5 Korean political dramas that feature women in power

Ko Hyun-jung is seen in the 2010 SBS political drama "Big Thing." Courtesy of SBS

In the era of strong female leads, the latest Disney+ Korean original blockbuster “Tempest” was conceived out of “a desire to tell a story centered on a powerful female character.”

In contrast to other Korean political dramas where men routinely dominate the screen as presidents, kingmakers and rising stars, “Tempest” hands the reins of power to women, ranging from a former U.N. ambassador stepping into politics to a female president and behind-the-scenes power players, all against the volatile backdrop of the Korean Peninsula.

Experts note that the visible presence of female politicians on screen in Korea can be traced back to the 2010 drama “Big Thing,” which was seen as a cultural response to a society where women’s participation in both the workforce and politics had expanded significantly.

“The fact that dramas now feature not just female politicians but even a woman president reflects a dual shift of greater female entry into public life and growing attention to women’s leadership,” culture critic Jung Duk-hyun told The Korea Times.

“In many ways, these dramas mirror how real-life politics has naturally become part of women’s sphere of activity.”

Jung also pointed to Ko Hyun-jung’s memorable portrayal of Lady Misil in the 2009 historical drama “Queen Seondeok,” which laid the groundwork for complex female leadership roles in K-dramas.

Set during the era of Korea’s first reigning female monarch in the Silla Kingdom (57 B.C.E.-935 C.E.), Ko described Misil as a royal concubine of striking beauty and charisma, as well as sharp political acumen. A formidable enemy to Queen Seondeok, Misil stops at nothing to achieve her ambition of becoming queen, embodying a complex character who wields power through cunning and determination in a way that was rare for a female character of the time.

“More recently, dramas like ‘Queenmaker’ have expanded the theme, spotlighting solidarity among women, whether by depicting women vying for the presidency or others aiding their rise, underlining how narratives of female power and alliance continue to evolve on the Korean screen,” Jung added.

Another critic, Kim Kyo-seok, said, “I believe there is a trend in genre dramas where female characters are no longer confined to being incomplete figures who remain sidekicks or need support, but rather take on roles traditionally held by men — characters with power, desire or even as antagonistic behind-the-scenes villains,” noting shows like “Tempest” and “Queenmaker” that exemplify this shift.

To accompany the release of “Tempest,” here are five political K-dramas highlighting female politicians worth revisiting.

A scene from the 2010 drama "Big Thing" / Courtesy of SBS

‘Big Thing’ (2010)

SBS drama “Big Thing” centers on Seo Hye-rim (Ko Hyun-jung), a fiery news announcer who enters politics after the death of her war correspondent husband. She rises to become a member of the National Assembly and eventually Korea’s first female president.

The series is set against the backdrop of a traditionally male-dominated political arena, capturing the tensions and power struggles that arise as a woman enters and ascends in this sphere. The drama also highlights the broader political landscape marked by corruption and factionalism, as well as the complex dynamics of authority in Korean democracy, providing a nuanced portrayal of the challenges faced by women leaders in this evolving context.

The drama, now available on Netflix, mirrored real social shifts in Korea, where women were gaining ground in political influence and representation, challenging long-standing gender roles.

“This drama tells the story of a female president and received attention as it coincided with [former President] Park Geun-hye’s rise as a presidential candidate. In fact, Park went on to become Korea’s first female president in 2012,” said Jung.

Kim Hee-ae is seen in the Netflix political drama "The Whirlwind." Courtesy of Netflix

‘The Whirlwind’ (2024)

This drama begins with Prime Minister Park Dong-ho’s (Sul Kyung-gu) daring attempt to assassinate a corrupt president, triggering chaos and an intense rivalry with Deputy Prime Minister Jeong Su-jin (Kim Hee-ae), an ambitious woman who uses ruthless tactics to hold onto power.

A passionate activist-turned-lawmaker, Su-jin is a character who bluntly says, “The strong beats the right. Such is politics,” giving a peek into how she stops at nothing to gain control.

She conspires with conglomerates, engages in corrupt dealings and emits fierce determination as she rises to shake the political establishment.

Throughout the series, her transformation into a shrewd political strategist highlights the pressures and moral compromises inherent in wielding political power. Su-jin’s character arc offers a portrayal of female leadership in a fiercely patriarchal environment, illustrating how ambition and survival intermix in the corridors of power.

Moon So-ri is seen in the Netflix political series "Queenmaker." Courtesy of Netflix

‘Queenmaker’ (2023)

“While English has the term ‘kingmaker,’ there is no ‘queenmaker,’ which shows how political power has traditionally belonged to men. We wanted to portray two women, like the leads in [the 1991 film] ‘Thelma & Louise,’ diving into that world and clashing,” said Oh Jin-seok, director of Netflix's political series “Queenmaker.”

The drama follows Hwang Do-hee (Kim Hee-ae), a master of image-making and fixer for a powerful conglomerate, and Oh Kyung-sook (Moon So-ri), a human rights lawyer.

After Do-hee is forced out of the company following a tragic incident, the two team up in the political arena as they struggle to get Kyung-sook elected as mayor of Seoul. Their fight to change the world on their own terms unfolds amid a harsh political landscape.

A promotional poster for the Wavve original series "Political Fever" / Courtesy of Wavve

‘Political Fever’ (2021)

This Wavve original drama is a political black comedy focused on Lee Jung-eun (Kim Sung-ryoung), the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism and a former Olympic gold medalist.

The story follows her chaotic life as she faces the kidnapping of her husband, a progressive political commentator, amid political turmoil. Although inexperienced in politics, Jung-eun remains true to her principles and common sense, using her instincts to turn crises to her advantage.

Alongside her is lawmaker Cha Jung-won (Bae Hae-sun), a senior opposition politician with whom she shares a competitive yet cooperative relationship.

The drama was praised for its bold satire, openly referencing real politicians like former presidents Lee Myung-bak and Park Geun-hye and distinguishing itself from other politics-centered series. Mixing humor with sharp political critique and the realities of public service, it offers a fresh perspective on Korean political drama.