Why is it always them?

After so many manga, novels and kdrama, it's obvious that the most preferred choice for love interest is the rude jerk that softens by the end of the series bc deeeeep inside they have a heart too, it's just broken thanks to some tragic backstory D: which may or may not be used to excuse his actions and contradictory behavior.
Why? Why are they so popular??? I know I suffer from 2nd male lead syndrome but that's just a consequence of the 2nd male lead being a caring and respectful being that listens to the mc wishes, has better boundaries and idk, doesn't make mc's life a living hell with anger issues and jealousy like the 1st ml does. For that syndrome to exist, all the male leads need to be characters hard to root for, but who get their happy ending anyway. Then there is the "why". Why are they the ones that get the happy end? Why is the romance revolving around forcefulness? Why do people like it?
Please share your opinions