The Quintessential Intelligent Female Heroine
Which dramas will stay in history -- or just your fond memory -- for having the smartest female protagonists of all time?
See my other Voting Lists here.
Estelll Mar 23, 2020
-
![Search: WWW]()
This drama delves into the challenges and triumphs of modern women who have chosen career over traditional family roles. Bae Ta Mi, a competitive director at a major web portal company in ...more -
![Crash Landing on You]()
After getting into a paragliding accident, South Korean heiress Yoon Se Ri crash lands in North Korea. There, she meets North Korean army officer Ri Jung Hyuk, who agrees to help her ...more -
![Hotel del Luna]()
Nestled deep in the heart of Seoul’s thriving downtown sits a curious hotel, the like of which no one has ever seen before. Old beyond measure, the building has stood for millennia, ...more -
![Itaewon Class]()
Park Saeroyi's life has been turned upside down after he gets expelled from school for punching a bully and his father is killed in an accident. Following his father's steps, he opens ...more -
![My Mister]()
Park Dong Hoon is a middle-aged engineer who is married to attorney Kang Yoon Hee. However, his life is not that happy as he has two unemployed brothers, Sang Hoon and Gi ...more -
![Empress Ki]()
Genghis Khan built an empire that spanned vast regions in East Asia and East Europe. And there was one woman who held immense power in the Yuan Dynasty, which Genghis Khan founded, ...more -
![Mr. Sunshine]()
Mr. Sunshine centers on a young boy born into a house servant's family who travels to the United States during the 1871 Shinmiyangyo (U.S. expedition to Korea). He returns to his homeland ...more -
![The Story of Ming Lan]()
Set in the Northern Song dynasty, the story follows Sheng Ming Lan, an unfavored concubine-born 6th daughter of an official. After losing her mother at a young age, Ming Lan is raised ...more -
![Story of Yanxi Palace]()
In 18th century Beijing, during the 6th year of Qianlong Emperor's reign, Wei Ying Luo enters the Forbidden City as an embroiderer to investigate the truth behind her older sister's rape and ...more -
![What's Wrong with Secretary Kim]()
The series revolves around the narcissistic Lee Young Joon, the vice president of a company run by his family. He is very self-absorbed and thinks highly of himself, so much that he ...more -
![Healer]()
Seo Jung Hoo is a special kind of night courier, known only as "Healer" by his clients. For the right price and with the help of a genius hacker, he gets his ...more -
![Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok Joo]()
Bok Joo is a weightlifter who is pursuing her dream of winning the gold medal but she then finds romance for the first time in her life. While she is a woman ...more -
![Be Melodramatic]()
Im Jin Joo, Lee Eun Jung, and Hwang Han Joo are best friends who are 30-years-old. Hwang Han Joo is the head of a marketing team for a drama production company. She ...more -
![Fight for My Way]()
Can you still go after your dreams without the right background? Ko Dong Man has always dreamed of becoming famous as a taekwondo athlete but now works as a contract employee in ...more -
![Love O2O]()
Xiao Nai is a gaming expert who, courtesy of his basketball skills, academic excellence, swimming talent, and game company presidency, also happens to be the most popular student on campus. When he ...more -
![Avengers Social Club]()
It features three women from different walks of life coming together for revenge: a middle-aged fish store owner who envisioned a better life for herself, a housewife, and an heiress who was ...more -
![Princess Agents]()
The story takes place during the chaotic times of Wei, where innocent citizens are often kidnapped and turned into slaves. Slave girl, Chu Qiao was thrown into a forest along with other ...more -
![Memorist]()
Dong Baek possesses an extraordinary gift - the ability to delve into the memories of those he touches. His remarkable talent, striking appearance, and no-nonsense approach have made him a world-renowned detective. ...more -
![While You Were Sleeping]()
Nam Hong Ju, endowed with the ability to foresee events, resides with her widowed mother who runs a small restaurant. Despite her gift, she often finds herself powerless to change the outcomes. ...more -
