Second Male Lead Syndrome in K-Dramas: Top 10 Favorites (Part 1)

If you are a fan of K-Dramas, you must be familiar with term ‘second male lead syndrome’. What does it mean? Second male lead syndrome refers to the tendency of viewers to root for the other guy in K-Dramas. Instead of male lead, they want the second male lead to win female lead heart and get his own happy ending.

Second male lead syndrome has been going on in K-Dramas since a long time ago, probably at the beginning of Hallyu Wave. It is a huge part of K-Dramas because most dramas use love triangle as its main plot device.

There are various reasons on why viewers like to root for second male lead. In the beginning, viewers saw the second male lead as a devoted and loyal figure to the female lead. But nowadays, their portrayal has changed variously. Some of the current male lead has troubled background that can be wounded by the female lead. While others love female lead since a long time, but pretend to be ignorant because he does not want to ruin their friendship.

From the explanation above, I think you guys already got an idea about the syndrome and understand why is it so easy for viewers to fall for them (including me!). Today, in honor of these swoon-worthy second male leads, I decide to write list about list of my favorites. It consists of 10 second male lead from different K-Dramas, which stand out among others.

Who are they? Just check out the list of my top 10 favorites second male lead in K-Dramas below……………………

There will be minor SPOILER on this post, so beware if you haven’t watch the drama J

10. Kang Woo (Seo In Guk) – The Master’s Sun (2013)

The Master’s Sun took an interesting way for the second male lead storyline Kang Woo (Seo In Guk). He was the one who became object of affection between female lead Tae Gong Sil (Gong Hyo Jin) and second female lead Tae Yi Ryung (Kim Yoo Ri). Their adoration to Kang Woo was understandable. As the new head of shopping mall security, he was handsome, strong, and cool. He was nice too where he did not hesitate to help Tae Gong Sil and Tae Yi Ryung.

The hysteria surrounding Kang Woo from Tae Gong Sil and Tae Yi Ryung provided comic relief in The Master’s Sun. This also added by the male lead Joo Jong Won (So Ji Sub) disliked towards Kang Woo because he did not see what so special about him. Prepare to laugh where watching their interaction in The Master’s Sun J

Best Moments: No matter how awesome Kang Woo was, he still afraid of ghost. His scared expression looked adorable whenever Tae Gong Sil told a story about it.

9. Gong Tae Kwang (Yook Sung Jae) – School 2015: Who Are You (2015)

Yook Sung Jae popularity increased after he acted as Gong Tae Kwang in School 2015: Who Are You. Yook Sung Jae played this character in such natural and easy way. We did believe that it was his real persona!

Aside from Yook Sung Jae good acting, Gong Tae Kwang himself was also great character. He was the troublemaker student who often acted crazy for attention. Gong Tae Kwang longed love from his father, but he hardly got that. Instead he built connection with Lee Eun Bi (Kim So Hyun), the twin sister of popular girl in school. He approached, encouraged, and believed in her and at the end, he fell in love.

Viewers could feel Gong Tae Kwang pure heart to Lee Eun Bi, so they wanted him to end up with her. Unfortunately, their wishes did not come true because Lee Eun Bi chose Han Yi Ahn (Nam Joo Hyuk), his twin sister best friend. This decision turned viewers rage (seriously) and created shipper fan war at that time.

Best Moments: Gong Tae Kwang doubted Lee Eun Bi identity as Go Eun Byul, his twin sister, in the beginning. But, he let that doubt go and tried to convince Lee Eun Bi that she was indeed Go Eun Byul. This was such a poignant moment for Lee Eun Bi character where she decided to fully transform into Go Eun Byul in the next episode.

8. Wang Wook (Kang Ha Neul) – Scarlet Heart: Moon Lovers (2016)

Who doesn’t love Prince Charming? I’m sure you guys like him, so it’s no surprise to see Prince Number 8, Wang Wook (Kang Ha Neul) from Scarlet Heart Ryeo: Moon Lovers appeared on this list. Just like what I said on the above, Wang Wook was basically perfect. He was the kind-hearted prince who cared deeply about his surroundings. He then fell in love with Hae Soo (IU), a girl from present day that time travel to Goryeo Dynasty thousand years ago.

