Key findings
- Office romances in manhwas capture Korean workplace culture with cute tropes and power dynamics.
- Completed manhwas like “Age Matters” and “One-Of-A-Kind Romance” offer well-rounded reading for workplace romance novels.
- “The Goddess’ Guide To Farming” and “Marry My Husband” depict unconventional workplace dynamics and stories of the fate of certain lovers.
Workplace romances are one of the most alluring and classic motifs for readers in the world of manhwas, as Korean culture places a high value on devotion to the workplace, leaving little room and time for dating unless it’s in the office! So it’s no surprise that this genre contains some of the best full-color manhwas out there, with cute motifs that involve plenty of misunderstandings, taboos, and of course, power dynamics, so every author has to handle this part with grace.
Readers will find some classics and some newer entries in the genre in this list, ensuring a well-rounded read, from completed romance novels that have been adapted into K-dramas to those with a more experimental plot, all still set in the workplace and/or office. The characters in these manhwas will have plenty of motivation to make sure they attend all workdays and meetings, and perhaps out of more than just dedication to work.
10 Age is important
A younger boss and an older secretary
- Genre: Office, power dynamics, age difference
- Completed: Yes (159 episodes)
- Where to read: Webtoon
In this manhwa, the usual age gap between men and women is reversed, as Rose Choi is about to turn 30, while Daniel Yoon, CEO and billionaire, is only in his early twenties – sparking a debate about age gaps in couples. Rose has more on her mind than meets the eye, and is desperately trying to turn her life around (perhaps romantically too). So it’s no surprise to readers that she ends up working for Daniel and their working relationship develops into something more.
A classic of the new wave of office and workplace manhwas. A charming read with well-constructed characters, subplots and events. The characters will go through some critical moments in the company (including an attempted murder) where they experience the skills of Daniel and Rose that make them a good couple both in private and in the office.
9 Makeup remover
An unconventional model and her makeup artist
- Genre: Workplace, Social Issues, Make-Up/Fashion, Slow Burn
- Completed: NO
- Where to read: Webtoon
An artist and a muse, one of the most well-known stylistic devices, especially in the film industry – and yet this manhwa promises a truly unique and well-developed dynamic. Yeseul is a photography student and not really interested in makeup, so she is surprised when nationally known makeup artist Yuseong asks her to model for an upcoming national makeup contest.
Even before they became a couple, Yeseul and Yuseong proved to be an excellent duo, coming up with truly innovative and creative ideas on given topics and not being afraid to spark discussions and debates about their controversial approach to topics such as beauty ideals, self-esteem, and even Korean idol culture.
8 Unique romance
An aspiring writer and actor with a stalker
- Genre: Drama, Idol/Actor, Workplace
- Completed: Yes (160 episodes)
- Where to read: Webtoon
This is one of those workplace manhwas where the characters learn how to make their relationship work and figure out how they feel about love before they do that (so not your typical shojo manga). The title is well chosen because Yu-il is a potentially great writer who is looking for a job at a corporate company, while Mu-i is a nationally known actress who suddenly comes into her life and has to deal with the consequences of a stalker fan (no, not Yu-il).
Readers will frustratedly hope that both characters will be more open about their feelings and desires, not only in their love lives but also in their own lives, but will understand the precarious situation both find themselves in when considering a romantic relationship.
7 The RUNWAY
A one-night stand in Paris with my future editor-in-chief
- Genre: Drama, office, fashion, power dynamics
- Completed: Yes (112 episodes)
- Where to read: Webtoon
In one of those rare manhwas where the female lead begins the story with a one-night stand, The RUNWAY is a good office romance for readers looking for a spicy office drama with love triangles, rejection, and romantic tension in the workplace, as both FL and ML have strong characters.
Basically, Jian finds out about her (ex-)boyfriend’s affair and is compelled to travel to Paris, where she meets an attractive stranger and ends up in bed with him. What follows, when she meets him three months later as an editor-in-chief from France, is just the inevitable consequences of burning attraction and perhaps fate.
6 The Goddess’ Guide to Agriculture
From businesswoman to farmer
- Genre: Slow burn, workplace, class difference
- Completed: Yes (70 episodes)
- Where to read: Webtoon
Seol is fierce, ambitious and business-minded. Of course, she will do anything to prove her father wrong – even working as a farmer for three months to close a real estate deal. What she doesn’t know, however, is that Bongsu, her new boss and farmer, is more than just someone she can pay off with hard work, or at least not in the way she imagines.
