Behind every K-drama character is a mother who either makes or breaks them. Korean dramas have introduced us to a variety of moms who have influenced plot lines, made us laugh, and tugged on our heartstrings. As we celebrate moms the world over on May 14, 2023 (Mother's Day, ICYDK), we salute our favorite K-drama *eommas* and look at how they’ve served as a source of inspiration and strength—not just to our favorite characters— but to us viewers as well.
Here are 5 of our favorite K-drama moms and the watchlist-worthy shows where you can meet them:
1. Park Hee Nam, The Heirs (2013)
Park Hee Nam (Kim Mi Kyung) is a mute housekeeper who wants nothing but the best for her children. News of her eldest daughter getting married pushes her to withdraw her hard-earned savings and send her youngest, Eun Sang (Park Shin Hye), abroad to personally deliver it as a wedding gift.
Unconditional love for Eun Sang fuels Hee Nam’s will to sacrifice and work hard. Throughout the drama, she proves that a mother will rise above her limitations to secure a brighter future for her child.
2. Choi Won Deok (Kim Hae Sook), Start-Up (2020)
Motherhood is not defined by childbirth. In slice of life drama Start-Up, Choi Won Deok (Kim Hae Sook) embraces the role of mother to her granddaughter Seo Dal Mi (Bae Suzy). Though she struggles to make ends meet, Won Deok extends her motherly love to teenage orphan Han Ji Pyeong (Kim Seon Ho). Won Deok doesn’t let old age stop her from providing for her family. Living out her virtues allowed her to contribute to shaping Dal Mi and Ji Pyeong into strong individuals set on making their dreams a reality.
3. Kang Hyeon Nam, The Glory (2023)
Revenge drama The Glory introduced us to a lot of fierce mothers. However, it is only housekeeper-turned-all-around spy Kang Hyeon Nam (Yeom Hye Ran) who is worthy of a “Best Mom” award. She is cheerful, loyal and will do anything to protect her daughter from her abusive husband. Faced with the need to rise above poverty and keep her daughter safe, Hyeon Nam embraces the risks that come with working with Moon Dong Eun (Song Hye Kyo) as she executes her plan of revenge against high school bullies who made her teenage years a living hell.
Ms. Kang gives Dong Eun a glimpse of what true motherhood is all about. Her thoughtful acts, authentic concern, and dedication to Dong Eun’s cause made The Glory’s protagonist feel the loving warmth of a mother for the first time.
4. Cha Jeong Suk, Doctor Cha (2023)
An unexpected pregnancy transforms Cha Jeong Suk (Uhm Jung Hwa) from a promising medical intern to a full-time housewife, who devotes 20 years of her life in service of her family. Total subservience to a cheating husband, a demanding mother-in-law, and children who take her for granted defines Jeong Suk’s world until a life-or-death situation makes her realize that she needs to start living for herself and chase her dream of becoming a doctor.
This family drama reminds us that mothers are not defined by their role as homemakers. Just like other women, they have needs and dreams that deserve to be recognized and fulfilled.
5. Jin Young Soon, The Good Bad Mother (2023)
Mothers are not perfect. While wanting the best future for their children, some mothers forget that nothing beats showering them with love, time, and understanding during their formative years. Jin Young Soon (Ra Mi Ran) is a classic example of a widow who had to deal with raising her son Kang Ho (Lee Do Hyun) on her own.
The drama takes its title from the hats Young Soon wears throughout the series: a good mother hat, which she wears during Kang Ho’s toddler years, a bad “getting good grades is all that matters” mother hat (which she wears up until he graduates from school) and a “my child is all that matters” hat that she puts on when she takes care of him later in life post his car accident. The show is an emotional rollercoaster that proves that nothing compares to a mother’s love.
Which K-drama mother would you crown "Best Eomma"?
