Unique Female Leads
A list of unique FLs in titles I've watched.
Other, more specific lists: Protective FLs, Female Villains, Aggressive/Obsessive/Possessive/Toxic Women (Mostly FLs)
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1. Oh My General
Chinese Drama - 2017, 60 episodes
Very loyal, rough and loving, so confident and effortlessly badass (and also a tomboy!!). One of the coolest FLs out there and a convincing af warrior
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2. My Lady General
Chinese Drama - 2023, 23 episodes
Serious, cool and mature FL. Also looks like she could convincingly be a warrior
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3. The Legendary Life of Queen Lau
Chinese Drama - 2022, 36 episodes
FL is bubbly, caring, mature and kind. She's not a pushover, treats people equally, and holds her own very well. One of the most refreshing FLs I've seen in a while
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4. Beauty Killer
Chinese Drama - 2023, 20 episodes
Flirty, smitten, absolutely whipped FL who's so suave and romantic~ Cheeky but in the way men typically are.
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5. Run On
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
A calm approach to the no-nonsense FL. Mature and grounded but not because of personality but rather because of self restrain and emotionally growth. She WANTS to snap but she knows better and honestly, that's the realistic slay I love to see--
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6. My Uncanny Destiny
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
Bold and charming FL. Talk about confident and unbothered. I would've loved to see her more as her emperor self in her own kingdom but she still slayed as the bold and dramatic 'king' that she was xD
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7. Hail to the Princess
Chinese Drama - 2023, 20 episodes
Two FLs here. One is charismatic and reckless while the other is calm and mature. They're friends and kinda have a throuple situation with ML. Both hella protective of each other and ML and we just love to see it
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8. Blind
Korean Drama - 2022, 16 episodes
Seemed like the typical secondary FMC in any thriller but she's actually quite the badass despite not being a fighter. She's very supportive of ML and seems to be one of the only people that can talk sense into him (it was SO giving gentle femdom, ok, my delulu is my own, shush). Refreshing
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9. Vigilante
Korean Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
Sooooo unhinged, like entirely off the rails, dramatic as hell and fearless. She terrified her kidnapper, LMFAAOO I loved her.
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10. Love Starts from Marriage Season 2
Chinese Drama - 2023, 24 episodes
Bubbly and outgoing without being childish! Another bold, confident and charismatic one. She was so fricking funny, lmfaaoo
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11. Secret of Three Kingdoms
Chinese Drama - 2018, 54 episodes
Talk about a FL to remember!!!! Oh my god, where to start? She was strong, mature and sophisticated. A woman fitting to be an empress. Her elegance and class were incredible, she could silence a courtroom with a mere stare!! Not only that, she's deathly loyal and protective of those she cares about (and also a good mentor and support-system to noobie ML) and intelligent and cunning as well. Her PRECENSE was amazing. I LOVE HERRRRRR!!!
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12. The Blue Whisper: Part 1
Chinese Drama - 2022, 22 episodes
This was a fun one. A seemingly cheeky, flirty troublemaker with a lot of hidden depth. Problematic aspects of the drama aside, I loved her goal to gain her freedom while seemingly being 'free'. She's also mature, loyal and protective <3 Like, what more can one ask for?
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13. The Princess Royal
Chinese Drama - 2024, 40 episodes
Older, mature (key word being MATURE) FLs are CRIMINALLY underrated. Especially in historical dramas. But like, her strength of character, confidence and yes, flaws were a refreshing taste. Also her dynamics with both ML and SML are peak. She's such a mommy, spoiling her husband and also having a boytoy? Like yas girl
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14. Dong Lan Xue
Chinese Drama - 2023, 30 episodes
Strong, protective and vengeful. She's actually dark, harboring a lot of hatred that manifests into bad deeds but she still has a soft spot~ She's mature, aloof and dominant, taking charge of every situation with ease despite her 'inferior' position as a maid. God, her dynamic with ML has me on a CHOKEHOLD
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15. The Other Half of Me and You
Chinese Drama - 2021, 32 episodes
Typical ML CEO but gender swapped. Like, they committed to making her cool. She's a biker, CEO, effortlessly suave and a total playgirl~ God, her flirting and domineering antics had me kicking my feet- yas girl get your boy
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16. The Legend of Zhuohua
Chinese Drama - 2023, 40 episodes
FL: Strong, determined and wise while still being sweet, kind and cheerful.
