Strong/Smart female leads in historical drama

Can something recommend dramas with strong/ smart female lead. I prefer for the woman to be the lead actor. I Also prefer to watch historical dramas for this genre. Couldn’t have been easy to be a strong/smart female in such a patriarchal time. So historical drama recommendations with strong/smart female lead. Korean or Chinese please  

Some of my Top faves

Empress ki

Princess Agents

Legend of Fuyao

Princess Weiyoung 

Sound of the desert

Legend of Lu Zhen

The King’s woman 

Scarlet heart 

Story of Ming Lan

Story of Yanxi palace 

The Princess Man - Moon Chae Won (Le SeRyung)

Thanks for the recommendations. I couldn’t get past ep 2 of Romance of Tiger and Rose. I found the leads too young and cutesy for me. 

Also check out:

• Mr.Sunshine
• Nothing Gold Can Stay
• Legend of Concubine Zhen Huan
• Legend Of Haulan
• Cruel Palace
• Queen Insoo
• Hwang Jini
• Jang MyungGo
• Queen Dugu
• Nirvana in Fire
• Hua Mulan
• Period dramas:
  • Arsenal Military Academy
  • Rookie Agent Rouge
  • Different Dreams

Thank you Jess4163

 PeggySue:

Looks like we like a lot of the same types of dramas. The ones you listed are some of my all time favorites. A few more I enjoyed/loved are: 

• The Rise of the Phoenixes
• Rookie Agent Rogue (though this one is a diff time, I think 1930s?) 
• Legend of the Phoenix
• The Song of Glory
• The Imperial Doctress
• The Love Story of Court Enemies (the FL carries this drama!)
• The Heiress (cross dressing & not usually my cup of tea, but I enjoyed it!)
• Love and Destiny

I just watched Rookie Agent Rouge. Loved it. The main Lead is so handsome and very James Bond like. I have never been able to go past ep 3 of Rise of the Phoenixes. I should give it another go. Loved Love and Destiny. One of my fave Wuxia Dramas. Thanks for the recommendations. 

Also try "Mu Guiying Takes Command" and "Lost Love in Times."  

This is also my favorite genre and your top list is almost identical to mine.  I wish there were more dramas with strong smart female leads. I don't understand why writers think that the audience likes weak, silly and naive fl. I hope this trend will change.  

 PeggySue:

Looks like we like a lot of the same types of dramas.

me too, so you know phoenixes, I'm sure u loved it, so I'll recommend "king in love" you ^_^