Here are the top K-dramas of 2023. From romance to mystery, these series captivate audiences
The popular polling site KingChoice recently ran this month-long survey for us fans to pick out the best K-dramas in 2023. With a whopping 70,000 votes by the time the survey ended on November 30, the following 10 dramas came out on top.
10th place – “The Worst of Evil”
“The Worst of Evil” hit the small screen on September 27, starring Ji Chang Wook, Wi Ha Joon, Im Se Mi, and BIBI. Set in the 1990s, the drama follows undercover cops diving deep into a major crime syndicate managing an illegal drug trade circuit between South Korea, China, and Japan.
9th place – “King The Land”
Aired on June 17, “King The Land” seems like another cliché K-drama at first, following the same old storyline – poor girl falls for a chaebol heir. But here’s the twist – the chemistry between Lee Junho (2PM) and YoonA (Girls’ Generation), is what makes the drama a hit.
8th place – “Taxi Driver 2”
After the smashing success of the first season in 2021, “Taxi Driver” came back to our screens on February 17. Starring Lee Je Hoon, Kim Eui Sung, Pyo Ye Jin, Jang Hyuk Jin, Bae Yoo Ram, and Shin Jae Ha, the show centers on Rainbow Taxi, a service that not only transports people but also secretly aids victims seeking payback against wrongdoers.
7th place – “Doona!”
“Doona!” was out on October 20. It’s a romance drama based on the webtoon “The Girl Downstairs”, following university student Won Jun (Yang Se Jong), who becomes roommates with Doona (Bae Suzy), a former K-pop idol. From strangers to friends, and then to a full-on romance.
6th place – “Twinkling Watermelon”
“Twinkling Watermelon” got crowned as the most loved youth drama in the latter half of 2023 after its premiere on September 25. It’s the story of Ha Eun Gyeol (Ryeon Un), the only one in a deaf family who can communicate. After a spat with his dad, Eun Gyeol accidentally time-travels to 1995, meeting his 18-year-old parents and making it his mission to protect them and keep their love alive.
5th place – “My Dearest”
With Nam Goong Min leading, “My Dearest” scored positive reviews right from its first episode on August 4. It weaves a love story between the mysterious Lee Jong Hyun (Nam Goong Min) and the noblewoman Yoo Gil Chae (Ahn Eun Jin) against the backdrop of the Joseon invasion by the Qing Dynasty.
4th place – “The Uncanny Counter 2”
Building on the success of the first season, “The Uncanny Counter 2” was out on July 29. The series follows a group of individuals with special abilities chosen to seek out and kick out evil spirits that hijack human bodies. Most of them sign up as demon hunters just to keep on living.
3rd place – “Dr. Romantic 3”
This third installment of the hit medical drama made a comeback on April 28. It portrays the life-and-death struggles for patients at a cash-strapped hospital in a small town, championed by genuine doctors.
2nd place – “Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun”
The drama premiered on September 9, boasting a star-studded lineup with Jang Dong Gun, Kim Ok Vin, Lee Joon Gi, and Shin Se Kyung. The second part of “Arthdal Chronicles” dives into the mythical land of Arth, unfolding legendary tales of Tagon (Jang Dong Gun), Eunseom (Lee Joon Gi), Tanya (Shin Se Kyung), and Taealha (Kim Ok Vin).
1st place – “The Glory 2”
“The Glory 2” was out on March 10, following the story of Moon Dong Eun (Song Hye Kyo) who was a victim of school violence, plotting revenge against her high school bullies after 20 years. Unlike the slower pace of Part 1, Part 2 is more satisfying for viewers, as they get to witness Moon Dong Eun’s revenge and the villains facing the consequences.
Source: K14
