5 K-dramas which Sparked Second Lead Syndrome and Left Us Longing for a different ending
If you are a Koreaboo or merely a K-drama lover, then there is a high possibility that you have experienced the 'Second lead syndrome'. The expectations were set high, and our hearts were prepared for heartbreak, yet we couldn't resist watching until the very end and then cried in the corner. Well, yes, that’s the story of every second K-drama fan who just can’t stop simping over the handsome oppas who scream the green flag only to get rejected by the female lead. These plotlines have become a longstanding tradition in classic K-dramas, leaving fans yearning for an alternative outcome. Here are five such K-dramas that had us crying and feeling bad for the second lead.
K-dramas that gave us second lead syndrome:
Hwang In Youp in True Beauty: The second lead syndrome was only in the heads of K-drama lovers until Hwang In Youp’s character of Han Seo Jun gave it wings to fly. The heartache struck so badly with the fans that they actually wanted to have a spinoff with the female lead accepting Han Seo Jun as her lover. Well, we agree it's impossible to resist his charm. True Beauty, which is derived from a webtoon, highlights the story of three teens caught up in a love triangle. The teenage K-drama stars Moon Ga Young and Astro's Cha Eun Woo in the lead roles.
Chae Jong Hyeop in Nevertheless: So, Yoo Na Bi (Han So Hee) chose walking red flag Park Jae Eon (Song Kang) over Yang Do Heyok (Chae Jong Hyeop), who is a keeper. Not surprised since the K-drama was scripted to appease the Western audience as well. And though Nevertheless didn’t perform well in South Korea, the series was a hit overseas, making the stars household names. But that didn't save the fans from the misery after watching Yang Do Heyok being turned down by the female lead. The heartbreak became even more painful after witnessing all the preparations, goals, and standards he dropped before proposing to his childhood crush. Sad enough!
Jung Hae In in While You Were Sleeping: You may have witnessed Jung Hae In taking on a challenging role in Snowdrop and admired his boldness and strength. However, let's shift our focus to his "soft boy era." It was during the K-drama While You Were Sleeping that Korea's heartthrob, Lee Jong Suk, portrayed the character of Jung Jae-chan, who captured the heart of the female lead, Nam Hong Joo, portrayed by Bae Suzy, ultimately leaving Han Woo Tak, played by Jung Hae In, heartbroken and devastated. It turns out he wasn't the only one experiencing heartbreak, as the impact he made in that role still resonates in the hearts of fans.
Seo Kang Joon in Cheese in the Trap: Why is it not regrettable to admit that Baek In Ho was the safe and perfect choice for Hong Seol in the K-drama "Cheese in the Trap"? Let's face the reality that the story deserved a better conclusion. "Cheese in the Trap" is a brilliantly crafted webtoon, and the screen adaptation had the potential to be exceptional if the creators had stayed true to the original plotline. Fans strongly believe that they should have changed the direction of the show and paired her with In Ho instead. Their chemistry was undeniable, and their relationship would have made much more sense. It was truly heart-wrenching to witness Baek In Ho's unrequited love for Hong Seol (portrayed by Kim Go Eun).
Lee Sang Yi in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha: While fans were rooting for the beloved 'Dimple Dimple' couple, Kim Seon Ho as Hong Du-Sik and Shin Min A as Yoon Hye Jin, there was a pang of disappointment when Ji Seong Hyeon's character, portrayed by Lee Sang Yi, had to witness the female lead choose someone else. The viewers can't help but feel a strong attachment to Ji PD, given his endearing personality. It puts the audience in a big dilemma if they were in Hye Jin's shoes, as it becomes an impossible task to choose between Chief Hong and Ji PD.
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