2023 Best k-dramas

2023 was a year when I checked out almost all new k-dramas across all platforms.  Comparing  dramas that in principle can't be compared, but the aim is just to show appreciation where it's due. And I'm really going to comb through the most of it instead of just the very best! Because I dropped just as many dramas during the first episodes as I ended up  watching. So these ones passed my initial judgment of being worth watching.

roddib Dec 30, 2023
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  • Miraculous Brothers

    1. Miraculous Brothers

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    10

    Miraculously good. Best drama of the year. Best script.  Best new actor Bae Hyun Sung. Oh Man Suk as Kai one of the best supporting actor performances of the year.

  • Twinkling Watermelon

    2. Twinkling Watermelon

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    10

    I laughed,  I cried. And waited for Mondays to come (which is a miracle in itself).

  • Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun

    3. Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    9.0

    The focus on action instead of characters in Disney -style was disappointing. But I'm still happy that this epic saga received a fine ending, even though shortened from how it was originally written and planned. Jang Dong Gun deserves a Daesang, he was phenomenal. OST of the year, Forestella: Chosen One.

  • The Good Bad Mother

    4. The Good Bad Mother

    Korean Drama - 2023, 14 episodes

    9.0

    Heartwarming drama that had all the ingredients that make people migrate to k-dramaland and never return. Found family portrayal of a close collective, funny and moving. Ra Mi Ran deserves a Daesang for her role.

  • The Worst of Evil

    5. The Worst of Evil

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    9.0

    Fantastically written drama.  The dual loyalties challenge faced by the ML and FL as undercover cops was driving the the suspense, which was almost unbearable at times. Who can forget Ji Chang Wook all soaked in blood. Bromance of the year. All the cast was fantastic, but the best support actor of the year award should go to Yoon Gyung Ho as the corrupt detective. And for Bibi the best supporting actress award.

  • The Kidnapping Day

    6. The Kidnapping Day

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    9.0

    A very original drama that won many hearts for a reason. Something that nobody expected. Not to miss! Best actor award for Yoon Kye Sang!

  • D.P. Season 2

    7. D.P. Season 2

    Korean Drama - 2023, 6 episodes

    9.0

    Stark and painful realism. Courageous writing and acting. Huge respect to the writer for bringing these issues into light.

  • King the Land

    8. King the Land

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    9.5

    Hands down easily the funniest drama of the year. Lee Junho showing off his huge comedic skills in complete synchrony with Yoona was thoroughly enjoyable.  Not just fluff, but offering poignant lessons in human resources and business management.

  • Moon in the Day

    9. Moon in the Day

    Korean Drama - 2023, 14 episodes

    9.5

    We're living in an era where revenge dramas are glorified and popular. This drama's carrying theme was that revenge is very futile and only destroys the life of the one pursuing it. Unlike many other dramas this year, this one also achieved a fine balance between historical and current timelines. Beauty and sadness, with comedic relief moments. Best couple of the year for me, Kim Young Dae and Pyo Ye Jin.

  • Love to Hate You

    10. Love to Hate You

    Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    9.5

    Romantic and comedy, this had it all! It's more difficult than we think considering the many offerings this year that were just not comedy-ing.

  • My Dearest Part 2

    11. My Dearest Part 2

    Korean Drama - 2023, 11 episodes

    9.0

    Rating Part 2 higher than Part 1 because the character growth of the mains made it a less frustrating drama. Again the beef was in the portrayal of real historical characters and events. Extra interesting to first read the history and then watch how the drama portrays it.

  • Song of the Bandits

    12. Song of the Bandits

    Korean Drama - 2023, 9 episodes

    9.0

    Joseon in the wild west. Beautiful cinematography and lots of action. And of course, great actors. Could easily have been longer than just 9 episodes. Lee Ho Jung deserves best new actress Baeksang.

  • My Dearest

    13. My Dearest

    Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    8.5

    A quality historical drama that had the most irritating and frustrating lead couple. Historical strand was great, romance was of the cruelest kind.

  • Doona!

    14. Doona!

    Korean Drama - 2023, 9 episodes

    9.0

    Carefully fine-tuned melancholic atmosphere. Strong Breakfast at Tiffany's vibes. Found family trope. Fantastic acting from Suzy and Yang Se Jong. Suzy deserves the best actress Baeksang.

  • Oasis

    15. Oasis

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    9.0

    A heartbreakingly sad drama about two brothers during the military rule. Historical realism always adds extra value

  • Our Blooming Youth

    16. Our Blooming Youth

    Korean Drama - 2023, 20 episodes

    9.0

    Romance, detective, murder, and fusion historical drama all-in-one package, but it worked so well. Some of the best humour this year.

  • One Day Off

    17. One Day Off

    Korean Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

    9.0

    Short drama offering a lot of food for thought. Airy and free flowing, a real gem.

  • Dr. Romantic Season 3

    18. Dr. Romantic Season 3

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    8.5

    Best in the series. The tedious hospital politicking was almost all  gone and it was all about the characters and exciting events. (Random comment: if you liked this, watch D-day!)

  • Not Others

    19. Not Others

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    8.5

    Delightfully different, unconventional drama. Detective & workplace drama with mother-daughter relationship in the core.

  • Daily Dose of Sunshine

    20. Daily Dose of Sunshine

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    8.5

    Mental health issues portrayed in a realistic but empathetic and hope-filled way. Brings the characters close to the viewer. A very fine way to approach difficult issues. The kind of  lessons for life drama that sticks in the mind long after watching.

