Key Takeaways
- Office romance in manhwa captures Korean workplace culture with sweet tropes and power dynamics.
- Completed manhwa like “Age Matters” and “One-Of-A-Kind Romance” offer well-rounded workplace romance reads.
- “The Goddess’ Guide To Farming” and “Marry My Husband” showcase unconventional workplace dynamics and fated lovers’ stories.
Workplace romance is one of the most seducing and classic tropes to readers in the world of manhwa, since the Korean culture strongly emphasizes devotion to one’s workplace, leaving little space and time for dating if not… the office! So it’s not surprise that this genre is populated with some of the best full-color manhwa available, with sweet tropes that include a lot of misunderstandings, taboos and, of course, power dynamics, leaving every author to gracefully deal with this part.
Readers will find some classics in this list and some newer entries in the genre, assuring a well-rounded read from completed romance manhwas that have been turned into a K-Dramas to ones that carry a more experimental plot, all while still keeping it in the workplace and/or office. The characters in these manhwa will have plenty of motivation to make sure they attend all of their work days and meetings, for perhaps more than just devotion to work.
10 Age Matters
A Younger Boss And An Older Secretary
- Genre: Office, Power Dynamic, Age Difference
- Completed: Yes (159 episodes)
- Where To Read: Webtoon
This manhwa reverses the usual female-male age difference, as Rose Choi is about to turn 30, while Daniel Yoon, CEO and billionaire, is just in his early twenties – sparking debate over age differences in couples. With more than it meets the eye, Rose is desperate to turn her life around (perhaps even romantically), so it’s not a surprise to readers that she ends up working for Daniel and their work relationship evolves into something more.
A classic in the new wave of office and workplace manhwa, this is one adorable read, with well constructed characters, side plots, and events. The characters will go through a few critical company moments (including an attempted murder), where they will witness both Daniel and Rose’s skills, making for a good couple both in private and in the office.
9 Makeup Remover
An Unconventional Model And Her Makeup Artist
- Genre: Workplace, Social Issues, Makeup/Fashion, Slow Burn
- Completed: No
- Where To Read: Webtoon
An artist and a muse, one of the most known tropes, especially in the movie industry – yet this manhwa promises a truly unique and well-developed dynamic. Yeseul is a photography student, not really interested in makeup, so it’s to her surprise that the nationally known makeup artist, Yuseong, asks her to model for an upcoming national makeup contest.
Before being a couple, Yeseul and Yuseong prove to be an excellent duo, crafting truly innovative and creative ideas to the prompts in the context, and without shying away to create discussion and debate over their controversial approach to themes like beauty standards, self-esteem and, even, the Korean idol culture.
8 One-Of-A-Kind Romance
An Aspiring Writer And An 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 will learn how to make their relationship work, and, even before that, figure out their feelings about love first (a.k.a. not your typical shojo manga). The title is well-chosen, as Yu-il is a potentially excellent writer but looking for a corporate job, while Mu-i is a nationally known actor that suddenly enters her life, dealing with the consequences of having a stalker fan (no, not Yu-il).
Readers will frustratingly hope for both of the characters to be more open with their feelings and desires, and not just about their love life, but about their own life, too – but will understand the delicate situation both are in when considering to get romantically involved.
7 The RUNWAY
A One-Night Stand In Paris With My Future Chief Editor
- Genre: Drama, Office, Fashion, Power Dynamic
- Completed: Yes (112 episodes)
- Where To Read: Webtoon
In one of those rare manhwa where the Female Lead kicks off the story with a one-night stand, The RUNWAY is a good office romance for readers who are looking for a spicy office drama with love triangles, refusal, and workplace romantic tension, as both the FL and ML have a strong character.
Basically, Jian finds out about her (ex) boyfriend’s affair, and compulsively leaves for Paris, where she meets a handsome stranger and ends up in bed with him. What follows, when she ends up meeting him as a Chief Editor from France three months later, are just the inevitable consequences of burning attraction and, perhaps, destiny.
6 The Goddess’ Guide To Farming
From Business Lady To Farmer
- Genre: Slow Burn, Workplace, Class Difference
- Completed: Yes (70 episodes)
- Where To Read: Webtoon
Seol is fierce, ambitious and business smart, so of course she will do anything to prove her father wrong – including becoming a farmer for three months to get a property deal. What she doesn’t know, though, is that Bongsu, her new boss and farmer, is more than just someone she can buy out with hard work, or at least not in the way she imagines.
