Second leads are supposed to provide a worthy romantic opponent or there won't be much drama in k-drama comedies. The k-drama heroine should have a hard time deciding between two very attractive options. But there's usually a convincing argument to choose one over the other.
Some choices are harder than others. Take "She Was Pretty." Hwang Jung Eum and Park Seo Joon have proven chemistry but there is something so charming about the goofy chaebol that Choi Si Won plays, viewers are wanting him to get the girl. He loved her when she was frumpy. He even liked her wacky style. That's a winning quality. They seem so right for each other. Yet Park Seo Joon's character was her first love.
Wanting the second lead to get the girl has been called Second Lead Syndrome and Super Junior's Choi Si Won is a good example. Here are nine other times k-drama second leads stole our hearts and almost got the girl. Spoilers ahead
Jung Yong Hwa: The CNBLUE singer did not get the girl in "You're Beautiful" but he was so appealing that he was paired up with Park Shin Hye in another drama, "Heartstrings." His character was protective and sweetly devoted while the main lead was often mean to her.
Jung Il Woo: In "The Moon Embracing The Sun" he played Kim Soo Hyun's rival for royal power and the girl. While Kim Soo Hyun had occasionally and inadvertently been mean to the love of his life, Jung Il Woo was always there for her. It does not end well for Jung Il Woo, except that plenty of viewers fell in love with him.
Choi Jin Hyuk: Jang Nara and Jang Hyuk did seem perfect for each other in "Fated To Love You" but that doesn't mean he was always nice to her. Choi Jin Hyuk's character on the other hand was prepared to support her financially and emotionally whether she was his sister, his friend or his girlfriend. There were moments when viewers wanted Jang Nara's character to ditch Jang Hyuk's and ride off into the sunset with Choi Jin Hyuk.
Yook Sung Jae: In "Who Are You - School 2015?" Kim So Hyun chooses her twin sister's childhood friend Nam Joo Hyuk but Yook Sung Jae's character was so much more appealing. Nam Joo Hyuk was not mean. He also was devoted to both of Kim So Hyun's characters but BtoB's Yook Sung Jae stood by his classmate no matter what.
Kim Jae Wook: There was no question that Moon Geun Young would wind up with Jang Geun Suk in "Mary Stayed Out All Night" but Kim Jae Wook had some moments in that drama where viewers began to wonder about her choice. Jang Geun Suk's character was not big into commitment whereas Kim Jae Wook was ready to take responsibility. And he seemed so lonely without her. He definitely won the second lead sympathy vote.
Second Lead Syndrome does not just apply to actors, our readers have been smart enough to point out. Sometimes viewers root for the second lead actress. Think of Kang So Ra in "Doctor Stranger." She was the second female lead but she was a much better choice for Lee Jong Suk's refugee doctor. She was honest and supportive, whereas Jin Se Yeon took some dubious actions that might have hurt him. Jin's character's motives were still hard to decipher at the end of the drama.
And occasionally the second lead does get the girl. Technically Eric Moon was the second lead in "Discovery of Romance." He was Jung Yu Mi's first love but she was living with someone else. And Kim Soo Hyun could be considered the second lead in "Dream High." Park Shi Hoo got the girl in "How To Meet The Perfect Neighbor," "Queen of Reversals" and "Prosecutor Princess." It can happen.
What are Choi Si Won's odds in "She Was Pretty?" Tune in and find out.