Endgame Pairing is Not Obvious

Stories where the endgame pairing isn't the usual "met as children and loved forever" - the leads have romantic relationships and even marriage with someone else first, the love triangle looks like it could go either way, SML has traits of a ML, or the endgame ML has traits of a SML. Also includes those rare instances where the SML actually gets the girl.

emeraldarrows Jan 1, 2024

150 Titles 5 Loves

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1. 24 Hour Love

Thai Drama - 2024, 4 episodes

8.0

FL has an ex girlfriend
2. A Deadly Loop

Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes

9.0

FL has an ex fiancée
3. A Love So Romantic

Chinese Drama - 2020, 32 episodes

8.5

heavy love triangle that leans more toward the SML who the FL likes first
4. A Piece of Memory

Thai Drama - 2024, 5 episodes

7.5

FL had a girlfriend who died
5. A River Runs through It

Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes

10

ML has the traits of a SML, and FL loves someone else for a long time first
6. A River Runs Through It Special

Chinese Special - 2021, 10 episodes

10
7. After Breaking Up, I Will Return to the Wealthy Family and Become a Daughter

Chinese Drama - 2024, 100 episodes

7.0

FL has an ex
8. Ai Zai Xuan Ya Shang

Chinese Drama - 2024, 149 episodes

7.5

FL is divorced
9. At a Distance, Spring Is Green

Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

10

FL is in love with her childhood friend at the beginning, then meets and falls in love with the ML, and then the childhood friend falls in love with her. She ends up with the ML.
10. Attacking Lady

Chinese Drama - 2024, 21 episodes

8.0

FL has a different boyfriend at the beginning
11. Ban Sheng Fu Qi Zhong Cheng Mo Lu

Chinese Drama - 2024, 60 episodes

7.0

FL was married in her first life, and loves another in her second life
12. Beloved to Heaven

Chinese Drama - 2024, 112 episodes

7.5

FL is divorced
13. Beside You

Thai Drama - 2024, 3 episodes

8.0

ML has a boyfriend when it begins, and it's unclear at first who he'll end up with
14. Blossom

Chinese Drama - 2024, 34 episodes

10

FL was married in her first life
15. Bon Appetit

Korean Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

10

ML has an ex boyfriend
16. Bride's Revenge

Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes

10

SML gets the girl
17. Chasing Love

Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes

9.0

SML has the childhood connection and an engagement with the FL
18. Choice Husband

Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes

8.5

At different points in the drama, FL marries the ML and the SML. When she learns she's pregnant, she's unsure who is the father. She eventually ends up with the ML who is the father of her child.
19. Click Your Heart

Korean Drama - 2016, 7 episodes

9.5

all the SMLs get the girl ;)
20. Colourful Bone

Chinese Drama - 2017, 54 episodes

10

heavy love triangle, FL has the childhood connection trope with the SML
21. Cupid of Zhou Dynasty

Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes

10

ML is atypical, has traits of a SML or supporting character
22. Dear Mayang Street

Chinese Drama - 2020, 37 episodes

9.0

SML gets the girl
23. Decreed by Fate

Chinese Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

10

FL has a stronger connection with the SML at first, love triangle
24. Deep Love Love Again

Chinese Drama - 2024, 22 episodes

8.5

FL has an ex husband
25. Don't Mess With Ex-Girlfriend

Chinese Drama - 2022, 20 episodes

10

FL is engaged to someone else at the beginning
26. Dr. Cutie

Chinese Drama - 2020, 28 episodes

10

heavy love triangle, FL is much closer to SML at first
27. Evening Star for You

Chinese Drama - 2024, 100 episodes

7.5

FL has an ex
28. Every You, Every Me

Thai Drama - 2024, 8 episodes

8.5

ML has an ex boyfriend
29. Faith

Korean Drama - 2012, 24 episodes

10

ML had a former first love who he planned to marry until she died
30. Fate of Beauty

Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes

9.0

FL has an engagement with the SML, ML has traits of a SML
31. Fate's Whispers

Thai Drama - 2024, 4 episodes

8.0

FL has an ex girlfriend
32. Fighting for Love

Chinese Drama - 2024, 36 episodes

6.0

FL does not end up with ML despite it indicating that way for most of the drama. The ending is open, but appears to be interpreted as the FL choosing the SML.
33. First Choice

