Top 12 K-Dramas of 2023: Bingeable Hits You Can't Miss

We were ecstatic to see that every OTT provider has an endless supply of K-dramas this year! A wide variety of K-dramas were released in 2023. It has been an exciting year for lovers of K-drama, with about equal amounts of romances, thrillers, slice-of-life dramas, and much more. However, there have also been some successes and failures. It also makes distilling it all into a list like this much more challenging. But we've fearlessly stepped up to this challenge!

Our list of favorites includes the shows we believe have the finest balances of skillful acting and complex storylines, are readily available, and are worthy of a binge-watch. The list excludes the sequels that were published this year as well as the K-dramas that are presently airing, despite the fact that many of them seem like fantastic viewing. Here are our top 12 K-dramas of 2023, in no particular order:

Glistening Watermelon

A must-watch coming-of-age story, Twinkling Watermelon is smart, refreshing, and has time travel. The only person in his family with hearing is Ha Eun-gyeol, also known as Ryeoun, who is a CODA (child of a deaf adult). His mother, father, and older brother have all required him to communicate on a daily basis since he was a little child. He is a gifted musician, but he also has to live up to his father's expectations. But during a fierce argument with his father, he finds himself thrust back in time to the 1990s, when both of his parents were still in their teens. However, there is a bright spot: Eun-gyeol himself comes to appreciate his youth and learns to live. While the concept of time travel is not new, the way the story develops captures your attention and makes you both laugh and weep. It emphasizes the value of family and the resilience and assistance they can provide. It also highlights how crucial it is to savour your youth. We support Eun-gyeol as he hurries to put things right!

Sunshine Every Day

In this webtoon-adapted K-drama, Jung Da-eun (Park Bo-young), an internal medicine nurse, must adjust to a steep learning curve when she is abruptly transferred to the mental ward. She is forced to confront the truths about herself and her environment as she negotiates the difficulties of providing care for individuals who are struggling with mental health concerns. It only becomes more challenging when Da-eun experiences depression herself. She's not alone, however! She is supported by a staff that includes colorectal surgeon Dong Go-geun (Yeon Woo-jin) and the sage head nurse Song Hyo-jin (played by Lee Jung-eun in Parasite). The program presents mental health patients as complex, multifaceted people with a range of emotions and difficulties, as opposed to flat, one-dimensional characters. In an outstanding performance, Park Bo-young wonderfully captures Da-eun's empathy, hope, and personal hardships. The most amazing thing about Daily Dose of Sunshine is how well it balances the serious and humorous emotional moments.

Girl with a Mask

This K-drama on Netflix is very captivating, exciting, and completely insane. The story explores the intricacies of obsession, beauty standards, and the effects of social pressures. Drawn on the same-titled webcomic by Mae Mi and Hee-se, the program has a multi-layered storyline. Kim Mo-mi, an office worker tormented by self-consciousness over her looks, is the main character of the series. Bullying broke her dream of being an idol at an early age. But Mo-mi reinvents herself as a live-streamer wearing a mask, and she finds an online following of adoring fans while she stays concealed behind her mask. Mask Girl is unique in that it has three distinct interpretations of Mo-mi, played by Lee Han-byul, Nana, and Go Hyun-Jung. Each actress creates a rich and dynamic primary figure by skillfully capturing various aspects of Mo-mi's character at each period of her life, including her internal struggles, metamorphosis, and weaknesses. Additionally, the program tackles delicate topics like domestic violence and sexual assault, sometimes going into gruesome detail. Mask Girl is proof of the complex plotting and subtle character development that are hallmarks of K-dramas.

Mother, good, bad

The intricacies of parenthood are examined in Netflix's The Good Bad Mother through the eyes of Jin Young-soon (Ra Mi-ran) and her son Choi Kang-ho (Lee Do-hyun). Their touching story, replete with misfortune, a rigorous upbringing, and surprising turns, emphasizes their bond with one another and other people. The Good Bad Mother's complex narrative and multi-layered characters are what make it so brilliant. Audiences are enthralled by the complexity of Young-soon and Kang-ho's relationship because it is so intense and emotional. The captivating storylines of each character are shaped by their prior decisions. Any audience will be enthralled by Lee Do-hyun's depiction of Kang-ho's dualism and Ra Mi-ran's stunning performance as Young-soon. It is unquestionably among the most poignant, suspenseful, and enduring K-dramas of the year.

My Darling Lie

Ever pondered what might occur if you had the ability to hear lies? In this K-drama, Mok Sol-hee (Kim So-hyun) is able to achieve just that. Her talents are useful in many situations, despite the fact that she views them as a curse and an annoyance. She meets Kim Doha (Hwang Min-hyun), a talented but nameless music producer and murder suspect, while assisting others in spotting falsehoods. My Lovely Liar deftly combines a complex yet well-done thriller with a charming romance. Anyone can't help but be rooting for Doha and Sol-hee as their relationship blossoms—it's that sweet to the teeth. Doha is also a big plus and makes for amazing boyfriend material! It's a simple fantasy romance that's both soothing and intriguing to watch, with just the proper amount of mystery.

In my nineteenth life, see you.

