Overview of the Bekdel Day 2025 Series Selection
Bekdel Day 2025, an event that promotes gender equality through Korean movies and series, has unveiled its selected works for the series category known as 'BekdelChoice10'. This initiative highlights the importance of cultural diversity and representation in media. The selected series include titles such as Good Partner, She Who Differences Day and Night, Unknown Seoul, Good Competition, Mrs. Ok's Exhibition, You're Such an Intimate Traitor, Yeongnyeon, Quiet Sales, Hiperknife, and others. These selections were made by a panel of judges including TV columnist Kim Kyo-seok, Chung-Ang University professor Kim Min-jung, Cineplay reporter Kim Ji-yeon, and Bekdel Day programmer Lee Hwa-jung.
Focus on Female Characters in Major Productions
This year’s selection emphasized the development of female characters within large-scale productions, particularly in period dramas and historical series. One notable work is Netflix's production, which set a global box office record with a production cost of KRW 60 billion. It was praised for its detailed portrayal of female characters like "Mom" and "Grandma," who had previously been underdeveloped. Another standout is tvN's Jungnaei, which showcases the growth of female Gae Min-yong, a character from the Women's Gukgeuk Company in the 1950s. This series was recognized for integrating the planning intentions of female creators with themes that transcend traditional gender norms.
JTBC's Occ Wife Exhibition also received high praise for its subversive values, using female characters to challenge the status quo against the backdrop of the Joseon Dynasty. The series was noted for its significant impact on the history of historical dramas, introducing a hero narrative that had not been seen before.
Realistic Depictions and Social Issues
Several series stood out for their realistic portrayal of social issues. She Who Differs Day and Night addresses the realities faced by MZ generation youth and middle-aged women, highlighting socially marginalized groups and suggesting solutions to current problems. Meanwhile, Unknown Seoul portrays the struggles of twin sisters who hide their identities and switch workplaces, earning recognition for its realistic touches that avoid over-the-top manipulation or villain-centric storytelling.
Gender Dynamics in Genre Tension
The series also showcased new energy in genre tension by altering gender dynamics. Disney+’s HyperKnife reimagines the medical drama structure by featuring a female-female teacher-student relationship, offering a fresh take that deviates from typical narratives. MBC's This Intimate Traitor was critiqued for using family affection as a tool to heighten thriller elements rather than focusing on emotional depth. Similarly, SBS's Good Partner was praised for breaking the bromance structure and achieving a pleasant subversion of intimacy led by women.
Solidarity and Realistic Challenges
Narratives that addressed the challenges women face through solidarity also captured attention. U+TV's Goodwill Competition presented a unique growth narrative, differentiating itself from conventional youth and academy genres. JTBC's Quiet Sales depicted housewives overcoming violence, neglect, and discrimination through solidarity, receiving acclaim for giving three-dimensional depth to ordinary female characters rather than relying on stereotypes.
Insights from Bekdel Day Programmers
Lee Hwa-jung, a programmer at Bekdel Day 2025, noted that women-centered narratives, once considered risky, are now being explored in various ways across platforms. The expansion of series has enabled experiments not commonly seen in the film industry, with the emergence of diverse female narratives and characters being one of the most significant changes in recent years.
Selection Criteria and Event Details
From June 2024 to May 2025, 102 films were reviewed for the Bekdel Day 2025 series. Works were selected based on seven criteria, including the presence of at least two named female characters, meaningful dialogue between them, and the inclusion of female crew members. The event will be held at KU CinemaTech from September 6-7, featuring a special talk titled Meeting with Bekdelian and a Special Planned Talk Program to educate the audience about the purpose of Bekdel Day. A Free Screening will also allow attendees to view the selected works in theaters.