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). It has made her secluded and alone. We love a good character in relentless pursuit of their dreams. 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. Her end was bittersweet. 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. In episode 11, Tae-yang finally decides to come clean and reveal the truth despite being on the rise to becoming a badminton star, saying she is unafraid of people tearing her apart and that she wants to be honest. When she decides to take matters into her own hands, she realizes that Kyung Suk is not after her appearance but her heart, which makes her moreself-assured and secure in who she is. (Additional reporting: Syarifah Nadhirah, Aisha Hassan from Asiaone). But please don't suggest any where the male lead dies, only female. She also comes up with an elaborate plan to get out of Gye-wons clutches safely without putting her loved ones at risk. This one features not just one, but three female protagonists from different walks of life, who form a revenge club of sorts. Instead of backstabbing and lying, the three characters stick together and empower each other. Audiences are first introduced to her as she works as a spy looking for information. Her character and drive make her captivating to watch. Content warning:This articlecontains discussions of suicide, terminal illness, and violence. The final episode of the drama entails the last of empress Ki's (Ha Ji-Won) enemies to be defeated. Without a doubt, Yoo Jung is a brave and fearless woman. 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. Still scarred by it, she still sends emails to Yoo Jung with no reply. This article was originally published on March . Vagabond has become a fan favorite amongst Netflix users and the crime-thriller has two main characters: a stuntman who loses his nephew in a plane crash and an N.I.S. 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. As adults, Han Jung-Suh (Choi Ji-woo)'s stepsister makes her life hell out of jealousy to a point where she fakesJung-Suh's death and causes her amnesia. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. 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. Sign up for one of our free newsletters to receive the latest news, commentary and fashion features straight from Her World. It interweaved the drama and turmoil of a political era and the romance betweenEugene Choi (Lee Byung-Hun) andGo Ae-Shin (Kim Tae-Ri). Years later, he's back to haunt her and she won't stop until he's caught. He threatens her with the lives of her family, and even in such a terrifying situation, Yoo Jung remains unshaken and composed. 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. The female lead of Descendants Of The Sun has shaped a huge part of the shows success, as one of the biggest K-dramas to hit the small screen in 2016. She's ranked as an Inspector in the Violent Crimes Squad and takes her work seriously. In this riveting thriller drama, she's teamed up with a criminal profiler to catch a serial killer. " Flower Boy Next Door " Go Dok Mi ( Park Shin Hye) is an introverted girl who spends most of her days avoiding people. Soo-Jin learns that the student is being abused at home. In the drama, she can sometimes be cold and ill-tempered. In the final episode,Dong-Mae (Yoo Yeon-Seok) dies fighting off his enemies but suffering fatal knife injuries. Ji-won makes some morally ambiguous decisions, but she isnt overtaken by her love for Hee-sung (Lee Joon-Gi). Sae Byeoks death is one of the most heartbreaking moments for those who love this drama. It stars Uee and Lee Soe-jin. Okay, I saw City Hunter. K-dramas rarely go past one season, or perhaps two if they're lucky. Extraordinary you: A teen seeks to change the fate that's been set for her after gaining awareness that she's just a side character in a made-up world. If that doesnt scream main character energy, then what does? Sisyphus: The Myth is a time travel drama that debuted on Netflix in 2020. The two meet and decide to have a contract marriage so that Sae Hees parents will stop setting him up on blind dates and so that Ji Ho can look for a job. 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. Perhaps its 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. Hong Cha-young played by actress Jeon Yeo-been in the hit Korean drama Vincenzo works as a lawyer at a firm favoured by many rich but morally dubious clients. Tae-yang faced no consequences, save for the years of gut-wrenching guilt that haunted her. Cha shows her resilience when the killer calls her after the murder and she threatens him. There are lots of funny and silly moments, a few sweet scenes and some dark turns at the end (palace politics, tsk . 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. https://www.herworld.com/gallery/life/entertainment/korean-dramas-strong-female-leads/, Yoon Se-ri from Crash Landing On You (2019), Do Bong-soon from Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (2017), Lee Yo-won, Ra Mi-ran and Myung Se-bin from Avengers Social Club (2017), Kang Mo-yeon from Descendants Of The Sun (2016), Hae Soo from Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016), Kim Bok Joo from Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo (2016). First, more realistic where the lead undubtedly dies, then we get a change of location/time, and the lead is alive, without any bridge/connection with the previous scene. Her decision to come clean instead of avoiding liability makes her an honest and badass character, especially since she also put her career on the line. Gong Hyo Jin plays Tae Gong Sil, a girl who barely gets enough sleep at night because shes constantly being pestered by dead peoplewho want her to do things for them. She even goes after the suspected kidnappers of her best friend. Cha Yu Ri (Kim Tae Hee) has been lingering on Earth after her death and has been watching over her husband and daughter. I wasnt born for dreams you werent able to achieve. 