Latest news with #CoffeePrince
India Today
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Feminism in K-dramas: A growing voice or still a whisper?
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 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 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 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 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 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 to Hate You: Not just 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 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 Watch advertisement
Time of India
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
This idol-turned-actress revealed more acting experience and talked about sharing an unscripted kiss with actor Gong Yoo
In a recent episode of the popular variety show 'The Manager', an idol turned actress joined the sets with her manager and talked about her career. While talking about the behind-the-scenes life of an actor, she ended up revealing some shocking details about her and actor Gong Yoo ! Baby V.O.X's Yoon Eun Hye gets candid about her life, sharing shocking behind-the-scenes truths Yoon Eun Hye, member of veteran K-Pop girl group Baby V.O.X, recently joined the popular variety show with her long-time manager. Operation Sindoor Amid flare-up hours after thaw, officials say things will settle down with time Ceasefire on, but pressure stays: Key decisions by India against Pak that still stand 'Will work with India & Pakistan to seek solution on Kashmir': Trump During the show, when the actress and her manager were driving the car towards the manager's grandmother's house, she ended up posing a fun question, as per reports from Allkpop. The actress asked her manager to share her favourite scene from some of her most popular dramas: 'Princess Hours' and ' Coffee Prince '. While answering Eun Hye's question, the manager answered that her favourite scene would be the kiss scene from 'Coffee Prince'. She shared her reason by saying that 'It was kind of risqué.' She continued, sharing that 'Didn't Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye's character) slip her hand under Han Kyul's (Gong Yoo's character) back? She was the one leading the moment. I was amazed by how she pulled it off.' When posed with the same question, the actress answered that her favourite scene was the one where they consummate in 'Princess Hours', while also following up and saying that from 'Coffee Prince', her favourite had to be the rooftop dinner scene. Eun Hye confesses to giving Gong Yoo an unscripted kiss While talking about the scene from her most popular drama, the idol-turned-actress addressed the scene and explained on the show that she had ended up getting too much into the character. This resulted in the actress planting an unscripted and unprompted kiss on fellow actor Gong Yoo. She shared that 'So Eun Chan and Han Kyul are eating at the table and having a sweet conversation, and then I get carried on Han Kyul's back. [It wasn't in the script, but that's when,] without even realising it, I kissed Gong Yoo.' After her confession, the hosts of the show asked Eun Hye whether it raised any questions since the two were not even facing the camera, making it obvious that it may not have been scripted. She shared that yes, even though the kiss did not mean anything, a lot of questions arose on set, especially from co-star Chae Jung An. Apparently, the latter had bluntly asked the actress if the two were dating. She recalled that 'After seeing that, Jung An unnie even asked, 'Are you two dating?' because it looked so real! She was like, 'It's impossible to act like that if there's nothing going on between you two.' But that's when I realised that I'd kissed him. I was so deep into character.'
Tatler Asia
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
From Bit to Big Time: The K-drama roles that launched Korea's biggest stars
2. Lee Jong-suk in 'I Can Hear Your Voice' (2013) Above Lee Jong-suk (Photo: IMDB) Lee Jong-suk had already turned heads in School 2013 , but it was I Can Hear Your Voice that made sure those heads stayed turnt. As Park Soo-ha, a high school student who can literally hear people's thoughts (thanks, traumatic childhood!), he brought both supernatural intrigue and emotional sincerity. His chemistry with Lee Bo-young was electric in that noona-romance way K-dramas do so well. The role required sensitivity, steel and a touch of melancholy—all of which Lee delivered with eerie grace. The nation fell in love, and the scripts kept pouring in. Now he's one of Korea's biggest stars. 3. Song Joong-ki in 'Sungkyunkwan Scandal' (2010) Above Song Joong-ki (Photo: IMDB) Before he was a stoic soldier in Descendants of the Sun or a vengeful antihero in Vincenzo , Song Joong-ki charmed his way into hearts as the swoon-worthy, fan-wielding Gu Yong-ha in Sungkyunkwan Scandal . A Joseon playboy with a brain and a smirk, Yong-ha wasn't just comic relief, he was the scene-stealer that made everyone ask, 'Who is that guy?' This role turned him from flower-boy side character to rising lead material overnight. See more: The rise of the antihero: 10 K-drama characters who played by their own rules 4. Lee Min-ho in 'Boys Over Flowers' (2009) Above Lee Min-ho (Photo: IMDB) It's hard to imagine a time of Lee Min-ho wasn't one of Korea's biggest stars, but it wasn't so long ago. Curly-haired, punch-throwing, chaebol prince Goo Jun-pyo in Boys Over Flowers wasn't just Lee Min-ho's breakout role. He made arrogance loveable, perms trendy and set the gold standard for K-drama chaebols for years to come. The show may have had its wild moments, but Lee Min-ho's charisma made it a phenomenon that defined a generation of K-drama fans. Don't miss: Red Flags? If he's anything like these K-drama leads, better swipe left 5. Gong Yoo in 'Coffee Prince' (2007) Above Gong Yoo (Photo: IMDB) Before becoming the stoic 'Oppa' in Goblin , Gong Yoo brewed up something special as Choi Han-kyul, the emotionally constipated coffee shop heir who falls for a barista he believes is a boy. Coffee Prince wasn't just a rom-com; it was an early exploration of gender identity and love that felt progressive for its time. Gong Yoo's layered performance—funny, awkward, vulnerable—sealed his place in K-drama royalty. 