Weighing in on SLS (Second Lead Syndrome)

In my previous post, I talked about my severe case of Second Lead Syndrome) SLS over Shin Hyuk in She Was Pretty. Choi Siwon did an outstanding job of making this annoying goof-ball lovable and yearn-for-able. (Counting the days until August 18th of next year!) His performance in this drama made me not be able to wait to see his next drama, hopefully where he gets the girl! (Maybe Hwang Jung Eum?) Today, I thought I would discuss other dramas that have given people SLS. If you've never heard of SLS, here's the definition by The One-Eyed Kin blog

Second Lead Syndrome (SLS) is known as the overwhelming support and admiration given to the second male lead of a drama or an anime to win the lead female and succeed in whatever endeavor undertaken when,

1. The female lead shows no signs of liking the second lead.
2. When the male lead has secured the affections of the female lead.
3. When the second lead has no chance of winning over the female lead.

I would add to this definition that it occurs when the female lead is *conflicted* over which man to choose, even though her heart belongs to the lead (as inexplicable as that might be).

Recovering from a Severe Case of SLS (Second Lead Syndrome)

Hello, my k-drama friends. I have returned.

You've probably noticed that I haven't posted anything since November of last year. I stopped 2 episodes short of completing the recap for She Was Pretty and haven't posted anything since. There is an explanation for it... Not that I lost interest in k-dramas or recapping, or I got too busy with other parts of my life, it was just that I was so disappointed by Shin Hyuk not getting the girl that I just couldn't finish.


I thought about moving on to another drama, but I just couldn't. Something about leaving a drama unfinished didn't sit right with me (unless, of course, it's She's So Lovable or The Heirs). I kept telling myself that I would go back and finish it but never did. Normally, I don't have this strong of a reaction, but Shin Hyuk was such an *awesome* guy (and annoying in the best way) and Sung Joon treated Hye Jin so horribly more than once. 


Sung Joon in various stages of meanness. Belittling, condescending and finally outright mean.
Yes, Sung Joon did soften and apologize, but he only seemed to like Hye Jin because (1) she was his first love that he couldn't forget, and (2) she was pretty. All the time that she looked like herself -- red cheeks, tons of freckles and crazy frizzy hair -- he was not interested, but once she looked socially acceptable, he became interested. And then he grew to love her socially unacceptable appearance. Shin Hyuk, on the other hand, *always* thought she was beautiful and never treated her like crap.