[PICK] Korean Dramas: Feisty Characters Who Are Also Attractive

Edited by Hwang Hong Sun
Translated by Kim Hoyeun

Should the main characters always be sweet and kind? Here are some characters who broke the stereotype of the “angel-like” characters and brought fresh and unique fun to the drama. They captivated viewers with their eccentric, bold, and unparalleled personalities. Let’s take a look at some of the feisty characters who received much love.

 

Couple or Trouble – Na Sang Shil (Han Ye Seul)

In Couple or Trouble, which is the remake of the movie Overboard (1987), Han Ye Seul played the role of Anna Jo, an heiress who lost her memory, leaving a strong impression. Anna is rude, feisty, and audacious. She often dismisses people and can never be satisfied. Even after losing her memory and live under the name of Na Sang Shil, her personality remains the same, drawing laughter with her clueless words and actions. Even after 10 years, she is one of the first characters who comes to mind when it comes to “feisty yet attractive” character as she left such popping lines like “Look at yourself,“ or ”The past black bean noodles won’t come back.“

 

Itaewon Class �” Jo Yi Seo (Kim Da Mi)

Webtoon-based drama Itaewon Class made headlines when Kim Da Mi from movie The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion confirmed her first TV appearance. Jo Yi Seo, played by Kim Da Mi, is a famous influencer on social media and an angel-faced sociopath. Because of her mother’s extraordinary education, she excels in everything, including studying and sports, but she will accomplish her goals by fair means or foul. Looking at how Jo Yi Seo, who only cares about herself, slowly changes after falling for Park Sae Roy, who is honest and full of sadness, viewers can’t help but to put a smile on their faces.

 

It’s Okay to Not Be Okay �” Go Moon Young (Seo Ye Ji)

From the first episode of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, which drew much attention as Kim Soo Hyun’s comeback project, Seo Ye Ji’s transformation through Go Moon Young stood out. Go Moon Young is the bestselling storybook writer, but her anti-social personality often causes trouble and even gets attacked by a man. After being saved by Moon Kang Tae, she feels a strong attraction and approaches him foolhardily, which gives an unexpected laugh. Go Moon Young’s desire to make Moon Kang Tae her own, even blocking Nam Joo Ri and her crush, is raising many expectations.

 

Stranger �” Hwang Shi Mok (Jo Seung Woo)

In Stranger, in which the intense development and the enthusiastic performances of the actors shone bright, elite prosecutor Hwang Shi Mok is incapable of expressing his feelings after undergoing brain surgery as a child. Even with his outstanding performances, he became a loner due to his poor communication skills. However, as soon as he takes on a murder case connected to the corruption at the prosecutor’s office, he meets Han Yeo Jin, a righteous detective with a warm heart, and digs into the hidden truth together. On August 2, the second season of Stranger will premiere.

 

The Queen of Office �” Miss Kim (Kim Hye Soo)

The Queen of Office, the Korean remake of Japanese drama Haken no Hinkaku, depicts the extraordinary performances of Miss Kim, a big shot contract worker. Miss Kim, an unusual contract worker who only works for three months in every company, has a feisty personality that causes friction with permanent workers, but shuts them up with extraordinary skills from her rich work experience. In particular, her performance to save fellow employees in crisis is filled with the pleasure of watching a superhero. Kim Hye Soo received rave reviews for her passionate performances as Miss Kim and won the Grand Prize at the 2013 KBS Drama Awards.

 

Hot Stove League �” Baek Seung Soo (Namgung Min)

Hot Stove League produced unique fun by breaking away from the typical sports drama format centered on games and players. Baek Seung Soo, who is newly appointed as a general manager of cellar-dwelling baseball team Dreams, is new to baseball and has a feisty personality, which often causes trouble with other employees. Especially, his unconventional decision to trade the cleanup hitter of the team only makes the discontent even bigger. However, as the trade turned out to be his big picture of upgrading the team in a short period, evaluations of the employees about him starts to change. Namgung Min flawlessly played the role of Baek Seung Soo, who is quite dogmatic but works for the team wholeheartedly, and received much love.