Summary
Every reader loves a good character that knows how to make them swoon. Some of the best tropes in manhwaare the most cliché, but they’re written in such a way that makes readers remember them for a lifetime and more.Romance brings to life such charactersand when the two leads are the ideal representation of what’s expected in a partner, only then does it leave an impression.
One specific trope is the billionaire CEO male lead and the ordinary female lead. It depicts the perfect transition from rags to riches, or cold to hot, as the female lead tries to navigate what it means to date the “unapproachable and powerful” CEO. These male leads are a longing fantasy and can only be accurately brought to life through certain manhwa. So, take a look at some of these CEO male leads who are bound to turn heads and flip hearts with their cliché backgrounds and undying devotion to their partners.
45
Status
Completed
Yeena Yoon has had a crush on her neighbor Juhyung since they were kids. When she finally musters up the courage to tell him about her crush, she decides to send him a love letter and wait for his response. However, the person who shows up isn’t Juhyung, but his older brother Gunho. Now Yeena has no choice but to go along with Gunho’s sweet advances toward her “feelings” and treat her like he’s always wanted to.
For a male lead, Gunho is a great example of what it means to be patient. He’s had a crush on Yeena since he was a child. It was only when Yeena’s mistake landed him a chance to spend time with her did he took the opportunity to show her that he was a better option. Gunho inThe Man’s Gamesis so charming, but in a clumsy way that Yeena soon has trouble figuring out whether shehas feelings for the right brotheror not.
2020
80
When Jieun ends up accidentally confessing to her CEO Seongjun Ma on a drunken night, she’s pretty much ready to have the ground swallow her up. Seongjun is known for his cold demeanor and rude attitude. His glare issomething akin to a black widow spiderand can instill fear with just one look. Yet, for some reason, her misguided confession gains Seongjun’s attention in a way Jieun could never have expected.
Seongjun is amused by Jieun’s reactions and it’s always wholesome to see his serious personality slowly crumble around her. His gap-moe is immensely adorable because, despite his cold exterior, he’s pretty clumsy when it comes to his feelings. Seongjun is likely to make any reader blush about how cute and attentive he is overHis Devilish New Hire, proving to be a swoon-worthy male lead.
50
What started as a chance meeting in Spain between the strict CEO Wooseok Jung and the laidback architect Yujin Han soon blossoms into romance when they meet again in Korea. It’s practically fate when they also find out that Yujin’s the winner of a competition hosted by Wooseok’s company. The two of them are inexplicably drawn to each other, but their social standards easily put their feelings to the test.
As partners, Yujin and Woosek are very mature and always communicate.Acquainted: Encounter Spin-Offis actually a sequel to theEncounterK-Drama, but it’s not necessary for readers to watch it. Wooseok is easily one of the more emotionally vulnerable and communicative male leads, especially when factoring in hischaebolbackground. He’s respectful, kind, proactive, and always looking for ways to make Yujin happy. This manhwa wouldreally hit home for readers in the older demographiclooking to find a simple romance that reminds them of their younger days.
Lee jung (Story) Kang ki (Art)
89
When Hee-won finds out that the childhood friend she crushed on started dating her best friend, she’s ready to throw caution to the wind. She decides to be reckless and have a one-night stand to cure her heart, but what she doesn’t expect is to be pregnant a couple of weeks later. Thefather of her child and partner of her one-night standis none other than Doojoon Kang, the Chairman of her company. What’s more, is that he’s ready to take responsibility and marry Hee-won despite being strangers.
Doojoon is the typical stone-cold, nonchalant male lead readers would see in manhwa. He’s unapproachable, serious, and only cares about his work. Well…that was until he met Hee-won and her personality broke his exterior.Positively Yoursbrings together this opposites-attract trope in the best way because Doojoon goes above and beyond to make Hee-won happy. Readers are sure to be jealous and enjoy the juxtaposition of his character at work and home.
65
Eunsung Hahm and Kyungwoo Kang are two very different people stuck in similar situations. Eunsung has just caught her boyfriend cheating and Kyungwoo is engaged to someone that he doesn’t love. The two of them just want to live their lives in peace and the best way to level the playing field is bygetting into a fake relationship. Kyungwoo isn’t the typical CEO that readers might expect to see in this romance trope.
He’s the quiet, reserved CEO who only shows his face whenever necessary. Though he’s known to have a “scheming” personality, it’s only ever present with Eunsung and how he teases her. However, that’s not his overarching character trait, because the best way to describe Kyungwoo fromThe Wicked Wife Of The Scheming CEOis that he’s the most soft-spoken and sincere CEO male lead one can find. He tries to put on this bravado, but due to the overwhelming pressure of his family, he’s quite fragile and that makes him all the more attractive.
Parand (Story) QuornQuorn (Art)
55
Yu-eun Gam is the best in her field, yet trying to hold her own under her relentless CEO, Dohyeok Chae. When she’s finally had it with his inhumane expectations and crushing workload, she buys a lottery ticket on impulse and wins. Now with all the money she could ever imagine, Yu-eun decides to quit - except Dohyeok is not the type of person to let someone like her go.
Dohyeok is the typical CEO ofa robot who is quite emotionless to anyonein work-related matters. He’s the type that doesn’t have much social awareness and because of his past, he tends to keep people at a distance. However, despite being extremely rich, good-looking, and having a long line of suitors, this male lead is nothing but an innocent goody-two shoes. The contrast is surprising and very wholesome, which is why readers may enjoySecretary Out-Of-Orderas an option for a dashing CEO male lead that can easily make their hearts swoon.
130
All Ha-ri had to do was carry out this small favor for her BFF and act like an uptight vixen on a blind date. But Ha-ri didn’t expect her date to be the new CEO of her company, Taemu. Taemu, on the other hand, just wants to come to an agreement long enough to get his own family off his back with the marriage proposals.And so ensues this tale of lies and hidden identities, as Ha-ri tries to date her boss while acting like her best friend to play pretend with him.
Aside from the comedic masterpiece that isA Business Proposal, Taemu is a male lead memorable enough to leave a lasting impression on many readers. He’s the cliché billionaire CEO male lead, with the fancy house, nice car, and unapproachable aura. He’s not only easy on the eyes but also extremely strict with himself. It’s only when he meets Ha-ri and becomes enamored by her weirdness does his cold exterior break and readers begin to see a softer side. Taemu is sure to turn heads and make everyone’s heart beat a little faster with how sweet he can be.
VODAUVEU (Story) QuornQuorn (Art)
59
Ongoing
After Taejoon Kim loses his parents in a car accident, heswears to take vengeance on the person responsible. Now that he’s an adult and back in Korea, fate reunites him with So-eun Han, the daughter of the driver responsible for the accident. All he wants is a little satisfaction and he plans to use his power as CEO to bully So-eun at work. However, things don’t go according to plan and soon the line between resentment and adoration becomes a blur.
When it comes to first impressions, Taejoon’s character inCan’t Get Enough Of Youis poor, to say the least. He’s driven by his thirst for revenge and despite being the most handsome man in the room, he can be the biggest jerk around. But at the end of the day, it’s only a facade because Taejoon has one of the biggest hearts, right next to So-eun. He’s devoted, teasing, and very sensitive to her needs, which makes him an easy candidate to make a reader’s heart clench.
