Best female leads!
I love nice people like the next person but I hate when the female lead is "too nice" and can't stand up for herself. No matter how pretty or ugly, nice or sour, rich or poor, the female leads on this list have a no nonsense attitude and know how to take care of themselves.
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Ella Chen
Taiwanese
As Yang Guo in Down with love. Guo Guo is such a precious girl, loving and forgiving but she also knows how to bounce back from hardships. She knows how to protect herself without keeping people at arm's length. She has no real relationship experience but she learns quickly! I also loved that she put her foot down when placing boundaries with her lover concerning their relationship. Yes, she was going to keep working, and no he had no right to monitor her every move! Hihi
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Yang Mi
Chinese
As Bai Qian in Eternal Love of course! She was not a perfect female lead and that's what I liked about her. She showed us that even an old, misanthropic, lazy, cranky, functioning alcoholic can find eternal love. I loved that she was fierce, beautiful and loyal to her family and friends, but also fierce, headstrong, and let's not forget old!
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Kim Sun Ah
South Korean
As Kim Sam Soon in My lovely Sam Soon. This woman is (supposedly) bigger at the beginning. And stays that way through the drama. She's also unapologetically shabby and cranky. She definitely know how to play the game but she doesn't really wanna. She'd rather make cakes! I like that she's professionally driven and I love that she has a normal, grown up sexual appetite. For once in dramaland makes the first move. Great!
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Moon Geun Young
South Korean
As Han Se Kyung in Alice in Cheomdamdong. I personally think that this drama is hugely underrated. Maybe because of its male lead? Don't know, but it's too bad because this is one of the most entertaining female leads. It's nice to see a female lead with such a character arc. She goes from righteous and judgemtal Candy girl, to scheming golddigger and ends up as... I guess someone in the middle. Who can follow her heart but also protect herself. Who can lead a righteous life without looking down on those who don't. And nice relationship arc with the second female lead too.
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Gong Hyo Jin
South Korean
As Tae Gong Shil in Master's sun. True she takes a lot of crap from the boss and almost everyone, but for a good reason: she just wanna sleep! She's willing to be used by the male lead because she gains from something from their relationship. As for other people, she's just too tired to care. Which makes really funny to watch the male lead's aunt try to chase the clueless sleepy girl with insults. Haha, the woman sees ghosts Auntie, you're not gonna scare her away!
