In the epilogue, Ae-Shincontinues to train soldiersunder a liberated Korea, and all thanks to Mr.Sunshine aka Eugene. Its not only adorable seeing the timid Bong Sun come out of her shell, but youll also feel the warmth from Jo Jung Suk as his character opens up his heart to her. Romantic ," this time with two new students to teach what being a doctor truly means: Seo Woo Jin ( Ahn Hyo . The series starts off as rather heartbreaking with Mi Young being acharacter that many can sympathize with. Yet shes also a deadly resistance fighter that works for a cause she fiercely believes in. While thats somewhat true, it definitely isnt the only reason. 25 Korean dramas with strong, inspiring women leads, The strong female leads that gave us main character energy. It's a riveting scene when she evades the kidnappers, fights them off, and even when wounded manages to seek help. As such, it set the tone of how heavy and emotional the series will be. Her father, on the other hand, battled on behalf of the poor. They erase all memories of him from Ha-Ram's mind. (Netflix), Ha-na (Kim Se-jeong) and Mae-ok (Yeon Hye-ran) are demon fighters with supernatural strength. (Netflix), Ae-Shin (Kim Tae-ri) is a noblewoman, whose parents were assassinated for being freedom fighters. The K-drama follows the story of Do Bong Soon (Park Bo Young), a young woman gifted with superhuman strength. Cha Yu Ri (Kim Tae Hee) has been lingering on Earth after her death and has been watching over her husband and daughter. Sign up for the Teen Vogue daily email. Lim Ju Gyeong (Moon Ga Young) is a high school student who has been bullied for not being the most attractive and popular girl in school. Theirstorygoes through the test of time but in the end, she dies after giving birth to her child. For detective Cha Ji-won (Moon Chae-won), it means you do everything in your power to find out who he really is, even if the answer could be disastrous. (Additional reporting: Syarifah Nadhirah, Aisha Hassan from Asiaone). As she becomes an adult, she is left feeling self-conscious about her life decisions, dreams, and physical appearance. And with these great dramas that drive home a heartfelt, thrilling storyline, who needs a male actor to catch out attention when these leading ladies deserve our admiration? Dong-Mae warmed hearts despite his bad boy appearance. Transformed from a high school delinquent into a successful neurosurgeon, Yoo Hye-jungs got quite the brain and the brawn to be one of the toughest female leads weve seen. The show is a remake of a popular series of the same name in Japan and follows a temporary elementary school teacher, Kang Soo-Jin (Lee Bo-Young) as she notices something is wrong with one of her students. The show is about an art gallery curator named Sung Deok-Mi (Park Min-Young) who tries to live a double life. In the drama, she can sometimes be cold and ill-tempered. After this scene, Ye-seul is empowered and resolves to show her work in a better light in the face of her superiors. One of the most highly-rated historical dramas, most overlook the strong women lead that is unlike any other. Soo-Hyun and Do Hyun-Jin (Nana) just so happen to fall in love. One of the lead characters is Park Tae-Yang (Park Ju-Hyun), a badminton player who has wholly devoted her life to the sport. The leading ladies of Netflix's The Uncanny Counter deserve the utmost respect when it comes to being badass female leads. Many fans of Penthouse think that this ending is too cruel for Oh Yeon Hee she deserves better after everything she has gone through. Son Ye-jin said that her role in this movie is her career-defining role. Jang Nara stars in Fated to Love You as a regular, plain girl named Kim Mi Young. 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-kyos superb acting skills. By the end of the series, shes flourishing and in a serious romantic relationship! Coming from the writers of the iconic dramas like the Reply Series and the Prison Playbook, Hospital Playlist is yet another heartfelt drama that breaks the stereotypes of Korean dramas. As a cardiothoracic surgeon within warzone, Mo-yeons headstrong character is not only complemented by her sheer intellect and beauty, but also her clear distinction between heart and mind and her humility. 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. In the end, Sun-Mi dies in Oh-Gong's arms. I am always choosing the realistic one. How Do You Know You Love Someone? It doesn't end there, Eugene saves Ae-Shin from soldiers by using his last bullets toseparate her train car. The last episode shows them meeting by chance at a movie shoot, strike a conversation, and walk together. 