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 it best in dramas today. But often overlooked is the representation K-dramas bring with its different characters; some relatable, some fantastical and many inspiring in their own unique ways.
This International Women’s Day, we’re putting the spotlight on 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:
Besides her impeccable fashion sense, Yoon Se-ri is also known for her fearless and cut-throat personality in the hit series Crash Landing On You. This comes from her background as an heiress and a successful businesswoman, as well as her own personal troubles. Take a look at Se-ri’s wardrobe and you will see it reflects her strong and sophisticated personality.
If you’ve watched Strong Woman Do 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.
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.
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!
The female lead of Descendants Of The Sun has shaped a huge part of the show’s success, as one of the biggest K-dramas to hit the small screen in 2016. As a cardiothoracic surgeon within warzone, Mo-yeon’s headstrong character is not only complemented by her sheer intellect and beauty, but also her clear distinction between heart and mind and her humility.
Her willingness to admit mistakes makes her a likeable and admirable character, especially when you take into account how incredibly human she is thanks to Song Hye-kyo’s superb acting skills.
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 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.
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 to responsibilities as a mother and housewife.
Full episodes of Mother and Second 20’s are available for free on Viu.
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