After six weeks of action, suspense, and revelations, “Queen of Divorce” has come to an end. While it is difficult to find something that has a strong female lead driven by her desire for revenge with a mostly light-hearted tone, there are a few K-dramas that definitely come close. So, in honor of Lee Ji Ah’s amazing portrayal of a much-needed strong female lead, here are five female lead-centric revenge K-dramas to watch.
“The Glory”
Moon Dong Eun (Song Hye Kyo) was just an ordinary high school student who wanted to become an architect and turn her life around. However, after getting bullied every day at school by the rich kids, she had no option but to drop out of school. While Dong Eun’s life has turned 180 degrees, her bullies continue living their lives as if nothing had happened. But years later, when no one expects it, Dong Eun returns with a plan.
What you might like:
Just like any other genre, the underdog taking revenge on their school bully has been done before tens, if not hundreds, of times. Just in the year when “The Glory” was released, “Weak Hero Class 1” took over viewers’ hearts. However, what makes “The Glory” unique is not its high-budget production, but the satisfaction of the revenge plan execution done right. Dong Eun has been brutally bullied to the point where her entire body is scarred, and she makes sure to give the same treatment back. “The Glory” is not afraid of showing the goriest revenge plans. This K-drama was also the second project that Song Hye Kyo worked on after her long hiatus, and everything from her dialogue delivery to her poster screams “strong female lead.”
“My Name”
The plot of “My Name” revolves around Yoon Ji Woo, played by Han So Hee. After Ji Woo’s father is murdered, she joins an organized crime ring, and under his boss, Choi Moo Jin’s (Park Hee Soon) order, she joins the police force. The motive, only one, to avenge her father’s death.
What you might like:
In terms of the story, “My Name” is no different from similar revenge tales. However, the lack of comedic scenes and the consistent dark theme make it stand apart from K-dramas of similar narratives. “My Name” is produced by none other than Kim Jin Min, who has also blessed us with “Extracurricular” and “Lawless Lawyer,” so you can be sure the action sequences are going to be unadulterated and gruesome. On top of that, Han So Hee’s ability to portray raw emotions on-screen makes you connect with and root for the character of Ji Woo on a deeper level.
“Here’s My Plan”
Lee So Hyun (Kim Hwan Hee) is an unusual 20-year-old. She dropped out of school and chose the not-so-honest career of pickpocketing to support herself. She has never been satisfied with her life and wants to take revenge on people who made her life unhappy. During her revenge story, So Hyun meets Lee Jae Young, a sweet and kind-hearted restaurant owner, a connection that might change So Hyun’s life.
What you might like:
The majority of viewers would definitely not categorize “Here’s My Plan” as a revenge story. But it is equally reasonable to consider a story as revenge even if there is no gruesome revenge sequence at play. So Hyun has been wronged, and her desire to take revenge upon people who ruined her life is justifiable. However, sometimes the best revenge is when you choose to better yourself and leave your past behind. To top it all off, with only four episodes in total, “Here’s My Plan” might be the perfect bingewatch-worthy K-drama for romance lovers out there. Our main leads are quite young, but their relationship is at times more mature than mainstream K-drama couples.
Watch “Here’s My Plan”
“Angry Mom”
Jo Kang Ja’s (Kim Hee Sun) life changed when she got pregnant as a teenager. She dropped out of school to take care of her daughter, Oh Ah Ran (Kim Yoo Jung). Years later, when she finally thought her life was better, she found out her daughter was getting bullied at school. So, the now 34-year-old Kang Ja, disguised as a teenager, joins her daughter’s school to take revenge on her daughter’s bullies.
What you might like:
If you think “Angry Mom” is just another comedy school drama with a ridiculous plot, then you cannot be any more wrong. Despite having a somewhat hysterical plot, “Angry Mom” is a serious story showing the issue of high school bullying from the perspective of a mother. Plus, the relationship between Kang Ja and her daughter will bring tears to your eyes.
“Avengers Social Club”
“Avengers Social Club” tells the story of Kim Jung Hye (Lee Yo Won), the daughter of a chaebol, Hong Do Hee (Ra Mi Ran), a fish seller, and Lee Mi Sook (Myung Se Bin), a housewife who grew up as an orphan. These three women work together to get revenge on their perpetrators.
What you might like:
“Avengers Social Club” is a healthy blend of comedy and a revenge tale. Our main characters have nothing in common other than their desire for revenge. However, throughout the show, they develop a close bond that will last them a lifetime. For people who love the found-family trope, “Avengers Social Club” is the perfect K-drama to watch on a rainy afternoon.
Did your favorite female-lead-centric revenge K-drama make it to the list? Let us know in the comments!
Javeria is a binge-watching specialist who loves devouring entire K-dramas in one sitting. Good screenwriting, beautiful cinematography, and a lack of cliches are the way to her heart. As a music fanatic, she listens to multiple artists across different genres but believes no one can top the self-producing idol group SEVENTEEN. You can talk to her on Instagram @javeriayousufs.
Currently watching: “A Killer Paradox”
Looking forward to: “The Escape of the Seven: Resurrection”, “Chief Detective 1958”, and “Parasyte: The Grey”