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.
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!
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. If you’re a mama, too, make sure to include these on your watch-list — makaka-relate kayo, promise!
Dong Baek of When the Camellia Blooms
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWThis 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.
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.
Watch the trailer here:
Where to watch it: Netflix
Cha Yu Ri of Hi Bye, Mama!
CONTINUE READING BELOWwatch nowActress 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.
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.
Watch the trailer here:
Where to watch it: Netflix
Jo Kang Ja of Angry Mom
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWThis 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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWThe 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.
Watch the trailer here:
Where to watch it: Viu
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.
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.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWWatch the trailer here:
Where to watch it: Viu
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.
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?
Watch the trailer here:
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOWWhere to watch it: Netflix
Who else do you think should be on this list? Comment below or message us on Facebook!
Looking for the next K-drama to watch? Check out World of Married Couple here.
What other parents are reading
.jpg)
