K-drama second lead couples
Let’s be real. There are many K-dramas that we end up loving not for the main lead couples, but the second lead couples instead. Here are 13 K-drama second lead couples who have captivated our attention and hearts, and made us melt into a puddle of goo with their charming romance.
1. Sunny & Grim Reaper – Goblin
Image credit: tvN
Main Cast:
- Gong Yoo as Goblin (Kim Shin)
- Kim Go Eun as Ji Eun Tak
- Lee Dong Wook as Grim Reaper / Wang Yeo
- Yoo In Na as Sunny / Kim Sun
- Yook Sung Jae as Yoo Deok Hwa
Behold the sensation of a drama, Goblin, that has garnered a fanbase so huge that people are still crying about it till this day.
While half of the fandom may have been built from the hilarious bromance between Goblin and the Grim Reaper, and the other half from the epic romance between the leads, everyone was charmed by the undeniable chemistry between the adorable side couple – the Grim Reaper and Sunny.
Image adapted from: Netflix
Put simply, their love story is one heck of a ride, and one that transcends time. It’s cute and hilarious, yet utterly heartbreaking.
In their current lifetime, Sunny is a chicken store owner who seems perpetually bored with life, evident from her hilariously relatable monologues. But things start to change when she meets the Grim Reaper, whom she finds herself immensely fascinated with. It’s simply endearing to watch the Grim Reaper turn into a bumbling puppy when he is around Sunny, who is as blunt as she can be.
Video adapted from: Netflix
Their story isn’t without the tragic twist, however. The Grim Reaper finds that he was King Wang Yeo in his past life, and is responsible for the deaths of both Goblin and his sister, who turns out to be reincarnated as Sunny. The pain, guilt and love portrayed by the couple is incredibly heart-wrenching and beautiful, so much so that you’ll be thoroughly moved.
Still known as one of the most popular K-drama second lead couples, Lee Dong Wook and Yoo In Na had a comeback drama together through Touch Your Heart in 2019.
2. Cha Sung Hoon & Jin Yeong Seo – Business Proposal
Image credit: SBS
Main Cast:
- Ahn Hyo Seop as Kang Tae Mu
- Kim Se Jeong as Shin Ha Ri
- Kim Min Kyu as Cha Sung Hoon
- Seol In Ah as Jin Yeong Seo
Arguably one of the most popular K-drama second lead couples in 2022, this pair in Business Proposal has a dynamic that’s a whole lot different from our main couple. They fall in love at first sight, the female is a forthright individual, while the male is dorkily endearing, and their chemistry is, well, spicy.
Jin Yeong Seo is the daughter of a rich businessman, while Cha Seung Hoon is the dedicated secretary of the male lead and CEO, Kang Tae Mu. Both of them happen to be best friends of our main couple as well. A conveniently perfect premise for some double dating.
Image adapted from: Netflix
Yeong Seo and Seung Hoon developed a major crush on each other without knowing the other’s identity. In a drama abound with cheesy tropes – surprise, surprise – they find themselves neighbours, an obvious hint at a blossoming relationship which has the viewers squealing with glee.
Even so, their loyalties towards their besties hold them back from taking their relationship to the next level – at least briefly. Humorous coincidences, circumstances, and the palpable tension between them led from one thing to another, and that’s how we got some intensely sizzling interactions.
Video adapted from: Netflix
No relationship is smooth-sailing and that includes Yeong Seo and Seung Hoon’s, but they manage to balance their conflicts with many adorable and fiery moments.
3. Gu Seung Jun & Seo Dan – Crash Landing On You
Image credit: IMDb
Main Cast:
- Hyun Bin as Ri Jeong Hyuk
- Son Ye Jin as Yoo Se Ri
- Seo Ji Hye as Seo Dan
- Kim Jung Hyun as Gu Seung Jun
Our main couple (#BinJin) aren’t the only star-crossed lovers in the 2020 hit drama Crash Landing On You. The drama’s second couple, Seo Dan and Gu Seung Jun, also had a blossoming relationship that’s hindered by the borders of South and North Korea, even as they found solace in each other.
Seo Dan is a haughty North Korean department store heiress who is engaged to the male lead, Ri Jeong Hyuk, through an arranged marriage. When she finally comes to terms with the fact that her long-time feelings will never be reciprocated, she somehow finds comfort in her occasional run-ins with Seung Jun, a cunning South Korean conman.
