While Korean dramas are known for their hot oppas and kilig plotlines, there's usually a strong heroine at the helm of all that kilig.
Korean dramas have a way of telling inspiring stories through the portrayal of distinct yet relatable characters who rise above the ashes and pull through adversities.
Characters ranging from skilled women from the Joseon Dynasty to modern-day career women are depicted in many dramas. Just like many women, they show vulnerabilities and weaknesses. But with every setback these feisty female characters take things in stride and overcome the challenges. Their breakthrough success stories motivate K-drama fans to power through anything and believe in their strength as women.
Dramas such as Doctors, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon, Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo, Fight For My Way, Descendants of the Sun, My Golden Life, It's Okay to Not Be Okay, among others show strong female lead characters who show exemplary resilience.
Let's pay homage to the female characters who portray the strong and independent 21st woman who can motivate every fan girl's heart.
Park Shin Hye played the role of Yoo Hye Jung in the 2016 K-drama 'Doctors.' The character Yoo Hye Jung is a literal tough girl who does not only rely on her fist but also with her mental grit proving that a woman can both be tough while taking care of others.
We're taking strong in a literal sense with this K-Drama as Do Bong Soon, played by Park Bo Young, is endowed with supernatural powers that are passed down from her family. At first, Bong Soon hid her powers because she thought her crush liked “soft” and “feminine” women. But then, she realizes that she is still every bit of a woman despite being strong.
Another strong woman who isn't afraid to show her toughness. Kim Bok Joo, played by Lee Sung Kyung, is a weightlifter who learns to love herself and her strength despite being girly and feminine at the same time. The K-drama also showed that a man can fall and respect a woman despite her strength.
Actress Kim Ji Won played the sassy and free-spirited Choi Ae Ra who didn't stop at anything to reach her dream of becoming an announcer. Choi Ae Ra is a great example for young women today because of her ability to pursue what she wants and would do anything for it.
Nam Hong Joo, played by Suzy, is blessed with the powers to see the future through her dreams. Although at first, she finds this as a curse, she complimented it with her natural intelligence to make a difference in the world regardless of her safety.
Probably Song Hye Kyo's most iconic role to date, Kang Mo Yeon took the world by storm with her intelligence, beauty, and strength to fight for what is right. Aside from that, she's also not afraid to learn from others especially in a war-stricken area.
One of Ha Ji Won's best roles, Gil Ra Im is the definition of a strong woman because she is a stunt woman. A little blood is nothing to her and she'll get the job done no matter what. For her femininity does not come at the expense of strength and both can be present in one person.
In 2020, Seo Ji Hye played the role of Seo Dan in 'Crash Landing on You.' Her lovable characteristic is what most women could relate to. Her confidence, her refreshing manner of speech, and the freedom with which she expresses herself is the reason why viewers fell for her despite not being the female lead of the much-talked-about drama. Plus, have you seen her fashion sense? To die for!
In 2017, Shin Hye Sun played Seo Ji An in the KDrama series 'My Golden Life.' Seo Ji An is a selfless older sister of a struggling family who sets aside her dreams to work and support the ambitions of her younger brother and sister.
Seo Ye-ji portrays Ko Mun-yeong, a popular but emotionally troubled author of children's book who struggles with her own past and fears.
Despite her cold image, Ko Mun-yeong has a warm heart to the people she trusts.
Despite of the fears that 'My Mister' will not be supported by fans, the tvN drama has reached the number one spot on the weekly TV charts. Thanks to the show's different kind of story about a middle-aged man, Park Dong-hoon (Lee Sun-Kyun), and a young woman, Lee Ji-an (IU). 'My Mister' tells the story of a young woman, Lee Ji-an, who is drowning in debt. She is working hard to make enough money to pay for all her dues. This is until she meets the middle-aged man Park Dong-hoon.
Despite its controversies, the series is the 7th highest-rated drama in Korean cable television history with the final episode soaring to a nationwide rating of 17.371% and getting more than four million in viewership. Mr. Queen shows the story of Kim So-yong (Shin Hye-sun), the 25th queen of the Joseon Dynasty who has the soul of a man in her body. She uses her skills from her other body, Jang Bong-hwan, to bring modern delicacies back in time to get the favour of the Grand Queen Dowager.
'Start-Up' is set in a fictional city in Korea inspired by Silicon Valley. The drama shows the story of people working in startup companies. Seo Dal-mi (Bae Suzy) dreams of becoming Korea's very own Steve Jobs. Even if she was raised in a humble household, she's an adventurer who has big goals for herself. She feels driven to succeed after being abandoned by her mother and sister at a young age. Seo Dal-mi takes on many part-time jobs to survive and is a hardworking, independent woman.
'Search: WWW' tells the story of three women in their late thirties-- Bae Ta-mi, Cha Hyeon, and Song Ga-kyeong--who work in the top two competitive web portal companies: Unicon and Barro.