The past year has undoubtedly been a phenomenal one for Korean entertainment, marked by the dominance of chart-topping songs, visually striking music videos, and heartwarming series that have resonated globally. As we approach the end of the year, it is a perfect time to reminisce about the enchanting realm of Korean dramas that kept us hooked to our screens throughout 2023. This period has truly been extraordinary for K-dramas, offering a rich tapestry of genres and themes. From endearing romances to suspenseful mysteries, 2023 has gifted audiences worldwide with a diverse array of K-dramas that have left an indelible mark on our hearts.
Here’s a glimpse into the standout dramas from 2023-
King The Land
Headlined by actors Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah, this captivating TV series aired on JTBC from June 17 to August 6, 2023. The narrative unfolds around Goo Won (portrayed by Lee Jun-ho), the heir to The King Group, a prestigious conglomerate in the luxury hotel industry. The series delves into the challenges Goo Won faces as he navigates an intense inheritance battle within his family, providing viewers with a compelling glimpse into the high-stakes world of corporate intrigue and familial complexities.
Cheon Sa-rang (Im Yoon-ah), is a hard-working employee at the hotel who always has a smile on her face. However, Goo Won is not fond of her smile and even warns her that she might lose her job if she keeps smiling. Created by Cheon Sung-il, this series is available to watch on Netflix in some selected regions.
Watch the trailer here:
Destined With You
Destined With You, starring Jo Bo-ah, Rowoon, Ha Jun, and Yura in important roles aired on JTBC from August 23 to October 12, 2023. This series deals with the story of an irresistible romance between Lee Hong-jo (Jo Bo-ah) and Jang Shin-yu (Rowoon). The plot is about a forbidden book that was sealed 300 years ago, landing in the hands of a person. The person now has to break the curse of the book and save his family. This Nam Ki-hoon directorial is currently available for streaming on Netflix in selected regions.
Watch the trailer here:
Strong Girl Nam Soon
Gifted with superhuman strength, a young woman returns to Korea to find her birth family – only to be entangled in a drug case that could test her power. If this plot intrigues you, this series is a must-watch. It is a spin-off to the 2017 series Strong Girl Bong-soon and stars Lee Yoo-mi in the title role, with Kim Jung-eun, Kim Hae-sook, Ong Seong-wu, and Byeon Woo-seok in other important roles. It aired on JTBC from October 7 to November 26, 2023. Directed by Kim Jeong-sik, you can watch it on Netflix.
Watch the trailer here:
My Dearest
This series is a love story between a noblewoman and a mysterious man who shows up in her hometown set in the 1600s during the Qing invasion. It has Namkoong Min, Ahn Eun-jin, Lee Hak-joo, Lee Da-in, Kim Yun-woo, and Lee Chung-ah in major roles. It is inspired by the 1936 novel Gone with the Wind, by its writer Hwang Jin-young. It aired from August 4 to November 18, 2023, on MBC TV. Currently, one can watch it OTT platform Wiki, in selected regions.
Watch the trailer here:
Queenmaker
Directed by Oh Jin-seok and starring Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri, and Ryu Soo-young, this popular TV series was released on Netflix on April 14, 2023. According to the plot, Hwang Do-hee (Kim Hee-ae) is a brilliant person who controls the strategic planning office of a conglomerate. Oh Kyung-sook (Moon So-ri), a human rights lawyer jumps into the election board to make her the mayor of Seoul. The woman-centric, one-of-a-kind drama is available on Netflix.
Watch the trailer here:
Crash Course in Romance
It is a cosy, feel-good story of a kind mother who tries her best to get her daughter enrolled in a celebrity math instructor’s class. However, the competition is too tough and it is not easy for the duo. To know what happens next, you need to watch this series starring Jeon Do-yeon, Jung Kyung-ho and Lee Bong-ryun in lead roles. It is available on Netflix. The romantic drama is created by Yu Je-won and Yang Hee-seung.
Watch the trailer here:
Behind Your Touch
This high-rated drama series stars Han Ji-min, Lee Min-ki, and Suho. It premiered on JTBC on August 12, 2023. The story of the drama revolves around a veterinarian who possesses psychometric powers. Another lead character is a hot-haded detective. The duo lands in an array of dangerous criminal investigations while solving minor crime cases in a small town in Mujin, Chungcheong-do.
Directed by Kim Seok-yoon and Choi Bo-yoon, it is available for streaming on TVING in South Korea and on Netflix in select regions.
Watch the trailer here:
A Time Called You
A Time Called You starring Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, and Kang Hoon is based on the Taiwanese television series Someday or One Day. It was released on Netflix on September 8, 2023.
The plot of the series deals with the story of Jun-hee, a woman who is still grieving the loss of her love Yeon-jun in the present time, even though it has been a year since his demise. She is somehow transported back in time to the year 1998 and wakes up in the body of a different person. She is now an 18-year-old Min-ju and meets Si-heon, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her deceased boyfriend.
The 12-episode series is available to watch on Netflix.
Watch the trailer here:
The Good Bad Mother
Creators Na-yeon and Bae Se-young have told the heartfelt story of a mother-child relationship through the drama, The Good Bad Mother. It stars Ra Mi-ran, Lee Do-hyun, and Ahn Eun-jin in lead roles.
According to the story, a major accident leaves a prosecutor with the mind of a child. It forces his mother to take care of him and further start a journey towards healing their relationship. You can check it out on Netflix.
Watch the trailer here:
Divorce Attorney Shin
Director Lee Jae Hoon welcomes you to meet Shin Sung Han (played by Cho Seung-woo)— a divorce lawyer who can manage to settle the most complicated of cases. Naturally, he also has to deal with a lot of odd situations and nasty people on a daily basis. However, Shin finds solace in the company of his two closest friends, Jang Hyung Geun and Jo Jung Sik, who are also his age.
Watch the trailer here:
These drama series dealing with the adventures of Shin and what happens with him aired from March 4 to April 9, 2023, on JTBC. Starring Cho Seung-woo, Han Hye-jin, Kim Sung-kyun, and Jung Moon-sung in lead roles, it is available on Netflix.
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