Why do we like second male leads better?

Reason 1

   The main lead is trash.

Case in point: Nevertheless

 ^{Source: tenor}

In this drama, Yang Do Hyeok (Chae Jong Hyeop) is Na Bi’s childhood friend who runs a popular cooking show on YouTube and cooks for a living now. The two run into each other on the bus, as adults, and they reunite again. His first love was Na Bi, and it’s clear he still feels the same way about her. 

YET...

Despite all the amazing green flags, Na Bi is just blind and we are left to wonder: can we get Do-Hyeok instead?

Reason 2

The main lead is boring.

A boring main lead can be detrimental to the success of a story, as it can make it difficult for the audience to connect with the character, empathize with their struggles, and ultimately care about the outcome of the story. It can also make the story feel predictable and uninspired, as a compelling main lead often serves as a driving force for the plot and provides opportunities for unexpected twists and turns.

Case in point: Extraordinary You

^{Source: tenor}

Now the premise of this drama was already intriguing but Rowoon as Haru was not only bland as the main lead but their romance was kind of boring. I'm not saying Baek-Kyung played by Lee Jae Wook was an ideal caring second lead, but there was depth to him, and his romance with Eun Dan Oh (Kim Hye Yoon), was more fiery than goody two shoes Haru. 

Reason 3

The first love trope

In most Kdramas, the female lead is always shown to be the first love of the second male lead. That alone makes them gain empathy from us, as we know their hidden feelings while no one else seems to realize it, or by the time the main lead gets to know their true feelings it's too late.

Case in point: Mr. Sunshine

By the time Gu Dong Mae played by Yoo Yeon Seok confesses his feeling for Go Ae Sin (Kim Tae Ri) it's too late and our dear female lead has already given her heart to the rather interesting  Mr. Ssunshine (Lee Byung Hun).

^{Source: tenor}

Certainly, not all main leads are bad. In fact, there are many well-written and well-acted main leads in Kdramas that capture the audience's attention and make them root for the character. 

However, there is also a trend in popular Kdramas to rely on certain tropes and stereotypes when creating main leads. For example, some main leads are portrayed as overly perfect and flawless, making it difficult for the audience to relate to or sympathize with them. Others may be written as one-dimensional or shallow characters, lacking depth and complexity. 

^{Source: tenor}

Giving a chance to a second lead can break stereotypes in several ways. In many narratives, the main lead is often portrayed as the most important character, with the other characters serving as supporting roles. This can create a sense of predictability, as audiences expect the main lead to always be the one who saves the day or gets the girl.

Moreover, by focusing on a second lead, writers can explore different perspectives and experiences that are often overlooked in mainstream Kdramas. For instance, a second lead might be a person of color, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, or have a disability. By shining a spotlight on these characters, creators can challenge stereotypes and promote diversity and inclusion in their work. 

So, here's to me ending this on a positive note that we will see much better nuances between the three leads and something new in this new generation of Kdramas.

P.S.: this is my first ever article so please excuse the length or mistakes. would love your feedback on this.