One of the reasons why Pinoys can’t get enough of Korean dramas, or K-dramas, is its feel-good and kilig plotlines. But for those who’ve binge-watched dozens of titles (one Pinay even recommended over 140 shows here!), they will tell you that it’s the compelling stories and character development that makes it memorable.
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Like Filipinos, Koreans are big on family ties, so you’ll find that most shows feature members of the family, whether as major or minor characters. But in recent years, more K-dramas have highlighted the stories and struggles of moms — some even feature them as the female lead!
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Best K-drama moms
With Mother’s Day coming up, we thought it would be fun to introduce to you the greatest moms of K-drama, including moms from most recent series. These were memorable and notable characters who displayed the true meaning of a mother’s love—in their own, unique way. If you’re a mama, too, make sure to include these on your watch-list — makaka-relate kayo, promise!
Yeorobun (everybody in Korean), ready your tissues. Here are K-dramas’ best and most memorable Eomma:
Lee Mi-Hyun of Moving
A single mom who raised her son alone in a secluded town, Lee Mi-Hyun of Moving is definitely memorable.
The scene when she was fleeing from the people who captured her husband was as dramatic as it could be: dark clouds, carrying her young son on her back, with two large bags in both hands. Viewers could feel the weight of Lee Mi Hyun’s struggle; the life ahead without her husband and the responsibility of keeping her son safe and alive.
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Another memorable part of Lee Mi-Hyun’s character is its parallelism to a mother’s never-ending struggle between protecting her children and letting them go. Her son inherited his father’s ability to fly, that’s why Lee Mi-Hyun did all she could do to prevent him from learning to do so. At some point, it looked like she was over-protecting her son. Most moms would agree with Lee Mi-Hyun’s character. When it comes to our children’s safety, we’d do anything in our might to protect them.
But just like motherhood, there will come a time when overprotection won’t work. There is an invisible struggle in a mother’s heart whether to hold her child close or to finally let go. Lee Mi-Hyun’s character portrays this inner struggle, creating an impact and reminder to moms on how to find the balance between trusting their children and letting them go.
Moving is an action-packed K-Drama series, portraying different characters with special abilities. It’s one of the first K-Dramas to feature people with superpowers. All episodes of Moving are on Disney +. Watch the trailer here.
Nam Haeng-Seon of Crash Course in Romance
An unconventional K-Drama Mom, Nam Haeng-Seon of Crash Course in Romance is a mother not by blood, but by choice. It’s part of the reason why her character deserves the limelight!
A woman in her 40s, Nam Haeng-Seon is the main lead in the series, running her own business while taking care of her teenage daughter. She mainly struggles with keeping up with her daughter’s school and hagwon (private education or tutor in South Korea) while being hands-on with her banchan (Korean side dishes) business.
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It was later unfolded that her daughter was her older sister’s biological child, whom she left to their parents’ care. When their parents died, Nam Haeng-Seon, a college student who was training for the Handball National team, gave it all up and took care of her niece and atypical younger brother.
In an instant, she became a mother (a father as well), who’s left with the responsibility of taking care of her niece and younger brother. She gave up her sports career and her college degree. In one episode when she picks up her niece from school, she calls her “Eomma”, and that’s when their relationship begins.
Their mother-daughter relationship proves that sometimes motherly love transcends biological connection. It is what a mother does for the child that makes her a mother, all the love she gives and all the sacrifices she makes.
Crash Course in Romance also tackles the pressure of teenage students before college entrance examinations. All episodes are available on Netflix. Watch the trailer here.
Jeon Bong-Ae of Queen of Tears
The famous Eomma-ni of Baek Hyun Woo from the trending K-Drama, Queen of Tears, Jeon Bong-Ae breaks all stereotypes of an ‘evil mother-in-law’. Aside from her right judgment on most things and her courage to face her ‘balae’ (Hong Hae-In’s Mother), she stood out because of her unconventional mother-in-law rules.
