It’s that point of 12 months the place we glance again and mirror on the Korean dramas of the previous 12 months. 2023 was a fairly good 12 months for me drama-wise with a pleasant choice and several other dramas that basically left an impression.
Thanks for one more superb 12 months to take pleasure in dramas with all of you! I at all times have enjoyable listening to your ideas on all the totally different dramas on the market, and it means a lot that you simply share that with me.
Subsequent up is the listing! It consists of all the dramas that I watched which aired and concluded their runs in 2023. We will likely be counting down my favourite dramas from least to most favourite. Full evaluations can be found for all of them.
As at all times, that is utterly my opinion on these dramas, and it doesn’t mirror Korean or worldwide scores or the recognition of any explicit drama amongst followers. Try the grand complete of what number of new and previous dramas I watched on the finish of the article 🙂
14. Oh! Youngsim
Oh! Youngsim was about as run-of-the-mill as they arrive. It has a fairly typical set-up with the childhood love story that went flawed as a consequence of misunderstandings adopted by a reunion between the duo as adults. These misunderstandings proceed within the current day as our couple will get concerned in a courting present.
This drama for me is an instance of a present utilizing the essential romantic comedy formulation and doing it in a totally common manner. I felt fairly meh about each of the leads. The couple is so-s0, and I wasn’t significantly invested of their relationship. The story is primary. The manufacturing is primary. Nothing stands out. It’s all fairly forgettable. It’s a lighter present that leans enjoyable if in case you have nothing else to observe, and that’s about it.
My Score: 5/10 (Oh! Youngsim Evaluation)
13. Romance By Romance
Romance by Romance is a brief mini drama. It’s a fluff piece that’s fairly primary, however throughout it’s respectable. So far as net dramas go, this one has a pleasant little story. It’s mild and enjoyable with a easy however developed plot.
It’s a good fast drama in the event you take pleasure in love triangles and the friends-to-lovers trope. Romance By Romance is an efficient match for a straightforward filler in between different dramas.
My Score: 6/10 (Romance By Romance Evaluation)
12. Like to Hate You
Like to Hate You was a blended drama for me. It’s a romantic comedy that offers with relationships in addition to points like discrimination between the sexes. It’s largely light-hearted however does sprinkle in some extra critical and considerate moments.
The primary half of the collection took some warming as much as as I discovered it gradual, I didn’t actually just like the characters, and I wasn’t feeling the general tone. Now, as a complete, I loved the second half of the collection much more together with the characters, relationship developments, and a number of the points that have been touched upon.
So, in the long run, Like to Hate You was a good watch. I do want it might have been extra even all through, but it surely was a cute general.
My Score: 6/10 (Like to Hate You Evaluation)
11. Household: The Unbreakable Bond
Household: The Unbreakable Bond was an fascinating drama to say the least. In fact, the principle motive I needed to verify this collection out was due to the reunion of Jang Hyuk and Jang Na Ra. I like this couple, and attending to see them on display screen collectively once more was a delight.
The drama had two sides with a household comedy factor that had numerous enjoyable household hi-jinks after which a spy motion story. The spy story initially felt weak, however as we went deeper, it was extra advanced. It was surprisingly darkish, but it surely was accomplished properly sufficient. Tonally, the drama felt very uneven which gave it an odd really feel, and the drama as a complete was a bit sloppy.
So, in the long run, Household: The Unbreakable Bond was a pleasant sufficient watch. Jang Hyuk and Jang Na Ra are undoubtedly the standouts and each put in improbable performances.
My Score: 6.5/10 (Household: The Unbreakable Bond Evaluation)
10.One Day Off
One Day Off was a stunning shorter drama. It is vitally contemplative and slice of life. You may also describe this as a therapeutic drama. Every episode, we be a part of Ha Kyung as she visits a brand new place. The general tone feels fairly peaceable because the story gently takes us on a journey as she discovers new issues and meets new individuals.
It truly is superb how a lot they have been in a position to do with only a quick 25 minute episode by way of storytelling. Every episode was emotional, impactful, and stuffed with that means. Regardless that One Day Off isn’t the kind of drama I are typically interested in it, I preferred it and will simply see the wonder in it. I feel many others will see this as a stunning little gem of a present.
My Score: 7/10 (One Day Off Evaluation)
9. Unlock My Boss
Unlock My Boss has a unusual premise with the idea of a CEO getting trapped within a smartphone. It grabbed my consideration, and it was a strong drama. The story was paced properly with a few good twists, and the characters have been fascinating. There may be additionally a little bit of a gradual burn romance to take pleasure in that was good to see take form.
We get a pleasant combination of genres too. The thriller factor moved issues alongside whereas the guts and humor delivered considerate moments alongside the best way. General, it was watch.
My Score: 7/10 (Unlock My Boss Evaluation)
8. Doona!
Doona! is a romance drama that packs an emotional punch. I like each Suzy and Yang Se Jong and thought that they had improbable chemistry. Their relationship was distinctive and intriguing.
We additionally get good character journeys for every of them with a lot to discover. That is an emotional story specializing in the characters of Doona and Gained Jun and the way they have been individually affected by their relationship. Each actors gave fantastic performances.
General, Doona! was an ideal present. Regardless of being easy in story and low-key in its supply, it was poignant and shifting. Doona! is an fascinating drama that I actually loved. My Score: 7.5/10 (Doona! Evaluation)
7. The Heavenly Idol
I used to be truthfully shocked by simply how a lot I loved The Heavenly Idol. It has a enjoyable premise with a Excessive Priest being transported to a different world and inhabiting the physique of a failing idol. Then we get to observe him awkwardly navigate his new world. The fish out of water trope is a favourite of mine, so I used to be there for it.
