I'm looking for dramas in which the ML has an illness or a peculiar affection (preferably hidden from the others) under the following circumstances: 

  • he keeps it hidden for various reasons; or
  • it's not revealed /addressed until later on; or 
  • he appears to be in a good condition, but his health issues aggravate;
  • he himself doesn't think too much about it until later on, but there are signs.

It doesn't need to be the main subject of the drama and I don't mind any genre (doesn't really need to be focused on romance).

I'm referring to dramas like:

I'm finding intriguing dramas like these, especially if there is an emotional build up that translates into moments of empathy and concern or even fear of loss towards the character involved. They are just so impactful and makes you appreciate more your relationships and the present moment.

PS: Even if I've watched many dramas, I'm sure I missed out on some, even some very popular ones.

Thanks!

flower of evil

  • Hwarang (ML has some sort of fainting disorder that none of the others know about. Partway into the drama he has an episode which causes the FL to have to perform CPR, and everyone to find out and worry about him)
  • Just Between Lovers (ML has liver failure that starts as nosebleeds but he ignores/hides them from everyone)
  • Since I Met U (ML has depression and anxiety, FL doesn't know until the ML has a panic attack)
  • At a Distance, Spring Is Green (ML has trauma/mental health issues but seems always cheerful/carefree until his past starts resurfacing. The FL and SML find out later.)
  • Go Ahead (ML has a lot of trauma/mental health issues but seems fine to everyone at first)
  • Destined to Meet You (ML has memory loss from a brain injury, he starts to even doubt himself regarding something that happened in the past, as well as worry the FL)
  • Legend of Fei (ML was poisoned as a child, he does something which worsens the poison and attempts to leave before anyone finds out, and then hide his illness when the FL finds him)
  • A Tale of Thousand Stars (BL, ML has had a heart transplant and no one knows for a while until he collapses at one point)

My Cherie Amour - on episode 9, ml suddenly lose conciousness and apparently is suffering from neuro-related illness that causes muscle weakness since years before

thank you for the recs, I will check them out!

It's Okay, That's Love  Scizophrenia
Not a fan of this drama but Time 
Boku no Ita Jikan 

 Iwyn:
I'm looking for dramas in which the ML has an illness or a peculiar affection (preferably hidden from the others) under the following circumstances:

  • he keeps it hidden for various reasons; or
  • it's not revealed /addressed until later on; or 
  • he appears to be in a good condition, but his health issues aggravate;
  • he himself doesn't think too much about it until later on, but there are signs.
  • Jealousy Incarnate -ML develops breast cancer. He's mortified by the diagnosis and generally tries to keep it secret. 
  • I'm Not a Robot - ML has a deadly psychosomatic allergy to humans that he generally tries to keep secret.
  • Dream High - ML is an aspiring singer. After being injured, he develops intermittent hearing loss that affects his ability to perform, but he generally tries to keep it secret.
  • Where Stars Land - ML was in a serious accident as a young man that resulted in him not being able to use his right arm and right leg. He used a wheelchair for 11  years before meeting a man who designs special wearable assistance devices that allow him to use his right arm and leg and that give him super-strength in those limbs. The ML generally tries to keep his injuries and use of the devices a secret.

Dramas where the ML has prosopagnosia (the inability to distinguish between different faces):


 Iwyn:
A Beautiful Mind (2016) - suffers from antisocial personality disorder (ASPD).
  • Kill Me, Heal Me - ML has Dissociative Identity Disorder.
  • Cheese in the Trap - I can't remember if the drama gives him a diagnosis, but it does clearly confront the fact that he has some type of personality disorder involving anger and compassion issues. 

 emeraldarrows:
Just Between Lovers (ML has liver failure that starts as nosebleeds but he ignores/hides them from everyone)

+1 

In addition to his physical health issues, the ML also suffers from PTSD. 


 LouM:
It's Okay, That's Love  Scizophrenia
Not a fan of this drama but Time 

+1

How about these?

  • The Legend of Zhuohua - ML was injured in battle and never quite recovered. He's usually fine and hides his sickness well from those around him (for various reasons), appearing to be well but relapses a couple of times throughout the drama. 
  • The Veil - Mostly related to your 4th point. ML suffers from C-PTSD among other mental disorders but powers through them despite all the difficulties.
  • Parallel World - ML suffers from PTSD and survivor's guilt. He doesn't really  bring it up and doesn't think much of it but there are signs. 
  • Summer Strike - ML suffers from PTSD and anxiety due to a traumatic incident and is largely nonverbal for a great deal of the drama. He doesn't really bring it up until he suddenly goes under and it's revealed.
  • Strangers from Hell - ML suffers from PTSD from his time in the military which gradually manifests into worsening symptoms throughout the drama.
  • Fuujinshi - ML suffers from a magical illness (for lack of a better term) which slowly kills him. He very much keeps it hidden from everyone and appears to be fine but very much isn't.
  • +1 Flower of Evil - ML has a misdiagnosed mental disorder and keeps it hidden from everyone. 
  • The Imperial Coroner - ML has claustrophobia (and also a stress-related disorder iirc??) and has to keep it hidden in order to keep his job (the stress related issue I believe he also hid and didn't think much of it). 
  • Love Starts from Marriage Season 2 - ML suffers from PTSD due to a traumatic event in his past. he appears to be fine, doesn't think much of it and isn't really touched upon until later. 
  • The Legend of Hao Lan - ML gets injured in the drama which results in some sort of chronic heart condition which he hides from p much everyone

My Country