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6 Fictional K-Drama Men Who Set the Bar Way Too High

Byeon Woo-seok in a still from Lovely Runner (Image via tvN).
Byeon Woo-seok in a still from Lovely Runner (Image via tvN).

K-drama green flag men have set the bar so high that dating apps now feel hopeless. These fictional guys are kind, respectful, and deeply love their partners. They treat them like queens, all while being incredibly handsome—with perfect skin, sharp features, and irresistible charm. Most importantly, they feel completely out of reach. They’re like dream men from a romance novel—imagine someone with Chuck Bass looks and golden retriever energy, ready to cross oceans for love. Here are six K-drama men who aren’t just green flags—they’re whole green forests.



1. Yang Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) – When Life Gives You Tangerines


The official poster for When Life Gives You Tangerines (Image via Netflix).
The official poster for When Life Gives You Tangerines (Image via Netflix).

Arguably the standout K-drama of the year so far, When Life Gives You Tangerines gives us Yang Gwan-sik, played by Park Bo-gum—a male lead so ideal, it’s hard to imagine anyone else measuring up. Gwan-sik is kind, supportive, and deeply respectful of his wife, Oh Ae-sun (IU), even standing up to his toxic family to protect her. He also sets a strong example for his children, showing his son and daughter that true strength lies in empathy and equality. Through him, the show sends a powerful message: patriarchy can end when men choose to stand against it.



2. Yu Eun-ho (Lee Jun-hyuk) – Love Scout


The official poster for Love Scout (Image via SBS.)
The official poster for Love Scout (Image via SBS.)

Love Scout refreshes the classic CEO-secretary romance trope by flipping it on its head. Instead of the usual dynamic, we get a sharp, no-nonsense female CEO, Kang Ji-yoon (Han Ji-min), and her capable, trusted secretary Yu Eun-ho (Lee Jun-hyuk)—who also happens to be a devoted single father. Eun-ho is skilled and dependable in the workplace, while also being a gentle, loving dad at home. As an office romance fan, it’s refreshing to see a popular male lead take on a non-traditional role—one that doesn’t make him feel lesser next to a powerful woman, but instead shows that strength can come from humility, care, and quiet confidence.



3. Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok) – Lovely Runner


The official poster for Lovely Runner (Image via tvN).
The official poster for Lovely Runner (Image via tvN).

He has it all—good looks, talent, charisma, confidence, and a massive fan following—yet Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok), a top star, feels empty inside and ultimately chooses to end his life. But everything changes when Im-sol (Kim Hye-yoon), a devoted fan, travels back in time to save him—and in doing so, rewrites both their destinies. While Lovely Runner is largely told from Im-sol’s perspective, Ryu Sun-jae is undeniably the emotional core of the story. Byeon Woo-seok breathes life into the idea of “loserism”—a man hopelessly and wholeheartedly in love. Through Sun-jae, the drama beautifully reminds us that vulnerability, loyalty, and emotional depth never go out of style.



4. Lee Joon-ho (Kang Tae-oh) – Extraordinary Attorney Woo


A Still from Extraordinary Attorney Woo (Image via ENA).
A Still from Extraordinary Attorney Woo (Image via ENA).

They say behind every successful man is a woman—but Lee Joon-ho (Kang Tae-Oh) shows us that behind every accomplished woman can be a man who loves her fully and puts her first without hesitation. As the gentle, thoughtful colleague and love interest of Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin), Joon-ho’s quiet strength and unwavering support make their romance one of the most heartwarming in K-drama history. Kind, patient, and endlessly understanding, he’s the kind of man who gives you hope that someone like him might exist in real life. Not just a green flag—he’s a whole green forest.




5. Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho) – Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha


The official poster for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (Image via tvN).
The official poster for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (Image via tvN).

It’s rare to find a man who’s not just secure but genuinely proud of his partner’s greater success—and Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho) is exactly that. In Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, he doesn’t just accept his girlfriend Yoon Hye-jin’s (Shin Min-a) accomplishments as a successful dentist—he celebrates them. One unforgettable moment is when Du-sik carves a small wooden box for Hye-jin to store her diamonds—not because he bought them for her, but because he knows she’s more than capable of buying them herself. It’s simple, selfless, and deeply beautiful. Du-sik is proof that true masculinity lies in support, not ego.



6. Hwang Yong-sik (Kang Ha-neul) – When the Camellia Blooms


The official poster for When The Camellia Blooms (Image via KBS).
The official poster for When The Camellia Blooms (Image via KBS).

One of the best age-gap romances done right, When the Camellia Blooms has only grown more beloved over time—and much of that is thanks to Kang Ha-neul’s heartfelt performance as Hwang Yong-sik. A small-town cop with sharp instincts and an even bigger heart, Yong-sik falls deeply for Oh Dong-baek (Gong Hyo-jin), a single mother targeted by a dangerous criminal. His love is pure, unwavering, and fiercely protective—he promises to keep her and her child safe, even if it means defying his own mother’s disapproval. Gentle, loyal, and endlessly supportive, Hwang Yong-sik has rightfully earned his place as one of our all-time favourite K-drama green flag men.


Which K-drama green flag character is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!




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