Over the past two weeks, I watched two Korean dramas with stories that were similar yet uniquely different. Both shows revolved around strong, empowered women with extraordinary abilities, yet they stood apart in tone, characters, and plot twists. The blend of action, comedy, romance, and heartfelt moments made them equally captivating in their own ways.
Summary
Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon
Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon follows the story of Do Bong-Soon, a young woman born with superhuman strength that has been passed down through the women in her family. She dreams of creating a video game featuring herself as the protagonist but finds herself swept into a series of unexpected events. Her life takes a turn when she becomes the personal bodyguard of Ahn Min-Hyuk, the CEO of a gaming company, after he witnesses her strength. Meanwhile, In Guk-Doo, a police officer and Bong-Soon’s longtime crush, gets involved as they face challenges together, including tracking a dangerous criminal.
Strong Girl Nam-Soon
Strong Girl Nam-Soon centers on Gang Nam-Soon, a woman who also possesses extraordinary strength and has been missing since childhood. She returns to South Korea to reunite with her family, including her mother, Hwang Geum-Joo, and grandmother, Gil Joong-Gan, who also share her superhuman abilities. Nam-Soon becomes embroiled in a case involving illegal drug activities and collaborates with detective Kang Hee-Sik to uncover the truth. As the investigation unfolds, her family’s powers come into play, and secrets about her past emerge.
Both series weave their unique storylines around strong, dynamic characters and thrilling plots.
5 Most Memorable Scenes
Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon
1. Do Bong-Soon Saves a Bus of Children
In a heart-pounding moment, Bong-Soon uses her superhuman strength to stop a runaway bus filled with children from crashing. This scene highlights her heroic instincts and reinforces her desire to use her powers for good, despite her struggles to accept them.
2. Ahn Min-Hyuk and Bong-Soon’s Romantic Confession
The rooftop confession between Ahn Min-Hyuk and Do Bong-Soon is one of the most heartwarming moments in the series. The chemistry between the two shines as they share their feelings, marking a turning point in their relationship.
3. Bong-Soon Lifts a Car to Save Min-Hyuk
When Min-Hyuk is in danger during a showdown with the antagonist, Bong-Soon dramatically lifts a car to protect him. This scene showcases her unwavering loyalty and love for Min-Hyuk while emphasizing her physical and emotional strength.
4. Bong-Soon Breaks the Training Machines
During her training sessions with Min-Hyuk, Bong-Soon repeatedly destroys equipment due to her overwhelming strength. This comedic yet memorable scene highlights her lighthearted side and the playful dynamic between her and Min-Hyuk.
5. Bong-Soon Faces the Kidnapper
The climactic confrontation between Bong-Soon and the serial kidnapper is one of the most intense scenes in the series. Her courage and determination to save the victims shine through as she overcomes her fear and uses her strength strategically to defeat him.
Strong Girl Nam-Soon
1. Kang Nam-Soon Reunites with Her Family
After years of being separated, Nam-Soon reunites with her mother, Hwang Geum-Joo, and grandmother, Gil Joong-Gan. Their heartfelt reunion is a touching moment that brings warmth and humor, as they bond over their shared superhuman abilities.
2. Nam-Soon Catches a Falling Billboard
In an awe-inspiring display of strength, Nam-Soon saves pedestrians by stopping a massive falling billboard. The scene underscores her sense of responsibility and introduces her heroic potential to the public.
3. The Family’s Teamwork During a Fight
A standout scene features Nam-Soon, her mother, and her grandmother teaming up to take down a group of criminals. Their coordinated use of strength and witty banter make it both thrilling and entertaining.
4. Kang Hee-Sik Witnesses Nam-Soon’s Power
When detective Kang Hee-Sik sees Nam-Soon effortlessly lift a heavy object during a tense moment, his shocked reaction adds humor and sets the stage for their budding partnership.
5. Nam-Soon’s Undercover Mission
Disguised as a worker in a drug operation, Nam-Soon uses her strength and intelligence to gather evidence. The scene is both suspenseful and amusing as she balances secrecy with her inability to hide her unusual strength.
These memorable scenes capture the essence of both shows, blending action, humor, and heartfelt moments.
Themes
Themes of Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon
1. Empowerment and Strength
The show explores the concept of physical and emotional strength, emphasizing that true power lies in how one uses their abilities to help others. Do Bong-Soon learns to embrace her unique gifts, overcoming self-doubt and societal expectations.
