Male lead gets his chance with the female lead

The male lead likes the female lead, but then he finds out that his friend also likes her so he decides not to confess and be a good friend. Eventually though, either something happens to his friend or they break up and the male lead finally gets his chance. The female lead eventually falls for him and they get together.

Reply 1988 

(About them getting together, it depends on which male lead you support because there are two. For me, it suits what you asked because the one I rooted for ended up with the female lead.)

The Imperial Doctress (the situation changes in a series of steps, rather than all at once) and The King in Love (tbh I can't remember what happened to change the situation in that one).