7 Recommendations for Korean Dramas Featuring Disguised CEOs Full of Mystery and Addictive

Kapanlagi.com - Korean dramas always manage to present unique and unpredictable stories, one of which is the theme of a CEO disguising themselves as an ordinary person. Plots like this are usually filled with surprises, identity conflicts, and unexpected romances. It's no wonder this genre consistently attracts viewers from various backgrounds.

In many K-dramas, CEO characters are often depicted as cold, wealthy, and full of secrets. However, when they disguise themselves, another side of their character begins to emerge, more human, warm, and even humorous. This change in identity is what makes the story feel more alive and emotional.

The following list of 7 Korean dramas featuring disguised CEOs will take viewers on a journey filled with intrigue, tension, and sweet romance. Each title has its own appeal, ranging from corporate conflicts to unexpected love stories.

1. King the Land (2023)

In the series King the Land, which premiered on Netflix in June 2023, Lee Jun Ho plays the character Gu Won. He is portrayed as an heir to the King Group, which oversees a line of businesses including hotels, shopping malls, and an airline. This character is depicted as having a traumatic past and discomfort in an environment full of pretenses.

After a long time living in England, Gu Won finally decides to return to South Korea. Instead of immediately taking a high position with luxurious facilities, he deliberately works as a regular staff member at his own hotel. This step is taken to monitor internal operations and the company's situation directly from within.

During his time in disguise, he encounters Cheon Sa Rang (played by Yoona). Sa Rang is an employee known for always showing a friendly smile in every situation. The presence of this woman gradually attracts Gu Won's attention, who has always despised fake smiles in the business world.

2. Queen of Tears (2024)

The tension involving social status and marriage dynamics looms over the storyline of Queen of Tears. This drama, written by Park Ji Eun, focuses on the cooling marriage life between Baek Hyun Woo (Kim Soo Hyun) and Hong Hae In (Kim Ji Won). Their relationship is at a saturation point after several years together.

Their initial meeting actually stemmed from a secret identity in the past. At that time, Hae In entered the company as an ordinary intern, making Hyun Woo completely unaware that the woman he sympathized with was the granddaughter of the owner of Queens Group.

Conflict escalates rapidly when Hae In is diagnosed with terminal stage brain cancer. The news halts the divorce plans that Hyun Woo had prepared, while also pulling him deeper into a conspiracy that threatens the survival of the Hong family's business during its airing on tvN from March to April 2024.

3. Good Job (2022)

The investigative nuances combined with light romance are present in the series Good Job, which has been airing on the ENA channel since August 2022. The character Eun Seon Woo (played by Jung Il Woo) is portrayed as the leader of Eunkang Group, one of the largest conglomerates in South Korea.

Behind his stern demeanor as the CEO during the day, Seon Woo leads a starkly contrasting double life at night. He actively manages a secret private detective agency to investigate the mystery of his mother's death that occurred two decades ago, while also searching for his family's missing diamond necklace.

In carrying out this secret mission, he often disguises himself with various identities and costumes. This endeavor leads him to meet Don Se Ra (Kwon Yuri), a woman with extraordinary vision abilities that she has kept hidden behind thick glasses.

4. Sold Out on You (2026)

May 2026 offers a more soothing healing drama atmosphere set against a rural backdrop.

The plot of this drama centers around Matthew Lee, known by the residents of Deokpung Village as an ordinary, humble mushroom farmer. However, in the business world, he actually uses his original Korean name and is the lead researcher as well as co-CEO of Gojeuneok Bio, a successful natural cosmetic raw materials company.

His secret identity begins to be disturbed when a workaholic and insomnia-stricken television shopping host named Dam Ye Jin arrives in the village. Ye Jin (Chae Won Bin) intends to trace the origins of the popular face cream ingredients, unaware that the farmer she meets is the big boss behind the beauty industry.

5. Revolutionary Love (2017)

A touch of social criticism regarding the realities of the working world and class struggle is presented through Revolutionary Love. Aired on the tvN channel in October 2017, this series features Choi Si Won as Byun Hyuk, the second son of the leader of Gangsu Group, who often causes problems for his family.

Due to a major incident that corners him, Byun Hyuk decides to hide his status as a conglomerate's son. He then chooses to live in a simple rented house and blend in with the working-class community to avoid conflict.

This decision leads him to meet Baek Joon (Kang So Ra), a highly educated woman who struggles to find a permanent job and chooses to live off part-time work because she is reluctant to compromise her principles. This relationship gradually changes Byun Hyuk's perspective on life and the working world.

6. High Society (2015)

The other side of the jetset life and the internal pressures of family are portrayed in the drama High Society, released by SBS in 2015. This series stars a lineup of popular actors and actresses such as Uee, Sung Joon, Park Hyung Sik, and Lim Ji Yeon.

The story highlights the life of Jang Yoon Ha, the youngest daughter of the owner of the Taejin Group conglomerate. In order to escape from emotional pressure and her mother's cold treatment at home, Yoon Ha chooses to hide her economic background and seek experiences outside the elite circle.

She then works part-time at an ordinary supermarket without bringing the label of her family's big name. At her workplace, she develops a relationship with Choi Joon Gi, a man from a less fortunate background who grew up in poverty but hopes that Yoon Ha can love him purely without considering status or material wealth.

7. Gaus Electronics (2022)

A much more down-to-earth and laughter-filled approach can be found in the office comedy series Gaus Electronics, which aired in 2022. Instead of showcasing the luxurious lives of conglomerates, the plot of this drama focuses more on the everyday dynamics of ordinary workers dealing with small problems that feel close to real life.

The story centers on Marketing Team 3 at the Gaus Electronics headquarters, who often face various absurd situations. The work life filled with office problems becomes even more colorful with the arrival of a new employee amidst the team's busyness.

The newcomer is named Baek Ma Tan. Unknown to his teammates, Ma Tan is actually the sole heir of Power Group, which is the main competitor of Gaus Electronics. He intentionally applied there for his own reasons, which are gradually revealed as the story progresses.

(kpl/mda)