We've been bitten by the second lead syndrome ~bug~, and it's all thanks to Start-Up writer Park Hye Ryun! Apparently, the South Korean scriptwriter is *notorious* for creating second lead characters that are VERY hard not to root for, such as talented Jin Guk in Dream High, police officer Woo Tak in While You Were Sleeping, and venture capitalist Ji Pyeong in Start-Up.
If you're not convinced, here's a list Park Hye Ryun's K-dramas that are currently available for streaming on Netflix and Viu so you can *meet* these characters yourself!
1. Dream High (2011)
It stars: Bae Suzy, Kim Soo Hyun, Ok Taecyeon
Where to watch it: Netflix, Viu
This teen series is where Suzy made her acting debut! In Dream High, we are introduced to the students of Kirin High School, a special place for young performers and *future* K-pop idols. Suzy plays a talented teenager named Hye Mi, who originally wanted to be an opera singer.
2. I Hear Your Voice (2013)
It stars: Lee Jong Suk, Lee Bo Young
Where to watch it: Netflix
According to Soompi, Soo Ha (Lee Jong Suk) can read other people's minds! He tracks down Hye Sung (Lee Bo Young), a lawyer who was "a key witness in putting away his father's murderer," and uses his unique ability to help her solve cases.
3. Pinocchio (2014)
It stars: Lee Jong Suk, Park Shin Hye
Where to watch it: Netflix, Viu
Netflix tells us that in this series, "In Ha and Ha Myeong become reporters for different reasons: one aspires to follow in her mother’s footsteps and the other seeks to do honest news."
4. Page Turner (2016)
It stars: Kim So Hyun, Ji Soo, Shin Jae Ha
Where to watch it: Viu
What exactly is a page-turner? Viu tells us that a page-turner, also known as the "ghost on stage," is someone who flips the music sheets for performers (often pianists). In this mini-series (we're not kidding, it only as three episodes), there's "a performer who receives the limelight and a page-turner who is there to help."
5. While You Were Sleeping (2017)
It stars: Bae Suzy, Lee Jong Suk, Jung Hae In
Where to watch it: Netflix, Viu
In this series, Suzy plays Hong Joo, a woman who has always had the ability to dream about the future. She meets Lee Jong Suk's character Jae Chan, a man who is able to change what Hong Joo sees in her dreams! Read our honest review of the drama here.
6. Start-Up (2020)
It stars: Bae Suzy, Nam Joo Hyuk, Kim Seon Ho
Where to watch it: Netflix
This show is Park Hye Ryun and Suzy's third project together! Start-Up tells the story of Dal Mi (Suzy), a struggling part-timer who wants to be "the Steve Jobs of Korea." Dal Mi went through many challenges as a kid, and she found strength through her pen pal Nam Do San. More than 10 years later, she is determined to find him!
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