Feminism in K-dramas: A growing voice or still a whisper?

India Today

23-05-2025

K-dramas have become our comfort genre. We watch them for the slow-motion stares, the perfect OSTs (original soundtracks), pretty characters, and their dramatic lives. But, as much as we swoon, cry, and binge like there's no tomorrow, there's a quiet question in the background: Are K-dramas empowering women or just putting feminism in a pretty dress and calling it a day? Let's explore in our weekly K-fix.If you have seen K-dramas like 'The Heirs', 'Boys over Flowers', and 'Playful Kiss', you would have noticed the female leads are mostly poor but hardworking, clumsy yet adorable and always sacrificing, crying, or waiting for a rich, emotionally unavailable guy in a black suit to save them. Their ambitions are usually limited to passing an exam or winning a guy's heart. They aren't exactly feminist icons. However, that narrative seems to be changing now.It all began with a 2007 show titled 'Coffee Prince'. The drama challenged gender norms in its own pretty little way. The protagonist, Go Eun-chan, disguises herself as a man to work at a cafe, stirring questions about gender identity. Even though the show leaned more on romantic comedy than activism, it subtly critiqued traditional gender norms and opened space for acceptance of more unconventional female leads. But, no other show until 'Descendants of the Sun' in 2016 could do for feminism what 'Coffee Prince' introduced. The Song Joong-ki and Song Hye-ko-starrer featured women in uniform and went on to become an iconic show. One of the most celebrated dialogues from the drama, 'You don't have a boyfriend because you are too busy,' perfectly captures the social commentary it tried to explore.The drama introduced us to Dr Kang Mo-yeon, played by Hye-kyo, a charismatic and accomplished surgeon who thrives in the male-dominated field. While romance played a key role, it didn't shape the narrative of Kang's professional excellence. She was portrayed as a smart and ambitious woman who didn't let a man define her worth. In 2018, you got another swooning K-drama, titled 'Crash Landing on You', starring dreamy Son Ye-jin and Hyun Bin (now a real-life couple). A scene in the show features Se-ri confidently walking to her funeral. A bold and successful CEO who, quite literally, crash-lands in North Korea, is never found losing her independence and leadership qualities. Far from a damsel in distress, Se-ri takes charge of her narrative, lifting others as she grows. She proves that even in a fairytale, the heroine can be her own hero. The 2020s brought a new era of K-drama where being bold wasn't enough; the portrayal of emotional resilience and mental fortitude were also necessary for independent individual growth.My Name: Her story, her way (2021)The story involved Ji-woo (Han So-hee), a woman who infiltrates a police force to avenge her father's death. Unlike many action dramas that reduce women to sidekicks, Ji-woo dominated the screen with grit and physical strength and emotional depth. As the title suggests, she creates her own identity and doesn't rely on her father's name, who is a big gangster. Her portrayal isn't about ticking the 'strong female character' box, her story is authentic, filled with pain and resilience. Thirty-Nine, and Little Women: Redefining womanhood!2022 witnessed two major K-dramas that explored feminist themes, each in its unique way. In the first half, the audience was captivated by the heartfelt drama, 'Thirty-Nine'. The portrayal of female friendship, self-worth, and emotional growth offers a refreshing representation of women navigating life on their terms in their late thirties. It featured societal expectations of a woman, and how the balance of personal and professional life is necessary to mark a woman's success.In contrast, the latter half of the year was marked by 'Little Women', which boldly centred women at the heart of a high-stakes narrative. It followed two sisters who worked hard to make ends meet and save money to fund their younger sister's education. They challenged the systems of power and corruption and asserted their agency in a world that often seeks to silence them. Together, these dramas show that feminism isn't one size fits all. Whether it's the strength to face everyday complexities of life or the courage to expose a corrupt system, both narratives celebrate women owning their power on their terms.Love to Hate You: Not just love...liberation!This isn't your average romantic comedy; it's a sassy high-speed smack-down on every outdated stereotype in the book. It centred on Mi-ran, a sharp-tongued, high-kicking lawyer who doesn't just break glass ceilings, she shatters them with flair. Whether she's calling out workplace sexism, flipping the script on toxic masculinity, or setting clear boundaries on consent, Mi-ran does it all with confidence and comedic timing. It's fierce, funny, and refreshingly feminist, proof that romance can be equal parts heart and power play. My Dearest Nemesis: Breaking norms, owning dreams!This drama might have just flown under the radar, but it offered a refreshing feminist twist. The female lead didn't chase a Chaebol; she carved her own path with ambition. It dared to portray a woman who's unapologetically flawed, complex, and driven. She didn't need a rich man to complete her; she built her own story, guided by purpose, not romance. The show portrayed that feminism also means embracing women in all their layered, messy brilliance.K-dramas have taken a drastic leap, trying to showcase more complex, competent, and independent female leads who are not defined by beauty or a man but rather by who they are. While not all K-dramas can be labelled feminist, there is a clear shift in how women are portrayed. Earlier tropes of the 'damsel in distress' or the 'Cinderella story' still appear, but they now coexist with narratives of women who are strong, vulnerable, flawed, and unapologetically themselves.However, challenges exist, and gender stereotypes persist, especially in secondary characters. Stories often fall short of overtly addressing systemic issues like patriarchy or workplace discrimination. Feminism in K-drama may not always roar, but it is no longer a whisper. Through characters who break the moulds of traditional women, they challenge the entire 'rich boy, poor girl' trope. This genre is slowly but steadily embracing more feminist themes. As global audiences demand richer, more inclusive narratives, K-dramas are rising to one bold heroine at a time.Must Watch
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