Chinese Drama - 2024, 20 episodes

10

ML has a fiancée
34. Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

10

FL has the childhood connection trope and expectations of marriage with the SML
35. Forget You Remember Love

Chinese Drama - 2020, 38 episodes

8.5

ML has a fiancée
36. Gang Qu Xiao Ba Wang Shi Lian Ai Nao

Chinese Drama - 2024, 95 episodes

7.0

FL has an ex who was her first love
37. Gyoza You Can Kiss

Japanese Movie - 2018

8.0

FL is divorced
38. Handsome Siblings

Chinese Drama - 2020, 44 episodes

7.0

love triangle in which the FL initially meets, loves and has a stronger connection with one of the MLs, but ultimately ends up with the other
39. Happy Merry Ending

Korean Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

8.5

ML is still broken hearted over his ex boyfriend
40. He He You Ming

Chinese Drama - 2024, 87 episodes

8.0

FL has an ex fiancée
41. Heartbeat Deviation

Chinese Drama - 2024, 99 episodes

9.0

FL is engaged to someone else at the beginning
42. Hello My Shining Love

Chinese Drama - 2022, 43 episodes

8.5

ML has an ex girlfriend
43. Hidden Marriage Love

Chinese Drama - 2021, 30 episodes

6.5

FL is married to someone else at the beginning, love triangle
44. His and Her Secrets

Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes

9.0

FL is married to someone else at the beginning
45. I Heard That after My Death, I Became the Former Husband of a Wealthy Family, Bai Yue Guang

Chinese Drama - 2024, 85 episodes

7.0

FL is divorced, SML gets the girl
46. In the Grip of Love

Chinese Drama - 2024, 30 episodes

8.5

FL had a fiancée
47. Indefinite Meeting

Chinese Drama - 2024, 35 episodes

7.0

FL has a fiancée, SML gets the girl
48. Jie Jie Wen Wo

Chinese Drama - 2024, 77 episodes

7.5

FL is divorced
49. Kimi wa Petto

Japanese Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

9.0

heavy love triangle that leans toward the SML who the FL is dating
50. Kurosaki-kun no Iinari ni Nante Naranai

Japanese Special - 2015, 2 episodes

9.5

heavy love triangle, ML is atypical protagonist
51. Life Is a Choice

Chinese Drama - 2025, 23 episodes

8.0

FL was married in her original life, remarries him in her second, but ultimately ends up with the ML, ML has traits of a SML and doesn't show up until toward the end of the drama
52. Long Premeditated Love

Chinese Special - 2024, 6 episodes

7.0

FL has an ex
53. Lost Track of Time

Chinese Drama - 2022, 30 episodes

10

ML has traits of a SML, and FL marries someone else first
54. Lost You Forever Season 2

Chinese Drama - 2024, 23 episodes

10

heavy reverse harem, 3rdML gets the girl
55. Love Better Than Immortality

Chinese Drama - 2019, 40 episodes

10

ML has traits of a SML, SML has the ML traits and the FL is much more drawn to him at first
56. Love Is Gone

Chinese Drama - 2024, 30 episodes

7.0

FL is divorced and there's a love triangle between her ex husband and the man she eventually marries
57. Love Like the Galaxy: Part 1

Chinese Drama - 2022, 27 episodes

10

reverse harem, FL is supposed to marry SML at first
58. Love Under the Stars

Chinese Drama - 2022, 26 episodes

9.0

FL is engaged to someone else at the beginning
59. Lovely Swords Girl

Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes

10

heavy love triangle, SLS
60. Maids

Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes

10

love triangle, FL is initially engaged and nearly married to the SML
61. Marry My Husband

Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes

10

FL is married to someone else at the beginning
62. Master Devil Do Not Kiss Me

Chinese Drama - 2017, 23 episodes

7.5

ML has an ex girlfriend who is his first love
63. Master Devil Do Not Kiss Me Season 2