A lot of the drama is on the lighter aspect with plenty of tacky comedy and enjoyable hijinks, however there’s a critical story working within the background. It was a bit uneven tonally at instances, however for probably the most half it got here collectively properly.
So general, I used to be very pleased with The Heavenly Idol. It gave me loads of lighthearted laughs and fascinating characters. Then it created an in depth again story that basically packed a punch in the long run be delivering loads of emotion and suspense. I undoubtedly had a good time with this drama.
My Score: 7.5/10 (The Heavenly Idol Evaluation)
6. A Time Known as You
A Time Known as You was an entertaining drama with a posh story and a grand romance. It was a bit messy and complicated in its presentation at instances, but it surely nonetheless delivers a novel and interesting time journey romance that was good to observe.
Other than the romance, there may be additionally an fascinating and sophisticated friendship to discover in addition to in-depth character explorations. The entire actors have been nice and gave good performances. So, general, I used to be pleased with how A Time Known as You turned out. It was a strong drama and really pleasing.
My Score: 7.5/10 (A Time Known as You Evaluation)
5. See You in My nineteenth Life
See You in My nineteenth Life was surprisingly excellent! This drama hooked me from episode one with its stunning telling of the childhood tales. I used to be instantly drawn to the characters and have become invested in how issues would prove for them.
The collection was additionally very emotional. It excelled at displaying the deep emotions the characters have been experiencing. The beautiful soundtrack was fantastic and helped create such a considerate environment as these tender feelings have been introduced out.
So general, I completely loved See You in My nineteenth Life. It gave me a compelling fantasy story with a romance that spans instances. The story was nice from begin to end and actually moved me many instances with the problems it explored. It was a beautiful drama throughout.
My Score: 8/10 (See You in My nineteenth Life Evaluation)
4. King the Land
King the Land is sort of a romp by cotton sweet land within the drama world. It is a really feel good romance at its greatest. It’s additionally just about the definition of a kdrama rom-com. Pretty commonplace however mild and comforting with a little bit of a fairy story really feel. There may be some household enterprise battle so as to add a little bit of angst, however for probably the most half, the drama is mild.
Junho and Yoona have a enjoyable chemistry with numerous nice moments between them. In case you like your romances candy with a touch of maturity, than this one is for you!
So general, I actually loved King the Land. It doesn’t do something new, but it surely does what a rom-com must do by delivering a heart-fluttering romance that oozes with sweetness, simply sufficient story to maintain tempo, and an ideal forged to ship the enjoyable.
My Score: 8/10 (King the Land Evaluation)
3. The Forbidden Marriage
The Forbidden Marriage was such a stunning shock! It was a deal with. That is a type of dramas that drew me in proper from the beginning. It gave me every kind of feels, and I liked each minute. It’s a really participating present with romance, friendship, humor, coronary heart, and a strong story shrouded in thriller.
The entire characters have been nice too. Everybody from the principle forged right down to the supporting ones had a narrative. There are many quirky characters that add numerous enjoyable to the collection in addition to some good little aspect storylines. The Forbidden Marriage was a beautiful look ahead to me, and it left my coronary heart feeling very full.
My Score: 9/10 (The Forbidden Marriage Evaluation)
2. Castaway Diva
Castaway Diva was a improbable drama for me! It pulled me proper in from the primary episode with such a heart-wrenching and interesting story. The writing was each enjoyable and entertaining, but in addition stunning. Loads of considerate knowledge was woven into the story and delivered in such beautiful methods. There was a strong message about discovering a technique to proceed on and have hope throughout very dire circumstances. I skilled so many feelings starting from pleasure to heartbreak. I shed some tears for positive.
The drama had nice pacing all through, and I used to be interested by every part from the principle story right down to the subplots. A pleasant thriller ran all through with reveals coming at applicable instances. All the things ties collectively properly.
There was coronary heart, comedy, romance, household, friendship, and a few depth. Mok Ha was a shining mild of a personality, and her journey was a pleasure to observe. Castaway Diva was a beautiful collection that undoubtedly left an impression.
My Score: 9/10 (Castaway Diva Evaluation)
And the #1 drama of 2023 is…
1. Alchemy of Souls 2: Mild and Shadow
Alchemy of Souls 2: Mild and Shadow was superb! I LOVED it! Similar to half 1, this drama embodies what I like in a present with fantasy, historical past, romance, motion, humor, and coronary heart. I actually couldn’t ask for extra.
We drop proper again into this stunning world stuffed with complexity, mages, and magic. It’s a world populated by a sprawling forged of fascinating characters. We get a fleshed out story with constant plot developments and stuffed with twists and turns. The pacing was fantastic with the depth constructing with every episode. The drama undoubtedly leans heavy, however there may be loads of lighthearted humor scattered all through it too.
The cinematography and particular results have been high notch, and I liked seeing how this magical world was delivered to life. We get to take pleasure in nice music too. I used to be once more in a position to get misplaced on this world, and it actually felt good to be again. It’s a grand story that felt epic on many ranges. The saga that’s Alchemy of Souls 2 is really a particular one.
My Score: 10/10 (Alchemy of Souls 2: Mild and Shadow Evaluation)
Different Dramas I Accomplished in 2023
As a 12 months finish overview, here’s a listing of the older Korean dramas that I accomplished this 12 months. Full evaluations for every drama can be found by clicking on the drama title. Right here they’re damaged into classes relying on how a lot I preferred them with every class itemizing the dramas alphabetically:
Good:
Okay:
That brings my complete depend to 14 new dramas and 3 older dramas for a grand complete of 17 dramas! A bit greater than final 12 months, so not too unhealthy. In fact, my watch listing continues to be so full! And with that, it’s time to arrange for all the dramas we have now to stay up for in 2024!
How was 2023 for you? What have been your favourite dramas of the 12 months?
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