Female Chases Male Who Still Loves Someone Else
Requested by a member on my public forum post.
These dramas / movies consist of a female character (main / supporting) falling in love first or chasing a male character who is still in love with someone else. Unrequited love basically but with a happy ending.
I will only add stuff that have a guaranteed happy ending.
The format in the description will be the name of the couple and below it will be SPOILERS about how they fit the trope. Do not read it if you don’t want to be spoilt big. My THOUGHTS (spoilery) on the couple are below that.
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1. Uma Coisinha Chamada Primeiro Amor
Chinese Drama - 2019, 36 episodes
He Xin & Lin Kai Tuo (2nd Leads).
SPOILERS:
HX and LKT are childhood friends. She has loved him ever since they were young. LKT falls in love with the FL who is HX best-friend. The best part about this is that when HX finds out LKT loves the FL, she gives up on him and starts treating him like a normal friend instead of her usual caring self. That’s when he starts to notice her differently.
THOUGHTS:
This was extremely satisfying, especially when LKT realised HX has been treating him special because she liked him and that when she no longer liked him, he found himself missing her previous love.
Tbh I did not watch the drama fully, I only skimmed through and watched all their scenes. No regrets.
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2. Minha Vida de Ouro
Korean Drama - 2017, 52 episodes
Seo Jisoo & Sunwoo Hyuk.
SPOILERS:
Jisoo has a huge crush on Hyuk from a while back when he saved her. He doesn’t like her because he thinks she’s too shy and doesn’t know how to stand up for herself. He also likes her twin fraternal sister who is his first love.
THOUGHTS:
This is a family drama first and foremost so I just skimmed through to watch their scenes. I basically understood the story anyways from the scenes I did watch. Satisfying ending.
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3. Alerta Desagradável
Korean Drama - 2013, 133 episodes
Shin Joo Young & Gong Hyeon Seok.
SPOILERS:
Joo Young has a crush on Hyeon Seok who has a crush on Joo Young’s cousin (FL) instead. She actively chases him but he’s pretty cold and standoffish. They later start fake dating so Joo Young can experience love and Hyeon Seok starts to look forward to seeing her. There’s a lot more drama but that’s the gist.
THOUGHTS:
Another family drama so there’s a lot of other stuff happening. The family scenes I did watch made me cry. Once again, skimmed through the drama to watch only the couple scenes.
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4. Horas de Princesa
Korean Drama - 2006, 24 episodes
Shin Chae Kyeong & Crown Prince Lee Shin.
SPOILERS:
SCK and LS are forced to marry due to an old promise made between their grandfathers. They don’t get along as she is the typical 2006 K-drama FL who is quirky and “poor” whereas he is standoffish, cold and rich. He is also still in love with his first love (2FL) who rejected his marriage proposal for her career but then regretted it and tried to get him back.
THOUGHTS:
The OSTs and clothes are timeless in my opinion. Definitely satisfying to see LS fall for SCK slowly and move on from his first love.
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5. O Destino do Amor
Thai Drama - 2018, 15 episodes
Kadesurang & Date.
SPOILERS:
Kadesurang’s spirit is transported from the modern day world into the past and into the body of a cruel woman named Karakade. Karakade is engaged to Date but he hates her and loves another because she is a very mean and horrible person. After Kadesurang enters Karakade’s body, her new behaviour starts attracting attention from everyone. Date doesn’t trust her but starts to be drawn to her.
THOUGHTS:
It can be confusing story-wise but it was so good. The way Date slowly falls in love with Kadesurang is everything I want from this trope. The drama consists of Thai history as well but I’m unsure if everything is accurate as I do not know any Thai history.
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6. Para Sempre Meu Raio de Sol
Thai Drama - 2020, 19 episodes
Paeng & Arthit.
SPOILERS:
The drama starts with a highschool Paeng having a crush / obsession with Arthit that leads to an accident for Arthit. 6 years later, she’s back but as a more mature person who no longer loves Arthit. Arthit on the other hand hates her for what she did to him and tries everything to get her to leave again. He doesn’t believe that she has stopped loving him. During the first 5 eps, Arthit is has a crush on his best-friend.
