Kapanlagi.com - A love story that begins with hate, misunderstandings, and differences in status between a boss and an employee has its own charm in Japanese dramas. Conflicts that initially are full of misunderstandings and small arguments often develop into a sweet romance.
Like this Japanese drama of hate turning into love between a boss and an employee, wrapped in fresh humor, interesting characters, and a relationship that develops slowly but surely. From an arrogant boss who doesn’t know how to express feelings, to an employee who initially hates their superior but eventually falls in love, this is sure to make you feel all the feels.
No wonder, Japanese dramas of hate turning into love between a boss and an employee often succeed in capturing attention and becoming favorite viewing for fans of the rom-com genre. Here’s a list of dramas about hate turning into love between bosses and employees that you shouldn't miss.
1. A GIRL AND THREE SWEETHEARTS

Poster A GIRL AND THREE SWEETHEARTS (credit: asianwiki.com)
Rating | 8.0/10 mydramalist.com |
Episode | 10 episodes |
Duration | 45 minutes |
Airing | Fuji TV, Viki, Prime Video |
Cast | Kento Yamazaki, Mirei Kiritani, Shohei Miura, Shuhei Nomura |
A GIRL AND THREE SWEETHEARTS brings the genre of romance and comedy themed around food. This drama is set in a restaurant. It highlights the story of Sakurai Misaki, a pastry chef who has just lost her job.
One day she meets her childhood friend and first love, Shibasaki Chiaki. Seeing Sakurai Misaki, Chiaki offers her a job at his family’s restaurant. He also invites her to live with his two brothers. In the warmth of summer, Misaki finds herself caught in a love triangle full of surprises.
2. IKINARI KON

IKINARI KON Poster (credit: mydramalist.com)
Rating | 7.6/10 mydramalist.com |
Episode | 12 episodes |
Duration | 24 minutes |
Broadcast | NTV |
Cast | Kyoko Saito and Yu Shirota |
IKINARI KON is a Japanese drama about a hate-to-love relationship between a boss and an employee, released in 2025. This drama highlights the life of an office worker named Koshiba Mao. A shocking event occurs when Mao wakes up in the bed of a strange man after getting drunk due to being cheated on by her boyfriend.
It turns out that the man is named Ando Hajime, who is none other than her new boss at the company. Moreover, they accidentally get married. Amid her confusion, Mao must face various conflicts, including the feelings that begin to grow between them.
3. SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL

Poster KANOJO WA KIREI DATTA (credit: mydramalist.com)
Rating | 8.0/10 mydramalist.com |
Episode | 10 episodes |
Duration | 60 minutes |
Broadcast | Netflix, WeTV |
Cast | Kento Nakajima, Fuka Koshiba, Eiji Akaso, Yui Sakuma |
Adapted from the popular Korean drama She Was Pretty, this drama follows Hasebe Sosuke, a cold and perfectionist fashion magazine editor. SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL released in 2021 highlights the story between a superior and a subordinate. Hasebe Sosuke reunites with his first love, Sato Ai, who now has a different personality from the past.
Sato Ai works as an intern at the same magazine as Hasebe. Interestingly, Ai chooses to hide her identity. Their journey is filled with misunderstandings and changing feelings that warm the heart.
4. THIS MAN IS THE GREATEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE

Poster KONO OTOKO WA JINSEI SAIDAI NO AYAMACHIDESU (credit: mydramalist.com)
Rating | 6.9/10 mydramalist.com |
Episode | 10 episodes |
Duration | 23 minutes |
Airing | Viki |
Cast | Airi Matsui and Mokomichi Hayami |
THIS MAN IS THE GREATEST MISTAKE OF MY LIFE is a Japanese drama about the love-hate relationship between a boss and an employee. The drama highlights the story of Yui Sato, a pharmacy worker, who accidentally knocks down her arrogant boss, Kyoichi Amagi, while he is drunk.
Yui Sato does not realize that the man she knocked over is actually her own boss. When she meets her boss, Yui briefly thinks she will be fired because of the incident that night at the bar. Interestingly, Amagi becomes interested in her and starts pursuing Yui in a humorous way. This drama is filled with funny scenes and a unique boss-employee dynamic.
5. ONZOSHI NI KOI WA MUZU SUGIRU

Poster ONZOSHI NI KOI WA MUZU SUGIRU (credit: mydramalist.com)
Rating | 7.4/10 mydramalist.com |
Episode | 12 episodes |
Duration | 24 minutes |
Airing | Fuji TV |
Cast | Ren Nagase and Mizuki Yamashita |
ONZOSHI NI KOI WA MUZU SUGIRU is a story about the grandson of the president of a famous clothing company, growing up as an arrogant and narcissistic man. Known for his lack of independence, Tendo Subaru is asked to work at his grandfather's company as an ordinary employee.
Unexpectedly, he meets a boss named Hanakura Madoka, who is known for her hard work. Their relationship begins to develop as Subaru tries to win Madoka's heart. On the other hand, Madoka considers him not serious. Will he succeed in winning her heart?
6. RICH MAN, POOR WOMAN

RICH MAN, POOR WOMAN Poster (credit: asianwiki.com)
Rating | 8.1/10 mydramalist.com |
Episode | 11 episodes |
Duration | 46 minutes |
Broadcast | Fuji TV |
Cast | Shun Oguri, Satomi Ishihara, Arata Iura, Saki Aibu |
Released in 2012, RICH MAN, POOR WOMAN is a Japanese drama about a love-hate relationship between a boss and an employee. This drama follows the story of Toru Hyuga, a successful entrepreneur in the technology world who has trouble recognizing people's faces. One day, he meets Makoto Natsui, a Tokyo University student struggling to find a job.
Known for her intelligence, she joins Toru's company. At first, Makoto finds Toru's personality quite brusque. However, as time goes by, she begins to understand him better. Their relationship evolves into a touching romance.
This is a must-watch Japanese drama about a love-hate relationship between a boss and an employee. Follow the latest celebrity news only on Kapanlagi.com. If not now, when, KapanLagi?
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Disclaimer: This translation from Bahasa Indonesia to English has been generated by Artificial Intelligence.