As I mentioned before I love watching K-dramas and usually in every drama possible there will be the leads and its second leads. And as usual the male leads are the most characters who have more following or who gained more sympathy from the viewers. But there will be always a time when the SECOND LEAD takes the thunder from its lead star specially the male second lead. Even I, myself was being swayed to like the second lead more and suddenly finding myself rooting for the second lead to get the girl in the end. And that’s what you call my chingu’s a SECOND LEAD CRUSH SYNDROME (If I’m not mistaken this term was coined by The Javabeans of Drambeans.com). But of course in the dramaland specifically in the K-dramaland it’s very impossible for the second lead to get the girl. So, as my tribute to the lovable second leads (whom I wanted for my own, LOL), I created my own list of MY FAVORITE SECOND LEADS.
TERMS THAT NEEDS TO BE IDENTIFIED.
SECOND LEAD –“the secondary characters who never gets the girl despite treating her better than the hero” –brief definition from JAVABEANS of DRAMABEANS.COM
SECOND LEAD CRUSH SYNDROME – it’s a condition where in we, the viewers have more sympathy or love for the second lead rather than the lead character.
MY FAVORITE SECOND LEAD DREAMBOATS:
(In no particular order)
LEE DONG GUN as YOON SOO HYUK (Lovers in Paris)
--Lee Dong Guns’ character in Lovers in Paris was a happy go lucky kind of guy but inside that happy façade was the longing of child for his mother. What makes him lovable was his unwavering support for Kang Tae Young (Kim Jung Eun). There was a point where I got irritated at him for a time because did the traditional second lead tactic of pushing himself to the heroine but he did redeem himself when he finally let go of his angst and let the OTP be happy.
Lee Dong Gun as Yoon Soo Yuk |
LEE JUN KI as JUNG WOO (My Girl)
--Jung Woo is a good friend of Gong Chan (Lee Dong Wook) who in the other hand needs to find his long lost cousin for his grandfather’s sake. Yoo Rin (Lee Da Hae) was hired by Gong Chan but prior than that she already met Jung Woo who was intrigued by Yoo Rin’s personality. Jung Woo knows that Yoo Rin was just for hired cousin and extend of friendship to Yoo Rin eventually become friends. Jung Woo falls for her but she’s in love with Gong Chan. He even asked her to marry him but alas! No dice! (You can ask me, you know?!). But in the end he was happy for his friends (sometimes it sucks to be so friendly right?)
KIM JI HOON as EUN TAK (Flowers of My Life)
Lee Jun Ki as Jung Woo |
KIM JI HOON as EUN TAK (Flowers of My Life)
--Initially when you watched this drama you would have thought that he was the hero because he has all the qualities of the supposed male lead. His good looks are really swoon worthy! He seems smart, hardworking and has mysterious background. But the drama itself was non-traditional so his role as the second lead was applicable.
Kim Ji-Hoon As Eun Tak |
KIM JEONG HOON as LEE YUL (Goong /Princess Hours)
--Prince Yul was the exact opposite of the Crowned Prince Shin. Yul was the original crowned price but when his father died that title of being the crown prince was transferred to his cousin Shin. His qualities project him as ideal modern prince charming which was kind, warm, smart and friendly. Admit it or not we are all suckers for Prince Charming, right?! He falls for Shin Chae Kyeong (Yoon Eun Hye) which was the crowned princess (she’s married to Prince Shin). His mother did plan to overthrow the royal family but in the end his love and conscience prevails as he takes himself to be the sacrificial lamb in that entire hullabaloo his mother created.
LEE SUN KYUN as CHAN HAN (Coffee Prince)
--The actor itself is usually referred as The Voice, thanks to his deep, warm and soothing voice. He’s supposed to be the first crush of Go Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye) because he’s friendly, nice and easy to be with. But he also have a relationship of his own but them it was a messy one so once his feelings were swayed by Go Eun Chan but in the end he goes back to his original love and remain friends with Go Eun Chan.
Lee Sun Kyan as Han Chan |
JANG GEUN SUK as GUN WOO (Beethoven Virus)
--At first I really thought he and Du Ru Mi were the main OTP of this drama, well I’ve been proven wrong! Gun Woo as I see him was your typical guy. He’s nice, but not too friendly. He have a musical talent but not using it. He got this kinda rough exterior but kinda warm and fuzzy inside. But I like that he kept it cool when he did let go of DU Ru Mi. (Don’t worry Gun Woo we are still here for you, we’ll take you anytime!)
