When it comes to Korean dramas and TV shows in general, the female characters can sometimes come across one-dimensional. While they were entertaining to watch, some of these characters rarely had any agency or any plot and storyline of their own. The good news is that there's now a wide range of shows where the female leads have realised storylines and a purpose (and identity) that went beyond being the love interest.

Here, we round up some of our best picks. These women break the proverbial glass ceiling and boundaries of what a female lead "should" be. Take a look below.

It's Okay To Not Be Okay

Credit: Netflix

A female lead unlike any other, Ko Mun Yeong (Seo Ye Ji) from It's Okay To Not Be Okay stole the scenes with her take-charge personality and penchant for brutal candour. The complex female lead endured emotional abuse as a child, and developed antisocial personality disorder. For those who don't know her well, she comes across cold and detached but as we come to see in the show, there's more than what meets the eye.

It's Okay To Not Be Okay is available for streaming on Netflix.

Flower of Evil

Credit: tvN

Cha Ji Won (Moon Chae Won) is a detective married to a man who has skeletons in his closet. As she and her colleagues begin investigating a series of murders, the dots connect and she wonders if the suspect has all along been married to her. Resourceful, determined, and forward, Moon Chae Won's portrayal of Ji Won is a refreshing take on the nuances of a career woman who's also a mother.

Flower of Evil is available for streaming on Netflix and iQiyi.

Penthouse

Credit: SBS

Shim Su Ryeon (Lee Ji Ah) is a graceful, elegant, and dignified woman who seems to have it all. In a world where everything is a facade, her kindness stands out as a much-needed contrast of sincerity. After a series of events that revealed friends as enemies and loved ones as liars, she decided to take it upon herself to exact revenge. From there, we get a glimpse of her cunning and perceptive nature.

Penthouse is available on Viu.

Hotel Del Luna

Credit: KBS

Jang Man Wol (IU) is the hotel manager of Hotel Del Luna. Her role there is a long-term punishment, where she has to serve a sentence to atone for killing people. While we're quickly introduced to her ill-tempered mannerisms, we see how she's more than capable of taking care of herself (and others, when need be).

Hotel Del Luna is available on Viu and Netflix.

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon

Credit: Netflix

Strong in even the literal sense of the term, Do Bong Soon (Park Bo Young) was born with superpowers passed down through generations. A 180 contrast to sweet and unassuming demeanor, Bong Soon's determination and (sometimes) stubbornness lands her a job as the bodyguard to the CEO of a gaming company.

Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is available on Netflix, iQiyi, and Viu.

It's Okay, That's Love

Credit: SBS

Ji Hae Soo (Gong Hyo Jin) is a psychiatrist on her first year of fellowship. When it comes to her career, she's driven and ambitious with her career but with her patients, there is no lack of compassion and understanding. All this, of course, is in contrast with her pessimistic outlook on love and relationships in general.

It's Okay, That's Love is available on iQiyi, Netflix, and Viu.

The King: Eternal Monarch

Credit: Netflix

Jeong Tae Eul (Kim Go Eun) is an inspector in the Violent Crimes Squad and having grown up with her dad as a Tae Kwon Do instructor, it's safe to say that the show doesn't lack in its action scenes. In the confusion of a parallel world and fantasy elements, Tae Eul keeps her head up and stays logical and grounded even when her life is on the life.

The King: Eternal Monarch is available on Netflix.

Vagabond

Credit: SBS

Go Hae Ri (Bae Suzy) is first introduced to us as a spy looking for information, but like most things, there's more to the surface. As the show goes on, we learn that she's more than capable of handling her own fights with her skills in combat and firearms. As the crime-thriller unravels, it proves that Hae Ri's resolve is her guiding star to uncover the truth behind a plane crash.

Vagabond is available on Netflix.

Mr Sunshine

Credit: SBS

A female lead as impressive as her counterpart, this historical romance show features Go Ae Shin (Kim Tae Ri) as a noblewoman from Joseon. But as we quickly come to learn, this facade is a perfectly suited mask for her true identity as a highly trained sniper under the Righteous Army. If you're looking for a historical drama, add this to the list as Ae Shin goes above and beyond to break the proverbial glass ceiling of what a woman "should" be.

Mr Sunshine is available on Netflix.