THOUGHTS:
I highly recommend this drama. Not only are the main couple chemistry great together, the 2nd leads are all good people and that’s really enjoyable to watch. I always rewatch their scenes. You just need to get past the first 5 eps and you’ll be hooked. Mature Paeng is much better.
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7. Príncipe do Café
Korean Drama - 2007, 17 episodes
Go Eun-chan & Choi Han-gyeol.
SPOILERS;
CHG is originally in love with his cousin’s ex-girlfriend. GEC comes along and makes him confused as he finds himself attracted to a man. GEC is really a girl but due to how she dresses, everyone mistakes her for a man.
THOUGHTS:
If you’re a K-drama fan, you have to watch this classic. It had me on a chokehold for months. The “in love with another girl” trope isn’t as strong here but I believe this drama is worth it. The supporting characters are all amazing and there’s no mean 2FL.
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8. Destinado a Te Amar
Taiwanese Drama - 2008, 24 episodes
Chen Xin Yi & Ji Cun Xi.
SPOILERS:
CXY & JCX accidentally have a one night stand due to some scheming from other people that leads to a baby. JCX already has a girlfriend (maybe ex?) but she abandoned him on that fateful day after a career opportunity was offered to her. CXY and JCX are forced to marry and thought CXY slowly falls in love with JCX, she knows she can never replace Anna, his girlfriend, in his heart. Or so she thinks.
THOUGHTS:
There are many remakes but this is the only version I’ve watched. Beware that the ML is sometimes a jerk and the FL is a pushover before her makeover. Also, if you’re against cheating (cause I am), just watch the 1st ep and everything will be explained.
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9. Ondas da vida
Thai Drama - 2017, 15 episodes
Jeerawat & Sathit.
SPOILERS:
Jeerawat accidentally killed Sathit’s fiance in a carcrash (she was drugged by her step-father, long story). She wants to confess but her mother has too much pride and ego and covers it up. Sathit knowsshe’s the killer and starts trying to uncover the truth. Jeerawat and Sathit are constantly at each others throats but along the way, Sathit realises that Jeerawat is quite a kind and pitiful person.
THOUGHTS:
Ooo this one is angsty but so good. Both characters are strong and have kind of a forbidden love in that Jeerawat is the reason Sathit’s fiance died so it feels almost cruel to have him end up with her at the end. But trust me, they are intoxicating and will pull you in straightaway. Chemistry is fire.
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10. Concerto de Outono
Taiwanese Drama - 2009, 21 episodes
Hua Ci Xin & Hua Tuo Ye.
SPOILERS:
HCX is the adopted daughter of the Hua family and has grown up loving her adopted brother HTY. His mother is very supportive of them but HTY is in love with his best-friend, the FL. After FL finally accepts HTY’s feelings, HCX decides to leave their house to try and find her own way. After a series of events, HTY saves HCX and realises he loves her.
THOUGHTS:
I love the plot line but unfortunately they do not have a lot of scenes together. It’s nice that the 2ML (HTY) ends up with someone at the end after the sacrifices he made for the FL. Also, the way he changed from treating HCX like a sister to someone who he wants to date is satisfying. Also, please watch for the main couple as well because goddamn they are good.
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11. Minta Pra Mim
Korean Drama - 2011, 16 episodes
Gong Ah Jung & Hyun Ki Joon.
SPOILERS:
GAJ lies about being married to a rich guy (HKJ) to her snotty friends (I think) and they end up pretending to be a married couple. HKJ has an ex-gf who he really liked but since his younger brother also liked her and he loves his family, he gave up on her. She comes back and since they're a fake couple, GAJ doesn't have any rights to HKJ. HKJ now has to choose between the two.
THOUGHTS:
NOTE: The ex-gf plot happens in the middle or later in the drama. It's been awhile since I've watched this so a little hazy on details but the general gist fits. There's a scene when the ex-gf comes back and HKJ chooses to chase after her when she cries and leaves our FL behind. It was so sad but hits the spots if you like that kind of torture lol.
