Let's discuss some of our favourite dramas here the ML is either the villain, or is a second lead (i.e. FL likes another ML first) who ends up getting the girl! Some of my personal favourites: 

  • Love Better than Immortality (ML is the villain) 
  • Goodbye My Princess (ML is an ACTUAL & possibly unredeemable villain)
  • Sound of the Desert (Ironically, I felt second lead syndrome for both MLs)

I love that you mentioned Love Better Than Immortality! It is one of my favorite dramas with my two favorite Chinese actors (Lu Si and Hong Yi) as the leads, along with my favorite theme, time travel! This drama was perfect in every way for me, I was watching it while it was airing (I can't believe it has already been a year!) and I never got bored aha. I'm still waiting for a drama that can fill the hole the LBTI left in my heart :(

I don't know any other dramas with a theme like that unfortunately :( But I hope that some can get created, most evil characters in dramas weren't evil from the beginning and just want love/attention from someone! Dramas with these types of SML have left me having second lead syndrome many times, if only they could have their happy endings :(

Yanxi Palace! Not very sure if I'm right but I believe the second lead gets the girl

Try ~ Dear Mayang Street, the 2nd male lead gets the FL in the end

  • Reply 1988 - still breaks my heart thinking Junghwan didnt get Deoksoon cause he was too much weird reasons not to pursue her
  • The Devil / Lucifer - the two guys die so they never get the girl, but for endgame of FL, she did choose the evil mastermind
  • Love Song - the ML came too late.  I  really adore Masaki Suda but I feel so much for  sakura's affection for Kohei. And when Kohei didnt reciprocate, it gave way for Suda's character to give and receive the love from Sakura
  • Empress Ki - Ji Changwook
  • Because its the first time - i like Minho in this drama, but I totally get the mutual love between the FL and SML.