The “second lead” is a common show trope in K-Dramas, often characterized by pining looks and conflicts of interest. This leads to the characters being well-loved for their complexity and relatability when it comes to matters of the heart. We round up seven male second leads who pulled off their roles well, leaving us wishing they got more than they did at the end of the day. Warning: This article might contain minor spoilers for the dramas mentioned.
1. “Start-Up” - Han JiPyeong
Han JiPyeong made waves for Kim SeonHo’s career and it’s not hard to see why. In portraying the bristly investor with an unexpected soft side who has history with Seo DalMi (Suzy), SeonHo successfully stole the hearts of many and even had people convinced that he might beat the second lead allegations. Ultimately, the “Good Boy” doesn’t make the cut despite his maturity and selflessness, eventually settling for the mains’ friendship.
2. “Record of Youth” - Won HaeHyo
Byeon WooSeok grows into his role as Won HaeHyo, an aspiring star who is controlled by his overprotective mother. His close friendship with Park BoGum’s Sa HyeJun is adorable—adding an extra layer of drama when HaeHyo develops feelings for Park SoDam’s Ahn JeongHa, who ends up as HyeJun’s girlfriend. But eventually, HaeHyo paves a way out for himself even if love is not part of the equation.
3. “Who Are You: School 2015” - Gong TaeKwang
Class clown Gong TaeKwang (BTOB’s Yook SungJae) is haunted by a troubled home life, finding comfort when he befriends Lee EunBi (Kim SoHyun). His unrelenting support of her as she navigates her identity makes him nothing short of the ideal. SungJae’s interpretation of the character had many fans feeling unsatisfied with the drama’s eventual conclusion where TaeKwang’s feelings remained unreciprocated.
4. “Our Beloved Summer” - Kim JiUng
Torn between his apparent feelings for Kim DaMi (Kook YeonSo) and his friendship with Choi Ung (Choi WooShik), Kim JiUng (Kim SungCheol) teeters a precious line between which relationship he will choose to preserve. It’s a familiar conflict made all the more pitiful with the fact JiUng plays a role in DaMi and WooShik’s eventual getting back together. SungCheol is still terrific at portraying a yearning character who suffers in silence.
5. “She Was Pretty” - Kim ShinHyuk
After several years of acting, SUPER JUNIOR member SiWon’s portrayal of the free-spirited yet mysterious Kim ShinHyuk brought him critical acclaim. In a drama centered on concepts of physical appearances, ShinHyuk falling for Kim HyeJin (Hwang JungEum) pre-beauty transformation, endearing all audiences. He will always be remembered as one of the textbook examples of Second Lead Syndrome-inducing characters.
6. “Hotel Del Luna” - Go ChungMyung
You might think it’s tough to make a case for Go ChungMyung (Lee DoHyun) when his relationship with Jang ManWol (IU) quite literally exists in the past, but their tragic backstory ultimately strengthens the tandem’s love and loss. The show paints them in the sorrowful light of a terrifically done “right person, wrong time” trope. In the end, ManWol’s denial to go with him is ultimately understood—but not any less painful.
7. “Pinocchio” - Seo BeomJo
Kim YoungKwang’s Seo BeomJo is somehow simultaneously straightforward and fickle. The second lead does a full 180 midway into the drama after being initially presented as a heart of gold mama’s boy who is willing to do anything for his long-time crush Choi InHa (Park ShinHye). It’s an interesting shift of tone that doesn’t take away the fact that despite having conniving tendencies, BeomJo was genuinely just interested in doing right by InHa.
Favorite Second Lead: Chae JongHyeop From “Nevertheless,” KDRAMA STORIES|Sep 17, 2021 Melting Hearts: 5 Reasons Why Seo JiHoon Is Hinting On A Second Lead Syndrome In “Meow, The Secret Boy” KDRAMA STORIES|Mar 31, 2020
