Evidence of Women Empowerment, 10 Korean Dramas Many Don't Know Were Directed by Women

Kapanlagi.com - Talking about women empowerment is not limited to just one field. There are many great women in the world who have proven themselves capable in their respective fields. South Korea is no exception.

In a country known for its K-POP, Korean Culture, and its popular dramas, women also play a significant role. In fact, many people don't know that behind some of Korea's hit dramas, there are talented female directors behind them.

So, in celebration of International Women's Day in March, here are a series of hit Korean dramas directed by women.

1. Beyond Evil

credit via JTBC

In the first place, there is Beyond Evil which tells the story of two men, Lee Dong Sik (Shin Ha Kyun) and Han Joo Won (Yeo Jin Goo), who try to defy the law to catch a serial killer. 

Throughout the investigation of the case, these two individuals ask many questions to the people involved, including themselves. Interestingly, the director of this Korean drama is a woman named Shim Na Yeon.

She achieved success as a female director since working on the Korean drama Moment at Eighteen. Although she took a hiatus, Shim Na Yeon is ready to work again in 2021.

2. Coffee Prince

credit via MBC

Next, there is Coffee Prince which tells the story of a grandson of a coffee company owner named Choi Han Gyul (Gong Yoo). Interestingly, he can hardly find a job, and Han Gyul doesn't really care about it.

On the other hand, there is Go Eun Chan (Yoon Eun Hye) who is very tomboyish and often causes trouble for every man she meets. Her father passed away when she was 16 years old, and since then she has become the breadwinner of her family.

When Han Gyul and Eun Hye first meet, he immediately recruits her to work at his Coffee Shop, as a form of responsibility given by his grandmother. Now, to attract female customers, he hires handsome men including Eun Hye. At that time, Han Gyul didn't know that Eun Hye was a woman.

This Korean drama directed by Lee Yoon Jung also successfully captures attention. She is a great female director who also worked on Cheese in the Trap.

3. Love Alarm

credit via NETFLIX

Recently released, Love Alarm has become a highly sought-after Korean drama due to its unique story. Imagine when someone is interested in you, a love alarm immediately rings within a 10-meter radius.

However, the story is not that simple. Directed by the talented female director, Lee Na Jung, this drama tells the story of Kim Jo Jo (Kim So Hyun), who is cheerful despite losing her parents at a young age, Hwang Sun Oh (Song Kang), a rich family's child who lacks parental love, and their good friend Lee Hye Yeong (Jung Ga Ram).

The three of them study at the same school. Sun Oh realizes that his friend has feelings for Jo Jo. To prove it, he kisses Jo Jo.

4. Vincenzo

credit via tvN

There is also a currently airing and popular drama, Vincenzo. Starring Song Joong Ki, this drama tells the story of Park Joo Hyung, who was adopted to Italy at the age of 8. He then changes his name to Vincenzo Cassano, who is actually a lawyer working for the mafia.

Due to the mafia's internal conflicts, he eventually flies to Korea and meets lawyer Hong Cha Young (Jun Yeo Bin). Although it appears new and carries a dark and crazy concept, little did anyone know that the director behind it is a woman named Kim Hee Won.

In Korea, she is not just any director. Thanks to her skilled hands, she was able to produce Fated to Love You, which was a hit before Vincenzo.

5. Be Melodramatic

credit via JTBC

Next in line is Be Melodramatic, which tells the story of Hwang Han Joo (Han Ji Eun), a marketing manager at a drama production house in Korea. She is a single mom who struggles to balance work and her personal life.

Han Joo is not alone, she is accompanied by Im Jin Joo (Chun Woon Hee), a drama writer with a unique personality, and Lee Eun Jung (Jun Yeo Bin), who is a documentary director.

Interestingly, Han Joo runs her own production house. One day, her documentary work goes viral overnight. That becomes the starting point for the ups and downs of the three friends' struggles in their 30s.

This drama is produced by Kim Hye Young. Although she is rarely in the spotlight, don't be mistaken, Hye Young is a famous assistant director from Korea, Lee Byung Hun. This drama Be Melodramatic is her dedication as a symbol of women empowerment.

6. The School Nurse Files

credit via NETFLIX

The School Nurse Files tells the story of Ahn Eun Young (Jung Yoo Mi) who moves to a new school. There, she can see jelly-like monsters made from waste discarded by humans.

She uses a toy knife and gun to destroy these monsters. Meanwhile, a Chinese language teacher named Hong In Pyo (Nam Joo Hyuk) has special energy. Together, they try to protect the students from the attacks of the monsters.

This super unique and interesting Korean drama is also directed by a female director named Lee Kyung Mi. Thanks to her phenomenal work, she even won several awards at the Blue Dragon Film Festival.

7. Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency

credit via JTBC

Equally interesting, there is also Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency which was a hit in its time. Born as a common blacksmith, Lee Soo (Seo Ji Hoon) never thought he would become king at the age of 23.

When he was an ordinary person, he dreamed of marrying his beloved girl Gae Ddong (Gong Seung Yeon). However, that dream shattered when he became king. He then tries to seek help from the 'Flower Crew' to turn his first love into a noblewoman, so he can marry her.

Accepting the king's offer, Ma Hoon (Kim Min Jae), Do Joon (Byeon Woo Seok), and Go Young Soo (Park Ji Hoon) work hard to transform Gae Ddong according to the king's wishes. This interesting story is the work of another cool female Korean director, Kim Ga Ram.

8. 365: Repeat the Year

credit via MBC

Not just any show, 365: Repeat the Year is a hit Korean drama that tells the story of 10 people who are given the chance to go back in time one year. However, various mysterious things happen as they try to change their fate.

Ji Hyung Joo (Lee Joon Hyuk), a former traffic police officer who was promoted to detective after catching a criminal wanted by the police, also gets the opportunity to rearrange his life.

Unfortunately, various mysterious cases start to happen to him. This is the main characteristic of the Korean drama created by Kim Kyung Hee. For many years, this female Korean director has been known for her expertise in making crime-related dramas.

9. It’s Okay To Be Sensitive

credit via Studio Onstyle

Have you ever watched the drama It's Okay To Be Sensitive? This drama is very popular because it tells the story of five new college students who have to face various challenges both inside and outside the campus.

Although this is just a web drama, it brings many moral values, such as issues of gender, sexual violence, discrimination, and many others. This courage is shown by the female director Choi Sun Mi.

She is known as a director who likes to address feminist issues. Through her works, she tries to encourage women to love themselves and be themselves in the midst of male dominance.

10. Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol

credit via KBS2.

Last but not least, there is a Korean drama called Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol which tells the story of Goo Ra Ra (Go Ah Ra), a wealthy and naive girl who dreams of becoming a pianist.

However, her dream becomes difficult to achieve as her father passes away and she experiences bankruptcy. The misfortune continues as she faces a series of car accidents and is diagnosed with a broken arm in the hospital.

A patient nurse, Sun Woo Joon (Lee Jae Wook), takes care of Ra Ra with great care, eventually touching her heart. Thanks to the talented female director Kim Min Kyung, this drama has gained great success.

Those are some famous Korean dramas that have been successful under the direction of talented female directors in Korea. Who would have thought that behind these amazing shows, there is a significant contribution from women? If they can do it amidst the tough competition in Korea, then you can also ignite the spirit of Women Empowerment in your own field!

(kly/tmi)