10 Must-Watch Korean Dramas With Smart And Strong Female Leads. Empress Kiis a highly popular historical K-drama that had a sad ending that left fans heartbroken for the main character. It's 16 - hour-long episodes. What would you do if your brother died and your fiance admitted to killing him? But as much as Ju Ji-Hoon is the star of this series, Bae Doona as the brainy physicians assistant is just as important. I don't remember the lead dying in Scent of a Woman. NEXT:10 Best Tropes In Crime/Thriller K-Dramas. She holds her head up high and is proud of being able to raise a great child. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. Seo-Hae proved that she's tough enough to handle any danger, no matter the time period. Okay, I saw City Hunter. She isn't shy either when it comes to getting what she wants. (Viki), There are a lot of men and even more monsters in this gory apocalyptic series, but the most fearless, take-charge character is a firefighter played by Lee Si-young. Go Ae-Shin (Kim Tae-Ri) isn't just a Joseon noblewoman. Not much has to be said to grasp the personality behind a woman (a teacher, at that) who kidnaps a child whos being abused at home. Our heroine, Hong Ye-seul (Seo Ji-hye), is a project manager of an advertising agency who tends to be a pushover. As fans watch the show, they realize what's in store for the couple in the end. of the characters die. Lately, there have been some compelling K-dramas where the female lead is more than just an object of desire. Gritty and intense, My Name is full of unexpected twists and action sequences. She is expected to quietly wait for a marriage she doesn't want, but instead chooses to follow in. Kang Han-Na stars in the K-drama as Yoo Jung, a headstrong woman who has captured the heart of a king. Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo is another K-drama that nails the concept of an extremely physically strong woman. So when she meets Sung Joon, she is even harder on herself as she knows she is not the same confident person she was when she was younger. Reply [deleted] Additional comment actions . Female leads in Korean dramas often live happily ever after, but the small screen in 2021 has proved the opposite. On the first day of university, Mi Rae becomes excited to start her new life, but she runs into Do Kyung Suk (Cha Eun Woo), a very handsome and popular boywhom she used to go to elementary school with. Rather, she is the capable one who is an integral part of the plot. She is the complete opposite of Bong Sun, which is one of the many aspects that makes this series hilarious. Her strength isnt derived from physical prowess, but rather her unrelenting thirst for power. Song Naree Thai Drama - 2019, 15 episodes 4. Fans loved the character for being a badass and independent but she still got her own love story. 1. Still riddled with guilt over her loss, she is closed off about revealing her past. She also often seeks the approval of her boss, Cha Min-hoo (Yoon Kye-sang), and frequently makes her decisions based on his responses. Kill It tells the story of a top assassin Kim Soo-Hyun (Jang Ki-Yong)and a police detective who cross paths to uncover the truthbehind her lover's death. As the story goes,Oh-Gong (See Seung-Gi) becomes indebted to Sun-Mi (Oh Yeon -Seo) for what he did to her when she was a child. Ad Choices. Tae Gong Sil is a prisoner in her own life. He's been secretly fed poison for some time. The actress went through months of physical training to pack on muscle. Day and Night Chinese Drama - 2017, 32 episodes 7. In the fantasy-driven storyline, she keeps her head up as she learns that there's a parallel world. For years, the typical stereotypes of fangirls are always mainly degrading or demeaning. actress Kim Tae-Hee. In some cases, there might be a glimmer of hope, butaudiences will never truly know. More general fans might be surprised that there are some K-dramas with sad endings that were just as popular as some of the happier hits, even though they left fans with asour taste in the mouth when all was said and done. NEXT: The 14 Best Medical K-Dramas (According To IMDb). For a more detailed tutorial on how to use spoiler tags, see our Spoiler Tag Tutorial. While K-dramas are well known for their romance and drama, they're not devoid of strong female leads - lead characters that can hold their own and won't back down. The challenges that K-drama protagonists go through are not at all easy, since they mirror real-life societal issues. Women cant become snipers, so she secretly trains and becomes a feared marksman (because she has to disguise herself as a man). There's no answer and Noh Eul knows he's passed away. Despite having her heart broken, she shows that she doesn't need a man to survive. These women show that not all K-drama female leads have to be a damsel in distress looking for her prince. Yoo Jung (Park Hae-Jin) ends up leaving Korea stating that he was the problem in their relationship and needed time. Released in 2014, God's Gift: 14 Days is a K-drama about Kim Soo-hyun, a mother who seeks to resurrect her dead child by going back in time. Sign up for one of our free newsletters to receive the latest news, commentary and fashion features straight from Her World. 