SFL: Elegant, strong, mature, domineering, and manipulative.
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17. Secrets of the Shadow Sect
Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes
AUGH. Dom FL strikes again! Dominant but in every way. She has this thing about her that just oozes dark charisma. She's also the strongest person in universe and she has a fricking harem
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18. Nobody Knows
Korean Drama - 2020, 16 episodes
Deadbeat detective but make it a woman and you got one badass FL
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19. Kingdom
Korean Drama - 2019, 6 episodes
An unbothered queen that's very goal-focused and dedicated. She's fairly quiet and reserved and kinda just does her own thing, taking charge effortlessly when need be and not waiting around to be led, much less saved
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20. The Imperial Coroner
Chinese Drama - 2021, 36 episodes
Genuinely quirky and very smart, she's the quiet nerd type but not silly. Her naiveté comes from actual lack of real world experience and it's refreshing to see a realistic approach to the typical 'childish' FL
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21. The School Nurse Files
Korean Drama - 2020, 6 episodes
Not like the other girls but like FR. She was an odd one for sure. Strong and badass with hidden depth but coming off apathetic. She's protective but ultimately also selfish. And actually, genuinely quirky but who isn't in this drama? XD
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22. Hong Dou’s Journey through Time
Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes
Cold, aloof and regal. She actually played a convincing empress, even in the modern arc. She has strong morals, righteous goals and is an overall unbothered queen (literally lol)
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23. Rise from the Ashes
Chinese Drama - 2024, 24 episodes
OOO!!!! This one was refreshing!! Vengeful and strong-willed. The embodiment of a sweet innocent girl turned bitter but done tastefully. But they commit! She stands either above or on-par with the ML and shines in her own strength and story! Committed to obtaining her revenge and happiness and doesn't let anyone or anything stand in her way!!
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24. xxxHOLiC
Japanese Movie - 2022
Mysterious, protective and beautiful. Extravagant in a subtle way, always one step ahead and powerful beyond reason. Also giving major domme energy
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25. Mad Doctor
Taiwanese Drama - 2022, 10 episodes
Midlife crisiscore? Not sure what her age is supposed to be but either way, a disaster of a woman and such a vibe. Unbothered, cool, a lil too quirky for her own good but very aware. Love her
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26. Special Delivery
Korean Movie - 2022
Cold and aloof but still kind (think, witcher or batman). She's genuinely so incredibly cool, quick on her feet and skilled beyond reason. She can also kick quite some butt and has such a kind heart <3
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27. My Name
Korean Drama - 2021, 8 episodes
Vengeful and clocked out 90% of the time. Quiet, reserved and very badass
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28. The Guest
Korean Drama - 2018, 16 episodes
Strong, determined, a loner and very protective of those she cares about.
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29. Yume de Mita Ano Ko no Tame ni
Japanese Drama - 2023, 10 episodes
In the sea of incompetent and irritating girlfriend characters, especially in mystery/thrillers type shows, this FL stood out as actually being both competent and empathetic. She's not a badass, kickass girlboss but she's rather a dear friend, pulling ML out of his head and helping him genuinely in every turn (both in helping him investigate but also being there for him and looking out for him). She's very much a supporting character but one done tastefully.
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30. My Female General
Chinese Special - 2024, 5 episodes
This was *super* short but I still appreciated the honest attempts at making FL somewhat behave like an actual historical general and not like a pampered brat.
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31. Saitama no Host
Japanese Drama - 2023, 8 episodes
Strong and determined. Once she has her task, she will do anything to see it through. She's diligent and straightforward, often coming off cold and aloof in her attempt to push people to improve.
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32. Ooku
Japanese Movie - 2010
Augh, this FL was on another levellll!!! Actually mature and devoted to her goals. She was aloof but kindhearted and wise. She was strong yet had weaknesses. EVERYTHING I COULD WANT