K-drama mothers do far more than offering cozy embraces and preparing hearty dishes.
These ladies handle everything—from juggling their professions, protecting their kids from hardship, to keeping their family united.
As Mother’s Day approaches,
PhilSTAR L!fe
has put together a collection of various K-drama moms who exemplify what it really takes to be a mother.
The self-sacrificing mothers
Oh Ae-sun,
When Life Hands You Tangerines
In
When Life Hands You Mandarins
Oh Ae-sun, played by Moon So-ri, emerges as one of the movie’s most intricate and emotionally resonant figures.
Ae-sun expresses her affection through modest yet tangible actions such as waking up early for work, scavenging for bargains to save money, and bolstering her emotionally reserved daughter, Yang Geum-myeong (IU).
Lee Il-Hwa,
Reply 1988
Reply 1988
A heartwarming slice-of-life drama set in a Seoul community highlights the lives of three different mothers. Lee Il-hwa plays a role depicting immense resilience and unyielding dedication as she steadfastly manages her household responsibilities without seeking acknowledgment.
His way of expressing affection is through preparing meals, not only for their spouse and kids but also for everyone in the vicinity.
Cha Yu-ri,
Hi Bye, Mama!
In
Hi Bye, Mama!,
Kim Tae-hee portrays Cha Yu-ri, a woman who turns into a vengeful spirit after being struck by a vehicle when she was nine months pregnant.
Haunted Yoo-ri receives a fresh start for 49 days, during which she appears again in front of her ex-husband who has remarried and their child. She must decide whether to pursue her personal happiness or step aside and let go.
Hye Soo,
Marriage Contract
A single mom named Hye Soo (played by Uee) finds herself overwhelmed with debts and challenges as she raises her child, Eun Sung (portrayed by Shin Rih Ah). In dire straits, she enters into an arranged sham marriage with Ji Hun (acted out by Lee Seo Jin), whose own mother requires a liver transplant. Unbeknownst to him, it’s really Hye Soo who faces a critical health crisis and urgently seeks to ensure her daughter will be well taken care of before it’s too late.
The ambitious mothers
Trainer Kim and Han Seo-jin,
Sky Castle
K-dramas like
Sky Castle
(2018) delve into mothers driven by aspiration and social expectations.
Kim Seo-hyung as Coach Kim and Yum Jung-ah as Han Seo-jin are obsessed with elite academics—and there’s a dark side to it.
These moms are rigid, competitive, at times, ruthless, but behind their tough facade is fear of failure, judgment, and seeing their child endure hardships.
Cheon Seo-jin,
The Penthouse
In
The Penthouse
, Kim So-yeon portrays Cheon Seo-jin as someone who is manipulative, domineering, and fiercely determined to turn her daughter into a musical genius. However, this drive stems from her own unaddressed past traumas.
Green Mother’s Club
Lee Eun-pyo (Lee Yo Won), Byeon Chun-Hui (Chu Ja Hyun), Seo Jin-ha (Kim Kyu Ri), Kim Young-mi (Jang Hye Jin), and Park Yun-joo (Joo Min Kyung) lead this series as determined moms hailing from different walks of life.
Although their children are still in elementary school, these women don’t busy themselves with casual playdates or soccer games. Instead, they’re in fierce competition with each other, pushing their kids to succeed academically.
Non-biological and surrogate mothers
K-dramas also emphasized that motherhood is not limited to biological ties.
Kang Soo-jin,
Mother
Kang Soo-jin (Lee Bo-young) plays a school teacher who learns that one of her students is being abused at home. When reporting the situation to the police does nothing, the teacher decides to take the child, and the two form a bond instantly.
Hwa-Young,
Two Mothers
Hwa-young (Lee Chae-young) blames Yeon-hee (Jang Seo-hee), her brother’s ex-girlfriend, for his tragic death. When Yeon-hee, now married and struggling with uterine cancer, can no longer have children, Hwa-young offers to be her surrogate.
Everything unfolds as an act of vengeance. Following childbirth and permitting Yeon-hee to rear the infant, Hwa-young viciously attempts to reclaim the baby with the intent to devastate her.