ML Isn't Super Rich

ML is (or lives as) a commoner. He is either poor or middle class. At work he is, at most, mid-level management or he may sort of own a small shop. He doesn't live a lavish chaebol lifestyle. 

AH gen 20, 2018
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  • Just Between Lovers

    1. Just Between Lovers

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    9.5

    Orphan + disaster survivor paying off a debt to loan sharks by working a variety of rough, temporary jobs.

  • My Fated Boy

    2. My Fated Boy

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 29 episodes

    9.5

    The ML's parents are not wealthy but are well off. However, they cut him off when he changed his major to music. The ML has recently graduated and is setting out to become an idol / musician. 

  • You Are My Glory

    3. You Are My Glory

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 32 episodes

    9.5

    ML is an aerospace engineer / researcher. He forewent a hefty salary as an investment banker to pursue his passion for space exploration despite the lower compensation.

  • Better Days

    4. Better Days

    Chinese Movie - 2019

    9.0
  • The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

    5. The Smile Has Left Your Eyes

    Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

    9.0

    The ML grew up in an orphanage and works as a senior assistant in a craft brewery. He lives in a very sparse rooftop apartment. He is smart and capable. He knows how to charm and manipulate people and when he sets his mind to something he's reckless enough to go all the way / do anything necessary to see it through to the end. So he's very capable of earning lots of money if he ever wanted to, but he's not materialistic and doesn't care about money. On occasions when he does receive huge sums, he doesn't hold on to it for long.

  • Hidden Love

    6. Hidden Love

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 25 episodes

    9.0
  • Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

    7. Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

    Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    8.5
  • The Crowned Clown

    8. The Crowned Clown

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    8.0
  • Kiss Scene in Yeonnamdong

    9. Kiss Scene in Yeonnamdong

    Korean Drama - 2019, 12 episodes

    8.0
  • Encounter

    10. Encounter

    Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

    8.0
  • D.P Dog Day

    11. D.P Dog Day

    Korean Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

    7.5
  • Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

    12. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

    Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

    8.5

    Student athlete (swimming major) who grew up in the care of his middle-class aunt and uncle.

  • Thirty But Seventeen

    13. Thirty But Seventeen

    Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes

    8.5

    The ML's father is wealthy enough to own a house in the city (where the ML stays for most of the drama while looking after his nephew, who is in high school, while his sister is out of the country) and on Jeju island where he is enjoying retirement; however, due to an accident that happened when the ML was 17, he became very distant and difficult to interact with;  the ML studied abroad (art) in Germany in high school and university and chose to work at a small company where his classmate is the CEO that designs stages for musical performances; he is not looking to advance at work and is not materialistic; he owns almost nothing beyond his car, his clothes, and his dog. 

  • Moment at Eighteen

    14. Moment at Eighteen

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    8.5

    High school boy raised by a single mom who had him when she was young.

  • High School King of Savvy

    15. High School King of Savvy

    Korean Drama - 2014, 17 episodes

    Orphaned high school student taken in by local kind-hearted laundromat owner. He fills in for his brother who is a director at a large company.

  • The Tale of Nokdu

    16. The Tale of Nokdu

    Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes

    8.0

    Although he would be rich if he had lived with his birth parents, he instead grew up under the care of a man who saved his life as a baby on a small island. They were not struggling to eat but they lived a very simple country life.

  • Mr. Sunshine

    17. Mr. Sunshine

    Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes

    8.0

    The ML is an orphaned slave who flees Joseon for America to escape the reach of his former master. In America, he joins the marines and through his valour in battle he achieves the rank of Captain. He is posted to Joseon as acting consul of the US legation. This means that he has power, good pay (especially because he is paid in US dollars), and the army pays for some of his expenses. However, if he were to leave the army he would have only a small handful of belongings to his name and no accumulated wealth. 

  • Live Up to Your Name

    18. Live Up to Your Name

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Commoner doctor who can't spend any money he makes from secretly (illegally) treating nobles.

  • The Best of You in My Mind

    19. The Best of You in My Mind

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes

    8.0

    ML is a student who goes to university on an athletic scholarship. Not super poor. Not super wealthy.

  • Fight For My Way

    20. Fight For My Way

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    8.0

    Exterminator / MMA fighter in training.

  • In Time With You

    21. In Time With You

    Taiwanese Drama - 2011, 13 episodes

    8.0

    Manager of an airline check-in team.

  • Go Ahead

    22. Go Ahead

    Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes

    7.5

    ML's father is a cop. His mum splits and marries a rich man. Eventually he becomes a dentist.