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In one episode, it was revealed that her eldest son is married and is still together with his wife. When asked why this particular daughter-in-law is missing from family occasions, it was revealed that it was Eomma-ni’s decision.
“Now that you’re married, let’s avoid seeing each other. You can visit your parents or go on a trip during national holidays if you want. And don’t bother getting me birthday gifts. It’s uncomfortable. If you want, just text me an emoji,” she told her daughter-in-law, taking off the pressure from her.
In Korean tradition, it’s a norm for wives to visit their husbands’ families during holidays, and cook and work in the kitchen. Eomma-ni’s unconventional way breaks this tradition, like saying, “I don’t care [for] those things. Just be the right wife to my son.”
Of course, how she calls Hong Hae-in her ‘baby’ and cares for her like her own daughter is notable, too. You’re one-of-a-kind, Eomma-ni!
Queen of Tears is available on Netflix. Watch the trailer here.
Ko Mi-Ja of Welcome to Samdal-ri
The feisty Eomma-ni from the outskirts of Jeju Island gives off the vibes, “If you mess with my children, I’ll mess with you!” Ko Mi-Ja of Welcome to Samdal-ri is indeed an unforgettable K-Drama mom.
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Ko Mi-Ja is a mom to three daughters, who took after their mother’s feistiness. Moms can learn from Ko Mi-Ja that when we raise girls to be strong and confident, they learn to stand up on their own. It doesn’t mean that we need to raise them to become CEOs (although there’s nothing wrong with that), but guiding them to become good people is the essence of motherhood.
While raising her three daughters, she worked as a Haenyeo, a woman diver in Jeju Island who dives under the sea without any breathing apparatus. She leads her community of Haenyeo and dives together to gather shellfish. Even when all her daughters were grown-ups and had their own lives, she didn’t stop working as a Haenyeo. She even refused too much monetary allowance from her daughters.
When it was time to stand up for her daughters, Ko Mi-Ja didn’t think twice. You’re strong, independent, and feisty, Eomma-ni!
Welcome to Samdal-ri features quaint countryside living on Jeju Island. All episodes are available on Netflix. Watch the trailer here.
Kong Wol-Seon of Doctor Slump
In a K-Drama that discusses mental health comes a ‘stereotypical’ mother who pushes her boundaries for the sake of her daughter. Kong Wol-Seon of Doctor Slump initially portrays a stereotypical mother. She is proud of her daughter who is a doctor and a constant achiever ever since she was young. At some point, it became her identity: “the mother of an achiever.”
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When her daughter hit a career slump and was diagnosed with depression, she couldn’t believe it. She said in an episode, “Depression? That can’t be. That’s just ridiculous. I raised you the best I could. I sacrificed everything for you. That could never happen to my daughter.”
This character’s highlight was when she took her time to fully understand her daughter’s situation. She opened up her mind and changed her perspective towards mental health. She put time and effort to research about depression. Because she likes cooking, she incorporated foods that help with her daughter’s condition.
She apologized to her daughter, made an effort to help her heal, gave her time, and just stayed by her side. Kong Wol-Seon’s character reminds us that we can never be perfect mothers because we are bound to make mistakes. But what makes all the difference is our willingness to admit our mistakes, apologize to our children, and change the ways that have been hurtful to them.
It’s truly a healing K-Drama!
Bonus info from Doctor Slump: Main lead Park Shin-Hye returns to star in a romantic-comedy series after getting married and becoming a mom herself. Way to go, Eomma!
Kong Wol-seon’s character is also a widower who raised her two children. All episodes of Doctor Slump are available on Netflix. Watch the trailer here.
Dong Baek of When the Camellia Blooms
This show became the highest rated mini-series drama in South Korea in 2019 and for good reason. Dong Baek (Gong Hyo Jin) is a single mom who runs a bar in a small town called Ongsan. Because of this, she is an outcast and treated poorly by her female neighbors. But with the help of Yong Sik (Kang Haneul), who falls head over heels for her, she slowly comes out of her shell and finds her voice, showing the brave and assertive personality she’s been hiding all along.
