Strong/Smart female leads in historical drama

 PeggySue:

Thank you!! I haven't seen that one yet. :O 

it's really amazing drama, deep characters, great cinematography, music, acting.. relationships and chemistry is realistic and emotional. it's only drama that I've rewatched and even some parts few times ))))

Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung - I got very annoyed at this drama because I felt the female characters behaved like 21st century women rather than Joseon period women, but if you don't care about anachronism, FL is probably the type of character you're looking for.

Arthdal Chronicles - The main character is male, but there are two female leads who I think fit your criteria. The time period is much earlier than most historical dramas and the society isn't very patriarchal.

+1 Mr. Sunshine

+1 The Rise of Phoenixes

+1 Queen Seondeok