Second Male Lead Syndrome ?

Term used to describe the feeling of supporting the second male lead who is also in the running to win over the girl’s heart. The syndrome is:

^ where the 2nd Male Lead is or seems infinitely superior to the Male Lead, & you disappointed / frustrated / enraged at the Female Lead for choosing the wrong guy.

^where both 2nd Male Lead & Male Lead are good choices but Female Lead's choice causes your heart to break for the rival suitor

*If dejected suitor has another prospect @ end then he/she doesn't qualify

MasterLists Sep 21, 2023

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1. She Was Pretty

Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
2. True Beauty

Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
3. The Heirs

Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes
4. Who Are You: School 2015

Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
5. Strong Girl Bong Soon

Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
6. Because This Is My First Life

Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes
7. Kill Me, Heal Me

Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
8. Cheese in the Trap

Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
9. F4 Thailand: Boys over Flowers

Thai Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
10. Boys over Flowers Season 2

Japanese Drama - 2018, 11 episodes
11. Reply 1988

Korean Drama - 2015, 20 episodes
12. You're My Destiny

Taiwanese Drama - 2008, 24 episodes
13. My Roommate Is a Gumiho

Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
14. Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth

Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
15. The King's Woman

Chinese Drama - 2017, 48 episodes
16. Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
17. Cinderella and the Four Knights

Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
18. A Love So Beautiful

Chinese Drama - 2017, 23 episodes
19. A Love So Beautiful

Korean Drama - 2020, 24 episodes
20. While You Were Sleeping

Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
21. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God

Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes
22. My Love from the Star

Korean Drama - 2013, 21 episodes
23. Born Again

Korean Drama - 2020, 32 episodes
24. Ashes of Love

Chinese Drama - 2018, 63 episodes
25. Eternal Love

Chinese Drama - 2017, 58 episodes
26. The Flame's Daughter

Chinese Drama - 2018, 52 episodes
27. The Last Empress

Korean Drama - 2018, 52 episodes
28. Love Alarm

Korean Drama - 2019, 8 episodes
29. Love Alarm Season 2

Korean Drama - 2021, 6 episodes
30. High Society

Korean Drama - 2015, 16 episodes
31. Start-Up

Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
32. 100 Days My Prince

Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
33. Hotel del Luna

Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes
34. Extraordinary You

Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes
35. To the Beautiful You

Korean Drama - 2012, 16 episodes
36. Marriage, Not Dating

Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
37. Master's Sun

Korean Drama - 2013, 17 episodes
38. Record of Youth

Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
39. Couple on the Backtrack

Korean Drama - 2017, 12 episodes
40. Cunning Single Lady

Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
41. Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo

Korean Drama - 2016, 20 episodes
42. Triangle

Korean Drama - 2014, 26 episodes
43. Discovery of Love

Korean Drama - 2014, 16 episodes
44. 18 Again

Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
45. My First First Love

Korean Drama - 2019, 8 episodes
46. My First First Love Season 2

Korean Drama - 2019, 8 episodes
47. The King in Love

Korean Drama - 2017, 40 episodes
48. Nail Shop Paris

Korean Drama - 2013, 10 episodes
49. Dream High

Korean Drama - 2011, 16 episodes
50. Find Yourself

Chinese Drama - 2020, 41 episodes
51. Hit the Top

Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes
52. The Forbidden Marriage

Korean Drama - 2022, 12 episodes
53. Cheer Up

Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
54. Love in Contract

Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
55. My Holo Love

Korean Drama - 2020, 12 episodes
56. Romance by Romance

Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
57. Behind Your Smile

Taiwanese Drama - 2016, 19 episodes
58. Ghost Bride

Chinese Movie - 2017
59. Miss Truth

Chinese Drama - 2020, 36 episodes
60. Story of Yanxi Palace

Chinese Drama - 2018, 70 episodes
61. Nevertheless,

Korean Drama - 2021, 10 episodes
62. P.S. Man

Taiwanese Drama - 2010, 21 episodes
63. You're Beautiful

Korean Drama - 2009, 16 episodes
64. My Lovely Liar

Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
65. My Dearest

Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

ML's buddy/ right hand man
66. The Black Devil and the White Prince

Japanese Movie - 2016
67. Princess Silver

Chinese Drama - 2019, 58 episodes
68. Scarlet Heart

Chinese Drama - 2011, 35 episodes
69. The Whirlwind Girl

Chinese Drama - 2015, 32 episodes
70. Great Men Academy

Thai Drama - 2019, 8 episodes

Actually for ML7 - falls for FL
71. Strong Girl Nam Soon

Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
72. Castaway Diva

Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes
73. Modern Farmer

Korean Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
74. My Demon

Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes
75. Good Morning Call: Our Campus Days

Japanese Drama - 2017, 10 episodes

ML3 - knitting club member
76. Silent

Japanese Drama - 2022, 11 episodes
77. Autumn in My Heart

Korean Drama - 2000, 16 episodes
78. 20th Century Girl

Korean Movie - 2022
79. Serendipity's Embrace

Korean Drama - 2024, 8 episodes

Sang Pil - Not a 2nd ML but my heart hurt for him. FL2 his 1st love?
80. Full House

Thai Drama - 2014, 20 episodes
81. Mr. Plankton

Korean Drama - 2024, 10 episodes
82. Go Ahead

Chinese Drama - 2020, 46 episodes
83. I Am the Secret in Your Heart

Taiwanese Movie - 2024
84. Drowning Love

Japanese Movie - 2016
85. Something Happened in Bali

Korean Drama - 2004, 20 episodes
86. Who Is She!

Korean Drama - 2024, 12 episodes
87. Hotaru no Hikari Season 2

Japanese Drama - 2010, 11 episodes

Support M - he was clearly the better choice. FL's heart beat for him, ML seemed like an unhealthy co-dependent relationship.
88. Kururi: Who’s in Love with Me

Japanese Drama - 2024, 11 episodes

The FL's co-worker who was the nice guy was humorous w/out intent which I loved, I saw FL's feelings for florist & their maturity level seemed alike. I wanted to see her w/some a bit more playful. Business owner too playful, but co-worker had some of those characteristics.
89. Crushology 101

Korean Drama - 2025, 12 episodes

ML2 - good looking, super kind, but maybe a bit too timid. Felt he was better choice for awhile, but then felt he needed better.
90. Spring of Youth

Korean Drama - 2025, 10 episodes
91. Way Back Love

Korean Drama - 2025, 6 episodes
92. Princess Agents

Chinese Drama - 2017, 67 episodes

1st half
93. A Time Called You

Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

Both ML's like 2 different girls in same body.....so counts?
94. Black

Korean Drama - 2017, 18 episodes

Oh Man Soo - LOVED him!
95. Ma Boy

Korean Drama - 2012, 3 episodes

Liked both ML's for FL. ML2 kind even though star & falls for her organically. ML falls for FL organically/naturally too.
96. Hana-Kimi

Japanese Drama - 2007, 12 episodes
97. Casting a Spell to You

Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes
98. The Muse of Section E

Filipino Drama - 2025, 16 episodes
99. Just a Bit Espers

Japanese Drama - 2025, 9 episodes

Not ML2 but....ML get's shafted in my opinion.
100. Love in Memory

Korean Drama - 2018, 6 episodes