One trope that’s always a pleasure to see is the strong female lead. These women flip societal norms and prove that not only men can be the main source of power in the relationship. Their just as charismatic, if not more, than their male counterparts and show that they can conquer the world all on their own. Here is a list of some K-Dramas with a powerful female lead that you should definitely add to your watchlist!
1. “Hotel Del Luna”
“Hotel Del Luna” is legendary as many longtime K-Drama fans continue to shower it with praise until this very day. While Yeo JinGoo’s portrayal of Goo ChanSung was a sight to behold, IU’s character, Jang ManWol, certainly stole the show on various occasions. ManWhol is ill-tempered and holds back zero punches. Being the owner of a hotel and leading souls to the other side might do that to you. Despite being straightforward and savage, Jang ManWhol does reveal her soft side every so often, proof that her edges do have a hidden softness.
2. “The Uncanny Counter”
When Kim SeJeong is part of a lineup, you simply know that her character will be filled with some fighting spirit. Coincidentally enough, SeJeong’s character in “The Uncanny Counter”, Do HaNa, actually fights against evil spirits. Her mission? To send them back to the afterlife. From the trailer alone, Do HaNa radiates a powerful presence that can dissuade anyone from picking a fight. While she is part of a team, HaNa constantly proves that she can carry her own weight when going up against menacing evil spirits.
3. “Mr. Sunshine”
Typically, female leads in historical pieces take a more supportive role, providing strength to their male counterparts in their usual fight for the throne. However, Go AeShin, played by Kim TaeRi, challenges these notions as she bursts onto the scene with a rifle in hand. Go AeShin is a noblewoman by day, practically the textbook definition of a lady of Chosun. However, through much training and hard work, she becomes a sniper in secret with eagle-eyed aim. Although she meets reliable Korean-American soldier Choi YooJin, played by Lee ByungHun, AeShin continues to jump right into the action and show she’s not someone you should take lightly.
4. “Sisyphus: The Myth”
Time travel? Check. Mystery and a touch of romance? Check. Strong female lead? Most definitely check. The powerful female lead of “Sisyphus: The Myth”, Kang SeoHae, is played by none other than Hallyu superstar Park ShinHye. SeoHae travels back in time to protect Han TaeSul (Cho SeungWoo) and potentially stop the beginning of a tragic war. She doesn’t go unprepared, as SeoHae shows up ready to fight. She is able to dominate using both her fists and assorted arsenal of weapons. On numerous occasions, SeoHae can be seen taking on multiple enemies at a time. Kang SeoHae’s relentless strength is fueled by her desire to bring peace back to the world and return to a normal, ordinary life.
5. “My Name”
Through her character on Netflix’s action and crime K-Drama “My Name”, Han SoHee proved that behind her gorgeous visuals is a tough-as-nails fighter waiting to be unleashed. Her character, JiWoo, ends up joining a well-known gang in order to find the truth behind her father’s death. Despite her poor upbringing, she remains strong and resilient, training everyday to ensure her own survival. After proper training, JiWoo is able to go toe to toe against anyone, whether it’s one single person or an entire group. If there were a list of people not to mess with, JiWoo from “My Name” would be towards the very top.
6. “Search: WWW”
Why have only one strong female lead when you can three! The impressive girl bosses in “Search: WWW” are Lim SooJung as Bae TaMi, Lee DaHee as Cha Hyun, and Jeon HyeJin as Song KaKyung. While it can be difficult to follow multiple storylines, the drama was able to properly explore each character to perfection. Bae TaMi, Cha Hyun, and Song KaKyung came out with three distinct personalities and possessed the charisma to stand out all on their own. Their stories weaved together with ease and not even one was overshadowed by their counterparts. “Search: WWW” is truly a gem and one you do not want to miss.
7. “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay”
At first glance, many might describe Seo YeaJi’s character Go MunYoung as eccentric, selfish, and rude. However, it is through the course of “It’s Okay To Not Be Okay” that Go MunYoung realizes her true self — and not without a strong support system behind her. She sheds light on what it means to be vulnerable, accepting her weaknesses one by one and working through them to show one of the best character developments a series could offer. While ‘strong female lead’ denotes a character that is able to stand on their own, Go MunYoung shows the importance of knowing your limits and accepting help when in need. Which K-Drama comes to your mind when you think of strong female leads? Let us know in the comments below! 5 K-Drama Tropes That Need To Retire In 2022 KDRAMA STORIES|Nov 24, 2022 17 Never-Seen Female Jobs We’d Like To See Taken On By Female Leads In K-Dramas KDRAMA STORIES|Apr 23, 2022
