Top 5 Critically Acclaimed 2023 K-dramas According to Rotten Tomatoes

This year has offered K-drama fans a wide range of options to watch, with several gaining worldwide critical acclaim. However, only a handful of 2023 K-dramas received a Rotten Tomatoes score. From Moving to My Demon, K-dramas demonstrated their strength in various genres, including action thrillers and romantic dramas. Netflix K-dramas, in particular, had a successful year, consistently earning high rankings on Rotten Tomatoes.

Which K-dramas made it onto Rotten Tomatoes? The selections brought a mix of surprises, with Nam Joo-hyuk’s Vigilante not making the cut while Kang Full’s Moving became a global hit. Fan favorites like Celebrity and A Time Called You also made their way onto the platform, but didn't reach elite status for the year.

So, here's a roundup of the top K-dramas available on Rotten Tomatoes in 2023, along with explanations for why each entry was so well-received.

Doctor Cha – 86%

A stay-at-home mother has had enough and pursues her forgotten dream of becoming a doctor while finding herself and learning the truth about her family.

After 20 years as a housewife, Cha Jeong-suk gave up her dream of being a doctor to take care of her family. But when she realizes her family undervalues her, she sets out to prove everyone wrong by becoming a medical resident once again. However, her husband and son work at the same hospital, and they must keep their family connection a secret.

But that's not the only hidden truth; Jeong-suk quickly discovers a painful reality about her marriage. Doctor Cha was applauded by viewers for its powerful message that age should not determine one's happiness and sense of fulfillment. Jeong-suk rediscovers the importance of prioritizing her own well-being. The 2023 K-drama earned an 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and can be streamed on Netflix.

Gyeongseong Creature – 86%

In search of the missing, a detective and a wealthy pawn shop owner brave the ominous Onseong Hospital, notorious for sinister rumors. Little do they know, the hospital harbors a dark and chilling secret.

The 2023 K-drama "Gyeongseong Creature" was a fan favorite on Netflix, set during the Japanese occupation of Korea in 1945. The plot focuses on a series of missing persons cases, prompting the protagonist Yoon Chae-ok (played by Han So-hee) and her father to visit Gyeongseong in search of information. Known as bounty hunters or sleuths, the pair are skilled at locating missing individuals, with Chae-ok being highly trained in combat. While in Gyeongseong, they encounter a wealthy pawn shop owner named Jang Tae-sang (played by Park Seo-joon), who is known for his valuable and trustworthy information.

Tae-sang seeks Chae-ok and her father's assistance in locating a missing woman, which ultimately brings them to Onseong Hospital. The locals believe that the hospital may be connected to the disappearances, but the truth is even more sinister - it harbors a dangerous and monstrous government secret.

Gyeongseong Creature's Part 1 has garnered enthusiastic reviews, achieving an impressive 86% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and standing out as a highlight among Netflix's non-English series.

Mask Girl – 100%

Hailed as one of the top suspense films of the year, Mask Girl on Netflix follows the story of a corporate employee whose secret online persona plunges her into a dangerous world of deception, homicide, and brutal truths.

Kim Mo-mi (Lee Han-byeol) is an ordinary office worker who has been ridiculed and overlooked because of her unattractive appearance. Despite her longing to be a performer, societal norms have held her back. To pursue her dream, she creates a new persona as a cam girl, known as Mask Girl.

When her website is shut down due to a mistake, Mo-mi loses her only source of joy in life. To make matters worse, she discovers that her coworker, who has always been an outcast, is a fan of her cam girl persona and has uncovered her true identity. This sets off a rollercoaster of events as Mask Girl, leading Mo-mi to navigate through three different stages of life after a murder.

This 2023 K-drama was praised for its cinematography and art style, as well as its intriguing storyline. On Rotten Tomatoes, Mask Girl received a 100% rating.

Daily Dose of Sunshine – 100%

Park Bo-young stars in the Netflix hit, Daily Dose of Sunshine, portraying Jung Da-eun, a nurse who finds herself transferred to a psychiatric hospital, where she interacts with patients. The November K-drama has been well-received by fans for its touching and insightful portrayal of mental health. Da-eun, who previously worked in Internal Medicine, is met with confusion from her colleagues as she adjusts to her new role.

Da-eun, lacking in expertise, discovers the difficult truths that patients with mental health issues face. She then sets out on a personal journey of self-discovery, committed to bringing positivity to her patients. This K-drama provides an authentic portrayal of mental health struggles, including feelings of being overwhelmed by anxiety and fear for oneself and others.

Rotten Tomatoes gave Daily Dose of Sunshine a perfect 100% rating.

Moving – 100%

Kang Full’s Moving has been widely praised as a dynamic and visually stunning 2023 K-drama that puts a refreshing emotional twist on superheroes.

2023’s standout K-drama Moving, based on a popular Webtoon, earned high praise from Rolling Stone as the best of the year. It offers a fresh take on the superhero genre, challenging the likes of the MCU and Prime Video’s The Boys.

Kim Bong-seok (played by Lee Jung-ha) and Jang Hui-soo (played by Go Yoon-jung) forge a close bond while attending school. Both share a unique trait: they possess superpowers. Hui-soo is nearly indestructible and has rapid healing abilities, while Bong-seok can levitate and fly, though he strives to remain grounded.

Neither Bong-seok nor Hui-soo are aware that their parents also possess powers and were once secret agents. In order to safeguard their children, they relinquished their previous life and concealed themselves. However, when the government becomes a menace, the boys' parents re-emerge as merciless assassins.

Moving was lauded for its poignant character relationships and impressive stuntwork and visuals. The K-drama is anticipated to have a second season, which will allegedly launch a Kang Full universe. Moving received a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

So, there you have it: Rotten Tomatoes’ highest-rated K-dramas of 2023. You can also check out Dexerto’s picks for the best K-dramas of 2023 here.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of K-dramas, I am thrilled to see the recognition that these five critically acclaimed shows have received on Rotten Tomatoes. It's a testament to the high quality and diverse range of K-dramas that have been produced this year.

"Doctor Cha" and "Gyeongseong Creature" particularly stand out for their strong female protagonists who break free from societal expectations and fight for their dreams and justice. These shows empower women and challenge traditional gender roles, which is refreshing and inspiring to see in the K-drama landscape.

The success of these K-dramas on Rotten Tomatoes also highlights the growing global popularity of Korean content. With their compelling storylines, talented actors, and beautiful cinematography, K-dramas are captivating audiences worldwide and breaking down cultural barriers. I am excited to see what the future holds for K-dramas and look forward to discovering even more gems in the years to come.