One thing I've noticed about modern chinese romance dramas is they really really like the cold introverted computer programmers (or in a pinch, CEO of some vaguely explained business venture). So I am specifically looking for a male lead who is not involved in Business or STEM. Do male lead arts majors exist in Chinese dramas?? 

For the purposes of this experiment the following don't count:

sporty male leads

brooding musician male leads

arts themes that focus on the business side of it (I don't want to see a single suit)

This is mostly just to satistfy my curiousity after reading yet another summary with a computer engineer male lead and his plucky outgoing love interest.

  • Professional Single - Both leads are sculpture majors.
  • Ugly Beauty - The ML is a pap trying to get the inside scoop on the FL's cold celebrity sister... who is actually the warm-hearted FL pretending to be her sister. Sort of business oriented (he's working?), but not in a typical way.
  • My Fated Boy - Musician ML, but he's the opposite of broody and definitely not focused on the business side of it.
  • To Fly With You - The ML is a competitive figure skater so he's sporty, but atypical sporty?
  • Across the Ocean to See You - The ML is a bit uptight and a stickler for rules / ethics when it comes to his job (hotel critic / reviewer), but the FL is the cold, business-focused boss and he is the warm, caring subordinate. 
  • Accidentally in Love - Musician ML (idol singer) who is sometimes broody, but also sometimes playful. He cross-dresses as a woman to get in and out of situations a few times, which I think is a fun twist worth noting for the purposes of this list.

Modern Cdramas where the ML is not involved in business or STEM and is not a musician, but his job is related to law enforcement, the military or private security, he's athletic, and he's a bit broody (which seems like another typical ML formula):

Modern Taiwanese dramas where the ML is not particularly business focused or involved in STEM:

  • Be Loved in House: I Do - One ML is an artist who works with metal. The other ML is the business-oriented one who comes in and buys / takes over the studio where the first ML works. It's a BL.
  • In Time With You - The ML works at an airport as the lead for a check-in counter team. Work is not his main priority.
  • The Masked Lover - The ML is a cop who takes on a personal mission to go undercover as a newbie recruit / executive assistant to expose the criminal actions of the FL's cold triad boss sister... who is actually the warm-hearted FL pretending to be her sister (there is definitely overlap with the plot of Ugly Beauty).

You might also check out Because of Meeting You.  While the ML is a lawyer, which is sort of business-y?), he is unlike almost any ML I've seen in a modern C-drama. He's cheerful, optimistic, encouraging, but also a bit mischievous and kind of extra. Honestly, he'll charm your socks off.