The Second Male Lead Syndrome is REAL

Yoon Ji-hoo: Ahh my first experience of painful painful SML syndrome. I liked the ML (despite his hella problematicness, that was a fault of the writers not the character. He had his moments even if he was an absolute idiot) but the SML was everything. He was patient, he was kind, he was literally there for the FL both emotionally and physically every single time she needed it. He shared the same ambitions as her, he was there to pick up the pieces when she needed it, and he was there when she was suffering. Literally every single time, he was there. When she lied and pretended she was fine, he was the one to call her out and show up. They were perfect and nothing will hurt the way this stupid pairing did. Thank you and goodbye.

Han Seojun: I don't think the SML was necessarily better than the ML okay maybe a tiny bit, I think they were both absolutely great and objectively, I think the FL and ML had more in common but like ... Han Seojun was just ... I have no words for him. He snuck up on me and was just so unabashedly himself. He was warm and loving with his family (and friends when he wasn't pretending to be upset), he really loved her, and he cherished her. The way he held her and treated her djfghkdf I'm in pain just thinking about it. When they were younger it was more playful but as they got older you could see how much he loved her and wanted to make her happy. He was there for the important moments, he was her stability when things got crazy, and he liked her beyond the superficial things. He was there for her and never overstepped his boundaries and like ... literally pushed her towards what she wanted even though it broke his freaking heart (and mine) into a million pieces and it hurts. He really and truly loved her and I think, ultimately, he was slightly better for her because he cared for her in a way I think the ML wasn't sure how to. That and he was there for her without question, whereas the ML was a bit stalker-y jealous for my taste when I think about it more (poor writing though. The whole show was a bit of a mess). Granted her decision wasn't a bad one but the stairwell scene in this show will forever and ever absolutely shatter my heart into pieces so I had to mention him.

Yang Do Hyuk: The FL doesn't deserve him but the SML was so much much better. The ML was trash and never properly grew. If he did, I honestly would have loved him but the SML loved her from the start, was so respectful, treated her like a freaking queen, and was cute to boot. I just ugh, everything this boy did made my heart ache in the best way and he was the far far superior choice, no questions asked.

Choi Young Do: I think I'm cheating a little here because I don't think he was better, I think both the ML and SML were absolute idiots (again, an older kdrama so almost everything is questionable) but he was willing to stand up for the FL and pick up the slack when the ML was failing. Also he was so much cooler and just made my heart melt whereas the ML bored the heck out of me (love you Lee Min Ho but like ... that wasn't it).

Han Ji-Pyeong: I'm not even going to talk about this one. I'm not okay, I'm not over it, Start Up has been "on hold" on my to watch list for months (going on a year I think?) because I just don't want to watch this anymore because I know what is coming and my heart can't take it. The amount of times I kept thinking if only you'd said something or done something a little sooner is just ... I hate this thanks.

Gye Sun Woo: Was he problematic? Absolutely. Was it fun to watch him suffer? Maybe a little at first because I thought he deserved it but it got too painful way too fast, especially when you could see how much he genuinely loved her and the fact that, technically, they were meant for each other. Watching the red strings of fate get cut hurt and also, he was definitely more fun (and, I think a healthier choice) than the ML. I love Jang Ki Yong but no.

Seo Yul: Another case of I don't think the ML wasn't the best choice (I think he was) but it didn't make watching Seo Yul suffer any easier. It was bad. Boy was suffering for 97% of both seasons and it was hard to watch. The moment in season two where he finds out... my heart hurt so much and it was just so beautiful. Too bad he was really dumb and ruined it almost immediately after but, as I said, he was going through it.

I honestly don't want to talk about this. Just know I'm not okay, thank you for asking.

Baek In-Ho: This last one I'm kind of cheating I'm ngl because I haven't watched the show yet but I know, I freaking know this one is going to hurt like heck. Everyone says to skip this show, everyone talks about how angry they get and the major SMLS but ... I'm still going to watch it. Why? Because I'm a masochist who loves Seo Kang Joon too much okay don't @ me.

Du Lei: We love a problematic second lead who thinks he's playing the FL only to be uno reverse carded into having feelings. Truly. I think the ML was fine but this SML was fine, you know what I'm saying? His backstory and character was a lot more interesting to me too. I'm not even done with the show and he's on this list. Excited for pain, I'm sure. Update: We are going to pretend those last few character assassination episodes don't exist, thank you and goodbye.