  • The Happy Loner

    23. The Happy Loner

    Korean Special - 2017, 2 episodes

    7.5

    ML is an office worker. He was adopted by a well-off family, but they favour their biological daughter. The daughter uses him for money, rather than the family giving him money.

  • Itaewon Class

    24. Itaewon Class

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

    7.5

    The ML becomes an orphan and spends several years in jail. He's never poor because he receives a substantial insurance payment, but he invests all of it and saves all the money he makes while working after his release from prison, so he mostly lives very thriftily. 

  • Something in the Rain

    25. Something in the Rain

    Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

    7.5

    The ML's mother died when he was young and his father remarried and moved abroad. He was mainly raised by his older sister and the family of his older sister's best friend (the FL). He works as an artist for an international gaming company, and worked in the US for three years. He doesn't struggle with money, but he's not rich either.

  • A Little Red Flower

    26. A Little Red Flower

    Chinese Movie - 2020

    7.5
  • Go Ho's Starry Night

    27. Go Ho's Starry Night

    Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

    7.5

    Team leader at a marketing company.

  • Wednesday 3:30 PM

    28. Wednesday 3:30 PM

    Korean Drama - 2017, 15 episodes

    7.5

    ML temporarily takes over ownership of a coffee shop from a friend. When it burns down, he lives with the FL (his childhood friend) so he can use the money he would've used for rent to rebuild the shop. 

  • You Drive Me Crazy

    29. You Drive Me Crazy

    Korean Special - 2018, 4 episodes

    7.5

    ML is a semi-successful artist (paintings and drawings). He lives in a house he inherited from his parents and drives a car left behind by his now-married sister, so he lives very comfortably, but he's not rich-rich.

  • Come and Hug Me

    30. Come and Hug Me

    Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes

    7.5

    The ML's father marries three times; none of his parents or step mothers have much money; he lives in small towns; he's smart enough to get scholarships and to live within his means, so he never has an issue with debts, but he is never wealthy; after his father is sent to prison, he lives with his step mother who runs a small restaurant until he attends the police academy; when his father tries to share the profits of his book with the ML, he refuses 

  • Across the Ocean to See You

    31. Across the Ocean to See You

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 44 episodes

    7.5

    ML works as a hotel assessor for a travel company. He doesn't kiss up to or get along with his boss so he hasn't been promoted despite his talents.

  • Hi! School - Love On

    32. Hi! School - Love On

    Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes

    7.0

    High School student. Lives with his grandmother above her small restaurant. 

  • Because This is My First Life

    33. Because This is My First Life

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    7.5

    ML is cut off from his middle class family. He has a senior position (but isn't the CEO) at a tech start up. He had to take out a large loan in order to buy his apartment, and is very focused on paying off his debt. 

  • Page Turner

    34. Page Turner

    Korean Special - 2016, 3 episodes

    7.0

    ML lives with his mum who does odd writing jobs like writing CVs.

  • Dream High

    35. Dream High

    Korean Drama - 2011, 16 episodes

    7.0

    Poor student from the countryside.

  • Attention, Love!

    36. Attention, Love!

    Taiwanese Drama - 2017, 15 episodes

    7.0

    Orphan supported by FL's family.

  • Kimi Wa Petto

    37. Kimi Wa Petto

    Japanese Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    7.0

    ML is an internationally acclaimed dancer who eventually decides to also study choreography so he can make money. He is estranged from his family.

  • My Only Love Song

    38. My Only Love Song

    Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes

    7.0

    Golden hearted con-artist - completely poor + obsessed with making money.

  • Meow, the Secret Boy

    39. Meow, the Secret Boy

    Korean Drama - 2020, 24 episodes

    7.0
  • I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day

    40. I'll Find You on a Beautiful Day

    Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes

    7.0
  • My P.S. Partner

    41. My P.S. Partner

    Korean Movie - 2012

    7.0

    ML is a struggling musician with a boring office day job

  • Bring It On, Ghost

    42. Bring It On, Ghost

    Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

    7.0

    Takes jobs to fight ghosts because he needs the money for an operation that will take away his ability to see ghosts. 

  • Who Are You: School 2015

    43. Who Are You: School 2015

    Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes

    7.5

    Both of the male leads are high school students who live with their single fathers. One father does hard labour and the son dreams of becoming a successful athlete to lift his father's burden. The other is financially well off but is not acknowledged publicly by his father, who sees him as a mistake and a reminder of his failed marriage. 

  • Love That Makes You Cry

    44. Love That Makes You Cry

    Japanese Drama - 2016, 10 episodes

    6.5

    ML is an orphan raised by his farmer grandfather in the countryside. He moves to Tokyo after his grandfather is scammed and forced to sell his field so that he can earn enough money to buy the land back. He works as a mover.