![Misty]()
Go Hye Ran is an ambitious anchorwoman for the popular news show, News 9. She is passionate about her job and doesn't stop until she gets what she wants. One day, she ...more -
![Because This Is My First Life]()
A house-poor man and homeless woman become housemates in a drama that examines the institution of marriage and the problems that young people face today. Nam Se Hui is a single man ...more -
![Queen Seon Deok]()
The story of a beautiful queen, who has to give up her love to save the people. A biopic of Queen Seon Deok, who was born a princess and later became the ...more -
![I'm Not a Robot]()
Kim Min Kyu is the largest shareholder of a financial company. He suffers from a "human allergy", preventing him from normal interactions with other people. He becomes interested in a robotic project ...more -
![Angry Mom]()
The protagonist, Jo Kang Ja was once legendary for being the toughest, most feared troublemaker at her high school in Busan. Due to her pregnancy in her late teens, she drops out ...more -
![King2Hearts]()
Kim Hang Ah is a legendary top female instructor working for North Korea’s elite special forces unit. With stamina, training tactics, and strength in all areas, she is the perfect female soldier; ...more -
![Secret Garden]()
The drama tells the story of Kim Joo Won, an arrogant and eccentric CEO who maintains the image of seeming perfection, and Gil Ra Im, a poor and humble stuntwoman whose beauty ...more -
![Hyena]()
'Hyena' deals with very competitive, private lawyers who only work for the richest 1% of society. Lawyer Jung Geum Ja crosses the boundaries of law and lawlessness, justice and injustice, ethics and ...more -
![The Beauty Inside]()
Han Se Gye is a top actress, also known as a troublemaker, with many rumors around her. To others, her life appears as a mystery, when in fact she is faced with ...more -
![Descendants of the Sun]()
A love story that develops between a surgeon and a special forces officer. Kang Mo Yeon is a pretty and assertive woman who works as a cardiothoracic surgeon at Haesung Hospital. She ...more -
![Go Go Squid!]()
Han Shang Yan, a former legend in the CTF cyber-security esports world, had long retired to set up his own esports club, K&K, to train a group of young teenage boys as ...more -
![The Rise of Phoenixes]()
Feng Zhi Wei is the unfavored daughter of the Qiu Family, who has to flee due to unfortunate circumstances. Owing a favour to the 6th prince Ning Yi, Zhi Wei cross-dresses as ...more -
![Age of Youth]()
Five girls in their twenties come to live together in a house called "Belle Epoque," which means "a beautiful time" in French. Each girl has a particular personality, background, and issues. In ...more -
![Goblin]()
Kim Shin was once an unbeatable general in Goryeo's military who died a tragic death. He now possesses immortality but is tired of living while everyone else around him dies. For 900 ...more -
![Signal]()
Fifteen years ago, a young girl was kidnapped on the way from school, and Park Hae Yeong, who was an elementary school student at that time, witnessed the crime. A few days ...more -
![Save Me]()
Following the failure of her father's business, Sang Mi and her family move to Muji-gun, where they have no friends or relatives. There she meets four young men, Han Sang Hwan, Seok ...more -
![My Love from the Star]()
Do Min Joon is an alien who landed on Earth 400 years ago during the Joseon Dynasty period. He possesses a near perfect appearance and enhanced physical abilities involving his vision, hearing ...more -
![Miss Hammurabi]()
Park Cha Oh Reum is a newly appointed judge who is assigned to the 44th Civil Affairs Department at the Seoul Central District. She is always on the lookout for injustice and ...more -
![Jewel in the Palace]()
About 500 years ago during the time of Chosun Dynasty, Korea boasted a rigidly hierarchical and male dominated social structure. Based on a true story about a legendary girl, Jang Geum, who ...more -
![The Princess's Man]()
Princess Se Ryung is the headstrong and forward-thinking daughter of Grand Prince Su Yang, who is determined to be King. She falls in love with the son of his mortal enemy, and ...more -
![The Princess Wei Young]()