6. Hyun Bin in 'My Name is Kim Sam Soon' (2005) Above Hyun Bin (Photo: IMDB) This is the role that launched a thousand Hyun Bin fantasies. As Hyun Jin-heon, the brooding restaurant heir opposite the refreshingly real Kim Sam Soon (Kim Sun-a), Hyun Bin helped redefine what a leading man could be: sharp-tongued, emotionally guarded and a bit of a he's not. The drama was a ratings behemoth and gave K-dramas their Bridget Jones moment, but it was Hyun Bin who emerged as the ultimate Mr Darcy in designer suits. This was long before Secret Garden or Crash Landing on You , but the blueprint was already there. Don't miss: 8 unforgettable body swap K-dramas 7. Son Ye-jin in 'Summer Scent' (2003) Above Son Ye-jin (Photo: IMDB) Son Ye-jin had already been dubbed the 'Nation's First Love' after her turn in Lover's Concerto , but it was Summer Scent that marked her arrival in Hallyu drama royalty. As Shim Hye-won, a woman who receives a heart transplant and unexpectedly falls for the man whose girlfriend was the donor, Son showcased her signature ability to mix quiet emotional pain with romantic intensity. This role cemented her status as a melodrama queen long before Crash Landing on You reignited her not just as one of Korea's biggest stars but the world's. 8. Shin Min-a in 'My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho' (2010) Above Shin Min-a (Photo: IMDB) Though Shin Min-a was already a model-actress hybrid with screen credits in A Love to Kill , it was her charmingly offbeat performance as a nine-tailed fox in My Girlfriend Is a Gumiho that made her a household name. Playing Mi-ho, a mythical creature who falls for a hapless student (Lee Seung-gi), she balanced comedy, innocence and pathos in a way only Shin Min-a can. Her take on the Gumiho myth breathed new life into a well-worn K-drama trope. 9. Jun Ji-hyun in 'My Love from the Star' (2013-2014) Above Jun Ji-hyun (Photo: IMDB) Already a bona fide movie star thanks to My Sassy Girl , Jun Ji-hyun's transition to television was a seismic event. As Cheon Song-yi, the hilarious, self-absorbed A-list actress who falls for an alien professor (Kim Soo-hyun), she flexed both her comedic chops and star power. Not everyone can turn high-maintenance into high art and make ramyun and soju in couture look iconic. 10. IU in 'My Mister' (2018) Above IU (Photo: IMDB) Known first as a K-pop superstar, IU, also known as Lee Ji-eun, had already acted in several dramas, but it was her role as the jaded, emotionally scarred Lee Ji-an in My Mister that shattered any lingering doubts about her acting prowess. The rawness and quiet tension she brought to her scenes with Lee Sun-kyun turned a slow-burn drama into a deeply affecting character study. It marked her graduation from idol-actress to serious leading lady. 11. Song Hye-kyo in 'Autumn in My Heart' (2000) Above Song Hye-kyo (Photo: IMDB) It's hard to overstate the impact of Autumn in My Heart . This show practically launched the Korean Wave, and, of course, its lead actress as one of Korea's biggest stars. Song Hye-kyo, playing the tragically switched-at-birth Yoon Eun-suh, brought tears to an entire generation of viewers. Her chemistry with Song Seung-heon and Won Bin was legendary, and her expressive, unshowy acting style set the tone for many melodramatic heroines to come. It was the start of a long reign as a K-drama icon. 12. Park Shin-hye in 'You're Beautiful' (2009) Above Park Shin-hye (Photo: IMDB) Park Shin-hye had been working steadily since childhood, but You're Beautiful catapulted her to the ranks of one of Korea's biggest stars. As Go Mi-nam/Go Mi-nyeo, a girl who disguises herself as her twin brother to join a K-pop boy band (yes, really), she charmed viewers with her earnestness, slapstick timing, and sweet chemistry with Jang Keun-suk. It was peak gender-bending, idol-studded chaos—and Park Shin-hye made it all work. 13. Kim Tae-hee in 'Stairway to Heaven' (2003) Above You can find the legendary Kim Tae-hee at the 8:24 mark. Before she was a beauty standard, Kim Tae-hee was everyone's favorite villain. As Han Yoo-ri in Stairway to Heaven , she was all calculating stares and cold ambition, a performance so compelling it threatened to outshine the heroine. Later, she'd headline softer roles, but it was this deliciously hateable breakout that showed she had more than just a pretty face. 14. Bae Suzy in 'Dream High' (2011) Above Bae Suzy (Photo: IMDB) Suzy went from 'the visual' of girl group Miss A to breakout actress in one fell swoop thanks to Dream High . Playing Go Hye-mi, a haughty classical singer forced to survive the world of K-pop, Suzy embodied the teen drama heroine with ambition, vulnerability and charisma. The role kicked off her acting career and a long reign as CF queen, setting her up for future hits like While You Were Sleeping and Start-Up .
