Strong women's roles

This list is of dramas I have watched that help to depict the female(s) role as an autonomous thinker with good character development. 

I like them to have a strong moral compass and ethics even if their character is flawed (perfection is overrated).

BbalanceD Jan 30, 2022
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  • Angel's Last Mission: Love

    1. Angel's Last Mission: Love

    Korean Drama - 2019, 32 episodes

    7.5

    Have tissues nearby for this sweet romance. I loved the strong character of the FL. She is dealt so many life blows yet manages to recover her inner core of strength and it is this that makes the ending satisfactory for me.

  • Arsenal Military Academy

    2. Arsenal Military Academy

    Chinese Drama - 2019, 48 episodes

    9.5

    Not a typical cross dressing drama it has much more depth. The FL role is quite difficult and she shows great perseverance and spirit whilst trying to fulfill her pledge to her deceased brother.

  • Avengers Social Club

    3. Avengers Social Club

    Korean Drama - 2017, 12 episodes

    9.5

    Brilliant! Such a great depiction of women breaking out of their normal character and seeking revenge on significant males who are behaving badly. I loved the realism of them not getting everything right and their perseverance to a satisfying conclusion.

  • Chugakusei Nikki

    4. Chugakusei Nikki

    Japanese Drama - 2018, 11 episodes

    10

    During this unfolding drama, that spans 8 years, both characters evolve and I found it to be a very satisfying ending and was so invested in their relationship that I truly wanted more.

  • Coffee Prince

    5. Coffee Prince

    Korean Drama - 2007, 17 episodes

    10

    This was incredibly  engaging and entertaining. The acting  was terrific and the FL 's character is tested often by her growing attraction for the ML and her conflicted need to keep earning for her family

  • Dali and the Cocky Prince

    6. Dali and the Cocky Prince

    Korean Drama - 2021, 16 episodes

    10

    The FL, Dali, faces great hardships when her father suddenly dies and she discovers the family art gallery is facing bankruptcy. She faces sacrifices and hardship to pay of the debt and save the gallery. Time and again as she is attacked; physically by the robber, morally by the accusations connected to her adoption and rumour of accompanying a man to a motel, she finds strength and perseverance from the ML Mu-Hak unwavering belief and devotion.

  • Encounter

    7. Encounter

    Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes

    10

     A beautiful CEO (FL) meets and falls in love with a beautiful younger man (ML) and their relationship gets tested by the heroine's powerful ex-mother-in-law, her ambitious and controlling mother, and her clingy ex-husband. The 2nd part of this 'slow burn' romance shows us the tribulations and conditioning the FL has to overcome. 

  • Goblin

    8. Goblin

    Korean Drama - 2016, 16 episodes

    10

    (FL) Eun Tak experiences hardships when she is orphaned at age 9.  Living alone her life gets worse as a problematic school kid able to see ghosts. She is very believable playing this 19 year old who has been told repeatedly she is to become the goblin's bride so she latches onto him very strongly when they meet. Later she plays her own age of 29 and this transition is also well developed. Both (FLs), Eun Tak and Sunny, are strong and unwilling to let the world get them down despite the situations they find themselves in. Both of them manage to change their fates through sheer force of human will, screwing up the plans that the deities had planned.   

  • I'm Not a Robot

    9. I'm Not a Robot

    Korean Drama - 2017, 32 episodes

    10

    Jo Ji Ah is a struggling inventor who also works as a personal shopper to make ends meet. In this drama she is unsupported in her dreams by her brother, exploited and tricked by her ex boyfriend and falls in love with the  lonely Min Kyu.

    She is hampered because of the deceit she is forced to continue pretending to be a robot unknowing that Min Kyu has a near fatal allergy to humans. when the truth is revealed she makes the self sacrifice of 'disappearing' so that his health is not affected.

    The romance is sweet and Jo Ji Ah is tested when she tries to help Min Kyu and is rejected. I love her determination.

  • Okja

    10. Okja

    Korean Movie - 2017

    8.5

    The young girl,Mija, has been caretaker and constant companion to Okja - a massive animal and an even bigger friend - at her home in the mountains of South Korea.  

    Their strong bond is what drives the narrative of this environmental drama

  • Queen of Mystery

    11. Queen of Mystery

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    8.5

    I really liked the feisty housewife who courageously sticks to her sleuthing despite the family opposition. Yoo Seol Ok has amassed a body of police crime cases and has great intuition.  Partnering up with a police detective they form an unlikely team.

  • Romance Is a Bonus Book

    12. Romance Is a Bonus Book

    Korean Drama - 2019, 16 episodes

    8.0

     Kang Dan Yi who was once a popular copywriter. She is now divorced, a single mother, unemployed and struggling in life though still attempts to find a job, but even with her once good career, she cannot.  This story highlights the competitive nature of finding work in Korea and the compromises Kang Dan Yi has to face in order to support herself and her teenage daughter.

