Do you enjoy K-drama bad boys? A lot of good K-dramas have at least one evil character to keep the plot interesting, but the game changes when the leading man is the bad boy, making him both a villain and a hero in one. Many dramas, including “Tale of the Nine-Tailed Cat,” “More Than Friends,” and “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo,” had some of the best bad boy characters. Check out these bad boy K-dramas that are worth watching!
- “Tale of the Nine-Tailed”
Lee Yeon (Lee Dong Wook) is a modern nine-tailed fox who keeps his dirty work to himself in this drama. However, a television producer named Nam Ji Ah (Jo Bo Ah) closely follows Lee Yeon on her quest to prove the existence of nine-tailed foxes. Lee Yeon’s plan to turn down Nam Ji Ah works until his bloodthirsty step-brother Lee Rang (Kim Bum) arrives.
Lee Yeon is a well-known bad boy. His species is only mentioned in old ghost stories, and he initially despises his leading lady in order to conceal his true identity. Furthermore, Lee Yeon’s cold demeanor qualifies him as a top contender in the bad boy category. Many times throughout the drama, he could have chosen complete honesty or a lengthy and understanding conversation with Nam Ji Ah, but instead, the bad boy chooses to be cold! While on-screen rudeness is entertaining to watch, it should never be attempted in real life.
2. “More Than Friends”
In this drama, high school friends get a second chance at love as adults. Students Lee Soo (Ong Seong Wu) and Kyung Woo Yeon (Shin Ye Eun) have secret crushes on each other, but due to a misunderstanding, they are afraid to confess their feelings. Several years after graduation, the pair remains in touch and good friends. Lee Soo and Kyung Woo Yeon’s feelings for each other are growing, but they must overcome their preconceived notions about each other in order to take their relationship to the next level.
The persona of Ong Seong Wu In high school, Lee Soo has a cold and reserved personality, and he appears to be the bad boy to those around him. His parents’ divorce has only fueled his rage, especially since he blames them for ignoring him. He was probably even angrier because he couldn’t express his feelings to Kyung Woo Yeon. Instead of displaying his deep love for his crush and his family, he hides it behind a bad boy persona.
3. “When a Man Falls In Love”
Tae Sang (Song Seung Heon), a ruthless gang member, meets a hardworking young woman living an honest life. Tae Sang is encouraged to start his own business after meeting Mi Do (Shin Se Kyung) in order to financially support her. But his love is put to the test when his friend and now rival Jae Hee (Yeon Woo Jin) also attempts to win Mi Do’s heart.
Tae Sang was raised in a gang and rose through the ranks thanks to a trusted mob boss. When his boss betrays him, he takes over as leader. His bad boy ways are the result of his difficult life after being abandoned by his biological parents. Tae Sang is a total bad boy due to his cold demeanor and career choice. Everything about him screams “bad boy,” and only the most daring person would begin a relationship with him. This complex character is nearly impossible to comprehend!
4. “Tempted”
This series, loosely based on the Hollywood film “Cruel Intentions,” follows the story of playboy Kwon Shi Hyun (Woo Do Hwan) and his wealthy friends. They play a cruel joke on fellow peer Eun Tae Hee (Joy), intending for Kwon Shi Hyun to seduce, date, and then coldly dump her. But the innocent Eun Tae Hee has no idea she is being pursued by Kwon Shi Hyun and falls in love with him. Kwon Shin Hyun, in an unexpected turn of events, falls victim to his own game by developing genuine romantic feelings and begins fighting with his friends.
Kwon Shi Hyun is spoiled, wealthy, and takes pride in being a smooth playboy. He prioritizes his own desires over the feelings of others. Because of his arrogance, he is the best candidate in the bad boy category. Of course, he has a tragic backstory involving the death of his mother, which has hardened his character, making Kwon Shi Hyun another misunderstood bad boy character.
5. “Scarlet Heart: Ryeo”
A modern-day woman named Hae Soo (IU) is magically transported to the Goryeo Dynasty during a total solar eclipse. She meets a long line of princes, including Prince Wang So (Lee Joon Gi), who are all vying for the throne. Wang So is the prince with the most problems, and she falls in love with the future king.
Bullying is to blame for Wang So’s bad boy attitude. He sustains a facial injury and is mistreated as a result of his physical differences from others. He hides his scar behind a mask and has grown cold and bitter over time. Wang So isolates himself and tries to make everyone fear him, but this bad boy has a soft spot in his heart for Hae Soo, the woman he loves. He simply needed someone to love him first. While his character is too extreme, this bad boy’s emotions are relatable.
6. “School 2017”
Eun Ho (Kim Sejeong), a high school student, is determined to find the true perpetrator of a prank she did not commit. She forms a bond with fellow student Tae Woon (Kim Jung Hyun), and the two fight for equality for all students while developing feelings for each other.
Tae Woon must be the oddest bad boy ever! His cold demeanor, as well as the pranks he plays on the school administration, serve a greater purpose. In an unfair school, he is a voice of justice. Despite his wealth, Tae Woon wants the school to be equitable for all students, making this bad boy character one with a heart of gold!