If Kdrama fandoms are used to male second leads, its female counterpart is quite rare, but it usually gives the viewers an agonizing plot, especially when the second lead actress poured their heart out for the male protagonist.
On the other hand, these characters often gave the actresses their claim to fame. Take Han So Hee, for example, in her blockbuster series "The World of the Married" and the classic Kdrama "The Heirs" where viewers were stunned by Kim Ji Won's iconic role.
Interestingly, here are some of the recent and most talked-about second female lead characters who gave us major second lead syndrome (SLS).
Yeo Da Kyung in 'The World of the Married'
Being the other woman of Lee Tae Oh (Park Hae Joon), everybody hated the young and beautiful Yeo Da Kyung (Han So Hee) for ruining the almost perfect marriage with Ji Sun Woo (Kim Hee Ae).
Viewers sympathize with Ji Sun Woo but later realize that all Yeo Da Kyung wants is to have her own family that would give her peace and genuine love.
However, she ended up giving up her relationship with Tae Oh and went to a university to finish start anew.
Seo Dan in 'Crash Landing on You'
READ MORE: 'The World of the Married' Cast Update 2021: See Which Among the Lead Stars Have Multiple Projects This Year
Unlike Yeo Da Kyung, some fans sympathized with Seo Dan (Seo Ji Hye) for her sincere feelings towards Captain Ri Jung Hyuk (Hyun Bin). Unfortunately, his heart belongs to Yoon Se Ri (Son Ye Jin) whom he met by accident.
Initially, she wanted to fight for what was right but later on, realized that there's someone who loves her unconditionally and that is Goo Seung Jun (Kim Jung Hyun).
Rachel Yoo in 'The Heirs'
Who would forget Kim Ji Won's stellar performance as the second lead in the 2013 Kdrama "The Heirs"?
Playing the role of clothing heiress Rachel Yoo, she is set to marry a wealthy heir Kim Tan (Lee Min Ho), through an arranged marriage. However, things went south when he met and fell in love with the daughter of their family's housekeeper Cha Eun Sang (Park Shin Hye).
Because of this, it brought tension between Rachel Yoo and Cha Eun Sang and tried to split them apart.
"The Heirs" also featured how she got obsessed with Kim Tan.
Oh Soo Ah in 'Itaewon Class'
In the romance series "Itaewon Class," Kwon Nara's character Oh Soo Ah was torn between her love for Park Sae Ro Yi (Park Seo Joon) and her loyalty to her company Jangga Group.
To recall, it was the conglomerate that Sae Ro Yi wanted to destroy to avenge his late father.
After some realizations, she finally decides to give justice to Sae Ro Yi, but it was too late since he already fell for Jo Yi Seo (Kim Da Mi).
Seo Sae Yi in 'Yumi's Cells'
Joining the list of female second leads is the 2021 Kdrama "Yumi's Cells."
Seo Sae Yi (Park Ji Hyun) is Goo Wong's female best friend and, at the same time, his colleague in his start-up company. Due to his closeness with her, it sparked tension between him and his girlfriend, Kim Yumi (Kim Go Eun).
Yumi insists Goo Woong and Sae Yi's relationship is going overboard and decides to break up with him.
As for Goo Wong, it not only strained his relationship with Yumi but also affected his friendship with Sae Yi.
