Directly from:
https://www.electronics-notes.com/articles/electronic_components/resistors/melf-smd-resistor.php
MELF resistors are used because of their long term stability, moisture resistance, reliability, and the resistance to the effects of temperature cycling experienced in the soldering processes used today.
MELF (Metal Electrode Leadless Face resistors) are used where higher reliability and performance than that provided by normal SMT resistors are needed.
The MELF SMD resistors are used for a number of reasons:
MELF resistors provide a high level of reliability.
A MELF resistor has a more predictable pulse handling capacity than other SMD resistors.
MELF resistors can be manufactured with tolerances as tight as 0.1%.
They can be manufactured with very low levels of temperature coefficient, sometimes as low as 5 ppm/°C.
Overall the cylindrical construction of MELF resistors provides an optimal power rating and pulse load capability related to the mounting space.
Reflow oven's RoHS processes work at high temperature in the range 240°C to 260°C.
For sensing the DC bus voltage of SMPS, MELF resistors are usually chosen
I've seen many Switch Mode Power Supplies with bleeding resistors, between LINE and NEUTRAL, in 1206 pacakges. They had 2 resistors in series.
MMA 0204 HV and MMB 0207 HV Vishay's MELF resistors, for example, have a high operating voltage of 1000 V.
That's why MELF resistors provide a high level of reliability.