74 after painting her last portrait of her true love, the King, and after trying to give birth to her 2nd child, despite her terminal illness), "IRIS" (2009, action-espionage; ML dies, but it won't make you sob; it will make you mad against the drama's writers and producers), "Chuno, The Slave Hunters" (2010, action-historical; ML dies so that the FL and 2ML can escape from their attackers), "Saimdang" (2017, historical; FL dies so that she can join her one true love in spirit), "The Royal Tailor" (starring Park Shin-hye; ML dies). Fans shouldn't expect a happy ending from this thriller K-drama. Song-hwa is a refreshing character that shows a woman can devote herself to her job, be successful and still have her own personal life. She's the team leader whose highly skilled in combat and takes down criminals by whatever means necessary, but both women can hold their own just fine. They share one final moment before turning to the railings. By the end, they part ways believing that it's not the right time for them to be together despite their love for one another. One of the most popular plot devices is the second lead syndrome, where two handsome men vie for the attention of one woman. Currently watching: "Clean With Passion For Now" and " Encounter ". Double Sweet Wife Through several of the shows breathtaking action sequences, Hans Ji-woo proves herself as a formidable force in a world where dangers lurking around every corner. Soo-Jin learns that the student is being abused at home. She realizes that she has some baggage to overcome in order to heal. Kill It tells the story of a top assassin Kim Soo-Hyun (Jang Ki-Yong) and a police detective who cross paths to uncover the truth behind her lover's death. She even goes after the suspected kidnappers of her best friend. There's even an intense scene where two of the character walk down a foggy street. Instead of happy endings, the following female leads make the audience cry buckets of tears because they all end up having their lives taken away for good. spoiler ! To make the most out of whats left of her life, she takes charge of herself again and attends college. 25 Korean dramas with strong, inspiring women leads The strong female leads that gave us 'main character energy' September 5, 2022 Credit: Netflix Most people assume that fans of Korean dramas watch only for the hunky, chiselled male leads. The star of this 2022 Korean hit drama is Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin), an autistic lawyer thats working at a prestigious law firm. She is eventually able to shed the low self-esteem she haswhile also finding true love. Let us slide into your DMs. Through all of this, she never falters in showing her true self as an awkward but outgoing and loveable character. Aside from being a formidable player on the badminton court, Tae-Yang is also an admirable person who decides to come clean and admit her fault in an accident that badly hurt her previous friend. Romantic 2. Young-woo, who is a rookie lawyer and the first attorney in Korea with autism spectrum disorder, is a high-functioning autistic person with a photographic memory. "Yi San" (2007, historical; FL dies in Ep. Let us know what you are looking for as well as what youve enjoyed in the past and let our community of drama lovers suggest Korean dramas for you to watch! Well, forget the stereotypes, leading women Bae Ta Mi (Im Soo Jung), Cha Hyeon (Lee Da Hee), and Song Ga Kyung (Jeon Hye Jin) empower each other in work and even relationships. Teen Vogue covers the latest in celebrity news, politics, fashion, beauty, wellness, lifestyle, and entertainment. Youll find no drama tropes of successful women but rather, heartwarming friendship and meaningful relationships. The 14 Best Medical K-Dramas (According To IMDb), The Last of Us Episode 8 Trailer Reveals Original Joel Actor's New Role, The Last Of Us Episode 6 Was A Stealth Reunion For Beloved 90s Sitcom, Futurama As A Live-Action 1980s Movie Is AI Art We Can't Stop Looking At. In episode four, Noh Da-hyun (Moon Ga-young) gets berated by her mother who hopes for her to become a grade five civil servant. 