Image adapted from: Netflix
Despite their limited screen time, their love story effectively sucked us in. Not only are their banters humorous and oh-so-cute, but their level of trust towards each other and the character development when they’re together are impressive as well – their initially aloof interactions grew naturally into heartfelt conversations.
Also, Seung Jun’s love confession is just so swoony, and worthy of a main K-drama moment in itself.
Image adapted from: Netflix
A word of warning – rooting for this couple means setting yourself up for some heavy bawling towards the end of the show.
4. Yoon Myung Joo & Suh Dae Yong – Descendants Of The Sun
Image credit: Tumblr
Main Cast:
- Song Joong Ki as Captain Yoo Si Jin
- Song Hye Kyo as Doctor Kang Mo Yeon
- Jin Goo as Master Sergeant Seo Dae Young
- Kim Ji Won as First Lieutenant Yoon Myung Joo
When you can feel the romantic tension between a drama couple radiating through your screens, you know it’s the real deal.
Another major smash-hit drama that aced the secondary romance line, Descendants Of The Sun tells the story of a special forces captain who falls in love with a doctor in a war-torn country – with the star couple Song Joong Ki and Song Hye Kyo as our main love line. But they were definitely not the only romance that we were all pining hard for.
Video adapted from: Netflix
Right from the start, it is obvious that there will be lots of delicious angst between the valiant Sergeant Seo Dae Young and First Lieutenant Yoon Myung Joo. They were one of the best K-drama second lead couples in 2016.
Their relationship obstacle is a classic K-drama conflict – Myung Joo happens to be the only daughter of the commander of the South Korean Special Forces Brigade, who disapproves of her relationship with Dae Young.
Image adapted from: Netflix
Even with the lack of dialogues between them, their connection was robust, poignant and full of emotions. Like everything else in her life, Myung Ju is honest about what she desires and she isn’t afraid to make a stand and pursue it – and that includes her relationship with Dae Young, much to her father’s chagrin.
Though Dae Young spends half the series trying to push her away, his heart gets the better of him and their relationship blossoms the more they see each other.
5. Jason & Pil Suk – Dream High
Image credit: KBS2
Main Cast:
- Bae Suzy as Go Hye Mi
- Kim Soo Hyun as Song Sam Dong
- Ok Taecyeon as Jin Guk/Hyun Shi Hyuk
- Hahm Eun Jung as Yoon Baek Hee
- Jang Woo Young as Jason
- IU as Kim Pil Suk
There can be no cuter K-drama second lead couple than these 2 cuties. And that is a non-debatable fact.
Dream High is an idol-centric series that centres on a group of students at Kirin Art High School who all dream of becoming top stars in the entertainment industry one day. While the drama majorly focuses on the pursuit of dreams and the struggles along their journeys, there are romantic moments sprinkled throughout the show, and a fan-favourite was the lovable Milky Couple.
Kim Pil Suk is an adorable overweight girl who has a voice of an angel. Upon her first encounter with the friendly American boy Jason, who politely opens the door for her, she falls for him, hard and deep.
Video adapted from: Netflix
This couple is so adorable, it’s ridiculous. Pil Suk expresses her crush on Jason by faithfully gifting candies and sticky notes on his locker every day, all of which Jason gleefully accepts. Drawn to Pil Suk’s earnestness, Jason becomes fast friends with her, and she mistakes his friendliness as attraction.
Their story arcs aren’t just all flowery cutesy. Though he initially denies it, Jason is constantly looking out for Pil Suk. Aware of the harsh beauty standards in the industry, he even accepts her promise that he’ll consider dating her if she loses weight, just so she can have a shot at a successful debut.
Image adapted from: Netflix
The both of them showed such an endearing chemistry with lots of adorable giggles, jealous squabbles, and honest hearts.
6. Cha Joo Ik & Na Ji Na – Doom At Your Service
Image credit: tvN
Main Cast:
- Park Bo Young as Tak Dong Kyung
- Seo In Guk as Myeol Mang
- Lee Soo Hyuk as Cha Joo Ik
- Shin Do Hyun as Na Ji Na
- Kang Tae Oh as Lee Hyun Kyu
Amidst many arguments on whether this drama was worth the watch or not, there’s one thing that most would agree with – that the secondary love triangle coupled with one of the sexiest K-drama second lead couples in Doom At Your Service were what kept the drama afloat.