  • Romance by Romance

    21. Romance by Romance

    Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    8.5

    Short and sweet is a gift. Perfect for the time in between choosing between longer dramas.

  • The Killing Vote

    22. The Killing Vote

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    8.0

    Great first episodes, but the suspense slowly fizzled out, partly due to the scheduling. The justice theme and the participation of the voters in the executions  would have merited  more in-depth handling. Park Hae Jin and Park Sung Woong were once again a fantastic duo that made this very worth watching.

  • Duty after School: Part 1

    23. Duty after School: Part 1

    Korean Drama - 2023, 6 episodes

    8.0

    Surprise hit and deservedly! Not the most logical or deep drama but definitely loved it!

  • Evilive

    24. Evilive

    Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    8.0

    A high quality suspense drama in Breaking Bad style. Kim Young Kwang was too good as a villain! Wished for the bromance to have conquered and carried on until the end.

  • Revenant

    25. Revenant

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    8.0

    Kim Tae Ri deserves a Daesang for sure. Thiller that wasn't overly scary or gory. Plot was well-developed but drama was lacking in character depth.

  • The Secret Romantic Guesthouse

    26. The Secret Romantic Guesthouse

    Korean Drama - 2023, 18 episodes

    8.0

    Extremely enjoyable to watch, but could have been shorter. Historical, romance and action. Making us trying to guess who the king was for weeks was clever!

  • A Time Called You

    27. A Time Called You

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    8.0

    In principle remakes are very unnecessary. Since I hadn't seen the original this was beautiful.  But confusing. Psycho villains murdering for the pure joy of it are boring.

  • Queenmaker

    28. Queenmaker

    Korean Drama - 2023, 11 episodes

    8.0

    Unexpectedly good for a drama focused on politics. Good acting, suspense, interesting characters.

  • Finland Papa

    29. Finland Papa

    Korean Drama - 2023, 6 episodes

    8.0

    This small short drama is very sympathetic and warm. Found family is my favorite trope. Not everything worth watching needs to be big productions.

  • Destined with You

    30. Destined with You

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    7.5

    I just loved watching Rowoon doing his comedic best. He was totally swoonworthy. Misplaced flashbacks ruined the flow of the drama. Too many insufferable side characters and a cute but naive FL are sure recipes for ruining a promising romantic comedy.

  • Castaway Diva

    31. Castaway Diva

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    7.5

    Promising start with heavier content on domestic violence. The sismance and found family tropes were nice. In the end there's redemption and success. Overall something was lacking, maybe the threat from the father served dramatic purposes but the combination of elements wasn't entirely satisfactory.

  • Heartbeat

    32. Heartbeat

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    7.5

    Very funny in the beginning but became repetitive. Too much screentime for dreary predictable villains. Ending was a blow and not at all what the genre let us to expect. Ok Taecyeon was awesome though!

  • My Perfect Stranger

    33. My Perfect Stranger

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    7.5

    Engaging in the beginning, but lost spark towards the end. 

  • Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist Season 2

    34. Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist Season 2

    Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    7.5

    Detective and medical drama in Joseon. Nice but forgettable.

  • Delivery Man

    35. Delivery Man

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    7.5

    Good entertaining sympathetic drama to pass the time. Nothing more, nothing less.

  • See You in My 19th Life

    36. See You in My 19th Life

    Korean Drama - 2023, 12 episodes

    7.5

    An enjoyable drama but I was left wondering why was it made? A nice drama but thematically shallow if not even empty.

  • Crash Course in Romance

    37. Crash Course in Romance

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    7.0

    Romantic comedy with a murder plot. Too many on those this year. Also brings on the competitive school problem and  overambitious rich moms.  Attention writers: they are never nice or entertaining to watch. Not romantic enough for me to get feels of it. This had some funny and touching moments, though, for sure.  

  • The Matchmakers

    38. The Matchmakers

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    7.0

    Bigger disappointment. Historical drama with the usual palace plotting and murder plot put into a matchmaking comedy. Impossible mix.

  • Boss-dol Mart

    39. Boss-dol Mart

    Korean Drama - 2023, 10 episodes

    7.0

    Small, cute drama.

  • Lies Hidden in My Garden

    40. Lies Hidden in My Garden

    Korean Drama - 2023, 8 episodes

    7.0

    Enigmatic atmosphere and well made, but not engaging. Characters remained distant.

  • Duty after School: Part 2

    41. Duty after School: Part 2

    Korean Drama - 2023, 4 episodes

    7.0

    Gave a questionable lesson: how to destroy everything that was good in part 1. So the aliens came down to earth to eat humans because humans are trash. Well, a small production can't achieve great philosophic heights I guess. But it didn't have to go so low either.

  • Doctor Cha

    42. Doctor Cha

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    6.5

    Overly saintly FL combined with a bitchy 2FL is a recipe for disaster. Still middlingly entertaining. It's time for the bitchy 2FLs era to end.

  • My Lovely Liar

    43. My Lovely Liar

    Korean Drama - 2023, 16 episodes

    6.0

    The interesting theme whether lies can be for the good or always bad was lost after first half. Too many unnnecessary and boring side characters. Sloppy writing award goes to My Lovely Liar.

  • Moving

    44. Moving

    Korean Drama - 2023, 20 episodes

    5.5

    Half of it was good, the current timeline, half of it skippable. Hence 5.5. Too little background for the entire superpowers project or reasons for killing. Disney style just isn't for me, even with the very best actors.

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