15 Must-Watch Korean Dramas With Smart, Strong Female Leads
Passive and delicate women are a common TV trope, but these strong and independent female leads will win your hearts
By Cherrie Lim -
Trying to place your finger on why Korean dramas are so addictive will leave you with one too many answers. If it isn’t the one umbrella genre to hold captivating storylines, gorgeous actors, and beautiful sceneries, it is certainly the one that does its best in dramas today. But often overlooked is the representation K-dramas bring with their different characters; some relatable, some fantastical, and many inspiring in their own unique ways.
We put the spotlight on badass female leads holding up the show with the strength of their personalities. These are the characters who have turned the tables on those who only believe in beautiful, frail female characters and damsel-in-distress plot lines. We list ten of them below:
This hit drama stars Park Eun-Bin in the titular role, Woo Young-Woo, a lawyer on the autism spectrum who rises through the ranks in a top law firm. While a prodigy at the top of her class at the country's most prestigious law school, she encounters challenges as a newbie in her new firm and in the courtroom, as well as the social bias others have against her neurodivergence.
Available on Netflix.
Yoon Sae-Bom (Han Hyo-joo) is a special forces officer who is decisive, determined, and doesn't easily get rattled — not even by ferocious undead or conniving neighbours. Shortly after moving into her new apartment with her long-time friend (and love interest) Yi-hyun, though, the pair get trapped in their complex alongside other residents due to a zombie breakout.
However, this spunky damsel doesn't need any rescuing. Instead, you'll get to see much of her combat skills, a take-charge attitude, and even her coming to Yi-hyun's rescue at a critical time.
Available on iQiyi and Netflix.
Queenmaker doesn't star just one but two badass female leads. This revenge K-drama follows strategic marketing manager Hwang Do-hee (Kim Hee-ae) and civil rights lawyer Oh Hyung-sook (Moon So-ri) who team up to take down a corrupt multi-million dollar corporation.
While initially hired by powerful South Korean conglomerate Eunsung Group as a corporate fixer, a shocking tragedy caused by the chairwoman’s son-in-law Baek Jae-min led to Do-hee being burdened by guilt.
Refusing to be involved in the latest cover-up, she gets fired. And when she realises the group's plans to install Jae-min as the next mayor, she uses her skills to transform the straightforward and relentless Hyung-sook to contest the election, so as to stop the Eunsung Group from exploiting the poor.
Available on Netflix.
Another K-drama that sees three female characters, Little Women is centred around the Oh sisters who grew up in poverty — In-joo, In-kyung, and In-hye — and based on the 1868 classic written by Louisa May Alcott. When eldest sister In-joo unexpectedly receives a large sum of money, the trio gets involved in a conspiracy that leads them to fight against the richest and most influential family in South Korea.
You'll see In-joo's transformation from naive young lady to resilient female lead, while second sister In-kyung's drive to the right thing is certainly admirable.
Available on Netflix.
Gianna Jun and Ju Ji-hoon team up as national park rangers Seo Yi-kang and Kang Hyun-jo who watch over the unexplored Mount Jiri National Park, the largest in South Korea. Gianna Jun's Yi-kang is the ace park range, who has a deep knowledge of the mountain and impressive life-saving skills, while Hyun-jo is the rookie of the team.
Together, they unravel the mountain's many secrets and mysteries, including a rather deadly one of a serial killer on the loose.
Available on Netflix.
If you’ve watched Strong Girl Bong-Soon, you’d know that Bong-soon takes smashing stereotypes to a whole new level with her defining personality and physical ability. This down-to-earth female lead has superhuman strength despite being on the petite side, and her heart is no let-down either with her determination and lack of hesitation when it comes to defending others.
Also titled Strong Woman Do Bong Soon. Available on Netflix, iQiyi and Viu.
Not much has to be said to grasp the personality behind a woman (a teacher, at that) who kidnaps a child who’s being abused at home. Her protective nature seems to be fuelled by impulse at first, but later she shows to be very mindful and motherly as she assesses and navigates the risky situation around her.
We love a good character in relentless pursuit of their dreams. Though born of a ‘third-rate life’, Ae-ra lives to the title of the show Fight For My Way by remaining righteous, self-sufficient and ambitious about becoming an announcer.
She is considered a good role model for the audience as a character who stays true to herself, refusing to be dampened by the words and actions of others while staying spirited, strong and sassy.
Available on Viu, iQiyi and Apple TV
This one features not just one, but three female protagonists from different walks of life, who form a revenge club of sorts. The unlikely trio form a deep bond despite their different personalities, and it's certainly refreshing to witness the strengths of each character grown from their individual difficulties, and how they come together to form a support system and dynamic friendship with each other. We love to see #WomenSupportingWomen!
Available on Apple TV.
It’s hard to fathom how one can cope with being in someone else’s body, much less the body of a royal princess during historic times. All with the painful memory of her previous life in mind, Hae-soo (IU) has come face to face with a myriad of challenges, such as adapting as a person of the 21st century in 941 and pleading for the justice of others. How she takes everything in her stride while maintaining her faith, sincerity and kindness to others shows just how strong she is, both emotionally and mentally.
Transformed from a high school delinquent into a successful neurosurgeon, Yoo Hye-jung’s got quite the brain and the brawn to be one of the toughest female leads we’ve seen. Perhaps it’s her backstory of having a difficult childhood that makes it even more remarkable when she shows how much compassion she is still capable of – while staying absolutely kick-ass.
Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is another K-drama that nails the concept of an extremely physically strong woman. As a talented weightlifter, Bok-joo struggles with her "lack of femininity" but learns to overcome her esteem issues and love herself. Through all of this, she never falters in showing her true self as an awkward but outgoing and loveable character.
Available on Viu, iQiyi and Apple TV.
The heart-wrenching premise of Second 20s follows Ha No-ra – a 38-year-old woman who gave up being a dancer at 19 after she was pregnant – now close to divorce and diagnosed with terminal pancreatic cancer. To make the most out of what’s left of her life, she takes charge of herself again and attends college. This emotional journey really reflects No-ra’s personality as an empowering female lead who once sacrificed her life for responsibilities as a mother and housewife.
Available on Viu.
This article was originally published on March 6, 2020, and updated on Nov 27, 2023. Additional text: Michelle Lee