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. Cha-Young was a prosecutor in the firm that represents the corrupted Babel Group company. This eight-episode crime noir drama is not your typical light-hearted Korean drama. No. Here are 10 K-dramas that feature chaebols and other super rich families on Netflix, Viu, and iQIYI: 1. Does anyone have a recommendation of kdramas with cold or bad ass female leads except Its Okay Not To Be Okay, Vegabond, Doctors, The King's Love, Mystic Pop Up Bar, Hotel Del Luna, Nobody Knows, Good Casting, Itaewon Class and Graceful Family? Many can say their love story was fated from the start. Eugene is then killed by multiple shots to the back by Japanese soldiers. Viewers are able to choose. Female in danger & dramatic rescue from the ML: Please don't watch 49 days. Some of these very serious issues include bullying and an obsession with physical appearances. Nothing is more inspiring than watching other successful, strong women. The period drama follows a man who is willing to abandon his royal duties to pursue the woman he loves. Copyright 2023 SPH Media Limited. This K-drama is forfans who want a show set in a historical time periodriddled with the dangers of war and politics tied with love and rivalry. In the first few episodes, Cha-Young is seen taking a different path from her father, who also happens to be a lawyer, as she had no intention of working for low-rent clients, no matter how worthy the cause. Her impeccable fashion sense matches her fiery attitude. In the epilogue, Ae-Shincontinues to train soldiersunder a liberated Korea, and all thanks to Mr.Sunshine aka Eugene. 1. A beloved audience fave, this sageuk drama won awards and topped ratings when it aired in 2016. Both characters storm the palace fighting off guards. 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. Played by Park Eun-Bin, Woo Young-Woo is a lawyer who has risen to the ranks in a prestigious law firm and is challenged by the social bias other people have against her neurodivergence. It got kinda depressing for me, so I stopped watching at ep 15. Her survival instinct and knowledge not only keeps them alive, but also helps a child prince who has been infected. Gritty and intense, My Name is full of unexpected twists and action sequences. Sung Joonwas madly in love with Hye Jin when he was younger but is now unable to recognize her as an adult. #5, Star of the Universe (I dropped this one), Meet Me @ 1006 (I dropped this one so I don't know how it ends). Cover Here are some of the most inspiring Korean drama female leads (Photo: Netflix) From Lee Sung-kyung's gender-defying role in 'Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-Joo' to Han So-hee's serious action chops in 'My Name', we put the spotlight on the most inspiring Korean drama female leads. (Netflix), You know how in most action series, theres always that one guy who can fight a team of thugs and still manage to bounce right back the next day? In Markdown use > ! The leading ladies of Netflix's The Uncanny Counter deserve the utmost respect when it comes to being badass female leads. What would you do if your brother died and your fiance admitted to killing him? 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. In the final episode, she comestoaccepther fate but wants to die on her terms. There is a revenge scene with two of them destroying a mans car with bats and taekwondo kicks. He subsequently dies leaving empress Ki to once again lose someone she loves and rule the kingdom alone. 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.' 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. She fake-marries her long-time friend Yi-hyun (Park Hyung-sik), because that somehow qualifies her for an apartment rental in a fancy new development which is quickly infested with residents who have zombie-like symptoms. I am looking at this thread JUST so I dont watch any of these shows, lol. Nam Ji-hyun plays In-kyung, an enthusiastic reporter at a news station with a drinking addiction. 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. The ending was bittersweet asSoo-Hyun exacts revenge against the person who hurt the woman he loves. After a fatal wound in a battle, she transfers her soul as a last resort to the supposedly blind and physically weak Mu-deok (Jung So-min). Beauty From Heart Chinese Drama - 2021, 45 episodes 6. Hae Soo wakes up in her own time thinking it to be a dream. 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. The ending left viewers with a mediocre feeling. Press J to jump to the feed. The challenges that K-drama protagonists go through are not at all easy, since they mirror real-life societal issues. The pice de rsistance is when they throw a bag of money at the car owner and simply walk away. Which of these Smart And Strong Female Lead characters is your favorite? While thats somewhat true, it definitely isnt the only reason. Hey Soompiers, who is your favorite female K-drama characterthat comes out of her shell? This often means that the overarching storyline has to come to a close by the season finale. Her love for entertainment reaches a broad range of interests from 90s thriller movies, guilty pleasure teen dramas, action-packed MCU movies to popular K-dramas. To start, don't expect this sweet-faced girl to be only that, as the drama puts a unique spin on its lead. While fans may not have initially liked the love interest Hong Seol (Kim Go-Eun) chose, fans were left heartbroken in the finale. She gets the opportunity to transfer to another school and gets caught in the middle of a heart-wrenching love triangle between Lee Su Ho (Cha Eun Woo) and Han Seo Jun (Hwang In Yeop). These women show that not all K-drama female leads have to be a damsel in distress looking for her prince. Bae Ta Mi (Im Soo Jung), Cha Hyeon (Lee Da Hee), and Song Ga Kyung (Jeon Hye Jin) work for two competing IT companies. Underneath the thin, weak appearance is a tough and strong girl who pursues good things but receives a tragic end. Ji Hois acharacter who knows what she wants in life but is constantly put down from the obstacles that she comes across. The storyline in The World of the Married is deep, complex, filled with drama, and has a badass female lead. For a more detailed tutorial on how to use spoiler tags, see our Spoiler Tag Tutorial. into a role that displays youthful girl power and action. Rising actress Han So-hee proves herself as an incredible actress with range by bringing the main character Yoon Ji-woo to life. Ta Hwan (Ji Chang-Wook) realizes that he's been betrayed by someone close to him. Fans shouldn't expect a happy ending from this thriller K-drama. (Viki), While Im Yoon-ah has the role of the pretty young thing needing to be rescued by Ji Chang-wook, Song Yoon-ah plays the meatier character you love to hate in this action thriller. See this topic Drama/Movie where the female lead dies. Because of her prolific position, Yoo Jung has been the target of an evil villain, who plans to use her in order to gain power. The pice de rsistance is when they throw a bag of money at the car owner and simply walk.! Ep 15 such a terrifying situation, Yoo Jung is a tough and strong female lead exacts! 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