12 K-dramas where the leading lady does all the saving
Leading lady: Jung Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun)
In this parallel-universe epic, Emperor Lee Gon (Lee Min-ho) crosses into modern-day Korea in search of a mysterious woman who once saved him. That woman turns out to be Detective Jung Tae-eul (Kim Go-eun), a rational, no-nonsense cop who's unimpressed by titles and palaces.
Despite the cosmic romance, Tae-eul is rarely the one being rescued. Instead, she uncovers massive conspiracies, faces off with traitors and grounds Gon with her unwavering logic. She's not a royal consort; she's the backbone of the story's moral compass. Also, she's often the one charging in first. 3. 'Tale of the Nine Tailed' (2020)
Leading lady: Nam Ji-ah (Jo Bo-ah)
Nam Ji-ah (Jo Bo-ah) is a fearless TV producer obsessed with unravelling her parents' mysterious disappearance. Her investigation leads her to a supernatural underworld populated by gumiho (nine-tailed foxes), evil spirits and her eventual love interest, the immortal Lee Yeon (Lee Dong-wook).
While Lee Yeon has centuries of power, it's Ji-ah who uncovers the truth, resists possession by malevolent forces and repeatedly chooses to fight for her destiny. She's not content to be the fox's damsel. Instead, she's his equal, with a spine of steel and instincts sharper than any fang. 4. 'Sell Your Haunted House' (2021)
Leading lady: Hong Ji-ah (Jang Na-ra)
Hong Ji-ah (Jang Na-ra) is more than a real estate agent. She's also a cold, calculating exorcist who rids properties of lingering spirits. She teams up with fake psychic Oh In-beom (Jung Yong-hwa), but make no mistake: she's the expert, he's the sidekick.
While In-beom fumbles through the supernatural, Ji-ah takes charge with her talismans and spirit-slaying savvy. She's haunted (literally) by past trauma, but her emotional journey is hers to conquer. She fights ghosts and toxic masculinity, one haunted house at a time. 5. 'Inspiring Generation' (2014)
Leading lady: Gaya Deguchi (Im Soo-hyang)
Set in 1930s Shanghai, this historical action drama is filled with revolutionaries, mobsters and bare-knuckle brawls. At the centre of it all is Shin Jung-tae (Kim Hyun-joong), a street fighter with a tragic past and a bruised heart. But among all the testosterone is Gaya Deguchi (Im Soo-hyang), the Japanese-Korean heiress of a powerful gang.
In fact, Gaya is the one who's pulling the strings amid all the chaos. She chooses strategy over sentiment and often saves Jung-tae from political death traps and emotional self-destruction. Her choices shape the plot as much as his fists ever could. 6. 'Hotel del Luna' (2019)
Leading lady: Jang Man-wol (IU)
Jang Man-wol (IU) is the centuries-old CEO of a hotel for ghosts with unresolved grudges. She's vain, vindictive and dresses like a runway model from the Joseon Dynasty. Beneath the designer hanboks, however, is a heart that slowly heals. Goo Chan-sung (Yeo Jin-goo) may help her process her trauma, but she's the one who protects him from rogue spirits and darker forces.
She doesn't just lead the hotel—she commands it. And when it's time for one final sacrifice, it's Man-wol who walks into the fire on her own terms.
See more: Dressed to dominate: 6 ways K-drama heroines used fashion to showcase their power 7. 'Strong Girl Nam-soon' (2023)
Leading lady: Gang Nam-soon (Lee Yoo-mi)
What did you expect when the plot revolves around a family wherein all the women have super strength? In this spin-off of Strong Woman Do Bong-soon , we meet Gang Nam-soon (Lee Yoo-mi), a quirky, lovable girl with superhuman strength who returns to Korea after being lost in Mongolia as a child. She's not only physically powerful (lifting everything from grown men to airplanes) but emotionally resilient, even after being separated from her family for years.
