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10 Kdramas That Gave Us Second Lead Syndrome

By Angela on April 27, 2016 in Drama
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Korean dramas seem to be particularly good at inducing second lead syndrome. They make you fall in love with the handsome and sweet second male leads who just can’t seem to get the girl even though they’re essentially portrayed as perfection. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular Kdramas over the years that have made their second leads famous.

Reply 1988 (2016)

Reply 1988 29

The reply series is well known for playing up the guessing game of who the heroine’s husband is. Reply 1988 perhaps has done the most elaborate job of teasing its viewers. Many thought Jung Hwan (Ryu Jung Yeol) was it, until Taek (Park Bo Geum) swooped in towards the end much to our collective surprise. But the viewer’s love for Jung Hwan has made him one of the most popular characters in the reply series and helped actor Ryu Jung Yeol become a household name overnight.

She Was Pretty (2015)

she was pretty 10

Choi Si Won made a ground-breaking comeback last year to the Kdrama scene as the free-spirited jokester Kim Shin Hyuk in She Was Pretty, inducing massive second lead syndrome all around. We love Park Seo Joon and all, but Choi Si Won completely stole the show from beginning to end and made Shin Hyuk such a lovable, fun, charismatic character that many viewers wished he would end up with our female lead.

Producer (2015)

producer 21

Producer is another Korean drama from last year where it was quite difficult to tell who was the real male lead until the very end. Most people naturally assumed it was Kim Soo Hyun’s character Baek Seung Chan because his experience as a rookie reporter has been a focal point of the drama. Kim Soo Hyun did a fabulous job portraying the introverted, overly honest, and socially awkward Seung Chan, who has just enough rebellion in him to come across as an entertaining comedic prankster at times.

Who Are You: School 2015 (2015)

who are you: school 2015 29

Yook Sung Jae’s character Gong Tae Kwang in Who Are You: School 2015 left a deep impression on many viewers. Tae Kwang is a misunderstood, mistreated lonely teenager who hides his pain by appearing as a happy-go-lucky troublemaker. Yet he’s a caring and supportive friend who’s always been there for our female lead emotionally and physically. It’s no wonder so many viewers rallied behind Tae Kwang and thought that he’s a better fit for her.

Kill Me Heal Me (2015)

kill me heal me 02

Kill Me Heal Me is the only drama I’ve seen where the second lead syndrome is developed towards a character played by the same actor. Cha Do Hyun (Ji Sung), a kind-hearted, mature chaebol with multiple personalities falls in love with his psychiatrist. While Do Hyun is certainly a likable character, his alternate ego Shin Se Gi, drew a large following of his own with a devil-may-care attitude and his unwavering devotion to the heroine.

The Heirs (2013)

second lead syndrome heirs

Choi Young Do in The Heirs has become an iconic character thanks to Kim Woo Bin’s memorable acting performance. Young Do is your typical aggressive teenage chaebol from a dysfunctional family who bullies classmates and has a hard time expressing emotions and love. The sharp contrast between his usually violent personality and his undeniable soft spot for our female lead made everyone fell for this bad boy.

To the Beautiful You (2012)

second lead syndrome to the beautiful you

How do you not like a character who is athletic, adorable, humorous, and compassionate? That basically sums up Cha Eun Gyeol from To the Beautiful You played by flower boy Lee Hyun Woo. Despite being confused by his own sexual orientation from developing feelings for our heroine who disguised herself as a boy, Eun Gyoel never tried to distance himself or stop being friendly to her. Plus, every time Lee Hyun Woo smiled in the drama, dozens of hearts were melted.

Sungkyunkwan Scandal (2010)

second lead syndrome sungkyunkwan scandal

Sungkyunkwan Scandal managed to induce multiple second lead syndrome at the same time for me. Though I’m a fan of Yoochun, his nerdy and upright character Lee Sun Joon decidedly lacked luster next to the manly justice warrior Moon Jae Shin (Yoo Ah In) and pretty boy jokester Gu Yong Ha (Song Joong Ki). Perhaps Sun Joon was ultimately a better personality fit for the female lead character, but many years later, I still remember Song Joong Ki and Yoo Ah In’s characters vividly.