The Northern Wei Dynasty was obliterated one night leaving behind the kindhearted Princess Feng Xin Er as an orphan. Although she escapes death, she accidentally enters her enemy's territory and she assumes ...more -
![Chicago Typewriter]()
This drama follows the lives of two men and a woman through two eras: one during the 1930s Japanese occupation of Korea and the other in the 21st century. The three main ...more -
![Kill Me, Heal Me]()
A traumatic childhood experience leaves Cha Do Hyeon, suffering from memory loss and dissociation. The latter has resulted in the creation of seven distinct personalities. Wanting to regain control over his life, ...more -
![Someday or One Day]()
In 2019, 27-year-old Huang Yu Xuan yearns for her missing boyfriend Wang Quan Sheng, presumed dead for two years. On her birthday, she wishes to "see him." Meanwhile, in 1998, 17-year-old Chen ...more -
![Kingdom]()
As the Joseon King succumbs to smallpox the rumors of his death begin. The Cho Clan, which is the clan of the pregnant Queen and her father, together with the the Chief ...more -
![When the Weather Is Fine]()
A story about forgiveness, healing, and love taking place around a small bookstore in the countryside. Hae Won is an ordinary woman with good character. She has played the cello since she ...more -
![Dr. Romantic]()
Kim Sa Bu was once a famous surgeon at the peak of his career at a major hospital. But he suddenly gives it all up one day to live in seclusion and ...more -
![Arsenal Military Academy]()
In the early years of the 20th century, Chinese military forces find themselves locked in a drawn-out, bloody conflict as they fight back again the Imperial Japanese army. The government drafts young ...more -
![Cheese in the Trap]()
Having returned to college after a year long break due to her family's poor background, Hong Seol, a hardworking over-achiever, inadvertently gets on the wrong side of her senior, Yoo Jung, who's ...more -
![Reply 1997]()
Set in the 1990s, the drama centers around a female high school student Shi Won, who idolizes boyband H.O.T, and her 5 high school friends in Busan. As the timeline moves back ...more -
![Ode to Joy]()
Five women live on the 22 floor of the same apartment. Different in personalities, they each have their own struggles in their career, families and love life. As they get to know ...more -
![Strong Woman Do Bong Soon]()
Do Bong Soon is a petite, unemployed woman who is honest and kind. She appears little and sweet on the outside, but she is in fact very, very strong. For generations in ...more -
![Legend of Lu Zhen]()
To escape her cruel stepmother, Lu Zhen enters the palace as an attendant. She was quickly promoted through the ranks for her pottery-making skill. During this time, she captures the heart of ...more -
![Age of Youth Season 2]()
Five girls in their 20s share a house called Belle Époque. A year has passed since “Hello, My Twenties 1.” Each of them got a job, went back to school, is still ...more -
![Encounter]()
What happens when an encounter between a man and a woman who seem to have nothing in common develops into a complicated love story? Cha Soo Hyun is the daughter of a ...more -
![Stranger]()
Hwang Shi Mok underwent brain surgery as a child to curb his violent temper, which left him devoid of emotions. Hwang becomes a prosecutor known for his piercing intelligence and logic, but ...more -
![Young Blood]()
A story that takes place during turbulent times when the Northern Song and Western Xia were at war. Six young individuals undergo training to become spies in order to defend their country. ...more -
![Partners for Justice]()
Baek Beom has worked as a forensic doctor for 10 years. He is excellent at his work but does not open his mind to other people. Eun Sol is a rookie prosecutor ...more -
![Scarlet Heart]()
A car accident sends Zhang Xiao back in time into the body of one of her previous reincarnations, a 16-year-old aristocratic Manchu girl, Maertai Ruoxi, who lived during the Qing Dynasty. Despite ...more -
![Tell Me What You Saw]()
Oh Hyun Jae used to be a top criminal profiler. He solved many cases with his skills, but one day, an explosion caused by a serial killer ended the life of his ...more -
![The K2]()
Kim Je Ha is a former mercenary soldier known as “K2” who suddenly turns into a fugitive when he is wrongfully accused of killing his girlfriend while he is serving in Iraq. ...more -
