7 K-Dramas Gender-Swapping Damsel-in-Distress Trope

If we asked you to name the most tired trope in the romance genre, you'd probably say damsel-in-distress. Romance writers, including South Korean showrunners, certainly love a story where a vulnerable girl is rescued from danger by a hero and immediately falls head over heels for him.

But what if we flip the roles? A strong, resilient heroine stepping up to protect a man from harm sounds refreshing and intriguing, right?

If you want to see how such an arc could go, here are seven K-dramas with a fella-in-distress type of male lead and an unbreakable heroine who saves him.

Shopping King Louie (2016)

IMDb rating: 7.5/10

Where to stream: Prime Video, Viki, Kocowa

Kang Ji-sung, the sole heir to a chaebol empire, lives a lavish and carefree life, spending money without restraint. But everything changes when an accident leaves him with amnesia and throws him into the harsh real world. A random bystander, Ko Bok-shil, rescues Ji-sung from bullies and then takes on the task of guiding him through a frugal lifestyle.

Happiness (2021)

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Where to stream: Netflix, Viki, TVING

Yoon Sae-bom is as tough as they come. As a member of the Special Operations Unit, she's sharp-witted and determined. So when a zombie apocalypse throws the world into chaos, it's Sae-bom who leads the charge to save everyone, including her best friend and fake husband, Jung Yi-hyun.

Love to Hate You (2023)

IMDb rating: 7.8/10

Where to stream: Netflix

Yeo Mi-ran is a fearless lawyer with a knack for martial arts and a passion for justice, especially when it comes to protecting women. When she suspects her client, famous actor Nam Kang-ho, of wrongdoing, she embarks on a crusade to expose him. But as Kang-ho's softer side opens up to her, Mi-ran becomes his greatest protector.

I Hear Your Voice (2013)

IMDb rating: 8.0/10

Where to stream: Netflix, Prime Video, Viki, WeTV, Kocowa

Jang Hye-sung, a quick-witted, unfiltered lawyer, teams up with a high school student who can read minds and a compassionate public defender to crack criminal cases. Together they are an unstoppable team, and Hye-sung is without a doubt the most protective teammate ever seen on screen.

Legend of the Blue Sea (2016)

IMDb rating: 8.1/10

Where to stream: Netflix, Hulu, Viki, WeTV, iQIYI, SBS VOD

Shim Cheong is a mermaid whose story spans two timelines: the present day and the Joseon era. In both eras, she meets the reincarnations of the same man, and he is in need of a lot of rescue from drowning.

Strong Girl Bong-soon (2017)

IMDb rating: 8.2/10

Where to stream: Netflix, Prime Video, Viki, Disney+, iQIYI, WeTV

Do Bong-soon isn't your typical girl – she has superhuman strength and isn't afraid to use it to fight injustice and crime. When a series of kidnappings rock her city, Bong-soon takes a job as a bodyguard for a wealthy heir. Together, they set out to catch the kidnapper, with Bong-soon serving as the muscle of the operation, repeatedly saving her partner from danger.

Flower of Evil (2020)

IMDb rating: 8.6/10

Where to stream: Netflix, Prime Video, Viki

Cha Ji-won is a police detective on the trail of a serial killer. Her investigation takes a shocking turn when she begins to suspect that her seemingly perfect husband, Baek Hee-sung, may be hiding something connected to the case. As the dark secrets of the past unravel, Ji-won finds herself in the unexpected position of having to protect Hee-sung from trouble.