Chinese Drama - 2017, 23 episodes

8.0
64. MBTI Love

Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes

6.0

FL has an ex boyfriend
65. Meet Love in Chong Qing

Chinese Drama - 2024, 21 episodes

8.0

FL has an ex boyfriend
66. Meet With Two Souls

Chinese Drama - 2023, 20 episodes

8.0

FL is married to someone else at the beginning
67. Mirror of Revenge

Chinese Drama - 2024, 20 episodes

8.0

FL has a long term boyfriend at the beginning. By the end, it appears that she's starting a relationship with her friend, the SML.
68. Miss Chun Is a Litigator

Chinese Drama - 2023, 20 episodes

8.0

love triangle, ML has a much smaller role than SML
69. Miss Fox

Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes

7.0

FL is dating someone else at the beginning
70. Miss Jiang's Counterattack

Chinese Drama - 2024, 67 episodes

8.0

FL was married
71. Mood of the Day

Korean Movie - 2016

8.0

FL has a boyfriend and starts an affair with the ML
72. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

10

heavy reverse harem, FL eventually ends up the SML for the remainder of her life in the past, despite still being in love with the ML and having his child
73. Mortal Housewife

Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes

6.0

FL is married for most of the drama but ends up with the SML
74. Mountains and Ocean

Chinese Drama - 2019, 24 episodes

9.0

FL loves SML for most of the drama, ML has traits of a SML
75. Mr. Cool

Chinese Drama - 2021, 32 episodes

9.0

FL is dating someone else at the beginning
76. My Boss

Chinese Drama - 2024, 80 episodes

7.0

FL was married
77. My Dearest

Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

10

FL is in love with someone else at the beginning
78. My Dearest Part 2

Korean Drama - 2023, 11 episodes

10

FL marries another man but ultimately ends up with the ML.
79. My Handsome Husband

Chinese Drama - 2021, 30 episodes

7.0

FL is married and divorced from someone else at the beginning
80. My Wednesday

Thai Drama - 2024, 4 episodes

7.5

FL has an ex girlfriend
81. Night of Love With You

Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes

10

ML has traits of a SML/secondary villain
82. Ocean Likes Me

Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

7.0

ML has an ex boyfriend
83. Only Friends

Thai Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

8.5

everyone is involved with or in love with everyone, endgame is not clear until the very end
84. Orange Soda

Chinese Drama - 2024, 20 episodes

9.0

SML gets the girl
85. Pachinko

Korean Drama - 2022, 8 episodes

10

SML gets the girl, FL is in love with and pregnant by the ML at the beginning
86. Perfect Marriage Revenge

Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

10

FL is married to someone else at the beginning
87. Please Be Coquettish with Me

Chinese Drama - 2024, 101 episodes

8.0

FL has an ex fiancée
88. Princess Agents

Chinese Drama - 2017, 67 episodes

8.0

love triangle, SML is given scenes/tropes with the FL commonly given to the ML
89. Princess Silver

Chinese Drama - 2019, 58 episodes

8.0

ML is FL's second love, and she marries someone else before ultimately ending up with the ML
90. Qian Fu! Wo You 200 Jin Chou Hen Xiang Gen Ni Suan Suan

Chinese Drama - 2024, 80 episodes

7.5

FL has an ex husband
91. Rebel: Thief Who Stole the People

Korean Drama - 2017, 30 episodes

10

ML is in love with someone else for a long time first, FL has traits of a SFL at first
92. Renascence

Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes

10

FL is married to someone else at the beginning, ML has traits of a SML
93. Revenge

Chinese Drama - 2023, 20 episodes

8.0

FL is engaged to someone else at the beginning
94. Rinko-san wa Shite Mitai

Japanese Drama - 2021, 8 episodes

8.0

heavy love triangle that could go either way
95. Rise from the Ashes

Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes

10

FL was in love with the SML
96. Romance Is a Bonus Book

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

8.5

FL is divorced
97. Ru Yi Man Tang

Chinese Drama - 2024, 100 episodes

7.5

FL is divorced
98. Ruo Shen Qing Wu Yang

Chinese Drama - 2024, 86 episodes

7.0

FL is divorced
99. Sa Tang

Chinese Drama - 2024, 110 episodes

7.5

FL was engaged in her first life
100. Scent of Time

Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes

8.0

FL is married to the SML, then falls in love with the ML