K-Dramas are more popular than ever, with the world finally acknowledging their potential (cc: Squid Games winning two Emmy awards in 2022). For me, K-Dramas opened up a world of love, relationships, and quite frankly, a version of men that I hadn't seen depicted in mainstream cinema. Once you've delved into them enough, you also realise that K-Dramas are much more than the unattainable dreamy romance, as they weave beautiful stories and evoke gut-wrenching emotions. If you have just entered the world of K-Dramas, or are a seasoned watcher, here is the list of the best ones that released in 2023, and should be on everyone’s watch list because there is really nothing better than coming home after a long day of work and escaping into a world of hope, wholesomeness, delicious-looking food, and love (that does not exist in real life).
#BingeAlert: Check Out 8 Must Watch KDramas of 2024 So Far!
The Good Bad Mother
The show follows a tumultuous journey between a mother and a son after a tragic incident. Though it has some classic KDrama tropes like childhood-best-friends-to-lovers, the drama challenges the conventional image of motherhood, critically analyses the relationship between parents and kids, and showcases the journey of healing from past setbacks and embracing life in a new spirit. If you're looking for a show that has drama, a cute love story, and unpacks complex emotions and relationships, then this should definitely be on your watchlist!
Dr. Cha
Laughing, crying hysterically, or relating to everything to the max were the vibes of the room when we binged Dr. Cha. The show is about a doctor in her 40s who starts her practice after a long sabbatical that she took because of her domestic responsibilities. After she finds out that she might have a life-threatening condition, she begins to reminisce over every dream she has sacrificed and rethinking the choices she made. So, she embarks on a journey of self-realisation and self-discovery. The show will especially appeal to the Indian audience, as it critiques the limiting domestic sphere that women endure and how this role is perceived by families and society.
King The Land
This show covers all the fundamentals of KDramas, as it follows enemies to lovers, combined with a relationship between an employer and an employee. The story revolves around a chairperson's son, who is cold in his ways and ready to inherit his family business, and a bubbly, hardworking woman who's trying to pave her own path in the corporate world. Both the characters have great chemistry together, and you might recognise the actress from her work in another really famous show, 'Big Mouth'. If you're just entering the world of KDramas, then this show would be your perfect start.
My Lovely Liar
A Shoulder To Cry On
A cute love story between two high school classmates, the show follows an emerging archer and his classmate who is bright and popular but mean-at-times. It features a trajectory of their budding feelings, as both become each other's confidantes and help each other to come to terms with past traumas, and feelings. The show is so comforting and bingeworthy, that you would not want to stop after just watching one episode. The show is a cross-over between two genres, between BL dramas and KDramas.
Crash Course In Romance
We cannot say enough good things about this drama, and have a feeling that it is going to be on the list of top five dramas of 2023. The show follows a woman, who is hardworking, passionate, and extremely devoted to her family, and goes to extreme lengths to get her daughter enrolled in mathematics coaching. Unknowingly a relationship sparks off between the teacher and the mother and unfolds into a hilarious, wholesome, and beautiful romance.
All That We Loved
Another high school drama, which covers the basics of high school KDrama but with more nuanced emotion and character growth. The show captures a beautiful friendship between two classmates, who are very different by the book, one being a star athlete, and one being a book-warm, who falls in love with the same person, a transfer student from another school. Did we mention, that during an accident, one of them had to donate a kidney, and they think this is why they are attracted to the same person. The plot is interesting, and we are all praises for this one.