10 Must-Watch Korean Dramas With Smart And Strong Female Leads. He rests his head on her shoulder and a while later she asks if he's asleep. In this sports drama, lead character Park Tae-yang (Park Ju-hyun) struggles and punishes herself for an accident that happened to her ex-friend Jun-young three years ago. If Yoon Hees death is caused by her enemy, Su Ryeons death is her own choice because of guilt after everything she did to take revenge. Amongst the countless K-dramas available, there are a select few that became well known for their unwarranted and sad endings. Whats notable about the show is that it doesnt feature a villain unlike other K-dramas, and instead focuses on the character development and growth of the main characters. Without a doubt, Yoo Jung is a brave and fearless woman. This causes her to be less secure and confidentin herself, pushing her into a situation that she would never have agreedon, which is to get married to a man and live with him so that she wont haveto go back home. It's my absolute favorite drama, and the main actresses are incredible. Fatefully, she meets Lee Gun (Jang Hyuk) one day, and the two have a one night stand. She also proves more than once that she's skilled in combat and firearms. The female matriarch is Mae-Ok (Yeon Hye-Ran), who loses her only son in an accident and became a Counter and her son became her handler. Related: The 11 Best K-Dramas of 2022 to Watch Immediately, Whenever zombies are involved, its the men who do most of the fighting. He soon comes to learn about his real family. Similar to Oh Yeon Hee, Shim Su Ryeon (Lee Ji Ah) also receives a heart-wrenching ending. When Ye-seul takes charge of a campaign for a bedding company and proposes ideas to her bosses, her lack of confidence shows when she is constantly prepared to be rejected. (Viki), There are attorneys who can fight in the courtroom. It's not easy to leave behind your only family and life to make the difficult and unprecedented journey to the past, not to mention she has the outcome of the future riding on her shoulders. Her will to survive and beat the odds was truly inspiring. Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016-2017) TV-14 | 120 min | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy 8.6 Rate In his quest for a bride to break his immortal curse, Dokkaebi, a 939-year-old guardian of souls, meets a grim reaper and a sprightly student with a tragic past. Moo-Young accepts the consequences of his decision to killan evil character. After meeting Joong Won, she finally finds some peace but is unable to let him go. Uncontrollably Fond gave fans high hopes as two childhood classmates find each other in adulthood. She falls in love and hopes to achieve her dream of becoming a game designer. In Because This Is My First Life, Lee Min Ki stars as Nam Sae Hee, an awkward computer designer who is house poor, while Jung So Min stars as Yoon Ji Ho, an aspiring drama writer who is on the brink of giving up on her dreams because she cant afford to live in the city. Even though what theyre doing is highly illegal, their vengeance is satisfying. Ji-woo, who witnessed her fathers murder, is determined to seek revenge. 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. The K-drama Her Private Life is blessed with a strong woman lead. Its hard to fathom how one can cope with being in someone elses body, much less the body of a royal princess during historic times. There are dramas with double ending. She's ranked as an Inspector in the Violent Crimes Squad and takes her work seriously. After throwing a tantrum and cursing out a deity, Yu Ri is granted a shot at her old life to be human again. The young women struggle with a mountain of debt accumulated by their father to their name, and they have to bravely work through the difficult dramatic situations that befall them. Stars: Gong Yoo, Kim Go-eun, Lee Dong-wook, Yoo In-na Votes: 22,660 With her passion for movies, television and entertainment, she's interviewed some great actors from Cress Williams of 'Black Lightning' to Tati Gabrielle from 'Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.' Although they are not sure about their feelings for each other, Lee Gun pushesKimMi Young away. The storyline revolves around Go Ha-Jin/Hae Soo (Lee Ji-Eun) being transported to the Goryeo Dynasty and falls in love with the "wolf dog" 4th prince. She cant seem to avoid the outgoing and outspoken Enrique. Park Ji-hu plays the youngest sister, In-hye, who has a natural talent for drawing; shes enrolled in a prestigious art high school and is keeping secrets from her family. By using his last bullets toseparate her train car Soon comes to being badass leads. Without a doubt, Yoo Jung, a headstrong woman who has captured the heart of a woman handsome! Her father, on the other hand, battled on behalf of the most plot... 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