[Aisha's Take] K-Drama 2023 Wrapped: The Best K-Dramas of 2023

And it's a wrap! With 2023 nearing its end, let's rewind back to history. HanCinema has started the new series K-Drama 2023 Wrapped, where we will reminisce about 2023. Which K-Dramas won our hearts and which disappointed us the most.

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Fans were hit by many waves of K-Dramas this year, but there were a few that left a special place in our hearts! These stories became a worldwide hit and the talk of the town. We have collected a list of 2023 hits. Let us reminisce about 2023 again.

We have hand-picked a few, but you can let us know your favorite K-Drama from 2023.

 

"The Good Bad Mother"

Ra Mi-ran and Lee Do-hyun came together with a stellar masterpiece. "The Good Bad Mother" will always be able to melt your heart. "The Good Bad Mother" is a drama about second chances in life, and how these chances come in the most unexpected way. Jin Yeong-soon (Ra Mi-ran), is a single mother who ran a pig farm. She was a strict mother, who was fixated on making her son a prosecutor. Even if that made him hate his mother.

Choi Kang-ho (Lee Do-hyun) gets into an accident. The accident disturbs his cognitive abilities and he becomes seven again. Yeong-san sees this as another chance to raise her son again, but this time she will not repeat her mistakes.

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"The Good Bad Mother" is directed by Sim Na-yeon, written by Bae Se-yeong, and features Ra Mi-ran, Lee Do-hyun, Ahn Eun-jin, Yoo In-soo, Choi Moo-sung, Jung Woong-in. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2023/04/26~2023/06/08, Wed, Thu 22:30 on JTBC.

 

"The Glory"

One of the biggest blockbusters of 2023, "The Glory" did shine in all its glory. The K-Drama introduced a gray main lead who was wrong in many ways but right at the same time. The cinematography deserved applause itself. Even small details were paid attention to creating a masterpiece.

"The Glory" tells the story of Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo), an ambitious architect whose dreams were murdered by Park Yeon-jin (Lim Ji-yeon). Moon Dong-eun became a victim of brutal bullying in high school. She promises herself that she will make her bullies pay for their deeds and dedicate her life to it. The drama begins years later, when the time is ripe, and she is ready to attack.

Will she win?

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"The Glory" is directed by Ahn Gil-ho, written by Kim Eun-sook, and features Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, Jung Sung-il-I. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2022/12/30 & 2023/03/10, Fri on Netflix.

 

"Duty After School"

Extra terrestrial species or so-called 'speheres' begin occupying the world and killing everything on earth. The government called out high school seniors to join military services. 18-year-old high school students are promised bonus points on their CSATS, so to convince them. Little did they know that the world would never be the same again, and they would be in the front line against the deadly species.

"Duty After School" makes one realize the innocence of an 18-year-old. It is the toughest phase of one's life when they are grown but not really an adult yet. When these young people were pushed into the battlefield, things became blurred. Who is the true enemy? The speheres or humans themselves?

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"Duty After School" is directed by Seong Yong-il, written by Yoon Soo-I, and features Shin Hyun-soo, Lee Soon-won, Lim Se-mi, Kwon Eun-bin, Kim Ki-hae, Kim Min-chul. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2023/03/31 - 2023/04/21, Fri, Sat 16:00 on TVING.

 

"Doctor Cha"

"Doctor Cha" tells the story of Cha Jung-sook (Uhm Jung-hwa). Jung-sook had to leave the medical field for her family. She became pregnant at a young age and, after her son got injured, she left it all to have a family. Twenty years later, she decides to return. Whilst she struggles every day as a first resident at her age, she realizes that it is not the only thing she has to worry about. Her family was falling apart.

"Doctor Cha" was a remarkable journey filled with comedy. We felt for her, rooted for her, but she was enlightening us too. The K-Drama was a treat to watch despite it not being too intense, considering how most K-Dramas in 2023 have been.

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"Doctor Cha" is directed by Kim Dae-jin, Kim Jung-wook-II, written by Jung Yeo-rang, and features Uhm Jung-hwa, Kim Byung-chul, Myung Se-bin, Min Woo-hyuk, Song Ji-ho, Jo Aram. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2023/04/15~2023/06/04, Sat, Sun 22:30 on JTBC.

 

"Behind your Touch"

"Behind your Touch" stars Han Ji-min as Bong Ye-boon, a vet with superpowers! After an accident, Ye-boon discovers that she has psychic abilities. She can look into the memories of any living thing. But-there is a catch... She can only get this ability by touching the butt of that person or animal.

"Behind your Touch" is the perfect blend of mystery and comedy with a hint of romance. Every interaction between the characters is heart-warming yet, at the same time, it made you doubt each one of them.

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"Behind your Touch" is directed by Choi Bo-yoon-II, Kim Seok-yoon, written by Kim Da-hee-II, Lee Nam-gyoo, Oh Bo-hyeon, and features Han Ji-min, Lee Min-ki, Suho, Yang Jae-sung, Park Sung-yeon, Kim Hee-won. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2023/08/12~2023/10/01, Sat, Sun 22:30 on JTBC, Netflix, TVING.

 

"Twinkling Watermelon"

"Twinkling Watermelon" tells the story of Eun-gyeol (Ryeoun), a child born to deaf parents but can hear sounds. He is the only one blessed with the ability, and so, he becomes a bridge between the silent world of his family and the soundful world. Eun-gyeol became passionate about music at a young age but little did he know the magic it held. He, unknowingly, travels back in time to 1995 and where he meets his parents again...but as a teenager!The K-Drama will make you feel butterflies and melt you with each and every scene. Oh- and also raise your expectations of love. The beautiful K-Drama shared the hardships of youth (no matter what the year is), whilst also showcasing its beauty.

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"Twinkling Watermelon" is directed by Son Jeong-hyeon, Yoon Bum-sang, written by Jin Soo-wan, and features Ryeoun, Choi Hyun-wook, Seol In-ah, Shin Eun-soo, Ahn Do-gyu, Yoon Jae-chan. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2023/09/25~2023/11/14, Mon, Tue 20:50 on TVING, tvN.

 

"My Demon"

And the year ended with a masterpiece. "My Demon" marked the return of Song Kang in a way no one had imagined. The light hearted romance drama quickly gained attention and love from fans.

"My Demon" tells the story of Goo-won (Song Kang) who gets into an incident with Do Do-hee (Kim You-jung). In result, his powers are transferred in his body and his peaceful immortality is at risk. Do-hee is in a difficult situation herself. Someone wants her dead, her only loved one has passed away and the only way she can become the chairwoman of Mirae Group is if she marries. The two realise they need eachother and so, they agree to a contract marriage.

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"My Demon" is directed by Kim Jang-han, Kwon Da-som, written by Choi Ah-il, and features Kim You-jung, Song Kang, Lee Sang-yi, Kim Hae-sook, Kim Tae-hoon, Lee Yoon-ji. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2023/11/24~Now airing, Fri, Sat 22:00 on Netflix, SBS, Wavve.

 

By Aisha Adnan