KIM HYUN JOONG as YOON JI HOO (Boys Over Flowers)
Jang Geun Suk as Gun Woo |
KIM HYUN JOONG as YOON JI HOO (Boys Over Flowers)
--Yoon Ji hoo is part of the elite F4. Born in a privilege world but even though he has this quiet, mysterious personality but you can tell that he’s perceptive as well. I think girls usually like mysterious guys so he made in my cut! He’s musically talented (additional point!). Besides he has this firefighter bell thing with Geum Jan Di that he’s always been there to support her and be her shoulder to lean on. Gu Jun Pyo raised hell when he thought that Ji Hoo was taking his girl away but in the end Ji Hoo gave way for his friend. Aww! (Ok, fine, I admit I LOVE Ji Hoo more than Jun Pyo so basically I’m happy that Jun Pyo and Jan Di were together because that leaves Ji Hoo single and available!)
JUNG YONG-HWA as KANG SHIN WOO (You’re Beautiful)
Kim Hyun Joong as Yoon Ji Hoo |
JUNG YONG-HWA as KANG SHIN WOO (You’re Beautiful)
--Kang Shin Woo is also a member of the A.N.JELL band with Hwang Tae Kyung and Jeremy.
Considered as the middle ground of the group. He’s the all around resident good guy with his kind, warm and calm demeanor. He’s the first one to know that Go Mi Nam was a girl but he find it amusing so he kept quiet about it. He’s been hopeful that Go Mi Nam would return his feelings but unfortunately he’s not the main man so sorry for now! (Dont worry Shin Woo, your legion of fans will be happy to line up to be your girl!!)
KIM JAE WOK as HONG TAE SUNG
--The black sheep of the family, neglected by his stepmother and not really close to his family. He seems spoiled, careless, bored chaebol heir but inside he’s just a simple guy who wanted to be loved and given attention to. He falls for girl (of course! That is the point right?) but the girl loves the lead so he’s onboard into the heartbreak train. But still kinda happy that in the end he finally wanted to makes changes in his life so I know he will eventually find the one for him.
Kim Jae Wok as Hong Tae Sung |
NOH MIN-WOO as PARK DONG JOO (My Girlfriend is a Gumiho)--Park Dong Joo is a gumiho hunter. At first you will think that he’s just after the gumiho to catch/kill it but then when you get to know the story behind his gumiho hunter ways your surely fall for this guy! Well, it also doesn’t hurt that Noh Min-Woo have such a pretty face!
Noh Min Woo as Park Dong Joo |
YOO AH IN as MOON JAE SHIN (Sungkyunkwan Scandal)
--Ok, I admit I’m more in love with him than the lead Lee Sun Joon (Park Yoochun). His silent knight in shining armor style has really won me over (who wouldn’t?!). He’s the kind of second lead which was more on the loving-you- silently side which for me is more heartbreaking. He’s not demanding the heroine to return his affections. He’s just willing to be by her side to protect her. And aside from the fact that he’s smart and so freaking manly! OMG! (spazzzing all the way!!)
--Ok, I admit I’m more in love with him than the lead Lee Sun Joon (Park Yoochun). His silent knight in shining armor style has really won me over (who wouldn’t?!). He’s the kind of second lead which was more on the loving-you- silently side which for me is more heartbreaking. He’s not demanding the heroine to return his affections. He’s just willing to be by her side to protect her. And aside from the fact that he’s smart and so freaking manly! OMG! (spazzzing all the way!!)
LEE TAE SUNG as BONG JOON GU (Playful Kiss)
– I think it’s safe to say that Bong Joon Gu was the male counterpart of Oh Ha NI when it comes to unwavering loyalty and devotion for the one he loves. I really love how dedicated he is and how he’s willing to go any lengths just to prove to Oh Hani his love. He did change for the better but as we all know Hani only have her eyes and heart to Seung Jo so it’s really a hopeless case for Joon Gu. Good thing in the end he did get his own happy ending with Cristine.
So that’s my list, I did cut it to 12 dreamboats because if I will include all of them then I think I need to do a book not just a post about them.
So here’s to our Second Lead! May you continue to make our K-drama watching more exciting and spazz worthy!!!
See you in the next drama Second Lead, and I hope you will me let fall for you again!!!