Whether they feature strong female leads or simply cater to the ladies, there is something for and about ladies of every age on Netflix. From fearless lawyers and brilliant CEOs to warriors fighting for justice, these K-dramas showcase resilience, intelligence, and unwavering determination.
So if you’re looking to binge watch a K-drama you’ve yet to try, and want something for the femmes, these are the shows for you – ready to be watched through and through.
Little Women
While not a direct adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel, “Little Women”, draws inspiration from its themes of sisterhood and resilience. It tells the story of three sisters, Oh In Joo (Kim Go-eun), Oh In Kyung (Nam Ji-hyun), and Oh In Hye (Park Ji-hu) as they become entangled in a high-stakes battle against Korea’s wealthiest and most powerful family. With corruption, mystery, and revenge at its core, the show is a suspenseful and emotional journey that ultimately celebrates the strength of familial bonds and the unshakeable connection between sisters.
Watch here.
The Glory
Departing from her typical melodrama roles, Song Hye-kyo stars in “The Glory” as a former victim of brutal school violence. Consumed by a thirst for retribution, she embarks on an elaborate revenge scheme to confront and torment her childhood bullies who once traumatised her. It takes immense strength, patience, and resilience to endure what Moon Dong Eun lived through, making her journey one of mental and emotional fortitude. Revenge is a dish best served cold, indeed.
Watch here.
My Name
Gritty and intense, “My Name” revolves around Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee) who comes out stronger after witnessing the death of her father. After undergoing rigorous training to hone her fighting skills, she changes her identity and infiltrates the police force in order to find the man who killed her father. Through several of the show’s breathtaking action sequences, Ji-woo proves herself as a formidable force in a world where danger’s lurking around every corner.
Watch here.
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
As a rookie attorney on the autism spectrum, Woo Young-woo (Park Eun-bin) in “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” struggles with interpersonal relationships and her job. She’s a brilliant graduate of Seoul National University with an IQ of 164, and has no trouble with building strong legal defences and effortlessly finding legal loopholes for her clients. However, her social skills fall outside of the recognised social conventions. The show follows her as she tries to overcome the prejudicial treatment at work, in court, and in her daily life.
Watch here.
Be Melodramatic
“Be Melodramatic” is a tender, heartfelt exploration of life, love, and friendship in your thirties. Celebrating the strength and vulnerability of female friendship, the show follows three women navigating the everyday messiness of adulthood starring Lim Jin-joo (Chun Woo-hee), a rookie screenwriter picking up the pieces after a painful breakup; Lee Eun-jung (Jeon Yeo-been), a documentary director silently battling grief after the sudden loss of her boyfriend; and Hwang Han-joo (Han Ji-eun), a hardworking marketing team leader juggling the demands of her career and life as a single mother.
Watch here.
Search WWW
Bae Ta-mi (Lim Soo-jung), Cha Hyeon (Lee Da-hee), and Song Ga-gyeong (Jeon Hye-jin) are in their late thirties, and are also corporate queens working in renowned web portal companies. They navigate workplace drama and aim for nothing less than perfection in their jobs. “Search WWW” provides an in-depth look into the lives of three ambitious, confident, strong-willed, and sassy women as they navigate work, life, and love.
Watch here.
Queenmaker
According to “Queenmaker”, women are never too emotional for politics. This compelling political show centres on two formidable women: Hwang Do-Hee (Kim Hee-ae), a brilliant image-maker for a powerful conglomerate, and Oh Kyung-sook (Moon So-ri), a passionate human rights lawyer. When Do-Hee walks away from her corporate role to manage Kyung-sook’s campaign for Seoul’s mayoral election, the result is a gripping story of ambition, integrity, and sisterhood in the face of power.
Watch here.
A Virtuous Business
Set in 1992, “A Virtuous Business“ follows the “Bangpan Sisters,” four bold women selling adult products door-to-door in a conservative rural area, blending humour and resilience to address topics often kept private. The show features middle-aged women (Kim So-yeon, Kim Sung-ryung, Kim Sun-young, Lee Se-hee) tackling the taboo topic of female sexuality with humor and heart, and champions the message of financial independence for women at any age. Bold, empowering, and refreshingly honest, it breaks norms while celebrating womanhood.
Watch here.
Agency
“Agency” highlights Go Ah-in (Lee Bo Young) as the first female executive at a prominent advertising agency and her rise to power. Ah-in’s persona starts off strong, often demonstrating her ability to get what she wants and that results in her starting her own agency with her closest allies despite the fact that doing so requires much personal sacrifice and conflict. The show conveys how a woman who has faced significant obstacles in her life ultimately triumphs.
Watch here.
As You Stood By
Based on the Japanese novel “Naomi and Kanako” by Hideo Okuda, the new Netflix mini-series “As You Stood By” revolves around the lives of two women who are forced to execute a deadly plan to commit murder as their only escape from an unbearable reality. It follows the bond of Eun-su (Jeon So-nee) and Hui-su (Lee Yoo-mi) as they try to break free from the cycle of suffering, weaving a story of solidarity and survival. The show showcases the horrors many women face, clearly set up to make them cry out for help when they need it.
Watch here.