  • Because This Is My First Life

    13. Because This Is My First Life

    Korean Drama - 2017, 16 episodes

    9.5

    This drama is progressive and deals with a variety of issues challenging traditional gender stereotypes, sexual harassment in the work place, and the confined role for women in marriage in a very relatable way.The growth for the FL is tangible and the ML also breaks through his self-imposed restrictions.

  • The Queen of Office

    14. The Queen of Office

    Korean Drama - 2013, 16 episodes

    9.0

     Miss Kim (Kim Hye Soo) plays a kick ass role. Strong, competent, diligently focused with a strong work ethic she epitomises the competent female office worker. With a touch of Mac Gyver in her character she can fix anything.  In the evenings she lets loose and dances rumbas on stage.  There is a lot of depth to this character and it is only towards the end we discover the darker issue that drives her perfectionist work life.

  • Miss Korea

    15. Miss Korea

    Korean Drama - 2013, 20 episodes

    9.5

    Who would think that a drama about a beauty pageant could make my list. Lee Yun Hee playing the FL Oh Ji Yeong is surprisingly strong as she overcomes loss of mother at an early age, overprotective (male) family, job prejudice and the competitive bitchiness of fellow wannabe beauty queens.  

  • Please Don't Date Him

    16. Please Don't Date Him

    Korean Drama - 2020, 10 episodes

    9.0

    Seo Ji-seong (Song Ha-yoon) is a clever AI programmer who stands by her principals and has good self-respect.  Despite a toxic relationship and a boss with misogynist tendencies she constantly falls back on her own strengths. The two girlfriends of Ji-seong are quite different personalities and are having difficulties in their own relationships yet always find time to offer their friendship.

  • The Killer Is Also Romantic

    17. The Killer Is Also Romantic

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 18 episodes

    9.5

    Our FL is a competent businesswoman and adept assassin who will bring a smile to your face as she navigates marriage.

  • Butterfly Sleep

    18. Butterfly Sleep

    Japanese Movie - 2017

    9.0

    Not the typical heroine but her quiet acceptance of her ailing condition and the steps she takes to gain the most out of the situation before it becomes permanent is wonderfully portrayed.

  • Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies

    19. Casa Amor: Exclusive for Ladies

    Korean Movie - 2015

    10

    Take two beautiful female leads combine them in a sex toy business and get set for a hilarious movie. I loved their friendship and how they both powered off each other to turn the ailing business into a thriving, award winning success.

  • Couple of Mirrors

    20. Couple of Mirrors

    Chinese Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

    10

    The two women face multiple adversaries and their friendship and dedication to each other is very touching.

  • The King's Affection

    21. The King's Affection

    Korean Drama - 2021, 20 episodes

    9.5

    The FL portrays strength and depth of character whilst disguised as a male and does not lose this aspect even when she slips back into female role. The acting and control from this diminutive actress is terrific.

  • Extraordinary Attorney Woo

    22. Extraordinary Attorney Woo

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    9.5

    Woo Young Woo faces prejudice in the work force and despite the emotional restrictions engendered by her autism uses her impressive IQ and memory to win cases in the courtroom. 

  • Under the Queen's Umbrella

    23. Under the Queen's Umbrella

    Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes

    10

    The FL owns her part and displays amazing statesmanship. With her fierce, protective love for her sons and clever stategising she manages to uncover a long held secret that had ultimately affected her eldest son.

  • Okay! Madam

    24. Okay! Madam

    Korean Movie - 2020

    9.5

    Hugely entertaining comedy that involves a seemingly ordinary housewife who is revealed to be a kick ass martial arts expert.

  • The Handmaiden

    25. The Handmaiden

    Korean Movie - 2016

    10

    Sook Hee and Hideko  are both strong characters in this twisty tale of revenge. I love how they rewrite the expected ending.

  • Alchemy of Souls

    26. Alchemy of Souls

    Korean Drama - 2022, 20 episodes

    10

    A skilled martial artist,  female assassin trapped in the body  of a maidservant. She becomes the merciless teacher of the ML and along the way falls in love and gains back her power.

  • New Life Begins

    27. New Life Begins

    Chinese Drama - 2022, 40 episodes

    9.0

    The sisterhood, support and camaraderie between this group of females gives a different, entertaining view of palace courtyard intrigues.

  • A Journey to Love

    28. A Journey to Love

    Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes

    10

    Ruyi is one of the best bad-ass female characters I have ever seen written. Exemplary assassin who can seduce with a smile and cut your throat in an instance.

  • Inspector Koo

    29. Inspector Koo

    Korean Drama - 2021, 12 episodes

    8.0

    Loved this gutsy female character. Fun and insane at the same time but never boring. She is complex and worth watching.

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