You’re Beautiful (2009)

second lead syndrome you're beautiful

I’m sensing a trend here; maybe it’s just easier to like the second male lead in dramas with a central theme of the heroine disguising themselves as males. Perhaps because the male lead is often a jerk or oblivious, whereas the second male lead is observant, caring, and protective. Kang Shin Woo (Jung Yong Hwa) was exactly that guy in You’re Beautiful. Not only did he not expose the heroine after learning her secret, he went out of his way to keep her safe, earning him much deserved love from the viewers.

Boys Over Flower (2009)

second lead syndrome boys over flower

Just like the Taiwanese original drama Meteor Garden, the second male lead Yoon Ji Hoo (Kim Hyun Joong), is a picture-perfect character who is sentimental, warm, and protective in Boys Over Flower. In contrast, our male lead, Gu Jun Pyo (Lee Min Ho), is a hot-tempered, arrogant brat. Even though the female lead character shared a deeper connection and more intimate dialogues with Ji Hoo, she was eventually won over by the persistent Jun Pyo.

Which Korean dramas made you develop second lead syndrome and why? We’d love to hear your insights in the comments section below.


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choi si wonji sungjung yong hwakim hyun joongkim soo hyunkim woo binlee hyun woolistsryu jun yeolsong joong kiyoo ah inyook sung jae

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erika
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erika

Secret Garden and Cinderella and the Four Knights! T_T

Reply
5 years ago
King
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King

oh my f**king gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahd!!! This is the only list that has School 2015!

Reply
5 years ago
Anonymous
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Anonymous

Jung Yong Hwa

Reply
5 years ago
Hari
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Hari

In Cheese in the Trap i had so bad second lead sindrome because Baek In Ho is just so cute and lovable and i cry agh

Reply
6 years ago
Haru Lynn
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Haru Lynn

Park Hyung Sik gave impressive second lead syndrome with his best acting in Hwarang. I love him. ❤

Reply
6 years ago
Cessy
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Cessy

Who are you: school 2015 my first ever 2nd lead syndrome

Reply
6 years ago
Chinggu
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Chinggu

after i finished reply 1988, i had a severe second lead syndrome

Reply
6 years ago
irina
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irina

how about Cheese in trap Baek In Ho x Hong Seol??

Reply
6 years ago
Anonymous
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Anonymous

YES OMG :(((

Reply
6 years ago
Hari
Guest
Hari

OMG YES. THATS WHAT I MEAN

Reply
6 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Who no one mentions Bridal Mask? T_T This drama also gave me an acute second lead syndrome.. T_T

Reply
6 years ago
Mary
Guest
Mary

shin hyuk and hye jin…. from She Was Pretty gave me such a second lead syndrome that its so hard for me to continue watching the whole series without getting so disappointed. :’-(

Reply
6 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Hwarang gave me a severe second lead syndrome after sungkyunkwan scandal..love the role of park hyung shik in Hwarang

Reply
6 years ago
Ems
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Ems

Hwarang .. i love park seo joon but park hyun sik was great in his character.. and was so in love with Go Ara :-)

Reply
6 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

He was the best thing in that show.. Wasnt too sad that he didnt get the girl ince he seems to be too good for her and she from no angle deserves to be a queen.. The love stpry of the leads completely ruined that show… Also he totally stole the screen from the main lead.. The male.lead only had one expression throughout the show..
Atleast we got to see him as the lead opposite bo young in swdbs.which is a way better show than hwarang..

Reply
6 years ago
Mer
Guest
Mer

Nail Shop Paris❤
I got such Second Lead Syndrome with Song Jae-Rim playing Kay!!!

Reply
6 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

My Girl started it all … Seriously, about everyone and their mom rooted for Lee Joon-ki as Seo Jung-woo in that dorama.