His love for Hae Soo was genuine. He expressed his concern and love for her as well as comforted her during tough time. Viewers hooked on their relationship in the beginning, but apparently it did not last long. Wang Wook chose throne over Hae Soo and left her. He then became greedy and arrogant; the total opposite of old Wang Wook. It’s scary how much power could change you.

Best Moments: Whenever Wang Wook looked gently at Hae Soo, every viewers swooned over him too.

 

7. Chilbong (Yoo Yeon Seok) – Reply 1994 (2013)

It would be unfair to let out Chilbong (Yoo Yeon Seok) from Reply 1994 on this list. Chilbong was a character that raise second lead syndrome tendency again in these past several years. Viewers smitten by him and strongly wanted him as Na Jeong (Go Ara) groom at the end. Of course, it did not end as expected and it ignited another fan war (again) between his supporter and Trash (Jung Woo) supporter. That was pretty intense, even until now.

Then what makes Chilbong special? Well, he’s basically Prince Charming just like Wang Wook, but in more modern setting. He was handsome, rich, and kind-hearted. On top of that, he was popular too since he was softball athlete. Everyone knew and loved him from teenagers to adults.

Despite all his charming elements, Chilbong was modest in love. He fell in love with Na Jeong who was messy and ignorant. It’s cute to see him try to get close with Na Jeong, but the latter never got his real intention. This part was another reason that made viewers like him.  I mean like he was basically fulfill every girl fantasy, what if your dream boy secretly fell in love with you.

Best Moments: When Na Jong hugs Chilbong after she thought he was the victim in fire accident.

6. Oh Jin Rak (Kim Ji Hoon) – Flower Boy Next Door (2013)

Most dramas treated second male lead only as its plot device. But, Flower Boy Next Door didn’t go into that route. This drama created Oh Jin Rak (Kim Ji Hoon), the second male lead character with solid background and motivation. He was a webtoon artist who constantly got unlucky and has huge temperament. But his heart soften and his attitude became awkward whenever he met his introvert neighbor Go Dok Mi (Park Shin Hye).

Oh Jin Rak fell in love with Go Dok Mi in whole different way than Enrique (Yoon Shi Yoon), the male lead. If Enrique wanted Go Dok Mi to push her boundaries and be brave, Oh Jin Rak did the opposite. He let Go Dok Mi closed off from outside world just like what she wanted. Oh Jin Rak tried to respect her personal space while made sure she was comfortable enough.

Oh Jin Rak and Enrique approach to Go Dok Mi created great dynamic to Flower Boy Next Door. Nobody was at wrong here, but it was nice to see them fight what they believed as the best for her. Although Oh Jin Rak did not end up with Go Dok Mi at the end, he still appreciated her.

Best Moments: Every Oh Jin Rak attempt to talk with Go Dok Mi that always ended up awkward.

That was some of the first list of my top 10 favorites second male lead in K-Dramas. I still have five more to go, so make sure you guys still check out my blogs! In the mean time, do share your favorites second male lead in K-Dramas through comment section below J

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5 Surprising Idols

Hello, everyone! How’s the first week of 2016 going for you? Hopefully, you can manage the good spirit until the end of this year J

Last year, I started 2015 posts with the list of next generation boy and girl groups. It turns out to be spot on because most of them manage to become bigger or maintain their popularity in 2015. I guess I have talent on that hahaha.

This year, I will start with another list, but it’s more light and unique. I called it surprising idols. Why is it a surprise? Because in the early days of their career, nobody would have thought these five idols will get it big among their teammates. Also, it’s a surprise because some of them gain recognition in the most unusual way.

So, here is my list of five surprising idols that gain fame in these past several years………

1.     EXID Hani

           

Hani is one of a kind case. People started to pay attention to her when her solo focus fan cam went viral in 2014 and gathered 18 million viewers until now. Her alluring charisma captivated people, which also made them take interest to her group, EXID. The most surprising thing is the song in the fan cam, Up & Down became a massive hit in late 2014 despite released 3 months earlier.