2. Love and Relationships
Romantic and familial love are central themes. Bong-Soon’s growing relationship with Ahn Min-Hyuk showcases mutual respect and support, while her bond with her family highlights unconditional love and the importance of heritage.
3. Justice and Heroism
Bong-Soon’s journey is one of finding purpose in her strength to fight injustice. The story celebrates everyday heroism, showing how individuals can make a difference in their community.
4. Comedy and Lightheartedness
The show balances its deeper themes with humor, celebrating the lighter side of life through quirky characters, funny misunderstandings, and Bong-Soon’s relatable struggles with her powers.
5. Overcoming Gender Stereotypes
By making Bong-Soon an exceptionally strong yet feminine character, the show challenges traditional gender norms, advocating for the idea that women can be both strong and gentle.
Themes of Strong Girl Nam-Soon
1. Family and Generational Bonds
The relationship between Nam-Soon, her mother Hwang Geum-Joo, and her grandmother Gil Joong-Gan underscores the importance of family, generational wisdom, and shared values. The show highlights how family connections can empower individuals to face challenges together.
2. Responsibility and Justice
Nam-Soon takes her strength as a responsibility to fight against illegal activities, particularly drug trafficking. The show explores the idea of using power for the greater good and standing against societal evils.
3. Rediscovery of Identity
Nam-Soon’s journey of reuniting with her family and embracing her heritage reflects themes of identity, belonging, and self-discovery. The show portrays her struggle to reconcile her past with her present and find her place in the world.
4. Teamwork and Community
The collaboration between Nam-Soon, her family, and detective Kang Hee-Sik emphasizes the power of teamwork in achieving justice. The show portrays how collective effort and diverse strengths can create impactful outcomes.
5. Humor Amidst Challenges
Despite tackling serious issues, the show uses humor to lighten the mood and make the characters relatable. The comedic dynamics between Nam-Soon, her family, and others create a balance between drama and entertainment.
Both shows celebrate strong, multifaceted female characters and explore themes of empowerment, love, justice, and self-discovery in distinct yet complementary ways.
Personal Review
Personal Review of Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon and Strong Girl Nam-Soon
If I had to sum up Strong Woman Do Bong-Soon and Strong Girl Nam-Soon in one word, it would be hilarious. Both shows were so packed with comedic moments that I found myself laughing until my stomach cramped. The humor, combined with action and heartfelt romance, made these shows an absolute delight.
Between the two, Strong Girl Nam-Soon stood out as my favorite. The story of Kang Nam-Soon returning to her family and using her incredible strength to tackle societal issues like drug trafficking felt fresh and empowering. However, I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled with the choice of actor for the villain in this show. Seeing someone who had played a hero in another story now take on a villainous role was jarring and detracted from the immersion for me. I kept wishing they’d cast someone else, as it was hard to reconcile their previous image with the character they portrayed here.
What I loved most about both shows was how they presented unique problems that could only be solved with the girls’ extraordinary strength. Do Bong-Soon used her powers to catch a serial kidnapper, while Nam-Soon took on a drug cartel alongside her family. These plotlines brought a sense of purpose to their abilities, showing that their strength wasn’t just a gimmick but a meaningful tool for justice.
The shows didn’t stop at just action and comedy, though. Both were sprinkled with moments of sweet, heartwarming romance. Do Bong-Soon and Ahn Min-Hyuk had a beautiful relationship built on trust and mutual respect, and Nam-Soon shared an endearing dynamic with detective Kang Hee-Sik. These romantic subplots added depth to the characters and made the shows all the more enjoyable.
The family dynamics in Nam-Soon were especially touching. Watching Nam-Soon, her mother Hwang Geum-Joo, and her grandmother Gil Joong-Gan work together was both hilarious and heartwarming. Their bond brought a unique flavor to the series, making it feel like a celebration of family as much as a superhero story.
Both series blend action, suspense, comedy, and romance in a way that’s highly engaging. Whether you’re a K-drama enthusiast or just dipping your toes into Korean shows, these two dramas come highly recommended—especially for K-pop lovers looking for a mix of thrilling action, laugh-out-loud moments, and swoon-worthy romance. They capture the essence of lighthearted yet meaningful storytelling, and I’m certain they’ll leave you entertained from start to finish.
P.S. Anyone who watched Strong Girl Nam-Soon and has seen the vilian, might know what TV show I’m talking about above, let me know in the comments. Where did our villian act as a hero before?
Next week and Song of the Week:
Look for two new films next week, not a new drama. Here’s this week’s song of the week:
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