![Sound of the Desert]()
Yu Jin was raised within the desert tribes of Xiong Nu, although her foster father is a Han. Under certain circumstances, she was forced to flee to Chang'an, the then capital of ...more -
![Kleun Cheewit]()
Jeerawat is a hardworking woman, who is a famous model and actress. Her mother married a smarmy but rich man, who secretly lusts after her. After he attempts to drug Jeerawat, she ...more -
![Big Issue]()
Set within the frenzy world of the paparazzi media. Due to a photograph, Han Seok Joo loses everything, including his job as a photographer for a top newspaper and his family. Ji ...more -
![The Queen's Classroom]()
A new school year begins at Hanzaki Elementary School, and there's a new mysterious teacher named Akutsu Maya in grade 6, class 3. Meanwhile, Kanda Kazumi is now entering the 6th grade ...more -
![The Nokdu Flower]()
Set during the Donghak Peasant Revolution (1894-1895), two half-brothers find themselves on opposing sides of the conflict. Baek Yi Kang is the first son of a prominent family whose wealthy father is ...more -
![The Empress of China]()
In 637 AD, a young girl named Wu Ru Yi from Jingzhou County was selected into the imperial harem of the Tang Dynasty. Ru Yi danced very well and outshined all the ...more -
![Ms. Temper & Nam Jung Gi]()
Although renowned as the youngest team supervisor in her company, Da Jung has been divorced three times already and is always surrounded by suspicion and disdain because of her bad temper. She ...more -
![War and Beauty]()
Fifteen years after Qing Emperor Ka Hing was crowned, the country appears to be in harmony. However, fights between the imperial concubines escalate. Beauty never lasts. All the imperial concubines, including the ...more -
![The King of Dramas]()
Anthony Kim, a brilliant CEO of a drama production company who will do anything and everything for the sake of money, fame and success. He is known to possess the Midas touch ...more -
![Dung Duang Haruetai]()
Three neighboring kingdoms share a common border where all three meet, called the Tripoint. Mountainous Kasik, in the north, is the wealthiest and most powerful but lacks a sea route, which is ...more -
![Madame Antoine]()
Soo Hyun is a psychologist based in America who has famous celebrities as his patients. But he suddenly returns to Korea and opens a psychotherapy center. A fraud fortune-teller named Hye Rim ...more -
![A Korean Odyssey]()
In 2017, Son Oh Gong and Ma Wang are in conflict with each other as they look for a true light in a dark world where evil thrives. Having made a contract ...more -
![Eternal Love]()
The Nine-tailed Fox Bai Qian, the youngest daughter of the Fox King, is brought to Kunlun Mountain to become a disciple of the God of War, Mo Yuan. While studying there, a ...more -
![One Spring Night]()
Feeling trapped in a stale four-year relationship and reluctant to take the next step into marriage, Lee Jung In stumbles into Yu Ji Ho's pharmacy one morning, nursing a hangover after a ...more -
![Strawberry on the Shortcake]()
At some point, Irie Manato began to withdraw himself from the world. Even when picked on, it's not the real Irie, but an act. However one day he meets a strange girl ...more -
![Tale of the Nine-Tailed]()
The mythical nine-tailed fox, or gumiho, Lee Yeon had to settle in the city many centuries ago. Able to transform into human form, he eradicates supernatural beings that threaten the mortal world. ...more -
![Chief of Staff]()
Jang Tae Joon graduated from the Korean National Police University and worked as a detective. He wanted to gain more power and decided to work in the National Assembly. Now, he is ...more -
![What's Up, Fox?]()
Single 33-year-old Go Byeong Hee works as a reporter for a sex magazine. She wants more romance and a more respectable life but isn't sure how to get it. 24-year-old Park Chul ...more -
![Witch's Court]()
Ma Yi Deum, a materialistic female prosecutor who does not hesitate to use personal attacks, fabricate evidence, and incite perjury in order to win her case is assigned to a special task ...more -
![Hi Bye, Mama!]()
It's the story of a mother who died and begins a 49-day long project of reincarnation, and a husband who has barely begun to live a new life after overcoming the pain ...more -
