South Korean cinema, too, has offered profound roles for older women (often in "K-drama" matriarch roles that are complex, powerful, and ruthless). The lesson is clear: the American obsession with youth is a cultural choice, not a biological reality.

Looking forward, the trend is irreversible. Millennials, now entering their 40s, will demand the same longevity of career that Gen X and Boomer women have fought for. We will likely see: