Uncontrollable Hearts: 6 K-Dramas With Bad Boy Leads
Do you love bad boys in K-dramas? A lot of good K-dramas often have at least one evil character to make the plot more interesting, but the whole game changes when the leading man happens to be the bad boy, making him a villain and a hero all wrapped up in one. Many dramas such as “Tale of the Nine-Tailed,” “More Than Friends,” and “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo” delivered some of the best bad boy characters. Take a look at these bad boy K-dramas that are worth the watch!
1. “Tale of the Nine-Tailed”
In this drama, Lee Yeon (Lee Dong Wook) is a modern nine-tailed fox that keeps his dirty work to himself. But a television producer named Nam Ji Ah (Jo Bo Ah) carefully observes Lee Yeon on her quest to prove that nine-tailed foxes truly exist. Lee Yeon’s plan to give Nam Ji Ah the cold shoulder works until his bloodthirsty step-brother Lee Rang (Kim Bum) arrives.
Lee Yeon is a legendary bad boy. His species is only acknowledged in ancient ghost stories, and he initially treats his leading lady with contempt in order to hide his true identity. Plus Lee Yeon’s cold personality qualifies him as a top contender in the bad boy category. There are many times in the drama where he could have chosen complete honesty or a lengthy and understanding conversation with Nam Ji Ah, but of course the bad boy only decides to be cold! On-screen rudeness is fun to watch, but it shouldn’t be attempted in real life.
Watch “Tale of the Nine-Tailed” here:
2. “More Than Friends”
High school friends get a second chance at love in adulthood in this drama. Students Lee Soo (Ong Seong Wu) and Kyung Woo Yeon (Shin Ye Eun) have had secret crushes on each other, but they are afraid to confess their feelings due to a misunderstanding. The pair stays connected and remains good friends several years after graduation. Lee Soo’s and Kyung Woo Yeon’s feelings continue to grow, but they’ll have to overcome their preconceived notions about each other in order to take their relationship to the next level.
Ong Seong Wu’s character Lee Soo has a cold and reserved personality in high school, and he appears to be the bad boy to those around him. His parents’ divorce has only intensified the rage within, especially because he blames them for ignoring him. The fact that he wasn’t able to confess his feelings to Kyung Woo Yeon probably made him even more angry. Instead of showing the deep love he harbors for his crush and for his family, he masks it in a bad boy exterior.
Watch “More Than Friends” here:
3. “When a Man Falls In Love”
A ruthless gang member named Tae Sang (Song Seung Heon) meets a hardworking young woman living an honest life. After meeting Mi Do (Shin Se Kyung), Tae Sang is encouraged to start his own business to support her financially. But his love is tested when his friend and now rival Jae Hee (Yeon Woo Jin) tries to win Mi Do’s heart too.
Tae Sang grew up in a gang and rose in the ranks due to a trusted mob boss. Once his boss betrays him, he becomes the new leader. Abandoned by his biological parents, his bad boy ways are the result of his hard life. Tae Sang is a complete bad boy through his cold attitude and career choice. Everything about him screams the ultimate bad boy, and only the bravest person would start a relationship with him. It is almost impossible to truly understand this complex character!
Watch “When a Man Falls In Love” here:
4. “Tempted”
Loosely based on the Hollywood film “Cruel Intentions,” this series follows the story of playboy Kwon Shi Hyun (Woo Do Hwan) and his rich friends. They play a mean trick on fellow peer Eun Tae Hee (Joy) with the plan being that Kwon Shi Hyun will seduce, date, and coldly dump her. But the innocent Eun Tae Hee has no idea that she is targeted by Kwon Shi Hyun and begins to fall in love with him. In a surprising turn of events, Kwon Shin Hyun falls victim to his own game by developing real romantic feelings and begins fighting with his friends.
Kwon Shi Hyun is spoiled, rich, and prides himself on being a smooth playboy. He puts his own wants above anyone else’s feelings. His arrogance makes him the best candidate in the bad boy category. Of course, he has a sad backstory involving his mother’s death that has hardened his character, which makes Kwon Shi Hyun another one of the misunderstood bad boy characters.
Watch “Tempted” here:
5. “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo”
During a total solar eclipse, a modern-day woman named Hae Soo (IU) magically transports to the Goryeo Dynasty. She meets a long line of princes, including Prince Wang So (Lee Joon Gi), who are all fighting for their chance to be on the throne. Wang So is the most troubled of the princes, and she ends up falling in love with the future king.
Wang So’s bad boy attitude is a product of bullying. He suffers a facial injury and receives ill-treatment because of his physical differences from others. He wears a mask to hide his scar and became cold and bitter over time. Wang So keeps to himself and tries to make everyone fear him, but deep down, this bad boy has a warm heart for Hae Soo, the woman he loves. He just needed someone to show him love first. While his character is too extreme, this bad boy is relatable with his feelings.
6. “School 2017”
Framed for a prank she didn’t commit, high school student Eun Ho (Kim Sejeong) is determined to find the identity of the real culprit behind it. When she meets fellow student Tae Woon (Kim Jung Hyun), she forms a bond with him, and the pair fight for equality for all students while developing feelings for each other.
Tae Woon has to be the strangest bad boy ever! His cold personality as well as the pranks he plays on the school administration are for a greater good. He is a voice of justice in an unfair school. Even though he is a rich boy, Tae Woon wants the school to be fair for all students, which makes this bad boy character one with a heart of gold!
Watch “School 2017” here:
Which bad boy K-drama is your favorite? Or is there a good guy K-drama with a bad boy supporting character that you love? Let us know in the comments!
KMoody is a Soompi writer who is a longtime Korean drama fan. Her favorite dramas include “Boys Over Flowers,” “Dream High,” and “Love Alarm”! For more information about her personal and professional writing journey, follow her on Instagram at BTSCelebs.
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