enemies to lovers done right (satisfactory at least) - kdrama + cdrama
Cdrama :
1. Fated hearts : The FL (a red-clad general of the enemy country and known to be the best archer), shoots an arrow at the ML during a fierce battle between their countries/nations (they were opps). The ML barely survives and seeks for revenge while the FL loses her memory due to someone close to her betraying her and her falling off a cliff as a result (after the battle). They meet again after the battle but the FL doesn't remember the ML. BUT DW Y'ALL THE ML MAKES IT VERY CLEAR THAT THEY'RE ENEMIES. Y'all would be wondering if they'll ever be able to fall in love after almost killing each other like that. (No one sided torment, good communication and genuine healthy relationship between the leads, ML and FL are equals)
[HAPPY ENDING]
2. Prisoner of Beauty : The FL's country betrayed the ML's country therefore the ML holds a strong grudge against them. The FL is crazy smart and a great strategist. She usually outsmarts the ML. In terms of intelligence, the ML does not stand a chance against her (the FL is not physically strong but she does not need continuous saving as she's extremely intelligent). They gradually start developing feelings for each other and overcoming misunderstandings and feud between their families. The relationship might feel a little toxic at some points (2-3 points to be specific, the rest is pretty healthy). [HAPPY ENDING]
4. All Rise : This drama is not centered around romance but the ML and FL do end up together. The ML and FL are both academically strong and equals. They're rivals who compete against each other in a training program for limited spots (1-2 spots) organised by one of the top law firms in the country. They go against each other at the beginning but end up allying. But even after they become friends they continue to compete with each other and go against the other. This is one of the best examples of academic rivals to lovers done right. It's criminally underrated. But if you want your drama's main focus to be romance then this might not be for you. (Both leads are law students aiming to be lawyers at the firm). [HAPPY ENDING]
3. Helpless without you/All consumed by you (vertical drama) :
TW : SA, childhood trauma, toxic family (doesn't play much role in the FL's story, except for her stepfather)
The ML takes therapy from the FL and both fall in love in the process but end up breaking up due to not very healthy reasons-
Both the leads are psychotic and the FL hates the ML. The ML and FL are exes but both are koo koo in the head. The story is pretty twisted but at the end both of them (especially the ML) take therapy and heal from their traumas and end up together (they don't stay toxic till the end and resolve their problems before getting with each other). [HAPPY ENDING]
4. Threads of Destiny : The FL and her sister (antagonist) are reborn. They exchange their places as the bride in marriage (suggested by the evil sister of the FL) and as a result the FL ends up marrying the Prince who is uninterested in marriage and the ex husband of her sister from their previous life. Both leads initially dislike each other and plan on divorcing after 1 year but gradually end up falling for each other. The FL is VERY smart and allows no one to trample upon her, doesn't chase after the ML as she was not even interested in him at first, always resolves misunderstandings instantly when she is framed wrongfully and stands her ground. The ML dislikes the FL at first and considers her scheming but eventually starts falling for her.
[HAPPY ENDING]
Honestly I don't have many recs for kdramas as they don't fit the enemies to lovers trope that I want but these are a few that I like
1. Kiss Sixth Sense : The FL, the best account executive on Planning Team 1 at Zeu Ad, making her way up as the project manager, dislikes our ML as she views him as extremely cold, perfectionist and demanding. She looks up to him as a mentor but hates his ways as a supervisor. She possesses a secret superpower which no one is aware of, and as the drama unfolds, our male lead is revealed to have a secret of his own too. (Only last few minutes of the ending kinda pissed me off as they were bickering like teenagers which was unlike their mature personality and relationship throughout the kdrama). [HAPPY ENDING]
2. Twinking Watermelon (On Eun Yu and Ha Eun Gyeol) : They are the best example of bickering enemies to lovers done right. They both time travelled and found each other in the past. They liked each other even when they did not know that the other person was a time traveler as well. (Don't come at me but I honestly liked them more Ha yi Chan and Yun Cheong Ah) [HAPPY ENDING].
3. Queen of tears : The leads are already married but fall out of love due to lack of communication, misunderstandings and social difference. This is quite famous with famous actors and actresses as leads (I can't watch this drama again after the Kim-Soo-Hyun controversy tbh). Lot of angst but overall good chemistry b/w the leads. [HAPPY ENDING]
4. Doctor Slump : Both leads were very academically competent and academic rivals during their school life (the FL ranked higher than the ML). They both pursued different jobs in the medical field but hit rock bottom due to some reasons. They both met each other again while they were at their worst and helped each other heal. The drama does feel a little weak in the later episodes but the initial academic rivalry is a treat to watch as their is no hidden crush, just pure academic rivalry (especially from the ML's side who was hell bent on defeating the FL).
[HAPPY ENDING]
5. Our Beloved Summer : Years after filming a viral documentary in high school, the two leads get pulled back in front of the camera and into each other's lives. The leads disliked each other in highschool but somehow ended up falling for each other and dating. They ended up breaking up but met again due to their work. (The FL was insufferable at some points but she had her reasons).
[HAPPY ENDING]
5. The Judge from Hell : The FL is an elite judge with a beautiful appearance, but she is a demon. Her mission as a demon is to kill evil people who lead other people to their deaths and don't reflect on their actions. She sends these people to Hell afterwards. The ML, a detective, has a friendly and gentle personality. As a detective, his mind is sharp and he has a keen sense of observation (Source : MDL).
I won't go too much into detail about this drama but this is peak enemies to lovers. The ML wants to arrest the FL and the FL literally stabs the ML (he survives dw plus she's not even a human so-).[HAPPY ENDING]
Pls recommend good enemies to lovers drama if y'all have any in mind. I'll definitely watch them after exams :D
