One of most precious portrayals of the strength of motherhood can be found within the relationship between the mothers of Kim Tan (Lee Min Ho) and Cha Eun Sang (Park Shin Hye) in the 2013 drama, “The Heirs”. The plot of “The Heirs” has been criticized by K-Drama enthusiasts as being rife with cliché, however even the strongest critics were moved by the friendship between a household maid and a chaebol mistress.

By contrast, seasoned K-Drama viewers recognized Jung Si Sook as a potential evil mother in “The Heirs” due to the fact that Park Joon Geum was cast in the role. Park Joon Geum exemplifies the role of the wicked K-drama mama and has portrayed iconic roles in “Secret Garden”, “The Heirs”, and “Emergency Couple”. While viewers may be initially drawn in by idol actors and action stars, the complex portrayal of motherhood helps to keep K-Drama enthusiasts tuning in.

Three of the most loveable K-Drama mothers.

While the relationship between pauper Cha Eun Sang and jet setter Kim Tan was the primary focus of “The Heirs”, the best aspects of the drama were derived from the numerous subplots. Actress Kim Mi Kyung delivered a stirring performance as Park Hee Nam, a mute maid who struggled to maintain the tenuous balance between serving the household of the illustrious Jeguk Group, while tending to her daughter Cha Eun Sang.

Prior to “The Heirs”, Kim Mi Kyung portrayed Joo Sung Ran, the frosty aunt of Joo Joong Won in the SBS drama “Master's Sun”. Joo Sung Ran was a detestable character for the majority of “Master's Sun”, while Park Hee Nam was a humble role which evoked empathy in viewers. Park Hee Nam and the lady of the house, Madame Han (Kim Sung Ryung) form a unique friendship that is strengthened by the adversity their face as unconventional lovers.

One of the most over utilized K-Drama tropes is the wealthy mother who refuses to accept the fact that her son is dating an average (generally underprivileged) girl. In “Playful Kiss” , Hwang Geum Hee (Jung Hye Young) is a doting mother who readily accepts Oh Ha Ni (Jung So Min) into her household, while actively encouraging Ha Ni to pursue her son, Baek Seung Jo (Kim Hyun Joong).

The bond between Hwang Geum Hee, a mother who longed to have a daughter, and Oh Ha Ni makes for tender moments and slapstick comedy. Beyond the scenes of Kim Hyun Joong in his flower boy glory, “Playful Kiss” provides one of interesting portrayals of motherhood in Korean drama.

Three of the most deplorable K-Drama mothers.

Many teens and adults bemoan the slight inconvenience of attending family dinners or will scoff at taking the time out to call their mothers. After watching some of the most sinister mothers in Korean drama, most viewers are extremely thankful for dear old mom.

Meany K-Drama mothers tend to operate on a mix of spies, henchmen, and secretaries, all of whom maintain dubious loyalty to the matriarch. More often than not, the evil mother begins to seek redemption by the penultimate episode. However, the most hardcore of the scheming mothers stick it out until the finale, in an attempt to keep their son safe from either an ordinary girl or presumed gold digger.

The classic example of the scary Korean drama mother is Madame Kang (Lee Hye Young) from “Boys Over Flowers”. Madame Kang is a manipulative mother, who delivers heinous orders against Geum Jan Di (Gu Hye Sun).

Newcomers to K-Drama are generally stunned by the depictions of violence throughout “Boys Over Flowers”, with the actions of Madame Kang against teenaged Jan Di amongst the most disturbing. Madame Kang nearly has Jan Di murdered, simply for the fact that her son Gu Jun Pyo (Lee Min Ho) is in love with her. Kim Hyun Joong faithfully portrayed the second lead, Yoon Ji Hoo, who literally wipes Jan Di's tears throughout the drama.

Most K-Drama mothers may wish death upon the feisty protagonist, but very few actually attempt to murder someone. “The Moon Embracing The Sun” is a captivating drama, not only for its lavish period costumes, but for the intricate plot. Kim Soo Hyun portrays the Crown Prince and King Lee Hwon with emotional complexity. Jung Il Woo delivers strong acting and is added eye candy for the drama.

In “The Moon Embracing The Sun”, the Crown Prince falls in love with Yeon Woo (Han Ga In), who dies under mysterious circumstances. In her attempt to protect the throne and the Crown Prince, the Queen Dowager (Kim Young Jae) sets forth a cruel series of events. “The Moon Embracing The Sun” incorporates supernatural elements with supporting characters who are jockeying at attempts for the crown.

The 2013 drama “Pretty Man” which starred Jang Geun Suk and IU, revealed one of the most perplexing mother-son relationships that can be found in K-Drama. Dokgo Ma Te (Jang Geun Suk) finds his world upended when his mother dies, leaving him with the task of identifying who he believes to be his father. Ma Te succeeded in life on his looks without much substance. Businesswoman Na Hong Ran becomes hellbent on destroying every attempt that Ma Ta makes to succeed. As Ma Te discovers the true meaning of love, with the seemingly average girl Kim Bo Tong (IU), Na Hong Ran becomes more relentless in her pursuit to destroy him. Hong Ran goes as far having henchmen kidnap and harm Bo Tong to keep her away from Ma Te.