Image adapted from: tvN
This love triangle is one complicated one, but that’s precisely the essence of an interesting K-drama. In the centre of the tug-of-war is Na Ji Na, a budding writer who is unable to get over her first love Lee Hyun Kyu, who is amazingly selfish. Upon meeting him again years later, Ji Na feels her past emotions welling up again, leaving her feeling confused and disheartened.
Video adapted from: tvN
And then there’s Cha Joo Ik, an editor at a publishing company who also happens to be a big brother figure towards Hyun Kyu. Not only is he model-tall with a gorgeously deep voice and great hair, he is also steadfastly and unwaveringly in love with Ji Na – basically everything a girl could wish for.
It is unfathomable how Ji Na is so torn up over a tactless ex when there’s this stunning specimen who’s right in front of her, and head over heels in love with her.
Image adapted from: tvN
Swoon, swoon and SWOON. The thing that makes an unfaltering love all the more admirable is when a person knows how to be respectful and considerate of the other’s feelings, whilst still being honest and upfront about their own – all of which Joo Ik embodies.
Viewers were rooting so hard for this ship to sail, and we rejoiced when Ji Na finally woke up and accepted the man who has been a firm and constant support to her all along.
7. Baek Seung Chan & Cindy – The Producers
Image adapted from: Netflix
Main Cast:
- Kim Soo Hyun as Baek Seung Chan
- Gong Hyo Jin as Tak Ye Jin
- Cha Tae Hyun as Ra Joon Mo
- IU as Cindy
IU and Kim Soo Hyun have been in multiple projects together – Dream High, Hotel Del Luna and IU’s Ending Scene music video – but they somehow never seem to end up with each other. Their love line in The Producers gave us a sliver of hope for a happy ending, finally, for Cindy’s sake at least.
Cindy is a top star in Korea who is notorious for being a huge brat, but is actually a lonely and vulnerable girl who was forced into the spotlight at a young age. Her ‘Icy Princess’ demeanour is a facade she had on to fortify her actual vulnerable self, till Baek Seung Chan – a rookie TV producer – comes along and shatters that shell of hers.
Image adapted from: Netflix
Though Seung Chan is amazingly gullible and bizarrely oblivious to most things, he has a heart as pure as a child, and his genuine thoughtfulness towards Cindy makes her fall for him. Of course, he is clueless about it, having his very own one-sided noona crush to nurse.
Video adapted from: Netflix
Video adapted from: Netflix
It was utterly heart-fluttering to watch Cindy getting all flustered at Seung Chan’s unabashed and unintentional swoony way of looking out for her. But at the same time, it was painful to watch her earnestly pursuing Seung Chan even though he continues to stay oblivious towards the idol’s feelings.
Image adapted from: Netflix
The more Cindy’s deepening love for him grows, the more she starts revealing the many shades and depth of her nature, earning sympathies from the audience and making her character an easy favourite.
Every interaction of theirs were simply butterflies-in-the-stomach-inducing, so much so that many prayed hard for this couple to be the end-game. It’s a general consensus among viewers of this drama that we just want Cindy to be happy – all aboard the feels train for our girl.
8. So Yi Jung & Chu Ga Eul – Boys Over Flowers
Image credit: Channel Korea
Main Cast:
- Koo Hye Sun as Geum Jan Di
- Lee Min Ho as Gu Jun Pyo
- Kim Hyun Joong as Yoon Ji Hu
- Kim Bum as So Yi Jung
- Kim Joon as Song Woo Bin
- Kim So Eun as Chu Ga Eul
The drama that made such an impact it brought back the Hallyu Wave in 2008, Boys Over Flowers is a classic that is practically a requisite drama to watch before you can call yourself a K-drama fan. Apart from the eye candy male leads, the swoony love lines and the earworm of an OST, another thing that fans adored from this drama was the pairing of So Yi Jung and Chu Ga Eul – one of the best ol’ but gold K-drama second lead couples.
Image adapted from: Netflix
Good girl falls for bad boy is a tale as old as time indeed. Yi Jung is known as the biggest playboy among the famous F4 and doesn’t believe in commitments, while Ga Eul is an innocent and shy girl who falls for him after he saves her from embarrassing herself in front of her cheating ex.
