Why We Secretly (or Openly) Love the Second Couple More In BL Series?
HELLO! Let’s talk about something that happens to almost all of us……
You know the feeling: You sit down to watch a new series, ready to root for the main couple displayed on the poster. You’re prepared for their journey, their angst, and their grand romantic gestures. But then, somewhere around Episode 3 or 4, it happens.
Two side characters look at each other. Maybe they bicker?
Maybe they share a quiet moment in the background while the main leads are having a dramatic misunderstanding in the rain. ?
And suddenly, you find yourself whispering,
"Wait... I want to see more of them."
Welcome to the "Second Couple Syndrome." Don’t worry, it’s not a sickness! In fact, as a Thai BL creator, I think it’s one of the most beautiful parts of our genre. But why does it happen? Why do we often find ourselves scrolling through Twitter (or X) looking for edits of the side couple, or praying for them to get their own spin-off?
Let’s chat about it, from my heart to yours.
1. The "Main Course" vs. "Dessert" Theory
Think of a BL series like a full-course meal. The main couple is the main course—the steak, the pad thai, the heavy dish. They have to be. The main couple carries the weight of the entire narrative structure. They are responsible for the conflict, the tears, the breakups, and the high-stakes drama that keeps the plot moving. As a BL director, I know that we have to put the main couple through the wringer to earn that happy ending.
But the second couple? They are the dessert. They are the sweet, refreshing scoop of ice cream after a heavy meal.
Because the second couple usually has less screen time, their story often feels lighter. They don't always have to carry the burden of the "big tragic backstory" or the "evil ex." They get to be the comic relief, the domestic fluff, or the surprising chemistry that catches us off guard. We love them because they give us a break from the stress of the main plot. They are our comfort zone.
2. The Magic of "Less is More"
There is a funny thing about human psychology: we always crave what we can’t have enough of.
When I look back at lessons from making BL, I realize that screen time is a tricky tool. With the main couple, we see everything—their morning routine, their thoughts, their long conversations. But with the second couple, we are often given just crumbs. A glance here, a hand-touch there.
This scarcity sparks our imagination. Because the script doesn't tell us everything about the second couple, we fill in the blanks ourselves. We write the fanfiction in our heads. We imagine what they talk about when the camera isn't rolling. In a way, the second couple belongs to the audience more than the director, because you help build their story with your own creativity. Isn't that special?
3. The "Accidental" Chemistry
Here is a little secret from an independent filmmaker: Sometimes, we don’t plan for the second couple to be so popular!
Casting is an art, but it’s also a bit of luck. Sometimes, two actors are cast as best friends or rivals, and the moment the camera rolls, the chemistry is just electric. It’s not always in the script. It’s in the eyes, the improvised smiles, the natural comfort they have with each other.
When we see that spark as viewers, it feels like discovering a hidden gem. It feels organic and unforced. While the main couple often follows a strict romantic tropes list (enemies to lovers, fated mates), the second couple often feels like two real people just... falling into rhythm. It’s messy, it’s fast, or sometimes it’s chaotic, and that "imperfect" vibe makes them incredibly relatable.
4. A Different Flavor of Love
Usually, a series tries to balance the tone. If the main couple is melodramatic and slow-burn, the second couple might be fast-paced and passionate. If the main couple is sweet and innocent, the second couple might be a little more mature or edgy.
As a viewer, maybe the main couple’s dynamic isn’t 100% your cup of tea, but the second couple offers the flavor you were craving. It ensures that there is something for everyone. I think that’s the kindness of storytelling—creating different mirrors for us to see ourselves in.
IT’S OKAY TO LOVE THEM BOTH
I used to feel guilty if I liked the side couple more than the main actors I was "supposed" to focus on. But now, I realize it’s a compliment to the entire production. It means the world created was rich enough to hold multiple love stories.
So, the next time you find yourself screaming at the screen because the second couple only got two minutes of airtime, just know that I hear you. We creators hear you. And honestly? We probably love them just as much as you do.
I’d love to hear from you!
Who is your all-time favorite "Second Couple" that you think deserved their own series? Let’s gush about them in the comments below (please be nice to the main couples, though—they’re trying their best!).