Hani’s popularity skyrocketed too. She scored various endorsement deals like  with video game Clash of Kings, hosted and guested in various shows such as My Little Television, Crime Scene, and Law of the Jungle, and became cameo in drama The Producers. Her smart and funny personality is a reverse charm to her sexy personality on stage.

She started 2016 with a bang through her dating news with JYJ Junsu while also planning to become a regular member in another variety show Sibling Love with her brother.

2.     BTOB Sungjae

It took three years for Sungjae to achieve huge success like today. Since debut, he is one of the active members in BTOB. He appeared and hosted several shows while also acted in some dramas. However, not many people aware of his name.

It was until he showcased his powerful singing voice on King of Mask Singer where people began to know him in 2015. This followed by his appearance in drama Who Are You: School 2015 that created buzz because of his acting and chemistry with Kim So Hyun. Sungjae started to receive endorsement deals and offer to become variety show cast, music show host, and to act in another drama, The Village: Archiara’s Secret. His popularity also helped BTOB where their single in 2015, It’s Okay, topped various music charts upon its release for the first time.

           

2015 is surely a busy year for him and this year, he will continue his appearance in variety show We Got Married with Red Velvet Joy and music show Inkigayo.

3.     Girl’s Day Hyeri

Girl’s Day Hyeri showed that it’s possible to hit it big two times. In 2014, her aegyo video to army instructor in variety show Real Men became a hot topic. It has one million views in three days despite the aegyo only lasted three seconds. Her popularity boosted, even made her fan sign event cancelled because there are too many people who want to see her in 2014.

In 2015, she starred as a female lead in popular drama installments, Reply 1988. Hyeri successfully changed people’s negative views about her acting when she turned into the lovable and funny Deoksun, her character. Thanks to both Real Men and Reply 1988, she is now having 17 endorsement deals. There was still no information about her career plan in 2016, but it would be interesting to see whether she could maintain her popularity this year.

4.     SISTAR Soyu

Soyu used to be the least popular member in SISTAR, but now, who doesn’t know her? People began to notice her husky voice after collaborating with Geeks through a remake of Tamia’s song, Officially Missing You in 2012 and with Mad Clown for single Stupid in Love in 2013. But, it was her duet song with JungGiGo, Some that made her well known. Some was a huge hit in 2014 where it won various awards and became the longest chart-topper song in the same year.

The success of Some helped increasing Soyu’s popularity. She made various show appearances, even became the new host of beauty program Get It Beauty in 2015. She also consistently releasing collaboration songs such as The Space Between with Urban Zakapa in 2014 and Closer with 10cm Kwon Jung Yeol in 2015; both of them shared similar success. She also took part in the soundtrack    of 2015 popular drama, She Was Pretty. Currently, Soyu is still resting through her injury. Wishing her speedy recovery, so she can grace us again with her   lovely voice in 2016!

5.     2PM Junho

If we look back to the early days of 2PM, we will never think that Junho will be as big as nowadays. He isn’t as handsome as Nichkhun or as funny as Taecyeon. His vocal and dance often overshadowed by other members too. But, he proved us wrong. He is the hidden gem of 2PM.

His success may seem under the radar for most K-Pop fans since his career focus is in Japan. Apparently, he is the first 2PM member to release Japanese solo album. He has three Japanese mini-albums that topped ORICON daily chart and held Japanese tours for each of his album. He then released his Korean album, ONE, and hold two days solo concert in South Korea last year.

Not only music, he also expanded his career in acting. He has acted in several movies along with popular star such as Cold Eyes with Jung Woo Sung and Han Hyo Joo, Twenty with Kim Woobin and Kang Haneul, and Memories of the Sword with Jeon Do Yeon and Lee Byung Hun. He will try his luck in drama this year through Memory along side Lee Sung Min while also prepare for 2PM Korean comeback and Japan tour.

It’s always exciting to see how these idols find a success in a most unexpected way. I think that is a part of K-Entertainment charm. I will definitely look forward to what they will bring in 2016!

Do you guys have another name, a surprising idol in your opinion?

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