Nam-soon uses her strength to take down an international drug cartel infiltrating Korea's elite circles, while juggling a budding romance with Detective Gang Hee-sik (Ong Seong-wu). Hee-sik may be the cop with the badge, but Nam-soon is the one busting drug rings and dragging villains to jail (sometimes literally by the collar). While he admires her, she doesn't wait around to be saved—she's the one doing the smashing and rescuing. 8. 'Search: WWW' (2019)
Leading lady: Bae Ta-mi (Im Soo-jung), Cha Hyeon (Lee Da-hee), Song Ga-kyeong (Jeon Hye-jin)
Three powerhouse female leads run the show. Set in the cutthroat world of web portals and tech giants, these women aren't wielding swords but also data, strategy and epic clapbacks. While romance threads through the story, these women are far more focused on saving their careers, reputations and personal agency. For example, Ta-mi's (Im Soo-jung ) relationship with Park Morgan (Jang Ki-yong) is sweet, but she never lets it derail her ambition. 9. 'My Name' (2021)
Leading lady: Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee)
This gritty revenge noir follows Ji-woo (Han So-hee), who joins a crime syndicate and infiltrates the police force to uncover the truth behind her father's death. She doesn't wait around for a man to take vengeance for her. Instead, she becomes the weapon. Ji-woo fights, bleeds and outsmarts men in both gangs and law enforcement, relying only on herself (and some serious knife skills) to survive. 10. 'The Glory' (2022–2023)
Leading lady: Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo)
In this gritty drama, Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) orchestrates an entire symphony of vengeance against the rich and remorseless bullies who ruined her youth. With intelligence, patience and icy resolve, she systematically dismantles each villain's life. While there's a gentle male ally (Lee Do-hyun), he's a supporting character in her game. Dong-eun saves herself and exposes the rot behind Korea's elite. 11. 'Arthdal Chronicles (2019-2023)
Leading lady: Tan-ya (Kim Ji-won / Shin Se-kyung)
Tan-ya (Kim Ji-won in Season 1) starts as a spiritual figurehead but slowly builds political power in a war-torn, fantasy civilisation. By the second season, she's (Shin Se-kyung) no longer just the emotional compass—she becomes a sharp strategist outplaying warlords, tribes and even her love interest, Eun-seom (Lee Joon-gi), when needed. She may wear a ceremonial robe, but make no mistake: Tan-ya saves everyone. 12. 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' (2022)
Leading lady: Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin)
Yes, she may need someone to open her water bottles and escort her through revolving doors, but Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin) is as fierce as they come. As a rookie attorney on the autism spectrum, Young-woo doesn't just survive the challenges of a rigid legal world—she triumphs. With a brilliant mind, creative logic and emotional growth, she wins court cases, handles discrimination with grace and even converts sceptics. Male leads support her, but she's never dependent on them. Her victories are hers alone.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Tatler Asia
2 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Love Chinese food? Taste Paradise Dynasty's classic flavours in a brand new space
'There had been growing requests at our other branches asking, 'Why not open in the north?' So we finally did, and the reception has been remarkable.' - Jonathan Ko on why they brought Paradise Dynasty to the north - Tatler was offered servings of Paradise Dynasty's best and sought-after offerings. Among them was the Signature Dynasty xiao long bao, a selection of eight colourful flavours including original, Korean kimchi, foie gras, black truffle, cheese, crab roe, garlic and Szechuan. Ko explains that the restaurant places great importance on consistency, which is why the dish still carries the same familiar flavour Filipinos have loved since the first branch opened in Pasay in 2016. 'For our eight-flavour xiao long bao, we always use original ingredients. Even the colours are made entirely from scratch,' he stresses. 'Some people ask if we use food colouring. We don't. Everything is created in-house; we use special ingredients to extract the colours for each dumpling,' Ko adds, noting that there had previously been some doubts about the authenticity of their methods. 