Second Lead Syndrome is one of the deadly and contagious diseases in Korean Dramas. Second Lead Syndrome is something that pulls the heartstrings of the audience. There were instances where the audience shared the opinion that the female lead should have ended up with the second male lead. It occurred in many dramas where the makers changed the webtoon’s ending as happened in Nevertheless. Few actors have outshined the main lead of the drama. Kim Seon Ho, Song Kang, Ryu Jun Yeol, and others have given some of the unforgettable second lead syndromes to the audience. Here is the list of the top 10 Korean Actors who have excelled at giving second lead syndrome to the audience.
1. Kim Seon Ho
Kim Seon Ho is one of the most unforgettable leads in Korean Dramas. He played the role of an ambitious, honest, and sincere mentor in Start-Up. He outshined the main lead in the drama. Kim Seon Ho was called the Goodboy of the Korean Dramas. The fans loved his relationship with Dal Mi-s grandma in the drama. they badly wished for Han Ji Peyong’s happy ending.
2. Ryu Jun Yeol
Ryu Jun Yeol played the role of Kim Jung Hwan in the reply series called Reply 1988. The drama follows a cheerful atmosphere and tells the tale of life during the 80s. Jung Hwan gave one of the deadliest syndromes to the fans. He inspired people how to love someone unconditionally. Even though he didn’t end up with Hyeri in the drama, he ended up with her in the real life.
3. Lee Do Hyun
Lee Do Hyun gave terrible heartbreak to the fans when he starred in the fantasy drama Hotel Del Luna. He played the role of the second lead Go Chung Myung. Chung Myung waited for the female lead for more than 1000 years. He decided to stay by the side of Jang Weol even if he has to live as a firefly.
4. Wi Ha Joon
Wi Ha Joon played the role of the second personality of Lee Dong Wook in the drama Bad and Crazy. Even though they were the same, his personality as a K moved the audience. Whenever he meets the female lead he used to get shy and doesn’t talk. He used to deliver her flowers every night. He gave one of the unforgettable second lead syndromes to the audience.
5. Go Kyung Pyo
Go Kyung Pyo is surely one of the most underrated second leads in Korean Dramas. He played the role of a great friend Yoo Jin Oh in the drama. He loved Jeon Seol but stepped back when he realized she liked his best friend. He sacrificed his life for both of his friends. He is the epitome of a friend we all need in our life.
6. Chae Jong Hyeop
Chae Jong Hyeop is popularly known as the Potato Boy in Korean Dramas. This is because of his role as the second lead in the drama Nevertheless. He played the role of Do-Hyeok in the drama Nevertheless. The drama was adapted from the webtoon of the same name. Unfortunately, the makers have changed the ending which saddened many fans.
7. Lee Jae Wook
Lee Jae Wook as Bae Kyung gave us one of the most confusing second lead syndromes in Korean Dramas. The webtoon creator in the drama Extraordinary You has intentionally made his character rude and arrogant. But outside webtoon, he was more kind and soft to Dan Oh. This ached the hearts of fans and put them in a dilemma whether to love him or hate him.
8. Kim Hyun Joong
Kim Hyun Joong is easily one of the first-second lead syndromes of every K-drama enthusiast. He played the role of Yoon Ji Hoon in the classy cult Boys Over Flower. Even he was the first choice of the female lead Jandi in the drama. The fans loved their platonic relationship.
9. Lee Sang Yi
Lee Sang Yi stands out as the most healthy and non-toxic second lead syndrome in the Korean Drama World. He starred as Ji Seong in the drama. He liked the female lead Hye Jin since his college days. However, due to hesitation and other factors he never confessed his love. When he meets Hye-Jin again he gets the closure he wanted and moved on happily.
10. Hwang In Youp
The international famous drama True Beauty gave the audience one of the most heartbreaking second lead syndromes to the audience. Hwang In Yeop played the role of Seo Jun in the drama. He cared for Ju Kyung even when he knew his efforts and love wouldn’t be reciprocated. The fans were crying when they saw him crying in the last few episodes.