Video adapted from: Netflix
Though Yi Jung repeatedly rejects her due to his own set rules to “not date a nice girl”, Ga Eul weighs on his mind frequently and he can’t help but to want to look out for her.
Their dynamic sounds like a foreshadowing of a very toxic relationship, but the both of them take the time to overcome their own issues before properly getting together, rather than letting their divergent personalities ruin the relationship – unlike, ahem, the main couple.
9. Park Eun Tak & Yoon Ah Reum – Dr. Romantic 2
Image credit: Channel Korea
Main Cast:
- Han Suk Kyu as Boo Yong Joo (Teacher Kim)
- Lee Sung Kyung as Cha Eun Jae
- Ahn Hyo Seop as Seo Woo Jin
- Kim Min Jae as Park Eun Tak
- Seo Joo Yeon as Yoon Ah Reum
The chemistry between the main leads of Dr. Romantic 2 may be explosive, but they are nowhere near as endearing as the sweet second lead couple, Nurse Park Eun Tak and resident Dr. Yoon Ah Reum.
Unlike the main couple who wasted episodes exerting major push-and-pull energy in their relationship, these two were refreshingly straightforward and honest about their feelings, even right from the get-go.
Video adapted from: Netflix
On her first day at Dodam Hospital, Dr. Yoon blurts out how handsome Nurse Park is upon laying her eyes on him for the first time. Though Nurse Park is known to be a little more reserved, he cannot help but be charmed by Dr. Yoon’s infectious energy, and even made the first move to ask her out and confess his feelings.
While there wasn’t much of a plot between them, their lovable conversations, sneaky smiles and secret messages at work were all extremely sweet to watch. Besides, those 2 transform into absolute badasses when it comes to protecting each other.
The Dimple Couple didn’t just capture hearts on screen, they were even cuter off-screen. Much to fans’ delight, actor Kim Min Jae posted their couple dance to the Any Song challenge on his personal Instagram account which went so viral that they performed it again during the drama’s wrap-up party.
10. Yoon Chan Yeong & Lee Bo Na – The Heirs
Image credit: Teahub
Main Cast:
- Lee Min Ho as Kim Tan
- Park Shin Hye as Cha Eun Sang
- Kim Woo Bin as Choi Young Do
- Kim Ji Won as Yoo Rachel
- Kang Min Hyuk as Yoon Chan Young
- Krystal Jung as Lee Bo Na
The Heirs was a major hit teen drama, but for all the wrong reasons. Selfish male leads with tons of unresolved issues, a damsel-in-distress-esque heroine who constantly needed saving, and a messy tug-of-war as a love triangle – it all makes for a rather frustrating viewing experience, to say the least.
But the one thing that compensates for all the unhealthy relationships in this drama is the healthy relationship between Yoon Chan Young and Lee Bo Na, also known as one of the most adorable K-drama second lead couples to date.
Image credit: SBS
A perfect example of opposites attract, Bo Na is a spoiled heiress who is uber full of herself. She’s also the girlfriend of the patient and smart Chan Young, who comes from a middle-class family.
On paper, Bo Na sounds like a nightmare of a character – princessy, easily huffy and hyper-jealous of a girlfriend. But her brattiness is more of a childlike malice and she is overall a diva without any ill intentions, all of which Chan Young sees and adores.
Video adapted from: Netflix
Despite her frequent mini tantrums, Chan Young is a wonderfully patient boyfriend who tolerates her tempers and even retaliates with affection because he can see that behind all that, Bo Na has a good heart.
Though their story did not play a huge part in the main plot of the series, they were awfully cute all throughout their dates and bickering.
11. Yoo Chang Soo & Lee Ji Yi – High Society
Image credit: IMDb
Main Cast:
- Uee as Jang Yoon Ha
- Sung Joon as Choi Joon Ki
- Park Hyung Sik as Yoo Chang Soo
- Lim Ji Yeon as Lee Ji Yi
Long before she was torturing her peers with a curling iron in The Glory, Lim Ji Yeon played the sweet Lee Ji Yi in High Society, whose love interest is a handsome chaebol, Yoo Chang Soo.
Image adapted from: SBS, SBS
Be it sweet, steamy, or heart wrenching, this couple has a chemistry that blazed through it all. Though their dynamic was that of a typical K-drama couple – a privileged and annoyingly charming chaebol falling for a cheery but poor girl and then having to fighting all odds to be together – the couple managed to elevate the clichéd romance trope into something more organic and real.