  • Pinocchio

    45. Pinocchio

    Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes

    6.5

    Adopted + forced to pretend to be stupid by circumstances. He lets his adoptive niece go to university in his place as the family can only afford to send one of them. He works as a taxi driver and then applies to become a reporter. 

  • Where Stars Land

    46. Where Stars Land

    Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes

    6.5

    ML works as part of the passenger assistance team at Incheon International Airport. We don't know much about his parents / family, but they don't appear to be rich. The ML was in a serious accident as a young man and was able to afford a wheel chair. It's unclear whether or not he worked for the next 11 years or where his money came from. He did attend a good university and got top marks. Unclear whether he had a scholarship or not. He lives in one of the residences that many of the airport employees live in. 

  • A Love So Beautiful

    47. A Love So Beautiful

    Chinese Drama - 2017, 23 episodes

    6.5

    Child of single mother working in another city / living on his own. He hopes to get a scholarship to medical school.

  • Drama Special Season 8: If We Were A Season

    48. Drama Special Season 8: If We Were A Season

    Korean Special - 2017, 1 episode

    6.5

    ML is a normal high school student who likes sports more than school work. He grew up living next door to the FL in a town outside of Seoul. 

  • The Girl Who Sees Scents

    49. The Girl Who Sees Scents

    Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes

    6.5

    ML works at an aquarium and then as a policeman

  • Gu Family Book

    50. Gu Family Book

    Korean Drama - 2013, 24 episodes

    6.0

    Abandoned by his parents and looses his adoptive parents. He's essentially penniless. 

  • The Masked Lover

    51. The Masked Lover

    Taiwanese Drama - 2017, 19 episodes

    6.5

    An ex-cop who leaves the force to run his own undercover operation for personal reasons.

  • Good Morning Call

    52. Good Morning Call

    Japanese Drama - 2016, 17 episodes

    6.0

    Conned by his landlord while trying to get a cheap place to live. His parents died when he was in elementary school and he lives off minimal support from his older brother.

  • That Winter, The Wind Blows

    53. That Winter, The Wind Blows

    Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes

    5.5

    The ML is an orphan and successful gambler. There are times when he lives well after a big win, but generally his fortune is short lived. The FL on the other hand is the sole heir of a large fashion group.

  • High Society

    54. High Society

    Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes

    5.5

    Deputy Manager.

  • Two Lights: Relumino

    55. Two Lights: Relumino

    Korean Special - 2017, 1 episode

    5.5

    The ML is a piano tuner.

  • Strongest Deliveryman

    56. Strongest Deliveryman

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    5.5

    Food delivery guy.

  • Hwarang

    57. Hwarang

    Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes

    5.0

    Raised in poverty as an orphan in the countryside.

  • Cherry Magic! Thirty Years of Virginity Can Make You a Wizard?!
    8.5
  • Kimi wa Petto

    59. Kimi wa Petto

    Japanese Drama - 2003, 10 episodes

    6.5
  • Utsukushii Kare

    60. Utsukushii Kare

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 6 episodes

    8.0
  • Koidesu! Yanki-kun to Shiro Tsue Garu

    61. Koidesu! Yanki-kun to Shiro Tsue Garu

    Japanese Drama - 2021, 10 episodes

    8.5
  • Not Me

    62. Not Me

    Thai Drama - 2021, 14 episodes

    7.5
  • Previsioni d'Amore

    63. Previsioni d'Amore

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    7.5

    ML starts out working at a non-central weather forecast calculating station (he's a weather forecaster in the sense that he makes the forecast  - he doesn't present the forecast on TV). He moves to the head office but still has a junior position.

  • Zhang Gong Zhu Zhai Shang

    64. Zhang Gong Zhu Zhai Shang

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 27 episodes

    8.5

    ML works for the emperor. Not sure exactly what his status is, but he seems more like a high level servant or soldier than a wealthy noble or a prince.

  • Avvocata Woo

    65. Avvocata Woo

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    8.5

    Works at a major corporate law firm, but isn't a lawyer. He's a staff member on the litigation team and shares an apartment with a colleague.

  • Blueming

    66. Blueming

    Korean Drama - 2022, 11 episodes

    7.0
  • Why Oh Soo Jae?

    67. Why Oh Soo Jae?

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    8.5
  • Soundtrack #1

    68. Soundtrack #1

    Korean Drama - 2022, 4 episodes

    8.5
  • Lovely Runner

    69. Lovely Runner

    Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes

    8.5

    In most timelines the ML becomes a rich idol, but he doesn't grow up rich / isn't rich for part of the time that he interacts with the FL

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