Bechdel Day 2025: 10 Korean Films That Made Us Stand Up, Cheer, and Maybe Throw Popcorn at the Patriarchy
The
Directors Guild of Korea
(DGK) has announced the 2025 Bechdel Choice 10! This list carefully selects films where female characters don't just revolve around men's stories but take center stage with agency and diverse narratives. Once again, this year's lineup is packed with impressive works from the Korean film industry.
This Year's Scene-Stealers: Who Made The List?
The 2025 Bechdel Choice 10 features an electric mix: nail-biting thrillers, tear-jerking family dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies, and superhero flicks-all with women who do more than pine for a chill oppa. Here's the dazzling roster (in no particular order):
Dark Nuns : Nuns take center stage as exorcists, not just sidekicks in the background.
Blesser : A raw look at a mother raising a disabled child while juggling dreams and disappointments.
Concerning My Daughter : Explores mother-daughter clashes, queer identity, and societal pressure.
Lucky, Apartment : Queer themes and original storytelling? Yes, please.
Revolver : Female-led noir in a genre long held hostage by dudes in suits.
Victory : A group of cheerleaders showing everyone that strength comes in sequins.
My Best, Your Least : A pregnant student and her teacher face life's messy moral dramas.
The Old Woman With The Knife : Elderly women get the John Wick treatment (sort of) in a story pushing genre boundaries.
Hi-Five : Superhero squad, but led by women "too old" for lycra, silencing ageists everywhere.
Because I Hate Korea : Brings queer identity and outsider struggles to the screen.
According to the DGK, these films stood out for tipping the scales on gender roles and authentic female-centered narratives from June 2024 to May 2025, chosen from 125 contenders spanning cinema and OTT releases.
A notable point is that male directors still helm many of these films, yet female characters are prominently positioned as protagonists driving their worlds and stories forward. Actresses like Lee Hye-young in Blesser, Song Hye-kyo and Jeon Yeo-bin in Dark Nuns, and Lee Jae-in in Hi-Five have captured audience hearts with their powerful performances.
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Bechdel Test 7: Stricter and Deeper Criteria
Beyond the original Bechdel Test (which requires at least two named female characters who talk to each other about something other than men), this updated 'Bechdel Test 7' adds conditions such as including at least one woman among the major production staff (director, writer, producer, or cinematographer), avoiding stereotypical or discriminatory portrayals of women, and reflecting contemporary societal diversity - totaling seven standards.
A Message to the Film Industry and Reality Check
Programmer Lee Hwajung expressed hope, saying "It's encouraging that women are naturally being recognized as compelling central characters," but she also pointed out the ongoing challenge that "female directors still face significant barriers entering commercial cinema."
Her words-"Real change happens when who tells the story and women's roles on screen change"-resonate deeply.
This Bechdel Choice 10 list brings a fresh breeze for audiences thirsty for women-centered narratives. We can look forward to seeing more varied and mature female stories on Korean screens in the future.
About Bechdel Day :
Bechdel Day is an annual event organized by the Directors Guild of Korea (DGK) since 2020, inspired by the Bechdel Test created by American cartoonist Alison Bechdel. It aims to promote gender equality in film and TV by highlighting works with strong female characters and encouraging cultural diversity. The event raises public awareness about the importance of gender-equal content and drives positive change in the entertainment industry.
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