With its many funny moments, this is a great workplace manhwa (even if the workplace takes place a little outdoors, it’s still technically work) that would make a great romance anime where we see both characters’ distrust of each other develop into friendship and more, with both of their motives changing over time as they develop a deep bond with each other.
5 Secretary out of service
Winning the lottery and then quitting is not that easy!
- Genre: Office, Secretary-CEO, Power Dynamics, Comedy
- Completed: Yes (56)
- Where to read: Webtoon
This is one of those classic secretary-CEO office romance motifs, except there’s a fun twist here that reverses the plot: she, the secretary, wants to leave (after winning the lottery, of course), and he, the CEO, tries everything to stop her.
The book is relatively short but succinct, making it a great read for anyone looking for a refreshing take on the secretary and CEO theme: Yu-eun Gam is not only excellent at her job, she is also harder to convince – and CEO Dohyeok finds himself in a very uncomfortable position when he realizes that his efforts to keep her around may not only have professional reasons.
4 Marry my husband
Death, second chances and dark, evil secrets
- Genre: Drama, Office, Reincarnation, Power Dynamics, Fateful Lovers
- Completed: Yes
- Where to read: Webtoon
Scandals, drama, revenge, and despicable characters with a glorious, well-deserved happy ending await readers in this rollercoaster ride of a manhwa turned K-drama. It begins like a true tragedy with the death of Kang Ji-Won, who is afflicted with a terminal illness, and follows her reawakening ten years earlier. And of course, she remembers: before she died, she saw her best friend and her husband lying in bed together and wished for their death to get the insurance money.
This is a very famous manhwa that is almost entirely done in the workplace, especially in the beginning when Kang Ji-Won decides that it is time for her to live happily as her late father wanted, and in doing so, she discovers that she has always been surrounded by loving, kind people, and finds the strength to value and love herself more.
3 It’s just business
An unscrupulous manager and the rich new employee
- Genre: office, power dynamics, love triangle, drama
- Completed: NO
- Where to read: Webtoon
This is another office romance comedy that inverts a common power dynamic cliche: this time, it’s the female lead Eunho who has a more prestigious role – she has to take the newcomer under her wing, Ji-ung Seo. With an adorable dynamic, as Eunho is ruthless, cold-hearted, and unforgiving, while Ji-ung Seo is feisty and puppy-like, readers will love the hilarious scenes that ensue between the two.
The power dynamics in this manhwa are reversed, but it’s also about a class difference: Eunho has no connections and is struggling to pay off everything in her life, while Ji-ung Seo has been forced to take a job by the company CEO and his grandfather. Will he work hard and earn his place, and how will Eunho cope with his new arrival? There’s only one way to find out.
2 A business proposal
When faking a blind date goes wrong
- Genre: Drama, office, power dynamics, misunderstandings
- Completed: Yes (128 episodes)
- Where to read: Tapas
This manhwa, a classic office romance comedy adapted as a K-drama, stars Shin Ha-Ri, an employee of a food company, and Kang Tae-moo, the CEO of the company she works for. However, they don’t get to know each other at work and won’t for a long time: On a blind date with him, Ha-Ri pretends to be her friend and pranks him to scare him off, but in the end he wants to marry her.
This is a hilarious and chaotic manhwa, as the blind date mystery gets worse despite everyone’s attempts to clear up the misunderstanding – and Ha-Ri seems to be the one who gets the short end of the stick. Readers will find the characters lovable, funny, and entertaining, despite all their flaws, including the great portrayal of the friendship between Ha-Ri and Jin Yeoung-Seo.
1 What’s wrong with Minister Kim?
He is too conceited; she gives up
- Genre: Office, Drama, Contract Marriage, Flirting, Secretary-CEO
- Completed: Yes
- Where to read: Webtoon
Another well-made manhwa that became an excellent K-drama, this is perhaps one of the most famous in the genre. The story follows Kim Mi-so, Lee Young-joon’s extremely hard-working, long-time secretary, who wants to quit to focus on her personal (and love) life. One of the reasons for its popularity is that the characters are well-developed (in both the K-drama and the manhwa): from Kim’s determination and business attitude to Young-joon’s almost absurd level of confidence and arrogance, only to see him doubt himself when it comes to Kim.
In his desperate attempts to stop Kim from giving up, Young-joon even proposes to her – but is rejected. To readers’ delight, this is the start of his witty and increasingly sincere courtship attempts, while also getting some well-developed side stories from the supporting characters.
