Skip to content
Korea Explained

Second Lead Syndrome

The feeling of rooting strongly for a secondary romantic lead rather than the primary pairing.

K-Drama

What does Second Lead Syndrome mean?

The feeling of rooting strongly for a secondary romantic lead rather than the primary pairing.

Where you may encounter it

You may hear this term in Korean dramas, variety shows, K-pop content or everyday conversations about Korean culture. Meaning and tone can change with context, so treat this as a practical starting point rather than a word-for-word substitute for every situation.

← Back to Korea Explained A–Z