Cover The male leads of the K-drama ‘Lovely Runner’ butt heads a couple of times, but their rivalry is far from toxic. (Photo: tvN)
The male leads of the K-drama ‘Lovely Runner’ butt heads a couple of times, but their rivalry is far from toxic. (Photo: tvN)
1 / 1
Forget toxic tropes—these K-dramas show that even love triangles can be grounded in respect, maturity and friendship
Love triangles are one of the most enduring K-drama tropes—but they’re not always the messy, jealousy-fuelled affairs we’ve come to expect. In fact, some of the genre’s most memorable stories prove that rivalry doesn’t have to lead to manipulation or heartbreak. These shows flip the script, giving us characters who confess honestly, respect boundaries and even form unexpected friendships with their romantic rivals. From small-town rom-coms to coming-of-age school dramas and star-studded melodramas, these eight K-dramas show that affection, loyalty and maturity can coexist—and that second leads don’t always have to be villains to make a love story compelling.
See also: 8 must-watch gateway K-dramas for first-time viewers
‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’
Above The two male leads of ‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’ show audiences what healthy rivalry looks like. (Photo: tvN)
The two male leads of ‘Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha’ show audiences what healthy rivalry looks like. (Photo: tvN)
1 / 1
Both vying for Yoon Hye-jin’s (Shin Min-a) affection, Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho) and Ji Seong-hyeon (Lee Sang-yi) could have ended up as bitter rivals. But perhaps that kind of messy love triangle is more at home in angst-filled teen series or K-dramas from the early 2000s. And although the two were not above engaging in some playful sparring and one-upmanship, they were both too mature to let things spiral into drama. Their genuine respect and affection for each other softened any potential tension, giving way to warm camaraderie.
Don’t miss: 8 unforgettable K-drama locations that shaped the story
‘Lovely Runner’
Above Kim Tae-seong and Ryu Sun-jae are rivals for Im Sol’s heart. (Photo: tvN)
Kim Tae-seong and Ryu Sun-jae are rivals for Im Sol’s heart. (Photo: tvN)
1 / 1
Kim Tae-seong (Song Geon-hee) may have been Im Sol’s (Kim Hye-yoon) high-school crush, but if the K-drama has shown us anything, it’s that her heart only belongs to Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok). Was there petty rivalry and jealousy between Tae-seong and Sun-jae? Definitely, but their good natures keep the triangle grounded in empathy rather than malice. In the end, the rivalry evolves into genuine friendship, rooted in understanding, respect and acceptance of where things stand.
See also: 9 romantic K-dramas where the male lead fell in love first—and fell the hardest
‘Head Over Heels’
Above Both boys are head over heels in love with Park Sung-ah. (Photo: tvN)
Both boys are head over heels in love with Park Sung-ah. (Photo: tvN)
1 / 1
Park Sung-ah (Cho Yi-hyun) only has eyes for her first love, Bae Gyeon-oo (Choo Young-woo), but that doesn’t stop her best friend Pyo Ji-ho (Cha Kang-yoon) from developing feelings for her. Rather than resort to manipulation, Ji-ho confesses his love with refreshing honesty and maturity. He remains a steady—and steadying—presence for Sung-ah, and his loyalty, support and constancy, despite not winning her heart, say everything about the kind of person he is.
‘Crash Course in Romance’
Above Lee Chae-min plays the studious best friend. (Photo: tvN)
Above Lee Min-jae stars as the new kid in town. (Photo: tvN)
Lee Chae-min plays the studious best friend. (Photo: tvN)
1 / 2
In the K-drama, Nam Hae-yi (Roh Yoon-seo) is caught in a teen love triangle between her best friend Lee Sun-jae (Lee Chae-min) and transfer student Seo Geon-hu (Lee Min-jae). While she and Lee Sun-jae are academically driven, Geon-hu is more the athletic type. When he cheekily asks Hae-yi to tutor him, Sun-jae bristles at the intrusion. But instead of spiralling into petty jealousy, the three form a strong bond that helps them weather the pressures of school and home life.
‘Good Boy’
Above Lee Sang-yi is the patron saint of unproblematic second leads. (Photo: JTBC)
Lee Sang-yi is the patron saint of unproblematic second leads. (Photo: JTBC)
1 / 1
In Good Boy, Yoon Dong-joo (Park Bo-gum) wants to take his friendship with Ji Ha-na (Kim So-hyun) to the next level. Her ex-boyfriend Kim Jong-hyun (Lee Sang-yi—the patron saint of unproblematic second male leads), however, hopes to rekindle their romance. This creates tension, especially as Dong-joo can be a little childish, but it never tips into toxicity thanks to their mutual—if sometimes begrudging—respect. In the end, despite their differences, they develop an unexpected friendship.
‘Record of Youth’
Above Their careers and affection for the same woman put their friendship to the test. (Photo: tvN)
Their careers and affection for the same woman put their friendship to the test. (Photo: tvN)
1 / 1
Struggling model and aspiring actor Hye-joon (Park Bo-gum) and reluctant “nepo baby” Won Hae-hyo (Byeon Woo-seok) may be catwalk and casting rivals, but outside work they share a warm, genuine friendship. And although diverging career trajectories and falling for the same girl threaten to test their bond, the two remain loyal and supportive of each other to the end.
‘While You Were Sleeping’
Above Jung Jae-chan wins the girl in the K-drama. (Photo: SBS)
Above Han Woo-tak is giving little brother vibes. (Photo: SBS)
Jung Jae-chan wins the girl in the K-drama. (Photo: SBS)
1 / 2
Jung Jae-chan (Lee Jong-suk) and Han Woo-tak (Jung Hae-in) share more than just precognitive dreams with Nam Hong-joo (Bae Suzy)—they’re also both smitten with her. Yet instead of becoming toxic rivals, the two develop a touching friendship. Even as Jae-chan and Hong-joo’s relationship blossoms and Woo-tak finds himself on the sidelines, he handles it with grace, remaining supportive of them both and proving that second leads can be selfless without feeling sidelined.
‘Our Beloved Summer’
Above Ji-woong remains a supportive friend to Woong and Yeon-soo to the end. (Photo: SBS)
Ji-woong remains a supportive friend to Woong and Yeon-soo to the end. (Photo: SBS)
1 / 1
Choi Woong (Choi Woo-shik) and Kook Yeon-soo (Kim Da-mi) are high-school sweethearts who are on a path—albeit a rocky one—to rekindling their romance. Meanwhile, close friend Kim Ji-woong (Kim Sung-cheol), who has grown up alongside them and harbours a secret crush on Yeon-soo, remains on the periphery, relegated to third-wheel status. And while his unrequited love makes him sad, it never turns him bitter. He remains a genuine friend who supports their success and relationship.
Maggie Adan is a content writer, editor, and strategist with extensive experience across print, digital, and social media publishing. Formerly editor-in-chief at K-Zone Philippines, Summit Books and Content Lab, she has written lifestyle stories covering everything from entertainment and travel to beauty and wellness. A storyteller at heart with a keen editorial eye and a passion for narrative, she contributes to various publications and helps brands create and curate content for their social media platforms.
