We all love a good romance: When the female lead and the male lead first meet (unexpectedly), or kiss, or even when they make us go through a roller coaster of emotions. Yet, some dramas go beyond our expectations and offer us not one, but two romances to look forward to.
Sometimes, it even happens that the love story between these second leads may interest us more than the main one; or at least steal the spotlight with some heart-fluttering scenes. So, here’s a list of 10 second lead couples who stole the show in K-Dramas.
Do you have any other that deserve to be mentioned? Let me know in the comments below.
Cha Sung Hoon & Jin Young Seo in A Business Proposal
A Business Proposal tells the story of Shin Ha Ri (Kim Se Jeong), an ordinary woman, who impersonates her best friend, Jin Young Seo (Seol In Ah), during a blind date she doesn’t want to go to. (Un)fortunately for her, Ha Ri ends up face-to-face with her own boss, Kang Tae Moo (Ahn Hyo Seop). Annoyed by his grandfather’s constant pressure to get married, he has decided to marry the next woman he meets.
Though the main couple is simply delicious to watch, the second leads composed by Ha Ri’s best friend Young Seo, and Tae Moo’s best friend/secretary, Cha Sung Hoon (Kim Min Gyu), is just as sweet. Their love story is heart-fluttering, punctuated by a series of unexpected and eventful moments.
If I had to choose between these 2 couples, it wouldn’t be that easy to make up my mind!
Gu Seung Jung & Seo Dan in Crash Landing on You
If Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin gave you butterflies in the roles of the South Korean heiress who falls in love with the North Korean soldier, Seo Ji Hye and Kim Jung Hyun probably broke your heart at the same time.
Seo Dan (Seo Ji Hye) is Ri Jeong Hyuk’s (Hyun Bin) ex-fiancé, while Gu Seung Jung (Kim Jung Hyun) seems interested in Yoon Se Ri (Son Ye Jin). These two were not supposed to meet in the first place, but fate has decided otherwise. One twist leading to the other, Seung Jung and Dan end up falling for each other, though already sensing their tragic end.
As a fan, I rooted for them until the bitter end, bawling my eyes out when I realized there was no saving this beautiful couple!
Seo Dae Young & Yoon Myung Joo in Descendants of the Sun
Love is already a battlefield, so if you add a real one to the lot, you can imagine how difficult it becomes. This is the challenge Seo Dae Young (Jin Goo) and Yoon Myung Joo (Kim Ji Won) have chosen to meet in Descendants of the Sun.
Both military officers deployed in a foreign and hostile country, they struggle to maintain and protect their relationship. Just like our main leads Yoon Shi Jin (Song Joong Ki) and Kang Mo Yeon (Song Hye Kyo), love at war turns out to be quite eventful for these two lovebirds.
Though second leads, there is a clear bond uniting these two determined, stubborn and lovable soldiers. They are so cute that you can’t help, but get attached to their romance, hoping they go through everything together.
Cha Joo Ik & Na Ji Na in Doom at Your Service
You may appreciate the supernatural romance between Myul Mang (Seo In Guk) and Tak Dong Kyung (Park Bo Young), but the sweet love story between normal Cha Joo Ik (Lee Soo Hyuk) and Na Ji Na (Shin Do Hyun) is definitely worth the watch. Here, we’re not talking life-or-death situation, or even fantastic creature; only genuine feelings that make your heart melt.
Understanding that Ji Na is still under the spell of her ex-lover Lee Hyun Kyu (Kang Tae Oh), Joo Ik is never pushy or insistent. Yet, this doesn’t mean he plans on giving up on the woman he loves. Through his patience and determination, he proves to Ji Na that he is the right man to bet on. Not to mention that their cute pair-up is a breath of fresh air amidst the gloomy and fateful encounter of our main leads.
Grim Reaper & Sunny in Goblin
One Goblin and one Grim Reaper in love, that’s what it takes to make sparks fly. The former, played by Gong Yoo, is desperately looking for the bride (Kim Go Eun), who will deliver him for his curse. The latter, played by Lee Dong Wook, is desperately looking for the woman he loved and betrayed centuries ago (Yoo In Na).
If the Goblin and his bride make a funny and relentless duo, Grim Reaper and Sunny are a perfect portrayal of love through the centuries. Stuck in the past, this man of darkness and that woman of light meet again to free themselves from their burden.
I loved watching this gloomy Grim Reaper becoming hesitant, if not shy, in front of the extraverted Sunny. I was as intrigued by their storyline, as I was by the main one; desperately praying for their second chance to happen.
