I never rooted for a K-Drama second lead as hard as I did for Choi Si-Won’s character in She Was Pretty. I found this romantic comedy after seeing the lead actor, Park Seo-Joon, in the historical drama Hwarang. This show is about Hye-Jin, a once beautiful girl who goes to work at a fashion magazine and ends up caught between Sung-Joon, her childhood love (who doesn’t recognize her) and a new friend, Shin-Hyuk (played by Choi Si-Won) who sees past her appearance. Surprisingly, it wasn’t Seo-Joon that captured my heart, but the second-lead, played by Choi Si-Won. If the first photo alone isn’t enough to convince you to watch this gem of a show, I’m going to highlight five times Choi Si-Won melts our hearts as the perfect K-Drama gentleman.
Related | Hwarang TV Review: Why You Should Check Out This Period K-Drama
SPOILERS! If you haven’t already seen She Was Pretty—first, you don’t know what you’re missing! This delightful K-Drama classic has it all: humor, romance, piggyback rides, and mystery identities. Second, this list gives away some major plot points.
Five Times Choi Si-Won Melts Our Hearts in She Was Pretty
(In Order of Episodes)
#1 Orabeoni, Interrupting (Episode 4)
The first thing we notice about Shin-Hyuk’s character is his sense of humor. He is energetic, charming, and goofy. Hye-Jin and Shin-Hyuk’s friendship starts out as an older brother (orabeoni) and younger sister (dongsaeng) relationship and he makes it his personal mission to pest her endlessly. One day, when she notices the sky is especially beautiful and goes to take a photo, Shin-Hyuk scampers over blowing a big bubble of gum in the middle of her photo.
When Hye-Jin remarks how pretty the sky looks, he looks at her with a smile and says “Yes. It is pretty.” Aww. My heart just melted a bit. Or a lot.
#2 Shin-Hyuk Plays Nurse (Episode 6)
Throughout the show, Shin-Hyuk goes above and beyond for Hye-Jin. When she calls him, asking if he could drop off medicine for Sung-Joon, he begrudgingly agrees. He makes sure to emphasize it’s only because she’s his dongsaeng.
Not only is seeing a concerned Si-Won mothering over Sung-Joon amusing, we also see Shin-Hyuk slowly reveal a compassionate heart underneath all that teasing. Also, this is just one of many hilarious bromance moments between these two actors.
#3 An Adorable Confession (Episode 7)
Despite his outgoing personality, Shin-Hyuk can also be adorably shy, as he is when he confesses his feelings for Hye-Jin.
“I think I like you. A lot.”
Later, when he sees Sung-Joon with another woman over her shoulder, he keeps her feelings from getting hurt by distracting her the only way a perfect K-Drama gentleman can—by sweeping her into a tender back hug.
My heart has officially melted into a puddle.
#4 A Kind Heart with Freckles (Episode 9)
Shin-Hyuk proves to be even more of a sweetheart when he sees Hye-Jin’s new look. In shock, he asks her where her freckles went, insisting he misses her best feature. Shin-Hyuk likes Hye-Jin for herself, not for her looks—a refreshing breath of classic romance in a world that emphasizes appearance. Shin-Hyuk thinks Hye-Jin’s frizzy hair and freckles are beautiful because they are hers, just like her kindness to others, which he has seen over time.
#5 A Knight on His Noble Motorcycle (Episode 10)
Even though Shin-Hyuk doesn’t express his love for Hye-Jin in so many words, his actions speak volumes. When Shin-Hyuk drops everything and races out into a torrential thunderstorm on his motorcycle to protect Hye-Jin, we see how deeply he cares about her.
A heart-wrenching scene, he is crestfallen when he sees Hye-Jin already with Sung-Joon. As he turns to walk away, we see he crashed his motorcycle on the slick roads in his effort to get to her.
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Bonus – Choi Si-Won Sings!
If these moments aren’t enough to melt our hearts, Choi Si-Won sings his own OST for the show, “Only You.” A K-Drama lead who’s funny, caring, a writer, and who can sing? Watch Choi Si-Won in She Was Pretty on Kocowa and Viki.
Did you find yourself falling for Choi Si-Won? Do you have any other favorite Shin-Hyuk moments? Let me know in the comments!
Photo Credit: MBC
SWP was my first Kdrama, and I quickly discovered what Second Lead Syndrome is after watching it! Most times I can understand why the heroine chooses the “hero” over the “other guy” but this time I liked the second lead so much and disliked the lead to the point where I was really disappointed with how the story turned out.
I know now Si Won never stood a chance! Kdramas rarely break the mould too much when it comes to their romcom formula.
Jill, I’m in your corner when it comes to being disappointed in this drama. The male lead really irked me in oh so many ways (although I have nothing against the actor). The only reason I watched this drama to the end was because of Siwon. He was perfection in an otherwise mediocre and unimpressive story. Ours is probably not exactly a popular opinion though. Ha!
Yaroslavna, I totally agree – Choi Si-Won brought so much to the show with his antics and sweetness! Have you ever seen Park Seo-Joon in “Hwarang?” I really liked his character there. Plus, it is a historical show, so it was funny to see him in “Hwarang” before “She Was Pretty.”
