Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Strong Woman Do Bong Soon (Him-ssen yeo-ja Do Bong-soon), which premiered on February 24, 2017, and has become one of the most beloved K-dramas of all time.
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is available on Netflix, Viki, and other streaming platforms as a complete 16-episode series that originally aired on JTBC. The series stars Park Bo-young as Do Bong Soon and Park Hyung-sik as Ahn Min-hyuk, supported by Ji Soo as In Guk-doo and Jun Suk-ho in key roles. This romantic comedy follows Do Bong Soon, a petite woman who appears little and sweet on the outside but possesses superhuman strength that comes from a long line of women in her family who have inherited this special ability.
The story centers on Bong Soon’s life-changing encounter with Ahn Min-hyuk, the CEO of Ainsoft gaming company, who witnesses her incredible strength and decides to hire her as his personal bodyguard. What begins as an unusual employment arrangement quickly develops into a complex romantic comedy filled with crime-solving adventures, family dynamics, and the challenge of hiding extraordinary abilities in an ordinary world.
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon earned an impressive 8.1 rating on IMDb and achieved the highest TV ratings for a JTBC drama at the time, becoming a cultural phenomenon that launched successful spin-offs and established Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik as one of K-drama’s most beloved couples.
From Hidden Strength to Heroic Purpose
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon opens with the fascinating premise of a woman whose extraordinary physical abilities have been both a blessing and a burden throughout her life. The series brilliantly explores how Bong Soon has learned to hide her strength to fit into society’s expectations, creating internal conflict between her true nature and the person she feels she needs to be for acceptance.
The show uses her supernatural abilities as a metaphor for female empowerment and the importance of embracing one’s unique gifts rather than hiding them. When Min-hyuk recognizes her strength as valuable rather than something to be ashamed of, it begins her journey toward self-acceptance and finding her true purpose in life.
Do Bong Soon’s Journey from Self-Doubt to Self-Acceptance
Park Bo-young delivers a career-defining performance as Do Bong Soon, portraying a character whose petite appearance completely contradicts her incredible physical capabilities. Throughout the series, we watch her evolution from someone who sees her strength as a burden to a woman who learns to use her abilities to protect others and fight injustice. Her character represents the universal struggle of learning to love and accept yourself.
Bong Soon’s character development focuses on finding the balance between maintaining her gentle, kind nature while embracing the power that makes her extraordinary. The series explores her relationships with family members who share her abilities, creating a rich mythology around the women in her lineage and their responsibility to use their gifts wisely.
Ahn Min-hyuk and the Power of Genuine Appreciation
Park Hyung-sik brings charm and depth to Ahn Min-hyuk, a CEO who becomes fascinated by Bong Soon not despite her unusual abilities but because of them. His character represents the importance of finding someone who appreciates you for who you truly are rather than who you pretend to be. Min-hyuk’s genuine admiration for Bong Soon’s strength becomes the foundation for their romantic relationship.
The chemistry between Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik drives the entire series, creating one of K-drama’s most memorable couples. Their relationship development explores themes of mutual respect, genuine partnership, and how love can help someone discover their true potential and purpose in life.
When Crime Fighting Meets Personal Growth
The climactic episodes focus on how Bong Soon uses her abilities to solve serious crimes while navigating the complexities of her relationships with both Min-hyuk and her childhood friend Guk-doo. The series builds toward explosive confrontations where her strength becomes crucial for saving lives and bringing criminals to justice, transforming her from someone who hides her abilities to someone who uses them heroically.
The crime subplot adds stakes beyond just romantic comedy, showing how Bong Soon’s powers can serve a greater purpose in protecting her community. These episodes examine whether she can balance her extraordinary abilities with ordinary relationships and whether her strength will ultimately bring people together or drive them apart.
Success on Netflix and JTBC
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon established itself as a landmark achievement in K-drama history, earning an 8.1 IMDb rating and achieving the highest TV ratings for any JTBC drama during its original run. The 16-episode format allowed for perfect pacing between romantic comedy moments and crime thriller elements, with the series concluding its run to widespread critical acclaim. The drama’s success led to spin-offs including Strong Girl Nam-soon, and Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik’s iconic pairing has remained beloved by fans worldwide. Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is widely available on Netflix and other streaming platforms, continuing to attract new viewers years after its original broadcast.
Essential Viewing for Rom-Com and Superhero Fans
If you love romantic comedies with supernatural elements, strong female protagonists, and heartwarming character development, Strong Woman Do Bong Soon is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. The show successfully combines superhero fantasy with authentic Korean rom-com elements, creating a viewing experience that’s both entertaining and emotionally satisfying.
Why This Superhero Rom-Com Remains Unmatched
Positive Points:
- Perfect balance of romantic comedy and crime thriller elements
- Outstanding performances by Park Bo-young and Park Hyung-sik with incredible chemistry
- Empowering female protagonist who embraces her unique abilities
- Well-developed supporting characters and family dynamics
- Successful blend of supernatural elements with realistic emotional storytelling
Negative Points:
- Some crime subplot elements may feel intense for pure rom-com fans
- Certain supernatural logic inconsistencies may bother detail-oriented viewers
- Secondary love triangle occasionally feels forced into the narrative
- Some comedic moments may not translate well for international audiences
- Violence in crime scenes may be jarring compared to lighter romantic moments
Strong Woman Do Bong Soon proves that the most powerful love stories are built on acceptance, appreciation, and the courage to be your authentic self, even when that self happens to have superhuman strength.
Series Details
- Number of Episodes: 16 episodes
- Platform: Netflix, Viki, JTBC
- Release Year: 2017
- Current IMDb Rating: 8.1
- Genre: Romantic Comedy, Crime, Supernatural
- Production Type: K-Drama
- Status: Completed (February 24 – April 15, 2017)
- Protagonists: Park Bo-young (Do Bong Soon), Park Hyung-sik (Ahn Min-hyuk)
- Antagonist: Criminal kidnappers, societal expectations, self-doubt