Ever wondered why Korean dramas are so popular? Psst, here’s the secret-smart deliverance: resonating across borders, high-quality storytelling and clicking with women in particular, K-dramas create cultural exchange and awareness like few others. Even in India, having been introduced to the different facets of Korean culture, audiences are catching on big time to them, increasing their viewership and airtime dominance manifold. Thus, today we bring you the 5 Best Korean Dramas of 2023 so far.
K-dramas have kept the world addicted to them big time. Well, it is simply no secret as to why they are so popular, right? With a dash of drama, a plotline romantic enough to keep one hooked for ages, interesting dashes of emotions, and a sprinkle of life here and there, these K-dramas have become an extremely popular modicum of entertainment. What’s more, they are the latest addiction, with viewers binge-watching and enjoying them immensely, weekdays and weekends alike.
While Korean dramas are popular for a variety of reasons, here are some of them that we feel take the cake:
- A brilliantly cast ensemble of actors.
- Awesome fashion quotient.
- Unexpected plot twists and dramas are attached.
- Brilliant and out-of-the-world cinematography.
- All in all, a wholesome and entertaining experience
So, while these were some of the reasons we felt K-dramas were so popular.
Here are the 5 Best Korean Dramas of 2023 so far
King the Land
Starring Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah, this one aired on JTBC. Telling the story of Goo Won, who is the heir of the King Group, which is a luxury hotel conglomerate, speaks of how he is thrown into a war concerning inheritance. Goo Won is smart, elegant and chic, but not too smart at dating.
When Sa-Rang comes to work at his hotel and commences working there, there are more than romantic sparks to the relationship, as working at the hotel also makes up for some great childhood reminiscences for her. Facing difficulties but growing as a person, this is one of the most-watched K-dramas on Netflix in 2023.
Packing as many subplots as possible, this dives head-first into multiple subplots at once. Familial bonds and relationships, workplace drama, modern cultural representations, acquisition wars—there is so much being dished out here that you will be hard-pressed for choice.
A heartwarming Korean drama that will wrap you in a warm blanket of cozy comfort and cuteness, relatable characters and an endearing storyline make this one a hard-loved nut, huh?
Behind Your Touch
The story of how a psychic veterinarian and a detective join forces to crack small-town cases is tested when they get to unravel a mystery that involves a serial killer.
Starring Han Ji-min, Lee Min-ki and Suho, there is a vet with psychometric powers and a detective who is, ah, hot-blooded. Naturally, sparks will fly as they fall for each other, right? Ye Bun and Jang Kyul artfully combine mystery, the supernatural, and humour, all in a small-town arrangement. The contrasting elements between their personalities, along with major other plot dynamics, are what brilliantly drive the story forward.
Naturally exciting because of the potentiality of the twists and turns it offers, there are also various sub-plots such as local politics, strained romances, light-hearted comic situations and fascinating character lives.
So, in case you are looking for an engaging and fun-filled watch, go for this now!
My Lovely Liar
The story of Mok Sol Hee, a young woman with an extraordinary and supernatural ability to “hear” through other people’s lies, no matter how hard they try to shield the truth, shows how, having been left jaded by her superpower, she is no longer in a position to trust anyone. Considering all to be morally bankrupt, she meets Kim Do Ha, who is embroiled in a murder case and goes into hiding. But surprise, surprise, surprise, as Mok realizes that Kim is a person on whom the superpower somehow does not work! Becoming drawn to the mystery man, will she ever learn the deepest secrets of his heart?
The captivating chemistry between the lead actors and their scintillating individual character descriptions, along with the fantastical elements and romance in a fun setting, make My Lovely Liar your go-to binge-watch rom-com fantasy this season. Embark on a whimsical journey alongside Mok and Kim through this one.
The Good Bad Mother
When a tragic accident leaves an ambitious prosecutor with the mind of a child, it forces them to embark upon a journey to heal their wounded relationship as well.
Diving into emotional issues, the entire plethora of emotions, and the equation between the mother-son duo of Young Soon and Kahn Ho is truly fascinating to watch. When Young Soon is a single mother, she runs a pig farm, raising Kahn Ho strictly so that he doesn’t go about things the wrong way, as she did. When he grows up and works as a prosecutor, he is a cold-hearted and heartless person. One day, when Kang Ho meets an unexpected accident and becomes childlike, that is when we see the entire equation turn with him moving in with his mother.
The entire cataclysmic chain of events is both heartbreaking and enlightening at the same time. This one will make you shed some unshed tears—once in a while, for sure!
A warning, though: this is not your usual binge-watch feel-good drama, yet I would be very surprised if you are not addicted to it. There is unspeakable emotion and charm embedded in this one! Psst, a histrionic climax too!
Crash Course in Romance
When a retired ex-national team handball player becomes a grocery store owner in order to look after her family and also struggle with her daughter’s issues.
Touching upon the pressures of high school academics, this one also has a romance blossoming within its folds. With regular plot jumps, unexpected twists and quirks, there is enough spice in this one to keep you hooked. With sweet, fresh chemistry between the actors, there are multiple sub-tropes here, from high school romance to parental trauma, professional rivalry to murderous psychopaths on the loose (oh yeah, this too!). All of this comes together so wonderfully and seamlessly that you will be hard-pressed to avoid this one for long! A Korean drama that attempts to explore the dark underside of education, this one is a compelling watch.
So, these were the 5 Best Korean Dramas of 2023 so far, as I know them. Let me know in the comments which ones you have watched. Also, stay tuned with us right here at Booxoul for the best in the fields of entertainment, travel, fun, finance, education, fashion, tech and gadgets, as well as all things bookish.
Adios, Amigos and happy binge-watching!