If you are a fan of K-Dramas, you must be familiar with term
‘second male lead syndrome’. What does it mean? Second male lead syndrome
refers to the tendency of viewers to root for the other guy in K-Dramas. Instead
of male lead, they want the second male lead to win female lead heart and get
his own happy ending.
Second male lead syndrome has been going on in K-Dramas since a
long time ago, probably at the beginning of Hallyu Wave. It is a huge part of
K-Dramas because most dramas use love triangle as its main plot device.
There are various reasons on why viewers like to root for second
male lead. In the beginning, viewers saw the second male lead as a devoted and
loyal figure to the female lead. But nowadays, their portrayal has changed
variously. Some of the current male lead has troubled background that can be
wounded by the female lead. While others love female lead since a long time,
but pretend to be ignorant because he does not want to ruin their friendship.
From the explanation above, I think you guys already got an idea
about the syndrome and understand why is it so easy for viewers to fall for
them (including me!). Today, in honor of these swoon-worthy second male leads,
I decide to write list about list of my favorites. It consists of 10 second
male lead from different K-Dramas, which stand out among others.
Who are they? Just check out the list of my top 10 favorites
second male lead in K-Dramas below……………………
There will be minor SPOILER
on this post, so beware if you haven’t watch the drama J
10. Kang Woo
(Seo In Guk) – The Master’s Sun (2013)
The Master’s
Sun took an interesting way for the second male
lead storyline Kang Woo (Seo In Guk).
He was the one who became object of affection between female lead Tae Gong Sil (Gong Hyo Jin) and second
female lead Tae Yi Ryung (Kim Yoo Ri).
Their adoration to Kang Woo was understandable. As the new head of shopping
mall security, he was handsome, strong, and cool. He was nice too where he did
not hesitate to help Tae Gong Sil and Tae Yi Ryung.
The hysteria surrounding Kang Woo from Tae Gong Sil and Tae Yi
Ryung provided comic relief in The Master’s Sun. This also added by the male
lead Joo Jong Won (So Ji Sub) disliked
towards Kang Woo because he did not see what so special about him. Prepare to
laugh where watching their interaction in The Master’s Sun J
Best Moments: No matter how awesome Kang Woo was, he still afraid of ghost.
His scared expression looked adorable whenever Tae Gong Sil told a story about
it.
9. Gong Tae
Kwang (Yook Sung Jae) – School 2015: Who Are You (2015)
Yook Sung
Jae popularity increased after he acted as Gong Tae Kwang in School 2015: Who Are You. Yook Sung Jae played this character in
such natural and easy way. We did believe that it was his real persona!
Aside from Yook Sung Jae good acting, Gong Tae Kwang himself was
also great character. He was the troublemaker student who often acted crazy for
attention. Gong Tae Kwang longed love from his father, but he hardly got that.
Instead he built connection with Lee Eun
Bi (Kim So Hyun), the twin sister of popular girl in school. He approached,
encouraged, and believed in her and at the end, he fell in love.
Viewers could feel Gong Tae Kwang pure heart to Lee Eun Bi, so
they wanted him to end up with her. Unfortunately, their wishes did not come
true because Lee Eun Bi chose Han Yi Ahn
(Nam Joo Hyuk), his twin sister best friend. This decision turned viewers
rage (seriously) and created shipper fan war at that time.
Best
Moments: Gong Tae Kwang doubted Lee Eun Bi identity
as Go Eun Byul, his twin sister, in the beginning. But, he let that doubt go
and tried to convince Lee Eun Bi that she was indeed Go Eun Byul. This was such
a poignant moment for Lee Eun Bi character where she decided to fully transform
into Go Eun Byul in the next episode.
8. Wang Wook
(Kang Ha Neul) – Scarlet Heart: Moon Lovers (2016)
Who doesn’t love Prince Charming? I’m sure you guys like him, so
it’s no surprise to see Prince Number 8, Wang
Wook (Kang Ha Neul) from Scarlet
Heart Ryeo: Moon Lovers appeared on this list. Just like what I said on the
above, Wang Wook was basically perfect. He was the kind-hearted prince who
cared deeply about his surroundings. He then fell in love with Hae Soo (IU), a girl from present day
that time travel to Goryeo Dynasty thousand years ago.
His love for Hae Soo was genuine. He expressed his concern and
love for her as well as comforted her during tough time. Viewers hooked on
their relationship in the beginning, but apparently it did not last long. Wang
Wook chose throne over Hae Soo and left her. He then became greedy and
arrogant; the total opposite of old Wang Wook. It’s scary how much power could
change you.
Best
Moments: Whenever Wang Wook looked gently at Hae Soo,
every viewers swooned over him too.
7. Chilbong
(Yoo Yeon Seok) – Reply 1994 (2013)
It would be unfair to let out Chilbong
(Yoo Yeon Seok) from Reply 1994 on
this list. Chilbong was a character that raise second lead syndrome tendency
again in these past several years. Viewers smitten by him and strongly wanted
him as Na Jeong (Go Ara) groom at
the end. Of course, it did not end as expected and it ignited another fan war
(again) between his supporter and Trash
(Jung Woo) supporter. That was pretty intense, even until now.
Then what makes Chilbong special? Well, he’s basically Prince
Charming just like Wang Wook, but in more modern setting. He was handsome,
rich, and kind-hearted. On top of that, he was popular too since he was
softball athlete. Everyone knew and loved him from teenagers to adults.
Despite all his charming elements, Chilbong was modest in love. He
fell in love with Na Jeong who was messy and ignorant. It’s cute to see him try
to get close with Na Jeong, but the latter never got his real intention. This
part was another reason that made viewers like him. I mean like he was basically fulfill every
girl fantasy, what if your dream boy secretly fell in love with you.
Best
Moments: When Na Jong hugs Chilbong after she thought
he was the victim in fire accident.
6. Oh Jin
Rak (Kim Ji Hoon) – Flower Boy Next Door (2013)
Most dramas treated second male lead only as its plot device. But,
Flower Boy Next Door didn’t go into
that route. This drama created Oh Jin
Rak (Kim Ji Hoon), the second male lead character with solid background and
motivation. He was a webtoon artist who constantly got unlucky and has huge
temperament. But his heart soften and his attitude became awkward whenever he
met his introvert neighbor Go Dok Mi
(Park Shin Hye).
Oh Jin Rak fell in love with Go Dok Mi in whole different way than
Enrique (Yoon Shi Yoon), the male
lead. If Enrique wanted Go Dok Mi to push her boundaries and be brave, Oh Jin
Rak did the opposite. He let Go Dok Mi closed off from outside world just like
what she wanted. Oh Jin Rak tried to respect her personal space while made sure
she was comfortable enough.
Oh Jin Rak and Enrique approach to Go Dok Mi created great dynamic
to Flower Boy Next Door. Nobody was at wrong here, but it was nice to see them
fight what they believed as the best for her. Although Oh Jin Rak did not end
up with Go Dok Mi at the end, he still appreciated her.
Best
Moments: Every Oh Jin Rak attempt to talk with Go Dok
Mi that always ended up awkward.
That was some of the first list of my top 10 favorites second male
lead in K-Dramas. I still have five more to go, so make sure you guys still
check out my blogs! In the mean time, do share your favorites second male lead
in K-Dramas through comment section below J
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