5 revenge K-Dramas powered by women who were damsels dishing out distress: Song Hye-kyo's Glory to The Penthouse

Quite often, and perhaps rightly so, K-Drama female leads are seen as the typical damsels in distress, always in need of saving. But then comes a K-Drama where the women dish out the distress—on a silver platter, or with no platter at all, as Song Hye-kyo from The Glory will make crystal clear.

If your perceptions of K-Drama women need a little correcting, we’re here to help. Here’s our list of revenge-driven dramas led by powerful women who refuse to back down.

The Glory

Ah, Song Hye-kyo’s hysterical laughter still rings in my ears.

The Glory is a gritty, raw tale of a woman seeking revenge for the monstrous bullying and attacks she suffered in school. Song Hye-kyo plays Moon Dong Eun, who decides to channelise her rage into meticulously plotting the ruin of her perpetrators. Despite being haunted by the past, Dong Eun, now a highly qualified teacher, enrolls at the same school where the daughter of her main tormentor, Yeon Jin (Lim Ji Yeon), attends.

Hye-kyo delivers one of her career-defining performances as the hardened, desensitised Dong Eun. Her rage and seemingly cold exterior is reflected even in her fashion choices, where she chooses black, and gray.  And let’s not forget Lee Do-hyun as the plastic surgeon Joo Yeo Jeong, who, despite his own painful past, becomes captivated by Dong Eun and offers to be her ally in this dark journey of vengeance.

Streaming on Netflix

My Name

I sacrificed my future and name for revenge.

Fueled by a burning desire to avenge her father’s murder, Ji Woo (Han So-hee) grapples with two major obstacles: Her gender and her emotions. Taken in by Choi Mu Jin (Park Hee Soon), the head of a powerful drug cartel, Ji Woo transforms into the cold, calculating Oh Hye Jin, an undercover cop and mole. As she infiltrates Mu Jin’s world, she faces a new challenge: Detective Pil Do (Ahn Bo Hyun), a tough, by-the-book cop leading the investigation into the cartel.

My Name is fast-paced and intense, each episode ending with a nail-biting twist. The show’s icy blue tones reflect the brutal, metal-fueled narrative. As Ji Woo navigates a violent, male-dominated world, Han So-hee balances her dual roles — ruthless yet vulnerable, tough yet emotionally scarred.

Streaming on Netflix

Eve

The jury is still out on this one, but if you’re a dedicated Seo Yea-ji fan, then by all means go for it.

Ra El (Seo Yea-ji)  witnessed her father’s brutal murder, a conspiracy orchestrated by Kang Yoon Kyum (Park Byung Eun), CEO of LY Group, and Han Pan Ro (Jeon Gook Hwan), a corrupt politician now serving as prime minister. After her mother disappears and her father’s company is seized by LY Group, Ra El narrowly escapes with the help of human rights lawyer Seo Eun Pyung (Lee Sang Yeob). Years later, she returns under a new identity, posing as a ballet teacher named Kim Sun Bin, accompanied by a daughter. But beneath the surface, Ra El has been meticulously plotting her revenge to bring down Yoon Kyum and Pan Ro. Her first move? Befriending Yoon Kyum’s wife, Han So Ra (Yoo Sun). As Ra El navigates the dangerous waters of this intricate game, she knows the stakes are high—and the risks even higher.

Streaming on Viki

The Penthouse

This is by far one of the most riveting and dramatic women-led shows yet. There isn’t a moment of peace, and you might not even want it.

The Penthouse is a K-Drama that pulls no punches. It’s a whirlwind of luxury, power, and dark secrets, set in an elite, high-rise penthouse where the richest and most ruthless collide. The drama follows three fiercely ambitious women, each with their own skeletons in the closet, as they scheme, manipulate, and claw their way to the top of Seoul’s social ladder. From backstabbing and betrayal to twisted revenge, The Penthouse is a sharp, unapologetic dive into the lengths people will go for wealth and status. The drama doesn't shy away from the gritty, ruthless underbelly of society, giving viewers a thrilling mix of shocking twists, scandal, and unforgettable characters who’ll make you question just how far you’d go to have it all. Hold on tight—this rollercoaster ride will leave you breathless.

Streaming on Viki

Mine

Mine is a fierce, no-holds-barred K-drama that pulls you into the world of Korea’s high society. At the center of it all are two powerhouse women—Seo Hi-soo (Lee Bo-young), a former actress who finds herself trapped in a gilded cage, and Jeong Seo-hyun (Kim Seo-hyung), a ruthless corporate executive navigating a world of secrets, lies, and betrayals. Both women are forced to confront the expectations placed on them by society and family, but their paths to freedom are far from easy. As they fight to reclaim their identities and secure their power, the stakes get higher and darker. Mine is unapologetic, with high drama, intense character dynamics, and jaw-dropping twists. Lee Bo-young and Kim Seo-hyung deliver career-defining performances, while Ok Ja-yeon as Yoo-yeon adds another layer of intrigue. This isn’t your average rich-people drama—it’s a raw, riveting exploration of ambition, betrayal, and the price of power.