Puppet Ruler, Political Hostage, Prisoner, and Slave MCs

This list compiles titles where either a main character or prominent character is a puppet ruler, political hostage, captive/prisoner, or slave. In order to make it onto this list the character has to have been either of these things for a substantial period of the drama or it has to have had a lasting impact on the character. 

The first two tropes (puppet ruler and political hostage) will include characters of any gender but the last two (captive/prisoner and slave) will include only MLs. 

  • Puppet Ruler: Someone who holds a title of political authority, but is loyal to or controlled by outside persons or groups. [Wikipedia] [TV tropes]
  • Political Hostage/Hostage Diplomacy: Hostages taken (usually sent or gone willingly) for diplomatic purposes [Wikipedia] [TV tropes]

Some titles sourced from Political Hostage and Puppet Ruler MLs

Arclei apr 22, 2024
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  • Meng Xing Chang An

    1. Meng Xing Chang An

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 49 episodes

    Puppet ruler (emperor) (ML)

  • Secrets of Three Kingdoms

    2. Secrets of Three Kingdoms

    Chinese Drama - 2018, 54 episodes

    9.0

    Puppet ruler (emperor) (ML)

  • Novoland: Eagle Flag

    3. Novoland: Eagle Flag

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 56 episodes

    9.0

    Political hostage (prince) (ML)

  • The Legend of Hao Lan

    4. The Legend of Hao Lan

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 62 episodes

    7.0

    Political hostage (prince) (ML)

  • Red Heart

    5. Red Heart

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    Puppet ruler (king) (ML)

  • The Legendary Life of Queen Lau

    6. The Legendary Life of Queen Lau

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes

    7.5

    Puppet ruler (emperor) (ML)

  • Zi Chuan

    7. Zi Chuan

    Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes

    6.0

    Hostage hostage (princess) (SFL)

  • Fengshen

    8. Fengshen

    Chinese Movie - 2023

    9.5

    Political hostage (prince) (ML and 3 other princes)

  • Yue Rou Fu

    9. Yue Rou Fu

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes

    Puppet ruler (emperor) (supporting character)

  • Colourful Bone

    10. Colourful Bone

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 54 episodes

    Political hostage (ML)

  • Il Re e la Spia

    11. Il Re e la Spia

    Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes

    Political hostage (ML)

  • Grand Prince

    12. Grand Prince

    Korean Drama - 2018, 20 episodes

    Political hostage (prince) (ML)

  • The Emperor: Owner of the Mask

    13. The Emperor: Owner of the Mask

    Korean Drama - 2017, 40 episodes

    Puppet ruler (king) (ML)

  • Amanti della Luna: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

    14. Amanti della Luna: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

    Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

    Political hostage (ML) (formerly) 

  • The Crowned Clown

    15. The Crowned Clown

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    Puppet ruler (king) (ML)

  • Hei Yue Guang Wen Na BE Ju Ben

    16. Hei Yue Guang Wen Na BE Ju Ben

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes

    Political hostage (ML)

  • Lost You Forever

    17. Lost You Forever

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 39 episodes

    Political hostage (ML)

  • The Romance of Tiger and Rose

    18. The Romance of Tiger and Rose

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes

    8.5

    Political hostage (prince) (ML). Kinda, 'cause it's more focused on a marriage arrangement than purely a political hostage.

  • Dousuru Ieyasu

    19. Dousuru Ieyasu

    Japanese Drama - 2023, 48 episodes

    Political hostage (ML)

  • Yu Jiao Ji

    20. Yu Jiao Ji

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 22 episodes

    7.5

    Prisoner (ML)

  • Men Zhu

    21. Men Zhu

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes

    5.5

    Prisoner & slave (ML)

  • Bad Guy

    22. Bad Guy

    Thai Drama - 2022, 12 episodes

    9.5

    Prisoners (SML, TML & 4thML)

  • Ready, Set, Love

    23. Ready, Set, Love

    Thai Drama - 2024, 6 episodes

    7.0

    Captive (all MLs)

  • Love Crossed

    24. Love Crossed

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes

    8.0

    Captive (all MLs)

  • Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan

    25. Mongol: The Rise of Genghis Khan

    Chinese Movie - 2007

    7.5

    Captive, enslaved and imprisoned (ML)

  • Big Mouse

    26. Big Mouse

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    8.5

    Imprisoned (ML)

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