Have you ever fallen in love with someone who made you feel appreciated and special? But ended up being the third wheel in their relationship? This real-life scenario is brought to life in K-dramas in the most dramatic way possible through the performances of its main lead and the second lead. The second lead characters are always ideal for our lives since they are kind, smart, and sociable.
The second lead further captures the hearts of the viewers by stepping away from the relationship of the main lead.
In K-dramas, a love triangle is used to spice up the plot, and we, the viewers, get the second-lead syndrome, where we want the main lead to wind up with the second lead rather than the intended partner. And it’s always worth being a part of the second-lead syndrome club. Here is a list of some K-dramas that induce second-lead syndrome in their viewers.
- ‘True Beauty’
Isn’t it fascinating to see the popular and handsome boy in high school with a bad boy streak fall in love with a girl? Seo-jun, played by Hwang-in-Yeop, a former friend of Suho, the main character, falls for Ju-kyung’s charms and develops emotions for her. With his gentle and protective gestures, the second-lead syndrome goes deeper here. Not only that, but the character gives a hard time to his admirers by maintaining his one-sided affection for her while also being her best buddy. All we want is pure love and happiness for Seo-jun, which he genuinely deserves.
‘The Heirs’
Will you agree that rooting for Choi Young to fall in love was the first thing we did while watching ‘The Heirs’? Choi Young-do is played by Kim Woo-bin. With his straightforward ways of expressing his emotions, the main protagonist made people fall in love with him by conveying his honesty via his sentiments. The happy ending was written with the union of the main protagonists Kim-Tan and Cha-Eun-Sang, thanks to his admirable and passionate attempts to keep Cha-Eun-Sang happy.
‘Business Proposal’
Although love triangles and second-lead syndrome were prevalent among the drama’s male leads, the show ‘Business Proposal’ reminded viewers that it is not always the male lead who is ensnared in a love triangle, but also female leads. Shin Ha-Ri’s long-term crush, Min Woo, reunites with his ex-girlfriend at an unexpected time when Ha-Ri suffers an unforeseen heartbreak. She decides to move on, and this is when things begin to improve. Fortunately, Kang Tae Moo falls for her charms, and the love triangle improves Ha-Ri’s life by making Tae Moo competitive.
‘Itaewon Class’
Oh-Soo-ah, the second lead in ‘Itaewon Class,’ grew up with a rough upbringing, making the viewers trust in a better love for her in the future. The second lead turned out to be a businesswoman, and we rooted for her to end up with Park-Sae-ro-yi, but he ended up hurting not only the second lead’s heart but also the hearts of the viewers, by declining his love for her.
‘Cheer Up’
Is it just me, or does everyone desire a bad boy to fall in love with a girl in order to have the best romance plot? Yes, the second lead, Jin-Sun-ho, falls in love with the bright and playful Do Haei. The audience falls in love with the relationship despite the fact that he has never bent over backwards for a girl before. The sight of Do Haei rejecting him will undoubtedly make you cry. Jin-Sun-ho, like the other second leads, deserves the best for his kindest and sweet personality.
Sometimes you are meant to meet people, cherish their company, and feel loved by their small gestures, but if you are not meant to be with them, it’s okay if things don’t work out. That certain someone is on their journey. You can’t force someone to love.