Which Bad Thinking Diary Characters Are Main Protagonists?

A late-afternoon binge turned into an obsession with 'Bad Thinking Diary' for me; its main players are what kept me scrolling.

First and simplest: 'Yan Mu' is the lead you follow almost every chapter. The diary itself is his coping mechanism and narrative device — entries pop up when he overthinks, then scenes play out showing the sometimes embarrassing, sometimes insightful fallout. He’s neurotic in an endearing way, and the series builds around his attempts to translate private dread into public action. Watching him fumble, learn, and occasionally win was oddly comforting.

Right next to him is 'Chen Sui', who shares the spotlight enough to be considered a true co-protagonist. She’s got layers — practical instincts, suppressed anxieties, and a frustratingly realistic way of not fixing everything for him. Her scenes aren’t just reaction shots; they have their own arcs where she confronts limits and sets boundaries. Then there's 'Luo Fei', who rounds out the trio: supportive, sarcastic, and often the one who inserts reality into Yan Mu’s reveries. Luo Fei isn’t a main lead in the same sense, but he’s essential for pacing and emotional beats.

So, main protagonists? I'd say Yan Mu and Chen Sui share the title, with Luo Fei as a semi-co-protagonist who elevates the dynamic. The show/read earns most of its charm from how these three interact — small talk turns into big revelations. I found myself rooting for them in a very human, low-stakes way.

I dove into 'Bad Thinking Diary' during a late-night scroll and couldn't stop — the way the story centers around a couple of deeply flawed, funny, and surprisingly tender people hooked me right away.

The clear main protagonist is 'Yan Mu', the guy who literally keeps the titular diary of paranoid, often ridiculous thoughts. He's the emotional core: neurotic, self-reflective, and the kind of person whose interior monologue steals whole scenes. The plot follows his attempts to manage anxiety and overthinking while trying to connect with others. His growth arc is gradual and messy, which is what makes him feel lived-in. He learns to name his fears and, more importantly, to share them instead of bottling them up.

Alongside Yan Mu, 'Chen Sui' functions as co-lead. She's practical and grounded in ways that counterbalance Yan Mu's spirals; she also has her own quiet struggles that the series teases out over time. Their relationship is less about grand gestures and more about the small, honest conversations that help each of them change. There's also a third figure who often gets screen time and narrative weight: 'Luo Fei', a close friend whose perspective highlights the social ripple effects of Yan Mu's diary. Luo Fei sometimes reads entries, sometimes calls him out, and sometimes becomes the mirror that forces Yan Mu to face consequences.

If you want a quick map: Yan Mu drives the introspective plot, Chen Sui is the emotional stabilizer and co-protagonist, and Luo Fei serves as the sympathetic foil who amplifies the themes. Together they make the story feel intimate and real — it's the kind of slice-of-life that sticks with you because the characters are allowed to be imperfect. I loved the small, everyday victories the trio shared; they felt like real friendships and relationships to me.

I binged 'Bad Thinking Diary' over a weekend and kept tallying who actually carries the story: at the heart are 'Yan Mu' and 'Chen Sui'. Yan Mu’s diary entries set up the internal conflicts and comedic beats — his overthinking is the engine — while Chen Sui provides the relational stakes and emotional counterbalance. Their interactions form the narrative spine.

A close third is 'Luo Fei', whose presence is crucial for grounding Yan Mu and giving the reader a sounding board; he often triggers pivotal conversations or forces the leads to confront realities they’d otherwise ignore. Altogether the trio functions like a single unit: Yan Mu drives introspection, Chen Sui drives change, and Luo Fei catalyzes honesty. I liked how the series treats each as central in different ways rather than elevating one at the expense of the others — it feels democratic and true to life, which left me smiling long after I finished.