Reply
6 years ago
hitze.ua
Guest
hitze.ua

cheer up! and seo ha joon

Reply
6 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

jealousy incarnate

Reply
6 years ago
Laibah
Guest
Laibah

We need to add Hwarang to this list because i think im going crazy for the second lead OMG

Reply
6 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Gong Taekwang and Cha Eungyeol definitely had me going for the 2nd male lead.

Reply
6 years ago
Geline
Guest
Geline

Kang Ha Neul’s Wang Wook from Scarlet Heart Ryeo is my ultimate 2nd Lead syndrome.

Reply
6 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

YES. Everything from his face and clothes screamed perfection.

Reply
6 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Definately Choi Siwon for me

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

ji hoo is my all tym 2nd lead syndrome

Reply
7 years ago
dog fur
Guest
dog fur

Another 2nd lead syndrome is Baek In Ho in Cheese in The Trap

Reply
7 years ago
Kdrama addict
Guest
Kdrama addict

Omg yasss, I had severe 2nd lead syndrome because of him

Reply
6 years ago
Anonymous
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Anonymous

yessssss!!!!!!

Reply
6 years ago
pine
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pine

Considering Reply 1994. #teamchilbong

Reply
7 years ago
Kiftiaaa
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Kiftiaaa

Im so agree!! That’s right.

Reply
7 years ago
gievs
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gievs

I’ve fallen in love with #JungYongHwa ❤❤❤

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

How about jingoo,he’s a second lead actor in “All In,” but u can’t forgot his action role in that..and now he proved in his 2nd time lead role action in DOTS.

Reply
7 years ago
Love2desu
Guest
Love2desu

Song Joong Ki from Sungkyunkwan Scandal! During SKKA, I’ve already noticed that he is very handsome! I’m sorry to say, but, more handsome than Yoo Chun…hehe

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Definitely fell in love with Jung Yong Hwa in You’re Beautiful.

Reply
7 years ago
thea
Guest
thea

HIGH SCHOOL LOVE ON Lee Sung-yeol should be added too ! <3

Reply
7 years ago
Kdrama addict
Guest
Kdrama addict

Yas I supported him!

Reply
6 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

I Loved him too <3

Reply
6 years ago
KDRAMA LOVER
Guest
KDRAMA LOVER

Sassy Go Go’s second male lead should have been included tho!

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Yes. I also think so

Reply
7 years ago
Uji
Guest
Uji

I am second lead syndromes.. Hahaa~
I love second lead from You’re Beautiful my brother Jung yonghwa, Sungkyunkwan Scandal Song JongKi and Yoo AhIn love the most for their bromance, To The Beautiful adorable Lee Hyunwoo, BBF charismatic Hyunjoong..
Cause their characters show us something different..

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Gwi… where’s my Gwi…

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Yeah, I think we can’t left Yang Myung Gun behind.. I love TMTETS …

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Shiwoo (Infinite’s L) from She’s Lovable, too. It’s weird or what but the reason why I didn’t like the drama is that I badly want him for Sena and they had such a great chemistry, and Shiwoo, being a popular member of a boyband, abandoned by his members, said to be only popular because of his looks, he really had more impact on me because of it XD And his relationship with his mom and the pains he endured. And finally, his persistency over Sena, and how he still wants to be good friends with her after all, and I also love how he shows what he feels in a very cool and arrogant way but so sweet.

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Baek In Ho….

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

baek in ho

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Why Cheese In The Trap’s Baek In Ho isn’t here? :<

Reply
7 years ago
Angela
Author
Angela

Great suggestion! This is definitely not meant to be a definitive list, but to get everyone talking about who else they think should be included :)

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

I agree so much for Young Do…even he is the best cast at heirs actually how he look so hate Tan so much but actually have his careness for him to….

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

Definitely Cha Eun Gyul from To the Beautiful You!!! I fell in love instantly. Lee Hyun Woo oppa is adorable!!! ^___^

Reply
7 years ago
Anonymous
Guest
Anonymous

I thought Chilbong from Reply 1994 and Yang Myung from Moon Embracing the Sun will be in this list.

Reply
7 years ago
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