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Unforgettable K-Drama antagonists you can't help but love

Posted by AllK_Maknae21 pts Thursday, March 10, 2016
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Korean dramas definitely know how to add some flavor to their villainous leads! While these dramas may appear to be made of sugar, spice and everything nice, these antagonists seem rotten to the core-- and yet there is something about them that leaves you awe-stricken.


Whether it is the amazing acting from the actors themselves or the devastating plots behind these malicious characters, these 10 unforgettable 'bad guys' and 'bad girls' will definitely get your blood boiling again!


SEE ALSO: K-netizens hail SBS Gayo Daejeon 2024 for its all-time best artist lineup


1. 'Scent of a Women' - Im Se Kyung



The most wicked character to Lee Yeon jae, Im Se Kyung holds nothing back-- especially her hatred for Lee Yeon Jae. From trying to corrupt the relationship between Lee Yeon Jae and Kang Ji-Wook to even financially destroying Lee Yeon Jae and Kang Ji Wook's father's company, she knew no end to her vengeful ways. The worst crime she committed against Lee Yeon Jae was labeling her as a thief and pinning her for the theft of a prized ring by a famous singer visiting Korea. The best part is when Lee Yeon Jae gets legit physical revenge on her and slaps some sense into her nonsensical @$$! 


The thing is, Im Se Kyung is so wickedly evil you can't help but be in awe of her, too. Of course she had a harsh past that is revealed through her father and makes you think she is misunderstood, but it is no excuse for hurting others. In the end, she made for one wickedly cool character plus it was easy to even admire her stylish looks and fashion sense while she committed her devious crimes against Lee Yeon Jae and Kang Ji-Wook.


2. 'Iljimae' - Shi Hoo 


While Iljimae, practically the Korean Robin Hood, is sneaking into all the houses of the famed aristocrats to find his dad's murderer and seek revenge on the wealthy for the poor, Shi Hoo is the beyond noble palace guard, determined to capture Iljimae and stop his vigilante ways. Often times a drama's antagonist's intentions aren't clear and they just seem downright evil, but Shi Hoo had a purpose.


Not only does Shi Hoo view the chance of catching the masked thief as a way to escape his miserable life of servitude and become a noble, his natural strong sense of justice and dedication to putting a stop to these random robberies make him admirable. It is the classic twist of putting the righteous in the shoes of the bad, because no one can resist the urge to cheer on Iljimae's motives and become involved in his thirst for revenge. 


3. 'Marriage, Not Dating' - Lee Hoon-Dong



The love attraction Jang Mi has for Lee Hoon-Dong is quite charming but the fact that he can't escape his playboy ways and does anything and everything to avoid her in the beginning (which makes her life quite a mess) enforce you to dislike his horrible actions. He labels her as a stalker, his mother even berates her and in one scene smashes a cake she brought over as a gift (trust me, it's worse when you watch it happen). Lee Hoon-Dong never wanted Jang Mi for anything but physical reasons, which makes him a disgusting playboy.


However, as the show advances, viewers come to understand that Lee Hoon-Dong becomes a bit more genuine with his feelings as he discovers what he wants and develops feelings again for Jang Mi. This realization makes you feel warm-hearted toward him because he proves anyone can change.


4. 'Protect the Boss' - Cha Mu Won 


JYJ's Jaejoong's becomes the seemingly perfect but dastardly Cha Mu Won, the 'ideal chaebol son' who also plays the love and work rival of lead character (and cousin) Ji Hyeon, as they both clash from their love triangle with Seo Na-Yoon. Cha Mu Won attempted to be sneaky by hiring the cheerful Eun-Seol, who is also his love interest, to be the assistant of Ji Hyeon and act as a spy for him. Sadly, Cha Mu Won is unable to win her over as he had further planned as she begins falling for Ji Hyeon instead. However Eun-Seol makes more complications for the two, causing more tension and bickering between them. The almost brotherly bickering becomes cute to some extent, which is why his rivalry becomes funnier and more light hearted.


The bad blooded rivalry goes beyond being chairman of the company and Cha Mu Won's relentless actions to belittle Ji Hyeon turns him into a bitter character filled with spite, even in the most little of ways, but his situation is understandable. 


5. 'Cheese in the trap' - Baek In Ha


Although this drama is littered with sociopaths, Baek In Ha is one of the few characters who might be more likable than the other psychos in this drama. Baek In Ha has her dreams of being an artist shattered more than once by her rude brother Baek In Ho, but the way she easily manipulates him with her painful past and fools him into doing her bidding and giving her money are just so awful. She toys with people's emotions and couldn't care less-- especially if they don't benefit or interest her.


It's true that at times she can be viewed as the annoying character, but her feelings gradually build up from the start as she never really hated Hong Seol or wished evil against her, her motives derived from other reasons and Hong Seol was in the wrong place at the wrong time. When it is all broken down, she is the less flawed character and lesser of the many evils that come across Hong Seol. Aside from that, her overly animated behaviors and style of talking become quite comical that none can resist imitating her quirky nature. To be Baek In Ha is to simply be a eccentric person in every sense.


6. 'Rooftop prince' - Se Na


'Rooftop Prince' has a lot of OMG moments, especially due to Se Na who's basically the evil Cinderella stepsister. For those who don't know, this drama becomes quite intricate and complicated as it jumps back and forth between the present and the Joseon Era in order to solve a murder mystery. Aside from the time hop plot, this woman Se Na has no shame, which is the perfect combo for someone with an evil mindset. She maintains a secret love affair with Tae Mu, whom she uses for personal/selfish reasons. She is even responsible for the abandonment of her sister Park-Ha, whom she purposely left behind in a truck.