I ended up dropping “Hwarang” early on since the actual formation of the Hwarang took too long and something just didn’t gel for me despite an all-star cast. After many years of dramas one learns to drop things that don’t speak to one’s soul even though others may well find something special in it for themselves đ
I much preferred Park Seo-joon in “Witch’s Romance” and “Kill Me, Heal Me”. Although his best performance yet may be that in “Fight My Way”. He’s knocking that role out of the park at the moment!
It’s good to know I’m not the only one who feels this way!
Hwarang was a disappointment for me too. I think I skipped about 75% of the scenes because the leads spent most of the time moping and looking pained.I watched the end only to see the young king take his throne. Even the eye candy of the Hwarang themselves couldn’t save the show for me.
Jill, Yes – “She Was Pretty” was the first K-Drama where I truly understood Second Lead Syndrome! I It would have been the perfect show to switch up the K-Drama rom-com formula!
Just watched SWP over the weekend at this late year, 2018 as I wait in anticipation for the last two episode s of Whatâs Wrong With Secretary Kim? this week. I researched old PSJ K-dramas and ended up rooting for the second male lead Choi Si Won which somehow cushioned my being able to let go of WWWSK effective this week after the series ends.
Choi Si Won was a very endearing second male lead in his characterization of Hyung Sik. While Jihoo of Boys Over Flowers was my previous epitome of a second male lead, comparing his character with Hyung Sik creates an entire redefinition of second male leadâthat second male leads can be funny, goofy, scruff faced and can also take our breath away in a most genuine way through their selflessness.
Yes, I completely agree that Hyung Sik characterized by Choi Si Won has upped the ante for second male leads and will always remain as one of the best two who have given me the worst case of second male lead syndrome : )
made some corrections to my first comment : ) apologies for the wrong name of my fave character in She Was Pretty, dear Kim Shin-hyuk
Just watched SWP over the weekend at this late year, 2018 as I wait in anticipation for the last two episode s of Whatâs Wrong With Secretary Kim? this week. I researched old PSJ K-dramas and ended up rooting for the second male lead Choi Si Won which somehow cushioned my being able to let go of WWWSK effective this week after the series ends.
Choi Si Won was a very endearing second male lead in his characterization of Kim Shin-hyuk. While Jihoo of Boys Over Flowers was my previous epitome of a second male lead, comparing his character with creates an entire redefinition of second male leadâthat second male leads can be funny, goofy, scruff faced and can also take our breath away in a most genuine way through their selflessness.
Yes, I completely agree that Kim Shin-hyuk characterized by Choi Si Won has upped the ante for second male leads and will always remain as one of the best two who have given me the worst case of second male lead syndrome : )
Just stumbled on this blog having only just watched SWP recently. I am now officially in love with Choi Si Won! HIs character in the show was so endearing and lovable and it was heartbreaking to watch some of the scenes. I literally sobbed at the scene where he says “don’t go” and she just runs away to her first love! đ booooo
Your blog captured everything I’ve been feeling about this character too! Love love love him !!!!
Jenifer here from India.
This was the first time I watched K drama & was glad to watch this show.
Same like you, I fell for the second lead.
His funny character & good looks stole my heart.
The best I liked was when he says to her – you are giveing me false signals .. awww.
But I never saw his Same look on other shows which I miss coz this beard looks really suits him a lot. Infact , I didn’t liked him in other show coz of his look.
I hope he comes with this beard avatar again.
I absolutely love Siwon as Kim Shin Hyuk, especially his bearded look. I agree with the 5 moments, but there are so much more. One that particularly stands out for me is at the end of their fun day out in Ep 14 when Kim Shin Hyuk thanks Hye-Jin and says goodbye…and the tears as he drives off.
Extremely well written â5 times Choi Siwon melts your heart in She was Prettyâ, but really I think itâs 6, how could you leave out his visuals in Ep 12!
I fall for Si won.. i know i am late but i fall for kdrama coz of him in revolution love then did goggle search and found SWP.. i fall for him again even he not the lead..
i just recently watched this and i really really love it. i laughed, i cried and gives you the sweet feeling of having solid relationships be it family, a girl bestfriend, a guy bestfried, a colleague.. it’s like a bibimbap..it’s just all there…….i am happy that the lead ended up together…. but i don’t know how many times my heart sank for Kim Shin Hyuk… Choi Si-Won breathed life into his character so perfectly…..i hope that there can be a sequel where his character will be on the lead role.
I finished watching SWP a few weeks ago, and my heart totally sank for Shin Hyuk. I love him and I really thought he’s going to end up with Hye Jin, he loves her for who she is anyway. She actually deserves someone who sees her as pretty especially when she does not see herself as one. Shin Hyuk will be the perfect guy for her – her brother, her bestfriend, her lover. I so love Choi Si Won in this drama, but I have yet to watch his other Kdramas since I am currently doing a Park Seo Jun marathon (I so love him in Itaewon Class, btw. Watch it if you haven’t yet, it’s his best performance so far!). I agree with the other comment too, this gives me second lead syndrome (first was Prince Eul of Goong, then Ji Hoo of BOF and now Shin Hyuk, oh my heart) so baaad that I am really really brokenhearted he did not end up with the lead. Will watch more of Si Won’s kdramas and movies soon, hope he stars in a new one soonest too!
I just watched SWP and he was my favorite character. The beard really suits him and made him even more distinguishable ( when he dressed up ) I love that he appreciated her looks and character for what they were. I wanted Si Won with Hye-Jin more than any of the other second leads.