These K-drama second male lead characters will make you experience the second lead syndrome.
Second male leads in Korean dramas are often warm, kindhearted guys with stunning visuals, yet can’t end up winning the hearts of the female leads. Let’s take a look at the 6 most memorable second male leads that break our hearts seeing their fate.

• Gye Sun Woo (Bae In Hyuk) – My Roommate is Gumiho

Playing the college senior of the female lead Lee Dam in My Roommate is Gumiho, and having a tall and good-looking appearance, Sun Woo easily captures the viewers’ hearts.

At first, the fact that he reached out to the female lead only because of his curiosity and places a bet on her love with his friends probably doesn’t imprint a good impression on the audience. But a character development that happened in the later episodes, Sun Woo develops real feelings for Lee Dam. He even quits smoking because she does not like the smell of the cigarettes. He is always willing to offer his shoulder for her to lean on. But obviously, Lee Dam ends up with the male lead, while Sun Woo decides to leave the country to study abroad. The connection established between the female lead and the second male lead makes those fans who are on Team Sun Woo feel dismayed for the fact that these two were unable to be the endgame, but it’s hard not to accept that Lee Dam is meant to be with Shin Woo Yeo!

• Han Ji Pyeong (Kim Seon Ho) – Start-Up

Depicting the story of the two main characters who embark on a start-up journey to prove themselves and achieve aspirations, Start-Up became a hit drama around the end of 2020.

In the drama, “good boy” Ji Pyeong stands out for his stunning appearance and intelligence from a young age. When he grows up, he establishes himself as a successful team leader at a technology investment company. He is also thoughtful and always caring to the female lead Seo Dal Mi silently. Although he behaves like he doesn’t like her, the truth is he always hide her true feelings for Seo Dal Mi. Kim Seon Ho‘s character seems to be more ideal than the male lead so viewers are rooting for him to be the endgame for Seo Dal Mi. But, Ji Pyeong failed to win the heart of the female lead.

• Han Seo Joon (Hwang In Yeop) – True Beauty

The drama revolves around the heroine Im Ju Gyeong (Moon Ga Young), who was frequently condemned and teased for her appearance. After transitioning to a new school, Im Ju Gyeong practiced makeup to change her appearance. She quickly established herself as a pretty girl and became the center of attention on her new school. She was also courted by the two most popular boys in the school Lee Su Ho (Cha Eun Woo) and Han Seo Jin (Hwang In Yeob)

Im Ju Gyeong – Han Seo Joon’s romantic “moments” filled the film from small things such as Han Seo Joon smiling shyly when Im Ju Gyeong tied shoelaces for him, or Han Seo Joon making dumplings to compete for a “ticket” to be the son-in-law of Im Ju Gyeong’s parents. Although True Beauty ended with the heroine Ju Gyeong finding her true happiness, the scene of Han Seo Joon crying painfully on the stairs made viewers unhappy.

• Hwang Sun Oh (Song Kang) – Love Alarm

Love Alarm revolves around the story of a technology that enables users to discover love through an application that notifies users when someone within 10 meters has romantic feelings for them. In the drama, the character Sun Oh (played by Song Kang) was built to be like the heroine Jo-Jo at first sight. He always “gave away without getting back” and uplift Jo Jo whenever she feels down or sad.

Then because of her self-deprecation, Jo Jo broke up with Sun Oh despite his suffering, pain, and begging. When Sun Oh was waiting for her in the midst of the cold winter, Jo Jo was still selfish with her own thoughts that caused him to cry. However, their love became a solid “springboard” since Jo Jo’s psychological development happened later. The love story of Sun Oh – Jo Jo may have ended unfinished, but it was undeniable that it made the viewers sad.

• Yoon Ji Hoon (Kim Hyun Joong) – Boys over flowers

Surely you’ve heard of the Korean hit drama about the love story of a “Cinderella” with the top Korean chaebol that was broadcast more than 10 years ago!

We can clearly see the character Ji Hoon – the grandson of the president at that time, with his attractive and elegant appearance, exceptional musical talent, and a deep love for the female lead of the drama. His affection for Jan Di is visible in his eyes and actions. Then when Jan Di and Goo Jun Pyo fell in love, he gave way and put his feelings aside but he still cares for Jan Di. Ji Hoon’s love for Jan Di makes viewers sympathize with him.

• Yang Do Hyuk (Chae Jong Hyeop) – Nevertheless
  

Nevertheless is a Korean drama that tells the love story of a young girl Na Bi (Han So Hee). She falls into an ambiguous relationship with “bad boy” Park Jae Eon (Song Kang) on where he likes to date but doesn't want a serious relationship.

In addition to the main couple, viewers were rooting for Do Hyuk – who always considers Na Bi as his first love. Do Hyuk is a “good boy”, who always tenderly takes care of Na Bi, cares about her feelings, and respects her, unlike the male lead. Na Bi’s decision to choose Jae Eon (Song Kang) in the last episode stimulated anger among fans.

Singer Steve Yoo (Yoo Seung Jun), who has been banned from entering South Korea for over two decades, continues to express his love for the country and his desire to return.

On March 21, Yoo Seung Jun posted a video on his personal account along with a cryptic caption, saying, “When one door closes, another opens. When one door opens, another closes.”

He continued, “Just because a door has opened doesn’t mean I should leave, and just because one is closed doesn’t mean I shouldn’t try to open it. I am simply walking the path my father told me to take. Whether people acknowledge it or not no longer matters to me.”

His hashtags also caught attention, as he included “I love you,” “Bless you,” “South Korea,” “Loved ones,” “Everything will be okay,” and “Korea.” Fans couldn’t help but wonder if he was once again hinting at his hope to return.

Just a few days earlier, on March 18, Yoo Seung Jun had also posted a nostalgic message about his time in South Korea.

He wrote, “December 7, 1989—13 years old (1st year of middle school). The school I attended until the day before I immigrated to the U.S. in Songpa-gu, Oju Middle School, is still the same.”

Along with his message, he shared a video of the school's walls and playground, revealing, “One of my fans filmed my middle school, which I attended until I left for the U.S., and sent me the video.”

The clip also showed scenes of his elementary school, making fans reminisce about his past in Korea.

Yoo Seung Jun was one of the most popular artists in South Korea during the 1990s, but his career took a sharp turn in 2002 when he unexpectedly left for the U.S., renounced his Korean citizenship, and became a U.S. citizen.

This led to widespread backlash, as many saw it as an attempt to evade mandatory military service. As a result, the South Korean government banned him from entering the country.

Since then, he has repeatedly taken legal action in hopes of lifting the ban. Now, with his continued efforts and heartfelt messages about Korea, many are wondering—will he finally be allowed back after 23 years?

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