Korean dramas have become a staple in the US over the past few years, and with each streaming service licensing more, watching KDrama series via simulcast has become easier than ever. This year, the depth of storytelling from Korea was on full display, and we covered a lot of them, but here are our best 15 Kdramas of 2023. From the melodramatic and romantic to the thrilling and horrific, the diversity of genre and style has made Kdramas some of the best TV of 2023 as well.
15. A Time Called You
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Director: Kim Jin-won
Writer: Choi Hyo-bin
Actors: Koo Yeon-jun, Han Jun-hee, Kwon Min-ju, Nam Si-heon, Jung In-gyu
Watch Here: Netflix
“A Time Called You is one of those dramas that could be easily passed over if you’re not looking for it. Dear reader, you can’t miss out on it. Through the utilization of time travel, the series carries many lessons. We learn to grieve, to find our will to live and persevere when everything seems hopeless, but most importantly, to find love again. Sometimes all it takes is stepping into someone else’s shoes to do this, and A Time Called You is a showcase for this lesson.” —Sarah Musnicky
14. My Demon
Director: Kim Jang-han
Writer: Choi A-Il
Actors: Kim Yoo-jung, Song Kang
Watch Here: Netflix
“My Demon may not reinvent the wheel when it comes to the supernatural creature/human romance genre, but it just works. With its slow-burn romance, the instant hook of the danger presented to both of our lovebirds, and the top-level chemistry between actors Song Kang and Kim Yoo-jung, My Demon is an instant hit in the rom-com department. While it hasn’t been wrapped just yet, it’s clear that the romance between demon Jung Gu-won and human Do Do-hee is one of the top romances of 2023.” —Sarah Musnicky
13. Love to Hate You
Director: Kim Jung-kwon
Writer: Choi Soo-young
Actors: Kim Ok-vin, Teo Yoo, Kim Ji-hoon, Go Won-hee
Watch Here: Netflix
“The general acceptance from Kang-ho of Mi-ran’s past sexual history and, in general, the topic of sex as a whole in Love to Hate You is refreshing… Part of what makes Kang-ho an arguably great romantic partner is that he doesn’t punish Mi-ran for her past. He’s not threatened by her experience or the traditionally male hobbies she’s interested in. Instead, he goes out of her way to celebrate and support her interests… Ultimately, Love to Hate You has a chaotic energy to it that will keep you hooked. With leading characters that complement each other, a refreshing approach to relationship issues, and even pacing, this latest romance Kdrama is a quick watch to add to your rom-com line-up.” —Sarah Musnicky
12. Doona!
Director: Lee Jung-hyo
Writer: Jang Yoo-ha, Min Song-Ah (based on the NAVER Webtoon by)
Actors: Bae Suzy, Yang Se-jong, Shin Ha-young, Kim Do-wan, Park Se-wan, Kim Min-ho
Watch Here: Netflix
“The message of Doona! is that you can’t save other people. You can love them deeply. You can care about them, and you can try to pull them from their self-hatred, but in the end, until they learn to survive on their own, the instability of their fear will crack any foundation… Sometimes, a happy ending doesn’t look like you would expect. Sometimes, a happy ending is just thriving on your own and protecting your love for someone in your heart like a scrapbook. Doona! understands this intimately, and Lee Doona is a heroine who finally saves herself.” —Kate Sánchez
11. Behind Your Touch
Director: Kim Seok-yoon, Choi Bo-yoon
Writer: Lee Ma,-gyu, Oh Bo-hyeon, Kim Da-hee
Actors: Han Ji-min, Lee Min-ki, Suho, Joo Min-kyung
Watch Here: Netflix
Behind Your Touch is an excellent blend of comedy that fuses itself into an overarching, intriguing narrative. What starts off as a light and silly storyline gradually becomes much darker, providing a distinct blend of genre fusion that is a joy to find when done right. The series’ magic is found in the delightful comedic chemistry between the energetic Han Ji-min and straight-man Lee Min-ki. Without their full embrace of the outrageous scenarios presented to their characters, it’s hard to say if Behind Your Touch would have landed so successfully. If you need a spot of silliness in your life, this show is the ticket!” — Sarah Musnicky
10. Doctor Cha
Director: Kim Dae-jin, Kim Jung-wook
Writer: Jung Yeo-rang
Actors: Uhm Jung-hwa, Kim Byung-chul, Myung Se-bin, Min Woo-hyuk, Song Ji-ho
Watch Here: Netflix
“Doctor Cha is an amazing show that manages to marry medical drama, humor, and emotional turmoil all within a core narrative about a woman who decides it’s time to start doing what she wants to with her life. Its wonderful charm and emotional strength make it a fantastic watch that I cannot recommend enough.” —Charles Hartford
9. Moving
Director: Park In-je, Park Yoon-seo
Writer: Kang Full
Actors: Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo, Zo In-sung, Cha Tae-hyun, Ryoo Seung-bum, Kim Dung-kyun, Lee Jung-ha, Go Youn-jung, Kim Do-hoon
Watch Here: Hulu
“Moving isn’t just a series that can be classified as an action-heavyweight. It’s also a narrative giant as well. With an ensemble cast that stretches the viewers’ focus beyond expectation, Moving is able to highlight every single character it adds, thanks to the more traditional Kdrama length of 20 episodes…” —Kate Sánchez