Seol Ji Hwan & Cha Hyun in Search WWW
Though the main couple, made up of Bae Tae Mi (Im Soo Jung) and Park Mo Gun (Kang Ki Yong), is the center of the story, I couldn’t help but fall for the two other love lines of the drama. Among these, Seol Ji Hwan (Lee Jae Wook) and Cha Hyun (Lee Da Hee). The former is a young rookie actor, while the latter is a fierce top manager at a web portal company.
Everything that happens between them is heart-fluttering and straight out of a movie: Their encounter, their romantic kisses up to their relationship struggles. Their cuteness is just enough to make them steal the spotlight and turn them into the main stars of the show.
Lee Yeong Hwa & Seo Dan Ah in Run On
When opposites attract, sparks fly. Lee Yeong Hwa (Kang Tae Oh) and Seo Dan Ah (Choi Sooyoung) were never supposed to meet. Indeed, Yeong Hwa is a college student passionate about arts (and movies), while Dan Ah is the CEO of a sports agency. Though their romance is unexpected, full of push-and-pull and surprising turns, you still find yourself wanting for more.
Their love game is amazingly witty and cute, sometimes overshadowing the love story between main leads Ki Seon Gyeom (Im Si Wan) and Oh Mi Joo (Shin Se Kyung). On top of that, there is a clear chemistry between Kang Tae Oh and Choi Sooyoung that is definitely pleasant to see on screen.
Do Soo Hyuk & Jo Kki Ppeum in Shooting Stars
I think I could’ve literally picked any other couple of the drama, but for me Do Soo Hyuk (Lee Jung Shin) and Jo Kki Ppeum (Sojin) are the most adorable ones. The former is a lawyer for Starforce entertainment, while the latter is a reporter. Though Soo Hyuk has a crush on his colleague Oh Han Byul (Lee Sung Kyung) at first, he quickly understands that she is deeply in love with top star Gong Tae Sung (Kim Young Dae). So, he moves on, unlike most second leads. And for the best! Indeed, his good and classy behavior is rewarded in the end, as he starts a relationship with Kki Ppeum.
Soo Hyuk and Kki Ppeum’s romance is natural and smooth. Nothing is forced, both let things unravel at their own pace. They decide not to rush anything, as they both just got out on a painful relationship/crush. Instead, they become confidents, then realize they are on the same wavelength. Away from the public eye, contrary to the main couple, they are able to go with the flow and enjoy every moment with each other. On top of that, there’s nothing that can compare to their shy and hesitant attitude towards one another, demonstrating right away their mutual attraction.
Yoon Chan Young & Lee Bo Na in The Heirs
The Heirs is a drama famous for its ‘rich girl/poor girl’ trope showcased by Kim Tan (Lee Min Ho) and Cha Eun Sang (Park Shin Hye). But the drama has more to offer than just a collection of high school clichés. Second leads Yoon Chan Young (Kang Min Hyuk) and Lee Bo Na (Krystal) are the epitome of cuteness. Even if Chan Young resists Bo Na’s overwhelming love, he is not indifferent to her various methods to steal his heart. For sure, you will find their push-and-pull relationship entertaining and heart-fluttering, rooting for Bo Na to get the guy.
Compared to the ‘oh so complicated’ love line between the main leads, this second lead couple’s romance was a real breath of fresh air, perhaps childish and petty at times, but very light-hearted.
Yook Jung Hwan & Lee Yoo Min in The Speed Going to You 493km
Yook Jung Hwan (Kim Mu Jun) is a famous badminton player for the national team. He is arrogant and cold on the outside, but turns out to be kind and cute once you know him. He used to date Park Joon Young (Park Ji Hyun), but she eventually leaves him without a single explanation. Years after, Jung Hwan meets Lee Yoo Min (Seo Ji Hye). For her, it’s love at first sight. For him, not quite. He is still unable to move on from his ex and thus gives Yoo Min a hard time. But, she refuses to give up. Instead, she provides Jung Hwan with a protective shelter to turn to, once his past business is solved. Naturally, her strength and capacity to withstand most set backs (without being pushy) persuade him that he should give her a chance.
Interestingly, both couples in the drama are mirroring each other. Park Tae Joon (Chae Jong Hyeop) and Yoo Min are the pillars, while Park Tae Yang (Park Ju Hyun) and Jung Hwan are more hesitant (because of the common past wounds they share). That being said, both dynamics are endearing to see on screen. And of course, other couples could’ve been mentioned, but none is worth this cute second lead couple.
Once Upon a Drama 