In the wake of Memories of Alhambra and the (entirely justified) complaints against the way the female lead is written, I thought it might be nice to share our favourite female leads.

8
26

    I adore Han Moon-soo from JBL. The show is not without it’s share of flaws, but it gave us a brave, intelligent and wise young woman coping with a tragic past. She was reflective, kind and thoughtful.

    I liked how she took initiative in her relationship with Gang-doo. She kissed him first, and she was the one to suggest a ‘motel date’ lol. She stood up for him and demanded that other people treat him with respect. She was subverting kdrama gender roles left and right.

    Plus she was cute as a button.

    15
    0

    Nice: I have a lot of them:
    1) Mother: All the three mothers in the show, esp Lee Bo Young and the mother who adopted her. I even loved the liitle girl.
    2) Just between Lovers: Won Jin Ah’s character. I think I have never seen anyone as cool as her while driving a truck.
    3) Boyfriend: The female lead, she is so cool. She is learning to become even cooler.
    4) I am not a robot: CSB, she was amazing there.
    5) My ahjussi: Lee Ji-ah (IU), pain never felt so bearable.
    6) Live: The female leas Jung Yumi and also the other female senior police officer.
    7) Children of nobody: The female police office and Kim Sun Ah: I love both of them.
    8) Age of youth: All the girls!
    9) Mystery queen 1: The ahjumma with who was so awesome.
    10) Weightlifting fairy Kim-bok joo: Kim bok joo!

    9
    0

    Life on Mars’s Miss Yooon!
    Matrimonial Chaos’s Hwi Roo
    Age of Youth’s Song Ji Won
    Forest of Secrets’ Han Yeo Jin

    11
    1

    Shi Eun in Just Dance is one of the most relatable leads I’ve seen. She’s flawed but I’m still rooting for her.

    7
    0

    My favorite is definitely Lee Ji-an from My Ajusshi. In the beginning she was selfish and manipulative, but her character’s situation and backstory meant that her behavior made sense and the audience could sympathize with her. And as selfish as she was, she was also selfless when it came to caring for her grandmother. Her character growth was incredible while still being believable. One of the most complex, flawed, and inspiring drama characters I have come across, male or female.

    11
    1

      Gosh, this really makes me want to give My Ajusshi a try, even though I tend to learn towards more lighthearted dramas. (JBL is an exception because even though it was a melo it was healing). Well-developed, complex characters are my catnip.

      3
      1

        Please do! It’s fantastic, and while it is a heavy drama, it’s ultimately uplifting.

        2
        1

    Hmmm…
    Kang Yeon Doo, Sassy Go Go.
    Bok Ju, WLFKBJ
    …
    Bok Shil Shopping King Louis and probably Young shin/Ji An from Healer?
    But definitely the first one.

    4
    1

      Omo! I forgot Chae Young-shin, another favourite of mine. She was resourceful and courageous and funny and just plain incredible. She’s a big part of what made Healer such a crack drama for me.

      2
      1

    Go Eun Chan from Coffee Prince. She is strong, feisty, kind, a damn hard worker and adorable all in one!

    Second is Moon Soo from JBL for all the reason you stated 😊

    4
    0

    Ji an from My Ahjussi.
    Young shin from Healer.
    Eun Chan from Coffee Prince.
    Ji Ho from Because This Life is our First.

    Non k drama
    The Gilmore Girls
    The Golden Girls
    Veronica Mars
    Jean Pargetter from As Time Goes By

    Book
    Mercy Thompson from Patricia Briggs’ Mercy Thompson series.

    6
    2

    1. LoM’s Miss Yoon! I like her a lot. One of the most well written female character. She was soft but had a strong backbone. Actually i think all the female characters in LoM shined eventhough they were just a supporting role 😊
    2. The ladies in Reply series. There were a lot of ladies in the series and everyone had a purpose and a chance to shine. The one i like the most might be sung bora. She was a firecracker, her relationship with dad and sungwoo was one of the highlights to me in reply 1988.
    3. Oh sunny from the Last Empress. She started of weak but now she’s full on revenge mode. I want her to drag the imperial family down! She cried a lot too, but i do find the timing of her cries appropriate hahaha.
    4. The girl group in Just Dance. So many different personalities jumbled together but it works. Each of them have their flaws and own sad story, turned out it made their bond so much stronger.

    6
    1

      I’ve only seen LoM and Just Dance from your list and I agree 100%.

      1
      0

    Song Yi – Queen In Soo
    Kim Shie Eun – Just Dance
    Lee Ji An – My AJusshi
    Han Jae Hee – The Innocent Man

    Femme fatale is the best LOL

    3
    0

    Sung shi won of reply 97, played by Eun Ji

    1
    1

    Better late than never 😊 My handle says it all 😍😘

    1
    0