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Dong Baek isn’t the only amazing mom in this show. Her mother, Jung Sook, and Yong Sik’s mom, Deok Soon, also showed stellar performances in portraying different kinds of mothers (one left an abusive husband while the other is a widow). When the Camellia Blooms blends romance and suspense, but the heart of its story is also about motherhood: while no mom is perfect, at the end of the day, they only want what’s best for their children and they will do anything to protect them. You can watch it on Netflix. Watch the trailer here:
Cha Yu Ri of Hi Bye, Mama!
Actress Kim Tae Hee makes her small screen comeback (after giving birth to two daughters!) in Hi Bye, Mama! as a ghost who is given the chance to come back to life, but at the expense of her husband and daughter’s happiness.
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The show will make you appreciate the many sacrifices that moms make for their children — Yu Ri works hard to become closer to her daughter, Seo Woo, who grew up thinking her stepmom, Oh Min Jung (Go Bo Gyeol) is her real mom. To do that, she becomes a kitchen assistant in her daughter’s preschool, then her pick-up helper, and even Min-Jeong’s best friend. At the end of this tearjerker, you’ll realize that you need to cherish every moment spent with your loved ones and that a mother’s love is unmatched. Hi Bye, Mama is available on Netflix. Watch the trailer here:
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Jo Kang Ja of Angry Mom
This show proves that moms will literally do anything for their kids. When Kang Ja’s daughter is bullied at school and she realizes that the administration and law enforcement won’t take the issue seriously, she takes matters into her own hands by pretending to be a student and infiltrating her daughter’s high school.
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Of course, high jinks occur when mama pretends to be a teenager, but the care she shows for her child is heartwarming. As far as maternal devotion goes, Kang Ja takes the cake! Watch the trailer here:
Ma Jin Joo of Go Back Couple
Many of our Smart Parenting Village moms tagged Go Back Couple as a must-watch for moms because Jin Joo (Jang Nara)’s character shows the true struggles that come with being a wife and a mother. The exhausted, losyang mom is not just a trope — it’s a reality for a lot of moms out there.
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The show centers on regret and what-ifs and if there’s anything Jin Joo has shown, it’s that a mom should not forget that she is also a woman — she needs to care and love herself, just as much as she loves her children. It’s also important to have honest communication with your partner — tell him your needs and don’t hesitate to ask for help. Parenting is about teamwork, after all. Go Back Couple is on Viu. Watch the trailer here:
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Kang Hye Soo of Marriage Contract
The mom in this show proves that moms are unstoppable when the welfare of their child is at stake. Widowed, in debt, and terminally ill, Hye Soo (Uee) shows tenacity and resilience even when faced with the harshness of life.
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Wanting to secure a future for her daughter, Eun Sung, (even when she won’t be there to see it), Hye Soo takes on a variety of odd jobs to earn money, all while looking for a trustworthy husband who can become her daughter’s guardian when she passes. The story is definitely heartbreaking, but the way Hye Soo tries to keep a happy and positive attitude through it all will give you hope — and make you aspire to be as strong as this mother. Marriage Contract is on Viu. Watch the trailer here:
The moms of Sky Castle
Truth be told, all these moms are flawed in their own ways, but it’s mostly because of their love for their children. As they say, mothers will do anything for their kids — the moms of Sky Castle just took it to the extremes.
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If there’s anything to learn from this show, it’s that there are dangerous repercussions to becoming a helicopter parent — though every mom ultimately wants her children to become successful, they also need to trust their kids and let go. Thankfully, we have a mom like Lee Soo Im (Lee Tae Ran), who is probably the most level-headed out of all the moms — humble, supportive, and affectionate toward her son. For her, high grades do not matter so long as her kid is happy. Don’t you agree? Sky Castle is on Netflix. Watch the trailer here:
There are many more amazing moms shown in K-Dramas that show what motherly love looks like. Share your Best K-Drama Moms and start a discussion at Smart Parenting Village.
Looking for the next K-drama to watch? Here are the top K-Dramas moms love to watch over and over again.
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