This Mother’s Day, let’s celebrate the unforgettable eommas of K-dramaland!
K-drama writers really know how to create unforgettable characters. Sure, the male leads are often charming, respectful, and literally green flags, but if there’s one type of character that feels especially real and relatable—it’s the moms.
For OG K-drama fans, you’ll instantly recognize legendary eommas played by actresses like Kim Mi-kyung, Kim Hae-sook, Yeom Hye-ran, and Ra Mi-ran. The characters they played have embodied strength, sacrifice, and unconditional love in a way that hits home for many of us.
So, as the world celebrates Mother’s Day, what better time to look back at some of the most unforgettable mom characters in K-dramas? Here’s a list of motherly roles that touched our hearts, inspired us, and reminded us just how precious moms are.
1. Jeon Gwang-rye – ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’
There’s a reason why Yeom Hye-ran won Best Supporting Actress at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards. Among the many outstanding characters in the hit drama ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’, her role as Ae-sun’s mother, Jeon Gwang-rye, stands out with a presence that’s hard to forget. Even though her screen time was limited, the impact she left was anything but small.
From the beginning in Volume 1, we see her doing everything she can to support her family—even taking on the extremely tough and physically risky job of a haenyeo. It’s a dangerous job that takes a serious toll on the body, but Gwang-rye pushes through with quiet strength and unwavering determination so that her daughter, Ae-sun, can have a better life. Even as she falls ill, she’s more concerned about her daughter’s future than her own well-being. It’s clear that Ae-sun’s fierce love and sacrifices as a mother later in life are rooted in the role model she had in Jeon Gwang-rye.
2. Park Hee-nam – ‘The Heirs’
We’ve all seen those K-drama moms who yell and nag—and deep down, we all know it’s all love. However, Park Hee-nam (played by Kim Mi-kyung) in the popular drama ‘The Heirs’ is different—and unforgettable for exactly that reason. She’s mute, yet the love and care she shows for her daughter, Eun-sang, speaks volumes.
Sure, some people may now say this drama was a bit cringey, but let’s be honest—at one point or another, we all watched and loved it. We loved those cheeky confessions, the charismatic Kim Tan, and the iconic wrist grabs and back hugs. But beyond all the K-drama romance tropes, there was a character who truly stood out: the silent, single mother who quietly sacrificed everything and worked so hard so her daughter, Eun-sang, could have a better life.
3. Cha Yu-ri – ‘Hi Bye, Mama!’
This drama starts with a bang—literally with tragedy. Cha Yu-ri becomes a mother but dies before even having the chance to hold her baby. Her love for her child is so powerful that she doesn’t cross over to the afterlife. Instead, she stays as a ghost to watch over her family.
The fact that she’s a spirit doesn’t make her any less of a mother. If anything, it deepens the message: that motherhood can go beyond biology and even beyond life itself. Her story isn’t just touching—it’s proof that the bond between a mother and child can transcend everything. Deep, right?
4. Kang Su-jin- ‘Mother’
This drama is not for the faint of heart, but it is a masterpiece when it comes to showing the meaning of being a mother. Played by Lee Bo-young, Su-jin is a substitute teacher who becomes concerned about a young girl named Hye-Na. Although it is clear she is not fine, Hye-na keeps giving excuses explaining that her mother works long hours in a retail store. However, upon learning that the young child is indeed being mistreated, Su-jin kidnaps the girl and acts as her substitute mother to take care of her.
This show isn’t your usual feel-good drama. It dives deep into themes of child abuse and trauma. But it also tells a powerful story: that being maternal and being a mother are two very different things.
5. Ma Jin-joo / Go Eun- sook – ‘Go Back Couple’
These two are, honestly, some of the most underrated K-drama eommas.
Let’s start with Ma Jin-joo (played by Jang Na-ra). It’s true we don’t get to see much of her role as a mother because she’s transported back to 1999 and ends up in her 20-year-old body. But even then, there are these quiet, emotional moments where she’s reminded of the baby she left behind. Yes, it’s fun for her to relive her youth, have a laugh, and stroll down memory lane—but she realizes something: no matter how unpleasant her adult life had become, she can’t just forget it all. Her child, especially, is a part of her she can’t leave behind. And that’s what makes her decision so touching—she’s willing to leave behind the carefree fun of her younger days to go back to her “boring,” unsettled life as a housewife, all because of her love for her child.
Now, let’s talk about her mom, Go Eun-sook. Their relationship is another beautiful layer in the drama. In the future, Jin-joo didn’t get the chance to say goodbye before her mother passed away. So when she finds herself back in the past, she treasures every single moment she gets to spend with her. One of the most heartbreaking scenes? It’s when Go Eun-sook asks Jin-joo to take care of her dad after she dies. And do you know what absolutely broke my heart? That moment in the future where Jin-joo’s dad wakes up alone and watches TV by himself—because we instantly know what that means. It hits hard. It’s those little moments that make this mother-daughter arc unforgettable.
6. Lee Mi-hyun – ‘Moving’
I’m sure a lot of people probably didn’t expect this character to be on this list, but honestly, I think she’s one of the most underrated mother characters in K-dramas. ‘Moving’ is a supernatural drama, and Lee Mi-hyun (played by Han Hyo-joo) is the mother of Kim Bong-seok and the wife of Kim Doo-sik.
Yes, she has superhuman senses—like enhanced sight and hearing—but beyond those powers, what really shines is her maternal love and protectiveness. When her husband goes missing (don’t worry, no big spoilers here!), she steps up and raises her son all alone. That’s already enough of a challenge—but on top of that, she also has to go to great lengths to hide Bong-seok’s ability to fly, which, let’s be real, was no small task. All while running a pork cutlet restaurant and maintaining a low profile.
She really showed us that being a mother isn’t just about care and affection—it’s also about strategy, sacrifice, and strength. She did everything she could to protect her child and keep him safe from a world that might not understand or accept him. That’s the heart of her character: a mother who would do absolutely anything to shield her child from harm.
7. Hwang Deok-yi – ‘Another Miss Oh’
Hwang Deok-yi (played by Kim Mi-kyung) is the 57-year-old mother of Hae-young, and from the very beginning of the series, we see her angry and pressured after her daughter suddenly calls off her wedding. She’s not just hurt—she’s embarrassed, and worried about what the neighborhood will say.
And let’s be real—the constant bickering and her loud, I mean really loud, yelling is a painfully accurate reminder of what it’s often like at home. In real life, our relationships with our moms aren’t always tender and soft. Sometimes they’re filled with arguments, disagreements, and raised voices—but that doesn’t mean there’s no love. In fact, it’s sometimes through those chaotic, everyday fights that the deepest bonds show up.
What makes her character so memorable is how realistic she feels. She and her daughter yell at each other, sure—but they also find comfort and peace in one another. That balance of conflict and closeness is what makes their relationship feel authentic.
And then, there’s that one scene—the one that absolutely wrecked me. When Hwang Deok-yi finds out the real reason for the breakup and how terribly her daughter was hurt by the way her fiancé broke up with her, she is devastated. She breaks down crying, remembering every time she was harsh, every word she might have said out of frustration. It’s so raw and genuine that you can’t help but sob along with her.
Honorable Mentions:
Of course, we couldn’t mention every amazing mom character, but some honorable nods go to:
- Eun-pyo (Green Mothers’ Club) played by Lee Yo-won
- Han Seo-jin (Sky Castle) played by Yum Jung-ah
- Queen Im Hwa Ryeong (Under the Queen’s Umbrella) played by Kim Hye Soo
Final Thoughts
There you have it—some of the most memorable eommas in K-dramas who gave us every reason to laugh, cry, and maybe even call or hug our own moms after the episode ended. So now it’s your turn—who’s your favorite K-drama mom? Let us know in the comments below!
Written by Diksha Gangadeen
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