![Voice]()
A childhood accident left Irin with a unique ability for frequency and sound, which most people cannot decipher. Her skills were tested when she took an emergency call at the precinct and ...more -
![Familiar Wife]()
Cha Joo Hyuk works at a bank and has been married to Seo Woo Jin for five years. When a strange incident happens one day, Joo Hyuk makes a decision that impacts ...more -
![East of Eden]()
The drama will be about two men whose fates are crossed from the very first day that they were born. Both men were born in the same hospital. When he was five ...more -
![Love Destiny]()
This is a story where karma, merit, love destiny and a moon mantra combine to fling Kadesurang, a chubby archaeologist, into the body of another woman, Karakade, during the Ayutthaya era (300 ...more -
![Romance Is a Bonus Book]()
Cha Eun Ho is a successful and handsome writer who is also the youngest chief editor at a publishing company. He has a calm demeanor and remains reasonable at work. He then ...more -
![Thousand Years of Love]()
More than a thousand years ago from the present time, Puyeoju is the Baek Jae Empire's princess. Unlike other princesses, she is active and skilled in the arts and in sports. When ...more -
![Singing All Along]()
Liu Xiu fell in love with Yin Li Hua the moment he laid eyes on her, commenting that his ideal job would be as a chamberlain of the imperial insignia, and his ...more -
![Who Rules the World]()
Hei Feng Xi is handsome and elegant, while Bai Feng Xi is majestic and unrestrained. Opposites attract as both are unrivaled in skill and intellect. Caught in the warfare and chaos of ...more -
![Go Ho's Starry Night]()
At twenty-nine-years-old, Go Ho faces the struggles of the modern-day woman, namely the struggles to succeed in work and romance in the 21st Century. An advertisement contractor who is unlucky in love, ...more -
![Feel Good to Die]()
Baek Jin Sang is Lee Roo Da’s boss and he works as a team leader of a company. The team members, including Lee Roo Da, do not like him at all. He ...more -
![Luk Mai Klai Ton]()
Rasa's mother, Supa, is on her death bed. She reveals to her daughter that Rasa's biological father is Supa's old wealthy boss, Chalerm, who had raped Supa. She tells her he gave ...more -
![The Imperial Coroner]()
Young girl Chu Chu came from a family of coroners. She meets Prince Xiao Jin Yu, a dignified prince in charge of criminal lawsuit who appeared weak and sickly. Prince Xiao lacks ...more -
![Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung]()
The story takes place at the beginning of the 19th century. Goo Hae Ryung is an intern to become a palace historian. However, it was not acceptable for women to write historical ...more -
![Kill It]()
Will a killer-turned-veterinarian and a detective find common ground? Kim Soo Hyun is a veterinarian who is also a professional killer. Many individuals and organizations hire him for large sums of money. ...more -
![Back from the Brink]()
After a lover's betrayal, the ancient dragon Tian Yao found himself badly wounded and heartbroken. The woman he loved betrayed him by dismembering him and stripping him of his dragon scales and ...more -
![Doctor John]()
"Doctor John" is a medical drama centered on pain management specialists. It offers a unique perspective, treating the doctors' quest for the source of their patients' enigmatic pain as an exhilarating pursuit, ...more -
![Love in the Moonlight]()
To protect herself and her family, Hong Ra On disguises herself as a man and counsels men on dating. Due to a love letter she wrote for a client, she meets Crown ...more -
![Bow See Chompoo]()
Bow is a beautiful women who dates rich men. Unluckily she happens to be dating Det and Det's father at the same time. Worse yet, both Det and his father have close ...more -
![Buang Ruk Gamathep]()
Phubodee is summoned back to Thailand from America by his very concerned mother. They have a family crisis because his younger brother, Prawat, has fallen in love with a woman from the ...more -
![The Crown Princess]()
The main heroine - a princess of a small country, comes into danger after her coronation. To protect her they send her to Thailand, where the main hero - a navy man- ...more
