it is a wonderfully queer boy/girl love story, if you're interested in less oppressively straight Chinese dramas.]

cold & rich FL/warm & poor ML (in a contract marriage)

[I dropped this drama at the halfway point because it felt as if the romantic arc was complete/their relationship no longer contained any conflict.]

experienced FL/sheltered ML

[I dropped this drama because I was too tense over the ending.]

popular FL/"average" ML

~ on hold ~

older, cold, & rich FL/younger, warm, & poor ML (in a CEO/employee relationship)

[I dropped this drama because I thought the couple lacked chemistry.]

older FL/younger ML

~ on hold ~

older FL/younger ML

[I dropped this drama because the pace was killing me.]

older FL/younger ML

[I dropped this drama because the pace was killing me.]

dominant FL/submissive ML

dominant FL/submissive ML

dominant FL/submissive ML [?]

dominant FL/submissive ML

dominant FL/submissive ML

cold FL/warm ML

cold FL/warm ML

cold FL/warm ML

cold FL/warm ML

older & cold FL/younger & warm ML

older FL/younger ML

older FL/younger ML

older FL/younger ML

older FL/younger ML

older FL/younger ML

older FL/younger ML

older FL/younger ML

older FL/younger ML

older FL/younger ML

older & rich FL/younger & poor ML

older & rich FL/younger & poor ML

rich FL/poor ML

rich FL/poor ML

CEO FL/secretary ML

CEO FL/employee ML

boss FL/employee ML

boss FL/employee ML