Let’s be honest—sometimes the second lead steals the whole dang show. We all go into K-Dramas rooting for the main couple, but then BAM! The second lead shows up with their soft smiles, selfless gestures, and heartbreak waiting to happen. That, my friends, is the bittersweet curse known as Second Lead Syndrome—and we’ve all been victims.

Get ready to relive the pain, because here are the Top 5 Second Lead Syndrome K-Dramas that had us screaming at our screens, “WHY DIDN’T SHE PICK HIM?!”

1. Start-Up (2020)

Team Good Boy forever! Kim Seon Ho’s Han Ji Pyeong had it all—brains, charm, and a backstory that made us want to wrap him in a hug. He mentored, protected, and loved from a distance. And yet... heartbreak. The man wrote letters, gave guidance, and still didn’t get the girl. A true SLS legend.

2. Reply 1988 (2015-2016)

One word: Jung Hwan. His quiet love, his sacrifices, his infamous bus scene—chef’s kiss. Ryu Jun Yeol played him to perfection, and many fans are still salty about how it ended. Even though the actor and lead actress ended up dating in real life, Jung Hwan’s rejection lives rent-free in our hearts.

3. Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016)

While Lee Joon Gi’s Wang So got the girl (and the angst), it was Kang Ha Neul’s 8th prince Wook who first captured her heart. Polite, loving, and completely doomed, Wook’s gradual transformation from lover to enemy broke us in ways we weren’t ready for.

4. Love Alarm (2019)

Lee Hye Young, played by Jung Ga Ram, was the definition of low-key devoted. He loved Jojo quietly and consistently, letting her go more than once just so she could be happy. Meanwhile, everyone else was out here ringing alarm apps. His emotional depth was seriously underrated.

5. True Beauty (2020-2021)

Han Seo Jun: the bad boy with a heart of gold. His loyalty to Ju Kyung, his bromance with Su Ho, and his ability to be a complete softie under that leather jacket—how did she not fall for him?! Second lead supremacy all the way.

The SLS Struggle Is Real

Second Lead Syndrome hurts, y’all. These guys deserved better, and we’ll never stop rooting for them. They’re the unsung heroes, the ultimate "what if" in every drama—and sometimes, they’re the ones we love the most.

So who’s your ultimate second lead? Drop their name in the comments and let’s bond over shared heartbreak! 💔