What's crazier is when Park-Ha becomes interested in Lee Gak but soon discovers he is dating Se Na. Unfortunately, she must comply since he reveals that by marrying Se Na in this time period, he will be one step closer to solving the mystery of the Crown Princess's murder during the Joseon era. There are many devastating moments for Park-Ha, but Se Na's rotten nature never made Park-Ha's life a cake walk. Se Na is overall the kind of character you love to hate. Plain and simple. She represents a selfish side none can deny they have experienced before.


7. 'You who came from the stars' - Lee JAe Kyung


Like many dramas, 'You who Came From The Stars' features another lunatic chaebol, Lee Jae Kyung, who is the heir to a million dollar company. However, Lee Jae Kyung was another irritably evil sociopath since he was so hell bent on murder. Lee Jae Kyung is Hwi Kyung's older brother and the potential heir of 'S&C Group.' His despicable ways had no limits throughout the show as he did whatever it took to silence actress Cheon Song Yi in order for her to not reveal his secret (which I won't reveal here either). His actions and crazy lines ("Be Well...") prove he felt no guilt for his wrong doing as he always whispers or rubs his ring before killing a person. Total. Creep. Factor. However, his evil side intrigued many.


The tangled web of secrecy became deeper and crazier and that fact that Lee Jae Kyung is running in circles trying to cover up his secret is what makes him entertaining to watch in the end. Lee Jae Kyung brings chills to everyone, which not everyone villain can do so easily, as he has dedication in being evil and is assertive in all of his motives/intentions. Many can easily admire this cunning antagonist.


8. 'queen seon duk' - mishil


Mishil, an arrogant but wealthy concubine, dreams of becoming queen in order to rule over Silla and is hellbent on doing it. However, all her attempts are squashed when Seon Duk arrives and makes a splash in her political circles. Mishil sole purpose is to scheme and threaten her way to the throne, moving all obstacles out of her way-- including Seon Duk! She even assassinates Princess Cheonmyeong (Deokman's twin sister) by accident and engages in war over the throne with Deokman's faction. However, she is met with defeat that makes any viewer feel relief but pity for her defeat and the halt to her diabolical plans. 


As she paves her way to power, she becomes more ruthless in her actions. Despite never changing her ways, her amazing portrayal of only having a dark side and being a ruthless leader makes her a deeply dynamic character that is more unforgettable if anything. Mi-shil is the true definition of an 'iron fist.'


9. 'Boys Over Flowers' - Kang Hee-soo


The classic drama 'Boys Over Flowers' has a real strong, clashing love triangle of sorts amongst the loudmouth Jan Di; arrogant and wealthy leader of the 'F4,' Goo Jun Pyo; and the shy but sensitive Ji Hoo. Aside from the love triangle, Jan Di undergoes a more cynical challenge-- Goo Jun Pyo's mother Kang Hee-soo, a cruel and selfish businesswoman. This basket case mom is the epitome of a wealthy antagonist and troublesome parent as she consistently disapproves of Jan Di's lower class lifestyle and tries her best to split them up in order to maintain her family's wealthy image and upbringing. 


Overall Kang Hee-soo is just another concerned parent who happens to have an added overdose of crazy thrown into the mix. Many people can relate to this classic Romeo and Juliet story line and know that when parent's think one thing it is nearly impossible to change their mind-- especially when that mom is Goo Jun Pyo's! We all have one psycho parent, and in the end we still love 'em. Let's just hope we don't turn into one!


10. 'The Heirs' - Yoo Rachel


No person can forget the snooty, impolite 'Jeguk High School's Paris Hilton,' Kim Ji-Won. Who don't know this girl? She is Kim Tan's fiancée and the rich, chic and somewhat irrational heiress of the infamous clothing company 'RS International.' She really lets the claws out when she realizes that Kim Tan becomes infatuated with Cha Eun-sang. She had an adamant desperation to do everything in her power to separate Kim Tan and Cha Eun-sang from forming any sort of relationship.


We all know it boils down to the fact that Kim Tan doesn't truly like her, and it is even harder for her to accept it. This struggle in her relationship and losing her 'right' to power is what creates these conflicted feelings for her, causing her to want Cha Eun-sang to struggle in any way possible. Behind her sweet and pretty features is a rude and evil girl, but no one can deny they have been in her shoes once or twice when love interests don't go in our favor. 


11. 'Remember' - Nam Gyoo Man


Unless you are superman himself and fearless, no one can help but remember the amount of crazy that is Nam Gyoo-Man. The drama 'Remember' is ironically unforgettable because the handsomely wealthy (and handsome in general) Nam Gyoo-Man is a total psychopath. Not only does he commit quite the violent and most heinous of crimes (rape, murder, the horrible list goes on...) but he also makes his insanity a public spectacle. If you think him beating up his employee in front of other employees and smashing an old lady's car with a golf club was bad, think again.


Despite making anyone shutter with fear, he becomes almost enjoyable to see. His psychotic and sarcastic nature is such an unbelievable combo that his actions are always unexpected and almost absorb the viewer into anticipating how much more worse he can become. In reality, there is almost no one you will ever meet like him (which is a good thing) so it is near impossible to not enjoy watching his character come to life on screen. His same evil smirk almost comes across your face every time he appears.

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