How K-Dramas Are Revolutionising Gender Representation

From feisty heroines to men embracing roles traditionally reserved for women, Korean dramas are boldly flipping the script.

K-dramas have long been known for their thrilling plots, gripping emotions and charming characters. But what if we told you that today’s K-dramas are also revolutionising how we think about gender? The once typical portrayal of the delicate, passive heroine and the strong, stoic hero has begun to undergo a fascinating transformation. 

Across genres, the concept of gender roles is being shaken up, creating fresh, exciting narratives where characters no longer have to conform to age-old stereotypes. From feisty heroines to men embracing roles traditionally reserved for women, Korean dramas are boldly flipping the script.

Let’s explore how these K-dramas challenge the traditional gender dynamics that we’ve come to expect and celebrate the rising stars of this new wave of storytelling.

Breaking the mould of femininity

K-drama has long been home to stories where the female lead, often sweet and demure, finds herself in the clutches of a dashing, protective male lead. But recently, there’s been a powerful shift toward portraying women who defy these conventional traits. 

One such standout is Coffee Prince (2007), a pioneering show that set the stage for more progressive portrayals of women in K-dramas. The story centres on Go Eun-chan (Yoon Eun-hye), a young woman who presents herself as a tomboy to secure work at a cafe. 

Eun-chan is a martial arts expert and though her life is far from easy, she remains unapologetically herself, sporting baggy clothes and a no-nonsense attitude.

Her appeal? Eun-chan isn’t there to undergo a feminine makeover for the sake of romance. Instead, her relationship with the male lead, Choi Han-kyul (Gong Yoo), is built on mutual respect, with Han-kyul appreciating her for who she is, not what she looks like. 

This portrayal of a woman who does not need to fit into traditional feminine ideals of fragility and softness was a breath of fresh air and remains a model for K-dramas that challenge stereotypical gender expectations.

Fast forward to Mother (2018), and you’ll find another example of a strong female lead who subverts traditional femininity. Kang Soo-jin (Lee Bo-young) is a high school teacher who goes to extreme lengths to protect a vulnerable student from abuse, even going so far as to kidnap her. 

Soo-jin’s toughness is portrayed not as a flaw, but as a sign of strength, compassion and moral fortitude. She defies the traditional image of the gentle, nurturing mother, proving that a woman can be fierce and fiercely loving at the same time.

The rise of the ‘power’ girl

In recent years, K-dramas have also brought forward a new type of heroine: one who is both physically and mentally strong. Strong Girl Do Bong-soon (2017) is a perfect example of this trend. 

The titular character, Bong-soon (Park Bo-young), is a girl with superhuman strength who uses her abilities to fight off criminals while dealing with the everyday struggles of being a young woman in a patriarchal society. Bong-soon’s story isn’t just about the thrills of her strength – it’s about embracing her uniqueness, finding her own voice, and navigating the complexities of love, family and career.

Similarly, My Name (2021) introduces Yoon Ji-woo (Han So-hee), a woman whose quest for vengeance leads her into the dangerous world of organised crime. Her physical prowess and determination to avenge her father’s death make her one of the most compelling action heroines in K-drama. 

Ji-woo is emotionally scarred and haunted by her past, yet she rises from the ashes to become a fierce warrior, showing that women can be both vulnerable and powerful in equal measure.

When men take on “Feminine” roles

But it’s not just the female characters who are stepping outside their gender norms. K-dramas are also beginning to explore narratives where men take on roles traditionally occupied by women, often with surprising and delightful results.

One notable example is The King’s Affection (2021), a period drama that centres around Lee Hwi (Park Eun-bin), a woman who assumes the identity of her twin brother to take his place as the crown prince of Joseon. 

This gender-swap narrative is filled with tension and complexity as Lee Hwi navigates her royal duties, relationships and of course, her hidden identity. The show subverts expectations by showing how Lee Hwi’s struggle with her gender doesn’t make her any less capable or worthy of respect. 

Her eventual romantic relationship with Jung Ji-un (Ro Woon) is particularly touching because it transcends the typical hero-heroine dynamic. Ji-un falls in love with Lee Hwi not because of her gender, but because of her strength, intelligence and inner resolve.

Similarly, Love to Hate You (2023) introduces Yeo Mi-ran (Kim Ok-vin), a lawyer who refuses to submit to patriarchal norms, using her martial arts skills to navigate the often misogynistic world around her. 

Switching the roles of CEO and secretary

When it comes to romantic dynamics, K-dramas have often played with the trope of the CEO and secretary. But in recent years, we’ve seen a refreshing twist: women in the role of the CEO and men taking on more nurturing, supportive positions. 

Take the ongoing K-drama Love Scout (2025), for example. In this drama, Kang Ji-yun (Han Ji-min) is a CEO who excels at work but is utterly hopeless at managing her personal life. Enter Yu Eun-ho (Lee Joon-hyuk), her new secretary, who is a single dad and has a knack for managing both his child and Ji-yun’s chaotic life. 

Eun-ho’s role as a caretaker challenges traditional gender norms by showing a man in a nurturing role, one typically associated with women in K-dramas.

Eun-ho’s acts of kindness – like attaching rubber corners to Ji-yun’s desk or offering her a pink rubber band – are sweet and endearing, but they also show a deeper message: Men can be caretakers and that doesn’t make them any less masculine. 

It’s a powerful commentary on how gender roles are fluid, and how being emotionally supportive isn’t confined to one gender.

Flipping career stereotypes

Lastly, in the world of K-dramas, we’re seeing more examples of characters who defy traditional career expectations based on gender. When the Stars Gossip (2025), another ongoing K-drama features a gender-reversed narrative that is groundbreaking. 

Lee Min-ho plays Gong Ryung, an obstetrician-gynecologist – a role typically associated with women in many societies. His counterpart, Eve Kim (Gong Hyo-jin), is an astronaut, a profession more often portrayed as a male-dominated field. Their unusual careers create a compelling dynamic in which both characters challenge the audience’s preconceptions about gendered professions.

Gong Ryung’s choice to become an OB-GYN is motivated by his deep love for helping bring life into the world, not financial gain. This adds an emotional layer to his character, making him far more grounded and relatable than the typical “cool guy” roles that Lee Min-ho has previously played. 

Meanwhile, Eve Kim’s ambitious journey as an astronaut shows that women, too, can dominate fields historically associated with men, all while navigating their own vulnerabilities and emotional complexities.

The new normal: Redefining gender in K-Dramas

In the world of K-dramas, we’re witnessing a quiet revolution. No longer are characters confined to narrow definitions of masculinity and femininity. Shows like The King’s Affection, My Name, Love to Hate You, Love Scout and When the Stars Gossip among others are proving that breaking down gender barriers is not only possible but incredibly engaging for audiences. 

With these groundbreaking narratives, K-dramas are showing us that there’s no one way to be a man or a woman – and that’s a story worth watching.