I think youre onto something here
I think what they meant is, 2nd ml is a character that didn't really gives off end game vibes at the start, ykwim? That's why they said 2nd ml won, it's prolly for a plot twist.. or sometimes, ML is a fucken jerk and people love 2nd ml more than the ml like in 'pear blossom love'
It's in order of showing up. If the story starts with character A as a love interest and then character B shows up, character B will be considered the 2nd lead
I think the problem is saying "ML" at all when it's love triangles, bc there is no main lead if they're competing w eachother and having literally the same amount of screen time lol
I was literally wondering this yesterday
i never understand when people say "the 2nd ML won".... i mean if he won, wouldn't that make him the ML and not the 2nd ML ?