A Rose by Any Other Name
The ML is by the FL's side. He supports her and knows her better than many boyfriends know their girlfriends, but his "title" is something other than "boyfriend" or "husband". Whether he's a best friend, a roommate, a subordinate at work, a "brother", or something else, the role sometimes becomes an excuse that lets the ML act like the FL's boyfriend without confessing his feelings (and he might not even fully realize his feelings).
The ML has this role for most of the drama and it's the kind of role where, if someone asks the FL if the ML is her boyfriend, she can respond "No, he's my ___." (Although some of the roles are pretty strange.)
-
1. Conectado Em Você
Taiwanese Drama - 2011, 13 episodes
Best friend
-
2. Lutando Pelo Meu Caminho
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Friend
-
3. Romance é um Livro Bônus
Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
Friend / younger brother
-
4. Eu Ouço a Sua Voz
Korean Drama - 2013, 18 episodes
"Younger brother" - the FL helps the ML when they are children, but is endangered as a result. The ML vows to protect her. The ML is an orphan and much younger than the FL, so when he moves in with the FL to protect her / keep his promise, she tells people he's like a little brother that she's looking after.
-
5. Alguma Coisa na Chuva
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
"Younger brother" - the ML is the younger brother of the FL's best friend. He and his sister have been treated as part of the FL's family since he was little. Caveat --> unlike the other dramas in this list, the ML and FL start dating for real quite early on in this drama, but they keep their relationship secret for a while.
-
6. Quarta-feira, 3:30 da tarde
Korean Drama - 2017, 15 episodes
Childhood friend / tenant who's paying his rent by taking her on refreshing dates every Wednesday at 3:30 PM to help her get over being dumped and win back or get back at her ex
-
7. Você me Deixa Louco
Korean Special - 2018, 4 episodes
Best friend
-
8. Através do Oceano para Ver Você
Chinese Drama - 2017, 44 episodes
Subordinate at work, nanny / personal assistant, acting father to her unborn child
-
9. Você é Meu Pet
Japanese Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
"Pet"
-
10. Pinóquio
Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
"Uncle" (due to a complicated situation involving the FL's grandfather's health, the ML is adopted into the FL's family and takes her deceased uncle's place)
-
11. Ventos de Inverno
Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes
"Brother" - the ML is mistaken for the FL's long lost brother partly because they have the same name. Due to circumstances, he pretends to be her brother and moves in with her.
-
12. Gosto Pessoal
Korean Drama - 2010, 16 episodes
Gay Housemate (when the FL mistakenly thinks the ML is gay, he runs with it so that he can be her housemate in order to learn the secret of her house, which was built by her famous architect father)
-
13. Romance Sangrento
Chinese Drama - 2018, 36 episodes
Shadow (servant / bodyguard for an assassin)
-
14. Love Me Like a Child
Chinese Drama - 2021, 29 episodes
"Little brother". The Leads' parents are best friends and the leads grew up together.
-
15. Você é Meu Pet
Japanese Drama - 2003, 10 episodes
-
16. Beleza Feia
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
Assistent / agent / manager
-
17. Cena de Beijo em Yeonnamdong
Korean Drama - 2019, 12 episodes
Friend since childhood
-
18. Adult Trainee
Korean Drama - 2021, 7 episodes
Episode 3 - 5
-
19. O Melhor de Você em Minha Mente
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
-
20. Vá em frente
Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes
"brother"
-
21. Trilha Sonora #1
Korean Drama - 2022, 4 episodes
Best friend