'People keep coming back to this dish because the flavour has stayed consistent. After nine years, it still tastes the same. We never cut corners, and that's exactly why our guests return.' Paradise Dynasty's standout offerings include the yam paste xiao long bao, a dumpling filled with smooth, earthy purée made from Taro. More from Tatler : Learn all about the iconic Chinese food favourite, East Ocean Palace Above The black fungus in peppercorn vinaigrette Above Paradise Dynasty's signature prawn and pork dumpling in hot chilli vinaigrette Another highlight was the prawn and pork dumpling in hot chilli vinaigrette with just the right kick of spice, leaving enough room for the sweetness of the seafood to come through. Then there's the black fungus in a peppercorn vinaigrette, made with wood ear mushrooms known for their pleasantly chewy texture. The sharp peppercorn dressing leaves a lingering finish that keeps you reaching for another bite. Another memorable bite was the poached pork in spicy garlic sauce: a bold, flavourful dish that enhances both the tender meat and the vegetables tucked within. For those looking for a subtle savoury taste, the stir-fried Australian lettuce will be a revelation. This simple yet satisfying dish might easily be overlooked, but with just the right touch of salt and crunch, it's the kind of bite you'd keep coming back for with a spoonful of piping hot rice to match or even just as enjoyable as a light snack. Not to be missed is the speciality fish in pickled vegetable broth, which Ko explains is simmered for two hours to allow the soup to draw out every layer of flavour. 'The soup is simmered for about two hours to develop its flavour and richness,' he says. Related : Paradise Dynasty opens a new location in the heart of Greenbelt 5 Above The specialty fish in pickled vegetable broth by Paradise Dynasty Above Stir-fried Australian lettuce by Paradise Dynasty For Paradise Dynasty, delivering quality Chinese cuisine using cooking methods that stay true to their origins is essential. Ultimately, it's the comfort of knowing what to expect and the consistent standards set since day one that keeps their loyal customers coming back. Ko asserts that this is what their patrons value and deserve: timeless classics with creative twists, one serving at a time. 'We started from just a few branches. Now, we're trying to expand it to all corners. We want to showcase that this is the Paradise Dynasty design. It reflects traditional Chinese elements, local influences and of course, the essence of Chinese cuisine.' Visit Paradise Dynasty's newest location at Robinsons Magnolia and follow their Instagram @paradisedynastyph. NOW READ What makes an authentic meal?: Chef Jereme Leung's limited-release 'The Emperor's Table' menu at China Blue Flavours of My Youth: JP Anglo of Sarsa Kitchen + Bar and Kooya Filipino Eatery The cultural wanderer's guide to Binondo, Manila
Tatler Asia
3 days ago
- Tatler Asia
Rediscover the art of Japanese dining at Iketeru with Daniel Liew
Come for a tour of the revamped Japanese restaurant Iketeru with Daniel Liew, more popularly known as Daniel Dines Iketeru at Hilton Kuala Lumpur has reopened its doors, unveiling a rejuvenated and elevated teppanyaki and sushi bar, blending Japanese tradition with modern elegance. Sleek marble and refined wood complement the dining experience, setting the scene for an enjoyable lunch or evening out. The launch of the new concept brings with it two seasonal set menus, designed to exquisitely showcase Japan's finest produce and flavours. The eight-course sushi set menu features a selection of fresh seasonal seafood, while the seven-course teppanyaki set menu is ideal for meat lovers, showcasing a display of live cooking. Read more: We went to Niigata to discover what makes premium Japanese sake Photo 2 of 8 Teppanyaki set menu Photo 3 of 8 Open flame grill Photo 6 of 8 The interior of Iketeru
Tatler Asia
4 days ago
- Tatler Asia
What is Arden Cho's favourite soda flavour—and how did they nail those slurping noises in KPop Demon Hunters?
What is one meal you could eat everyday? Literally anything with rice! What is your favourite soda flavour? I don't drink a lot of soda, but maybe Coca-Cola. What is your go-to meal on set? When I am in Korea, I love eating kimbap on set, which is my favorite snack. In America, on Partner Track, I was very lucky—they were very accommodating and we had a lot of rice. What is your favourite rice dish? I really like nasi goreng! Either that or something with spice—kimchi fried rice, galbi, mapo tofu, or sausages with eggs and rice. Most unusual ingredient you've tried? I generally like everything. Maybe the one thing I don't like as much is Korean intestines. One restaurant you would go back to again and again? Jaeyeondo Sogeumppang, known for their salt bread, in Seongsu-dong, Seoul. In LA, right now, Kkondae, which serves one of the best grilled pork. And I love fried chicken at BBQ Chicken and Kyo Chon! See also: 6 essential podcasts every foodie needs to listen to Credits
