Mean male leads
The extent of their mean behaviour varies from bickering and teasing to very questionable behaviour and borderline prison.
Some can also be considered cold male leads but I think they intertwine most of the time.
Have fun reading my list
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![4 Kinds of House]()
1. 4 Kinds of House
Korean Drama - 2018, 4 episodes
Comes across as rude and stand offish at first
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![A-Teen]()
2. A-Teen
Korean Drama - 2018, 24 episodes
One of the male leads can be quite rude and conniving
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![Accidentally in Love]()
3. Accidentally in Love
Chinese Drama - 2018, 30 episodes
Teasing/bickering
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![Before We Get Married]()
4. Before We Get Married
Taiwanese Drama - 2019, 13 episodes
This man is just so immoral lol
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![Chicago Typewriter]()
5. Chicago Typewriter
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
Not really much to say other than the fact he’s a little mean
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![Cleaning Elves]()
6. Cleaning Elves
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
Cdrama male lead with a phobia
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![Crazy Love]()
7. Crazy Love
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Overbearing CEO
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![Dark Blue Kiss]()
8. Dark Blue Kiss
Thai Drama - 2019, 12 episodes
Bickering/teasing
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![Doom at Your Service]()
9. Doom at Your Service
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Emotionless and insensitive at first
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![Dress Sleeved Red]()
10. Dress Sleeved Red
Korean Drama - 2021, 17 episodes
An entitled Prince
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![From Now On, Showtime!]()
11. From Now On, Showtime!
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Cold hearted/ lacks empathy
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![Go Back Couple]()
12. Go Back Couple
Korean Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
Bad husband
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![Goong]()
13. Goong
Korean Drama - 2006, 24 episodes
Another classic mean male lead from the early 2000s.
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![I'm Sorry, I Love You]()
14. I'm Sorry, I Love You
Korean Drama - 2004, 16 episodes
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![I’m Not a Robot]()
15. I’m Not a Robot
Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
The main lead suffers with a serious phobia that causes him to be stand offish which can come across mean
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![Into The Ring]()
16. Into The Ring
Korean Drama - 2020, 32 episodes
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![Introverted Boss]()
17. Introverted Boss
Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
So he isn’t actually mean but he suffers with severe anxiety which causes misunderstandings with his employees.
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![Itaewon Class]()
18. Itaewon Class
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
It’s not that I think he’s mean, he’s not really nice either but he’s a very blunt and frank character which can come across as mean and insensitive.
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![Jealousy Incarnate]()
19. Jealousy Incarnate
Korean Drama - 2016, 24 episodes
CLASSIC mean male lead but this drama remains one of the best. He manages to become likeable while still being quite mean. Don’t ask me how that makes sense just watch it!!!!
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![Kiss Six Sense]()
20. Kiss Six Sense
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
Overbearing CEO
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![L'amore lontano dalla città]()
21. L'amore lontano dalla città
Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
The male lead is adjusting to a new environment so he can be rude and unfriendly
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![Lost Romance]()
22. Lost Romance
Taiwanese Drama - 2020, 20 episodes
Literally an overbearing CEO
Very cliche as she does get thrown into the manhua world
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![Love Alarm]()
23. Love Alarm
Korean Drama - 2019, 8 episodes
Now this may be a controversial opinion but the main lead in season 1 comes across as very selfish and entitled
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![Love Unexpected]()
24. Love Unexpected
Chinese Drama - 2021, 24 episodes
Overbearing CEO
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![Marriage, Not Dating]()
25. Marriage, Not Dating
Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
Bickering/ teasing
Also he has his moments with a few hurtful comments.
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![Meteor Garden]()
26. Meteor Garden
Chinese Drama - 2018, 50 episodes
Borderline prison
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![My Girlfriend is an Alien]()
27. My Girlfriend is an Alien
Chinese Drama - 2019, 28 episodes
I honestly don’t think he’s that mean but he still counts as an overbearing ceo
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![My Love, Enlighten Me]()
28. My Love, Enlighten Me
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
Again typical cdrama male lead who also suffers with phobia
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![My Secret Romance]()
29. My Secret Romance
Korean Drama - 2017, 13 episodes
Overbearing CEO
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![Oh My Venus]()
30. Oh My Venus
Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
Bickering/Teasing
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![Queen of the Ring]()
31. Queen of the Ring
Korean Drama - 2017, 21 episodes
Arrogant and materialistic which I think aren’t very nice traits to have.
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![SKY Castle]()
32. SKY Castle
Korean Drama - 2018, 20 episodes
There’s an abusive husband in the show
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![So I Married an Anti-Fan]()
33. So I Married an Anti-Fan
Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
Very mean as he thinks she’s his anti-fan
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![Something About 1 Percent]()
34. Something About 1 Percent
Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
Arrogant, cocky male lead
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![Switched]()
35. Switched
Japanese Drama - 2018, 6 episodes
You’re just going to have to watch this one for your self
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![The Effect of One Night on Parting]()
36. The Effect of One Night on Parting
Korean Special - 2021, 1 episode
Bad boyfriend
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![The Master's Sun]()
37. The Master's Sun
Korean Drama - 2013, 17 episodes
Classic mean male lead
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![The Romance of Tiger and Rose]()
38. The Romance of Tiger and Rose
Chinese Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
In the first few episodes he makes many attempts to try and kill her Lol. But not as serious as you think
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![The Secret Life of My Secretary]()
39. The Secret Life of My Secretary
Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
At first he fits into the category that is overbearing boss
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![Theory of Love]()
40. Theory of Love
Thai Drama - 2019, 12 episodes
The main lead is a selfish ‘player’
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![Well Intended Love]()
41. Well Intended Love
Chinese Drama - 2019, 20 episodes
Questionable behaviour
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![Where Stars Land]()
42. Where Stars Land
Korean Drama - 2018, 32 episodes
Comes across as very stand offish at first
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![Wo De Fan Pai Nan You]()
43. Wo De Fan Pai Nan You
Chinese Drama - 2022, 24 episodes
Typical mean male lead