Every petty bickering session, every intense gaze, and every melancholic interaction between them were so irresistibly heartfelt, that their conflict and attraction for each other truly draws you in.
12. Scarlett & Seol Ji Hwan – Search WWW
Image credit: tvN
Main Cast:
- Im Soo Jung as Bae Ta Mi
- Lee Da Hee as Scarlett (Cha Hyun)
- Jeon Hye Jin as Song Ga Kyeong
- Jang Ki Yong as Park Mo Gun
- Lee Jae Wook as Seol Ji Hwan
Injecting a truckload of charm into the drama Search WWW with their adorable fangirl-actor love story, Cha Hyun and Seol Ji Hwan make one of the most impeccable K-drama second lead couples.
Their hilarious first encounter where Cha Hyun unknowingly attacked Ji Hwan, who was in the midst of filming a drama scene.
Video adapted from: Netflix
Cha Hyun is an exuberant woman who is fiercely righteous. She works for a web portal company and has a deep love for television dramas. She encounters Ji Hwan, the male lead of her favourite makjang drama who turns out to be a huge fluffball of sunshine and the polar opposite of his devious personality onscreen.
Image adapted from: Netflix
The both of them are cautious of staying in their lanes because of their professions, even when their hearts are already beating seriously for one another.
Their tentative show of affections, their awkward yet adorable interactions, and their heart-fluttering moments are all so palpable, we just cannot have enough of them. Besides, a fangirl-turn-lover story is everything a fangirl wishes for, and seeing our dreams come to life onscreen is satisfying enough.
13. Park Ban Ryu & Kim Soo Yeon – Hwarang
Image credit: KBS
Main Cast:
- Park Seo Joon as Moo Myung
- Go Ara as Kim Ah Ro
- Park Hyung Sik as Kim Ji Dwi (Sammaekjong)
- Choi Min Ho as Kim Su Ho
- Kim Tae Hyung as Seok Han Sung
- Do Ji Han as Park Ban Ryu
- Lee Da In as Kim Soo Yeon
Hands down, Hwarang bags the top spot for a couple’s best encounter in e history of K-dramas.
In a drama that centres on a horde of flower boys, there’s bound to be lots of bromances, lots of competition, and lots of drama, especially when there’s a girl involved. Kim Soo Yeon is the younger sister of Kim Soo Ho, a chivalrous aristocrat who is a Hwarang warrior, an elite warrior group of young men, Silla.
She is strolling about the marketplace one fine evening, when she spots a man in a Hwarang uniform with his back facing her. Thinking he’s her brother, she proceeds to playfully grab his butt fully with both her hands, only to find Park Ban Ryu – her brother’s all-time rival – staring back at her, looking as scandalised as he can be.
The iconic meet-cute.
Image adapted from: Netflix
Mortified, they gape at each other before she hastily attempts to preserve her reputation by accusing Ban Ryu of grabbing her instead, and slapping him across his face. Speechless at the situation, Ban Ryu rather gallantly lets himself be accused, even as her overprotective brother steps in to defend his little sister.
Feeling guilty about it later, Soo Yeon frets over her blunder and cups Ban Ryu’s cheek where she had slapped him. One look at her concerned face and Ban Ryu was smitten.
Video adapted from: Netflix
Their hilarious first encounter got the viewers hooked, and their following run-ins throughout the drama got us melting into a puddle of goo. Soo Yeon’s spunky nature is such a soft spot for the usually rigid Ban Ryu, so it’s utterly rapturing to watch him get all flustered and shy whenever he is around her.
Best K-drama second lead couples that live rent free in our heads
Nothing beats a stand-out K-drama couple, even if that couple is the one lurking behind the main romantic leads. Some pairings exude a sizzling chemistry that overshadow the leads’, some have a relationship that’s way less toxic, and some are just simply adorable together. Whichever it is, know that watching or finishing a K-drama mainly for these second lead couples is a completely legit pasttime.
We know you love K-dramas, so here’s our recommendation of 10 most iconic Korean drama scenes, 20 slice of life Korean dramas, 11 coming-of-age Korean dramas and 34 thriller Korean dramas to add to your never-ending to-watch list.
Cover image adapted from: SBS, Tumblr, The Movie Database
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