Second Male Lead Syndrome
This list will also include times when I've been more captivated by the relationships of supporting roles - more so than the main leads.
This list follows no particular order, these are Drama's I rate both high and low, in random order.
We often find ourselves immersed in a Drama, suddenly we realise that the second male lead is a much better fit for our leading lady - we're captivated by this man, he overshadows our leading man in every aspect. We have ''second male lead syndrome''.
-
1. Love in the Moonlight
Korean Drama - 2016, 18 episodes
I had second male lead syndrome for the majority of this very good drama. The main lead was engaging, attractive, but enigmatic Scholar Kim Yoon-Sung (Jinyoung) captured my heart. His persistent, unwavering heart kept me keen, and it was in anticipation of scenes with him that I kept tuning in for.
-
2. The King in Love
Korean Drama - 2017, 40 episodes
This Drama played out as I needed it to, on the surface.
If we were to dive a little deeper..
In this Drama the supporting roles captured my heart, by that I mean the roles of the Maid and Assassin Moo Suk and Bi Yeon. The completely unexpected , yet beautiful love that developed between a scarred maid and a assassin sent to clear the path to the throne. I kept watching this show for these stolen moments in time, between them and their unlikely romance. -
3. Hwarang
Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
For once I had second lead syndrome for the King of the drama.
Loving royalty never ends well, it's misery, endless suspicion and death.
But this one time, I found the King to be my leading man. -
4. Warrior Baek Dong Soo
Korean Drama - 2011, 29 episodes
This Drama got so hard to get through!
The leads had no chemistry and it was very annoying.
I was ready to toss in the towel, then Woon opened my eyes by shining so brightly.
He became my leading man, my first experience with loving the second lead above the leading man.
Chun (Leader of Assassins) and Ga Ok/Ji - what an utterly heartbreaking dance, the best supporting role couple of that year. -
5. The Princess Wei Young
Chinese Drama - 2016, 54 episodes
This one's gonna be unpopular, since it's probably bizarre to most.
I couldn't stop shipping Prince Nanan with Wei-Young. I just found him so appealing, maybe my Vanness Wu crush is showing. I'm a suucker for ''bad boys'' who would try to ''do better'' for that one person. Ultimately a much more compelling character than the leading man. -
6. Queen for Seven Days
Korean Drama - 2017, 20 episodes
I recognize I have a sickness.
However, I remain ever unmedicated!
There was just this dirty unresolved sexual tension between the older brother King and the leading lady, I shipped that dirty secret HARD. -
7. Bloody Romance
Chinese Drama - 2018, 36 episodes
The trope that dictates ''she'' falls for the first man who's kind to her, is prevalent.
The audience of course fell for the man who grew as a human being, with her and who never sought to hold her back, or coddle her. -
8. Story of Yanxi Palace
Chinese Drama - 2018, 70 episodes
Fuca Faheng,
-
9. Good Bye, My Princess
Chinese Drama - 2019, 52 episodes
It's very difficult not to love her Protector.
This is a story about abusive relationships, no male lead is any better than the other, but the second male lead spends 30 episodes repenting, humbled by his own mistakes, completely unbeknown to her and he keeps it that way.
His burdens are his own. -
10. The Destiny of White Snake
Chinese Drama - 2018, 61 episodes
Although I'm invested in the main cple, it's the story of Green Snake and her Demon Hunter, that ultimately grips the heart, and SQUESES.