Are you in the mood for some thrilling romance and chemistry? Then you really need to see See You in My 19th Life! This series, which explores fantasy and romance, centers on Ban Ji-eum (Shin Hye-sun), a person with the capacity to recall all of her former incarnations. She reunites with Moon Seo-ha (Ahn Bo-hyun) in her 19th life, which was cut short by an accident. She had previously met Moon Seo-ha in her 18th incarnation. Ji-eum follows Seo-ha relentlessly, determined to win her over in this life as well. However, Seo-ha first rejects any attempts because he has been traumatized by the deaths of his mother and Ji-eum in her former life. As Ji-eum learns more about the individuals from her past incarnations and the source of her skills, things are not always easy. This series is a must-watch if you're searching for a complex love K-drama. It has a ton of interesting supporting characters, endearing romances (between the main leads as well as the secondary leads!), and magical complexities.

A Brief Course in Romance

Seeing individuals in their 40s fall in love—like the main characters of Crash Course in Romance—is a specific kind of joy. There's no grandiose masquerade or pretenses, just the joy that comes from at last finding someone who gets you. Crash Course in Romance, starring Jung Kyung-ho and Jeon Do-yeon, is a straightforward film that makes you feel happy. Respected math teacher Choi Chi-yeol (Jung) and side-dish business owner Nam Haeng-son (Jeon), who looks out for her brother and niece, had a falling out at first but end up running into one other all the time. Their divergent personalities irritate one other, leading to arguments. There are fascinating subplots that arise in addition to the subtle romance taking center stage. Suspense is increased by the existence of a serial murderer, whose victims are all linked by their loathing of Chi-yeol. The drama also explores the competitive academic culture of South Korea, exposing pressure-cooker conditions and scheming school relationships. The way the show portrays changing relationships, school dynamics, and the dangers of academic pressure is excellent.

The Most Dangerous

Fans of Ji Chang-wook were in for a treat this year as the actor returned to a part that included action after a long hiatus. Set in the 1990s, this gripping crime thriller tells the story of Park Jun-mo (Ji Chang-wook), a former rural police officer who went undercover to infiltrate the infamous Gangnam Union, a formidable mafia organization running a burgeoning heroin trafficking. Parallel to this, Wi Ha-joon's character Jung Gi-cheol (once a DJ before becoming gangster) rises up the criminal hierarchy to take control of Gangnam, leaving a path of dominance and brutality in his wake. But The Worst of Evil presents a complex picture of its characters by drawing the audience into the gang's inner workings and Gi-cheol's struggle for dominance rather than just observing from the outside. The show deftly examines the moral and emotional quandaries these individuals confront, mirroring their internal struggles and reflected experiences. The story is made more complex and intense by the complex emotional connections between Gi-cheol, Jun-mo, and Eui-jeong, Jun-mo's wife. There are also some very amazing action sequences in the series that are balanced, well-coordinated, and gritty.

Shifting

Moving, another K-dramas that tackles parental connections, is unquestionably one of the biggest this year. It's not your average superhero story, taking place in a world where some people are born with abilities. Instead, it goes beyond the flimsiness of superhero movies to explore intricate family connections, courage, sacrifice, and political corruption. Kim Bong-seok (Lee Jung-ha), who is endowed with the capacity to fly, hides his talent at his mother's (Han Hyo-joo) request. After meeting Jang Hui-soo (Kim Yoo-jung), a new student at his school, he discovers that their parents were formerly powerful government officials who were used for personal gain. The drama deftly juggles many complex storylines, leaving viewers wanting more. Numerous poignant moments highlight the characters' hardships, such as Bong-seok's resolute efforts to fly on his own. The ensemble cast brings their parts to life as they explore a variety of human connections, including those involving love entanglements, parental sacrifices, and deeper human values in a world where amazing talents exist. With its distinct premise and emotionally charged storytelling that combines contemplative feeling with suspenseful action, Moving is an incredible series that manages to be both compelling and relevant.

Queenmaker

The business sector and the political sphere of governance have a narrow but significant interaction. At this distance, Queenmaker is standing. The story follows Oh Kyung-sook (Moon So-ri), a human rights attorney, and Hwang Do-hee (Kim Hee-ae), a former corporate strategist, as they make their way through a complex network of crimes, cover-ups, and lies to traverse the brutal world of politics. This is the ideal watch if you're searching for something exciting and fast paced! Do-hee, a former important member of the Eunsung Group, learns disturbing information regarding the company's role in suppressing claims of sexual assault. Together with Kyung-sook, they seek to undermine the group's influence and halt the rise to power of the dishonest Baek Jae-min, despite their early ideological disagreements. The show tackles current social themes and moral dilemmas by diving into family cover-ups, scandals, and corruption. Do-hee and Kyung-sook's relationship is very endearing. Their kinship and their strong acting make Queenmaker a fantastic sitcom centered on women.

Physician Cha

Dr. Cha is another potent K-drama that focuses on women. It tells the story of Cha Jeong-suk (Uhm Jung-hwa), a gifted doctor who gives up her dream of becoming a successful doctor to become a stay-at-home mother because of social pressures and her husband's preferences. Nonetheless, she feels confined and underappreciated in her own house. The realization that Jeong-suk has to change is a turning point. She defies the established norm by going back to work and securing a position as a resident physician at her husband's hospital, proving her value and independence. She overcomes the constraints imposed by social conventions, preventing herself from experiencing the stigma and undervaluation that come with being someone's wife or mother. Jeong-suk's fortitude and self-awareness demonstrate the significance of recognizing and claiming one's own value in order to finally escape the constraints of patriarchy.