Second Lead Syndrome in Korean Dramas: Why Do We Always Fall for Them?

Romantic Korean dramas have always been a favorite for many people. But sometimes, the triangle love story in K-drama puts the second lead character on highlights more to captivate the audiences’ emotions deeper into the drama. For K-drama fans, this type of storyline can cause the second lead syndrome in Korean dramas.

Whether he is a good boy or a bad boy, the second leads have more than the first leads have in many aspects, such as a mysterious personality that intriguing, lovable nature, and willingness to sacrifice to protect the female lead.

Also, the right chosen actor supports the audiences to fall in love with the second, and it makes the fans of the K-drama split in two. Even when the drama has ended, some fans are still fussing about the first lead character and the second lead character.

Two Korean dramas that have teams for the first lead and second leads are Reply 1988 and Start-Up. In the Korean drama Reply 1988, there are Team Jung-hwan (Ryu Jun-yeol) and Team Choi Taek (Park Bo-gum). Meanwhile, another Korean drama with split fans is Start-Up. There are Team Do San (Nam Joo-hyuk) and Team Jipyeong (Kim Seon Ho).

So, let’s look at the list of Korean actors and their characters who gave you the second lead syndrome experience in Korean dramas.

Korean Dramas with Second Lead Syndrome Actors & Characters

1. Kim Jung Hwan by Ryu Jun-yeol in K-drama “Reply 1998“

2. Ha Woo-Tak by Jung Hae In in “While You Were Sleeping”

3. Wang Wook by Kang Haneul in K-drama “Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo”

4. Choi Young Do by Kim Woobin in “The Heirs“

5. Go Chung Myung by Lee Do Hyun in K-drama “Hotel De La Luna”

6. Han Ji Pyeong by Kim Seon Ho in K-drama “Start Up”

7. Baek In Ho by Seo Kang Joon in K-drama “Cheese in The Trap”

8. Jung Nam Gil by Jang Ki-Yong in “Go Back Couple”

9. Han Seo Jun by Hwang In Youp in “True Beauty”

10. Kim Tae Sung by Song Geun-hee in “Lovely Runner”

And there you have it — a rollercoaster of emotions through some of the most unforgettable second leads in K-drama history. Whether they were the charming best friend, the brooding protector, or the selfless lover, these characters left a mark that still tugs at our hearts. Second lead syndrome may not come with a happy ending, but it sure makes for powerful storytelling.

Now it’s your turn! Which second lead had you screaming “He deserved better!” at the screen? Drop your ultimate second lead heartbreaks in the comments below — let’s bond over the ones who almost had it all.

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