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12. Sanaeha Sunya Kaen
Thai Drama - 2014, 15 episodes
Tawan & Kin.
SPOILERS: (Slap/Kiss - SA warnings)
Kin marries his long-time girlfriend but she unfortunately dies after crashing into Tawan in the rain. Tawan is hospitalised and Kin vows revenge on the woman who 'killed' his wife of not even one day. He stalks her and makes her fall in love with him then treat her terribly as revenge. She had no idea of their connection and doesn't know why he's being mean to her.
THOUGHTS:
It's similar to Kluen Cheewit but more badly done. However, the plot still fits the trope. It had potential but the main characters don't have chemistry. Just a heads up. Personally, I wouldn't recommend this one but it does have an unbelievable happy ending and fits the "girl-loves-boy-who-still-loves-someone-else" trope.
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13. Minha Filha, Seo Young
Korean Drama - 2012, 50 episodes
Choi Ho-jung & Lee Sang-woo.
SPOILERS:
CHJ has a crush on LSW for the longest time. He, however, has a gf who is a doctor like him and is also her family friend. They really love each other but this is a family drama and there are indeed some family drama so LSW marries CHJ instead so his gf can forget about him. Even though she knows he doesn't love her, she vows to bring him happiness and he vows to be a good husband, even if he loves someone else. When truths come out, CHJ becomes worried LSW will leave her to reunite with his ex-gf.
THOUGHTS:
Reminder that this is a family drama so there won't just be focus on this couple. This one fits the trope really well because CHJ has unrequited love for a long time. For LSW and his gf (her family friend), she has sacrificed a lot so she deserves happiness. Their love develops slowly and naturally, there's no big moment. Only thing missing is that CHJ should have left him for longer than a day so he can realise how much he has come to love her. That would have been nice and angsty.
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14. The Wife's Lies
Chinese Drama - 2015, 52 episodes
Sun Jia Yuan & Li Dong Xu.
SPOILERS:
Chinese remake of Seoyoung, My Daughter so the second couple has the same story.
THOUGHTS:
I've only skimmed through the last few episodes so unsure if there's any differences but from what I can see, they have the same trope.
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15. Eles Beijaram Novamente
Taiwanese Drama - 2007, 20 episodes
Christine & Ah Jin.
SPOILERS:
They have many remakes but personally this is my favourite one. This is S2. You can skip S1 if you already know the story and just want to see more from the 2nd lead (AJ) and his new love interest (Christine). AJ has always been in love with the FL but she's now married. He vows to always love, protect and stay by her side though. Christine is a transfer student who takes a liking to AJ straightaway and tries everything to get him to like her. Eventually he has enough and tells her off. He doesn't realise it was her last effort to get him to get her to stay as she had to go back home. Only when she leaves for the airport does he show his regret.
THOUGHTS:
They are one of the OGs of this trope. The Taiwanese version is my favourite. I love watching AJ move on from the FL after all he has done for her (even if she doesn't want it) and how he falls for Christine.
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16. Beijo Brincalhão
Korean Drama - 2010, 16 episodes
Chris & Bong Joon Gu.
SPOILERS:
Basically the same as all the remakes / adaptions of Itazura na Kiss.
THOUGHTS:
This one doesn't have time to really explore this couple and thereful I wouldn't recommend if you're watching specifically for this trope. Try the Taiwanese or Japanese versions.
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17. Beijo Atrevido 2: Amor em TÓQUIO
Japanese Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
Christine Robbins & Ikezawa Kinnosuke.
SPOILERS:
Basically the same as all the Itazura na Kiss remakes / adaptions. This one is in Japanese though so probably more accurate to the source material.
THOUGHTS:
This is S2 so just be careful if you don't want to be spoilt for S1. However, if you already know the story, then it is the same here and shows more of this couple. Never watched the show outside of this couple's scenes so unsure if it's a good drama.