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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yeahp. And I really liked that she knew her strengths and weakness and was the perfect balance for Jung Hoo’s badassery. (Plus that show had no noble idiocy <3)
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.
moana
December 24, 2018 at 12:12 PM
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.
moana
December 24, 2018 at 12:21 PM
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.
oppafangirl
December 24, 2018 at 12:30 PM
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!
KDFL
December 24, 2018 at 12:43 PM
Life on Mars’s Miss Yooon!
Matrimonial Chaos’s Hwi Roo
Age of Youth’s Song Ji Won
Forest of Secrets’ Han Yeo Jin
moana
December 24, 2018 at 12:49 PM
Officer Yoon was fantastic!
RaOnAh loves Jay B 💚
December 24, 2018 at 12:48 PM
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.
mindy
December 24, 2018 at 12:59 PM
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.
moana
December 24, 2018 at 1:24 PM
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.
mindy
December 24, 2018 at 1:36 PM
Please do! It’s fantastic, and while it is a heavy drama, it’s ultimately uplifting.
moana
December 24, 2018 at 1:48 PM
Have you seen Live, by any chance? I’m debating which of the two to start. I’ve heard good things about both dramas.
mindy
December 24, 2018 at 1:49 PM
Not yet, but it’s on my list!
oppafangirl
December 25, 2018 at 1:31 AM
I have seen both of them and they are equally good. I watched My Ahjussi first and then Live.
moana
December 25, 2018 at 4:25 AM
Thanks, @oppafangirl!
💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
December 24, 2018 at 1:08 PM
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.
moana
December 24, 2018 at 1:27 PM
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.
💜🍍☠ Sicarius The Queen of Melonia ☠🍍💜
December 24, 2018 at 4:23 PM
Yeahp. And I really liked that she knew her strengths and weakness and was the perfect balance for Jung Hoo’s badassery. (Plus that show had no noble idiocy <3)
RenOIshi
December 24, 2018 at 1:38 PM
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 😊
Beverly
December 24, 2018 at 1:44 PM
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.
mindy
December 24, 2018 at 1:50 PM
Beverly, your taste is excellent.
Beverly
December 24, 2018 at 2:03 PM
Lol! Thank you.
fencejumper
December 25, 2018 at 2:11 AM
I absolutely loved Veronica Mars!
Kairoskat 💐
December 24, 2018 at 2:10 PM
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.
moana
December 24, 2018 at 2:17 PM
I’ve only seen LoM and Just Dance from your list and I agree 100%.
missjb
December 24, 2018 at 4:51 PM
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
parkchuna ❤️🍉
December 24, 2018 at 9:26 PM
Sung shi won of reply 97, played by Eun Ji
parkchuna ❤️🍉
December 24, 2018 at 9:32 PM
Also love the princesses in The Princess’ Man played by Moon Chae Won and Hong Soo Hyun
dukseonnoona
December 25, 2018 at 6:40 AM
Better late than never 😊 My handle says it all 😍😘