8 Amazing K-Drama Actresses Who Are Shattering The Stereotype of the Weak Female Lead

Anyone who is a fan of K-Dramas knows that female leads tend to be portrayed as soft, gentle, and weak, relying on the men around them to rescue them and help them assert themselves. Thanks. in part, to these 8 actresses, the times are changing and female leads are breaking free from that stereotype! They’ve shown that female leads can be just as strong and definitely just as awesome as the male leads—and it’s about time!

1. Gong Hyo Jin in Jealousy Incarnate

Gong Hyo Jin starred as Pyo Nari in this 2016 K-Drama and brought a totally fierce energy to the character. Throughout the drama, she showcased just how strong she could be in a K-Drama world that is full of gentle female characters.

2. Park Bo Young in Strong Woman Do Bong SoonDo Bong Soon may have been soft and sweet on the inside, but on the outside, she was strong enough to beat a group of gangsters without even breaking a sweat. Park Bo Young proved that girls could be both strong and sweet at the same time.

3. Kim Hee Sun in Angry Mom

She may play a mom in the popular 2015 K-Drama, but Kim Hee Sun‘s character kicked some major butt, completely breaking from the soft female lead tradition.

4. Lee Sung Kyung in Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo

Kim Bok Joo is one of the strongest female characters… Literally. Instead of being a gentle female lead, she is a weightlifter and is seriously awesome.

5. Baek Jin Hee in Missing 9

When you’re stuck on an island, you have to learn to be strong and Baek Jin Hee‘s character, Ra Bong Hee, did exactly that! Talk about a strong female lead!


6. Park Shin Hye in Doctor Crush

Park Shin Hye plays an incredibly strong and kick-ass neurosurgeon who is quick to save patients and even beat up gangsters in the lobby of a hospital. Park Shine Hye brings an extra element of strength and authenticity to her role as she, amazingly, performed her own stunts! Now that’s a strong woman!

7. Kim So Hyun in Let’s Fight Ghost

Kim So Hyun plays Kim Hyun Ji in this 2016 K-Drama. She may play a ghost the strength of her character is not to be ignored. She uses her incredible strength only for good… And shattering female stereotypes!

8. Kim Hye Soo in Signal

The character of Cha Soo Hyun was pretty, strong, and definitely not to be messed with! Kim Hye Soo did an amazing job of portraying a strong female presence and departing entirely from the weak female lead stereotype.

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