Top K-dramas of 2023

The year is coming to a close and it's been a great one for K-drama fans, featuring storylines that left many in tears, heartbroken, shocked, and eager for more. Here are the top K-dramas of 2023.

A number of K-dramas satisfied fans by including familiar tropes, such as the fantasy romance between a charming demon and a busy female CEO in "My Demon". Romances like "Destined With You" had fans captivated by the destined love story between the characters. On the other hand, "King the Land" fulfilled all the necessary tropes, although some fans found it lacking in impact.

Some K-dramas in 2023 dominated conversations for months due to their captivating plots and talented cast. Notably, Kim Tae-ri’s Revenant impressed with its chilling thriller and the actor’s portrayal of a character and an evil spirit. Bae Suzy’s Doona! was also lauded for its depiction of evolving love in challenging times, leaving audiences eager for more by the finale. However, there were other K-dramas that truly stood out.

5. Sweet Home Season 2

Netflix’s Sweet Home finally returns after three years, much to the delight of K-drama fans. Season 2 sees Song Kang reprising his role as Cha Hyun-soo, joined by familiar faces and new additions to the cast. The storyline progresses as Hyun-soo and the remaining tenants navigate through a fresh apocalyptic setting.

Having survived the monsters in the building, they quickly realize that the outside world offers no protection. They must once again fend for themselves. Hyun-soo takes on the role of bridging humanity and the monsters in hopes of becoming a hero. In the midst of chaos, there is the possibility of finding a cure or establishing a new world order.

Sweet Home Season 2 intensified the drama, gore, and action to the extreme, resulting in an even more captivating watch than the first season. With a larger setting and more characters, the K-drama delved into more complex and compelling stories. This was necessary, as the complexity of the apocalypse extends beyond just Hyun-soo.

4. A Time Called You

In addition to the intricate use of settings and horrifying monsters and blood, the K-drama delves into the concept of what defines humanity versus monstrous behavior. Fans are left eagerly anticipating Season 3 and the fate of the world, thanks to the captivating performances by Song Kang and the rest of the cast. Check out Dexerto’s review here.

A Time Called You, starring Ahn Hyo-seop and Jeon Yeo-been, is a captivating and intricate K-drama that stands out as one of the best of 2023. The storyline intertwines profound love and a compelling tale of time travel, offering a unique and unprecedented viewing experience. In the series, Han Jun-hee (played by Jeon) grapples with the loss of her boyfriend in a plane crash. Her world is turned upside down when she encounters a man who bears a striking resemblance to her late boyfriend and is given a mysterious tape player. As she listens to the tape, she finds herself transported to the year 1998, inhabiting the body of a high school student named Min-ju.

3. Mask Girl

Si-heon, a person she knows, happens to bear a striking resemblance to her boyfriend. This baffling coincidence throws Jun-hee into a labyrinth of complexity, compelling her to seek answers before it's too late. A Time Called You demands multiple rewinds, meticulous attention to detail, and diligent note-taking in order to unravel its intricacies. Despite the tedium, it stands as one of the rare K-dramas capable of leaving viewers gasping in sheer astonishment.

Netflix introduced the highly anticipated 2023 K-drama Mask Girl, based on the popular webtoon. The series delves into society's harmful standards of beauty and the devastating consequences that follow. Rising star Lee Han-byeol takes on the lead role of Kim Mo-mi, an average office worker who has been labeled as unattractive by society, despite her dreams of stardom.

When her online persona, Mask Girl, is exposed and her channel is shut down, Mo-mi's world crumbles. As she grapples with the aftermath, a sinister murder linked to the pursuit of beauty unfolds. Mo-mi is left to navigate the aftermath of this tragedy and confront her own inner demons while striving to rebuild her shattered life and ambitions.

2. The Worst of Evil

Mask Girl captivated audiences with its stunning cinematography and compelling plot. The show artfully addressed the sensitive topics of beauty and plastic surgery within the context of a gripping thriller centered around the pursuit of happiness. Furthermore, this 2023 K-drama delivered unexpected twists and turns that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.

Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon, and Im Se-mi deliver outstanding performances in Disney+'s The Worst of Evil. Fans were immediately captivated by this crime K-drama set in the 1990s. The story follows Park Jun-mo (Ji), an average cop who is looked down upon by his wife's family due to his lack of a high-ranking position. When the opportunity arises for Jun-mo to infiltrate Gangnam's largest crime organization, he seizes it. Leading the gang is Jung Gi-cheul (Wi), who has transitioned from a club DJ to a narcotics runner. Jun-mo must get close to Gi-cheul and gather information about the organization's new shipments. However, there's a complication: Yoo Eui-jeong (Im), Jun-mo's wife, is also involved in the case.

She happens to be Gi-cheul's first love and is oblivious to her marriage to Jun-mo. The Worst of Evil showcased a vibrant and violent portrayal of action and intense emotion. Ji amazed viewers with his portrayal of his character's vulnerability intertwined with the brutal nature of the gang. K-drama enthusiasts were captivated, pondering if even a crime boss could have a compassionate side, and questioning the survival of an undercover marriage.

1. Moving

Securing the title of the top K-drama of 2023 is Kang Full’s Moving. Adapted from his original webtoon, this hit Disney+ K-drama revolutionizes the concept of superheroes. Three teenagers in high school discover they possess extraordinary powers, unaware of the true nature of their abilities.

Kim Bong-seok (Lee Jung-ha) was raised by his mother and struggles to control his ability to fly, resulting in him being overweight and wearing weighted plates to keep himself grounded. He crosses paths with Jang Hee-soo (Go Yoon-jung), a new student with the unique trait of being unable to get hurt, raised by her father. Class president Lee Kang-hoon (Kim Do-hoon) keeps his super strength a secret and avoids getting close to others.

As Bong-seok and Hee-soo form a strong bond, they are unaware of their parents' true identities. Their parents were once highly trained secret agents who went into hiding to protect their children from being used by an organization. Years later, they must become ruthless killers once again to keep their children safe.

Moving was hailed as one of the top K-dramas of the year due to its impressive stunt work, CGI, and stunning visuals. The heartfelt performances of the cast also left fans in tears. This K-drama focuses on the importance of protecting loved ones, rather than flashy outfits.

Fans are eagerly anticipating updates on Moving Season 2 and the potential adaptation of the creator's other webtoons.

Read more K-drama news here, details about December K-dramas here, and Netflix’s best originals here.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I am thrilled to see the K-drama industry continuing to produce high-quality and captivating content. The top K-dramas of 2023 have showcased a wide range of genres, from thrilling apocalyptic stories to heartwarming time-travel romances. I particularly enjoyed Sweet Home Season 2, which exceeded my expectations with its intense drama, gore, and action. The expanded setting and character development added depth to the story, leaving me eagerly anticipating Season 3.

Another standout K-drama for me was A Time Called You. This intricate and thought-provoking series combined profound love with a compelling tale of time travel, creating a truly unique viewing experience. The performances by Ahn Hyo-seop and Jeon Yeo-been were exceptional, and the complex plot kept me engaged and guessing until the very end. Overall, I am impressed with the quality and diversity of K-dramas in 2023, and I look forward to seeing what the industry has in store for us in the coming years.