With a lot of funny moments, this is a great workplace manhwa (even if the workplace is a little outdoorsy, it’s still technically work) that would make a great romance anime, where we will witness both of the characters go from being suspicious of one another to forming a friendship and something more, where both of their motives will change over time as they become deeply involved with one another.
5 Secretary Out Of Order
Winning The Lottery And Quitting Is Not So Easy!
- Genre: Office, Secretary-CEO, Power Dynamic, Comedy
- Completed: Yes (56)
- Where To Read: Webtoon
This is one of those classic office romance tropes with the secretary and CEO, except there’s a funny twist that reverses the plot: she, the secretary, wants to leave (after winning the lottery, of course), and he, the CEO, is trying everything to stop her.
Relatively short but sweet, this is a great read for those who are looking for a refreshing take on the secretary and CEO trope: Yu-eun Gam, besides being excellent at her job, will prove to be harder to convince – and the CEO, Dohyeok, will find himself in a very uncomfortable position as he realizes that his efforts to keep her around might not just be for work reasons.
4 Marry My Husband
Death, Second Chances, And Dark, Vicious Secrets
- Genre: Drama, Office, Reincarnation, Power Dynamic, Fated Lovers
- Completed: Yes
- Where To Read: Webtoon
Scandals, drama, revenge and vile characters with a glorious, well-deserved happy ending await readers in this roller coaster of a manhwa turned into a K-Drama. Kicking off like a true tragedy with Kang Ji-Won’s death, affected by a terminal illness, it follows her re-awakening ten years prior. And, of course, she remembers: before dying, she witnessed her best friend and her husband in bed together, wishing for her death to get the insurance money.
This is a very famous manhwa that is almost entirely carried out in the workplace, especially in the beginning, as Kang Ji-Won decides it’s time for her to live happily, as her late father wanted – discovering that loving, kind people have always been all around her –, finding the strength to value and love herself more.
3 It’s Just Business
A Ruthless Manager And The Rich New Hire
- Genre: Office, Power Dynamic, Love Triangle, Drama
- Completed: No
- Where To Read: Webtoon
This is another office romance comedy manhwa that reverses a usual power dynamic trope: this time, it’s the Female Lead, Eunho, the one with a more prestigious role – having to train the new arrival under her wing, Ji-ung Seo. With an adorable dynamic, as Eunho is ruthless, frigid, and unforgiving, while Ji-ung Seo is bubbly and puppy-like, readers will love the hilarious scenes that ensue between the two.
The power dynamic in this manhwa is reversed, but it also tackles a class difference: Eunho has no connections and is struggling to pay off everything in her life, while Ji-ung Seo has been forced by the company’s CEO and his grandfather to take up a job. Will he work hard and earn his place and how will Eunho fare with his new arrival? There is only one way to find out.
2 A Business Proposal
When Faking A Blind Date Goes Wrong
- Genre: Drama, Office, Power Dynamic, Misunderstandings
- Completed: Yes (128 episodes)
- Where To Read: Tapas
A classic office romance comedy turned into a K-Drama, this manhwa stars Shin Ha-Ri, an employee at a food company, and Kang Tae-moo, the CEO of the company she works in. But they actually don’t meet in the workplace, and won’t for a long time: Ha-Ri pretends to be her friend at a blind date with him and acts up to scare him off, but he ends up wanting to marry her.
This is one hilarious and messy manhwa, as the secret of the blind date just keeps getting worse and worse, even with the attempts to clear up the misunderstanding – all while Ha-Ri seems to get the shortest end of the stick. Readers will find the characters loveable, funny and enjoyable to follow, even with all their flaws, including the great depiction of friendship between Ha-Ri and Jin Yeoung-Seo.
1 What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim
He Is Too Full Of Himself; She Is Quitting
- Genre: Office, Drama, Contract Marriage, Courting, Secretary-CEO
- Completed: Yes
- Where To Read: Webtoon
Another well-made manhwa turned into an excellent K-Drama, this is perhaps one of the most famous of the genre. The story features Kim Mi-so, the extremely hardworking, long-time secretary of Lee Young-joon, desiring to quit to dedicate time to 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 manhwa): from Kim’s resoluteness and business attitude to Young-joon’s almost absurd level of self-confidence and arrogance, only to see him second guess himself when it comes to Kim.
In his desperate attempts to keep Kim from quitting, Young-joon will find himself even proposing marriage – only to be refused – and, to the delight of the readers, this will kick off his funny and increasingly genuine attempts at courting, all while enjoying some well-developed side stories of the supporting characters.