8. The Glory
Director: Ahn Gil-ho
Writer: Kim Eun-sook
Actors: Spmg Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yeon Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, Jung Sung-il
Watch Here: Netflix
“I can not say that The Glory is easy to recommend to everyone, but it is one of the best manifestations of revenge, grief, and pain I have seen in an episodic format, not just from South Korea but ever. It’s a stunning look at what someone can do to rebuild themselves, the way women find paths of power and how they cut each other, running parallel to the men pulled into the web as well.” —Kate Sánchez
6. Daily Dose of Sunshine
Director: Lee Jae-Gyu, Kim Nam-su
Writer: Lee Nam-gyu, Oh Bo-hyun, Kim Da-hee, Lee Ra-ha (based on the webcomic by)
Actors: Park Bo-young, Yeon Woo-jin, Jang Dong-yoon, Lee Jung-eun
Watch Here:
6. Castaway Diva
Director: Oh Chung-hwan
Writer: Park Hye-ryun, Eun Yeol
Actors: Park Eun-bin, Kim Hyo-jin, Chae Jong-hyeop, Cha Hak-yeon, Kim Joo-hun
Watch Here: Netflix
“If there’s any show you should add to your list from 2023, Castaway Diva is easily one of the best. With a tight, carefully thought-out story that carries an emotional impact that leaves you breathless, this Kdrama stands high above the clouds. Featuring impeccable performances across the board, strong vocals to carry over the musical elements, and a resounding message of hope and perseverance, Castaway Diva casts away any doubt viewers might have jumping into the series.” —Sarah Musnicky
5. Gyeongseong Creature
Director: Jung Dong-Yoon
Writer: Kang Eun-Kyung
Actors:Park Seo-jun, Wi Ha-joon,Han So-hee,Kim Hae-sook,Jo Han-chul, and Kim Soo-hyun
Watch Here: Netflix
“A period piece, a mystery, a horror story, and a sci-fi tale, Gyeongseong Creature is a fantastic end to 2023 K-dramas on Netflix… It pushes the audience to look at the past through a genre lens and, in doing so, understand how powerfully a story can be told when rooted in history.” —Kate Sánchez
4. Bargain
Director: Jeon Woo-sung
Writer: Jeon Woo-sung, Choi Byeon-gyun
Actors: Jun Jong-seo, Jin Sun-kyu, Chan Ryul, Park Hyung-soo, Shin Jae-hwi, Kang Gil-woo
Watch Here: Paramount+
“A good disaster series, a great action series, and an even better character study on the desperate people doing desperate things, Bargain captures the audience from the moment the uncomfortable facade it presents you is shattered, and the organ trade takes the focus until the bitter end. One of the top series of the year by a mile, Bargain is innovative, smart, mean, and filled with a talented cast and crew that is unmatched by any production out right now.” —Kate Sánchez
3. The Worst of Evil
Director: Han Dong-wook
Writer: Jang Min-suk
Actors: Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon, Im Se-mi, Bibi, Lee Shin-ki, Jung Jae-kwang, Ji Seung-hyun
Watch Here: Hulu
“The Worst of Evil is one of the strongest dramas of the year, with its winding story of two men irreparably connected to each other and the circumstances that have led them to very different points in their life. Filled to the brim with action and emotional developments, it’s a genre story that uses expectations to build a dynamic depth, doing all things well, and never faltering in its pacing or structure.” —Kate Sánchez
2. Bloodhounds
Director: Kim Joo-hwan
Writer: Kim Joo-hwan, Jeong Chan (based on the webtoon by)
Actors: Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi, Park Sung-woong, Huh Joon-ho
Watch Here: Netflix
“What makes Bloodhounds’ narrative stand out the most to me is how much the show demands from its protagonists before they reach the end. Brutal setbacks, tragic losses, and numerous near-fatal misses make the story as rough a narrative as any I’ve recently watched. There is no sense of plot armor or any other guarantee that any of the characters will come to a happy ending, making every victory feel all the sweeter when they actually come.” —Charles Hartford
1. Song of the Bandits
Director: Hwang Jun Kyeok, Park Hyun-duk
Writer: Han Jung-hoon
Actors: Kim Nam-gil, Seohyun, Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Hyun-wook, Lee Ho-jung
Watch Here: Netflix
“Exciting, heart-wrenching, brutal, and utterly captivating, Song of the Bandits is another Kdrama that knocks it out of the park. With well-timed musical cues, multidimensional characters that will have you feeling all sorts of ways, and an incredibly strong, tense story, this is a must-add to any Kdrama watch list this year.” —Sarah Musnicky
The best Kdramas of 2023 span stories across time periods. From revenge to supernatural rom-coms and gangster tales, the best Kdramas of 2023 capture just how much the series has had to offer this year on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and even Paramount+. More accessible than ever, Kdramas had a hell of a year in 2023 in the US, and we can’t wait for more. Did your favorite Kdramas from 2023 miss the list? Let us know on social media.
The synopses for Best Kdramas of 2023 come from our writing team’s previous reviews.
