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 actually left an affect.
Thanks for one more superb 12 months to get pleasure from dramas with all of you! I at all times have enjoyable listening to your ideas on all the completely different dramas on the market, and it means a lot that you just share that with me.
Subsequent up is the record! It consists of all the dramas that I watched which aired and concluded their runs in 2023. We might be counting down my favourite dramas from least to most favourite. Full opinions 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 rankings or the recognition of any specific drama amongst followers. Take a look at the grand whole of what number of new and outdated dramas I watched on the finish of the article 🙂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 fallacious resulting from 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 very common means. I felt fairly meh about each of the leads. The couple is so-s0, and I wasn’t notably invested of their relationship. The story is fundamental. The manufacturing is fundamental. Nothing stands out. It’s all fairly forgettable. It’s a lighter present that leans enjoyable in case you have nothing else to look at, and that’s about it.
My Ranking: 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 fundamental, however throughout it’s respectable. So far as internet 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 get pleasure from love triangles and the friends-to-lovers trope. Romance By Romance is an effective match for a straightforward filler in between different dramas.
My Ranking: 6/10 (Romance By Romance Evaluation)
12. Like to Hate You
Like to Hate You was a combined drama for me. It’s a romantic comedy that offers with relationships in addition to points like discrimination between the sexes. It’s principally light-hearted however does sprinkle in some extra severe and considerate moments.
The primary half of the sequence 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 an entire, I loved the second half of the sequence much more together with the characters, relationship developments, and a number of the points that had been touched upon.
So, in the long run, Like to Hate You was a good watch. I do want it will have been extra even all through, however it was a cute total.
My Ranking: 6/10 (Like to Hate You Evaluation)
11. Household: The Unbreakable Bond
Household: The Unbreakable Bond was an fascinating drama to say the least. After all, the primary motive I needed to examine this sequence 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 ingredient that had plenty of enjoyable household hi-jinks after which a spy motion story. The spy story initially felt weak, however as we went deeper, it was extra complicated. It was surprisingly darkish, however it was achieved nicely sufficient. Tonally, the drama felt very uneven which gave it an odd really feel, and the drama as an entire 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 unbelievable performances.
My Ranking: 6.5/10 (Household: The Unbreakable Bond Evaluation)
10.One Day Off
One Day Off was a beautiful shorter drama. It is extremely contemplative and slice of life. You may also describe this as a therapeutic drama. Every episode, we be 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 folks.
It truly is superb how a lot they had been in a position to do with only a brief 25 minute episode when it comes to storytelling. Every episode was emotional, impactful, and full of which means. Though One Day Off isn’t the kind of drama I are usually drawn to it, I preferred it and will simply see the wonder in it. I believe many others will see this as a beautiful little gem of a present.
My Ranking: 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 stable drama. The story was paced nicely with a few good twists, and the characters had been fascinating. There’s additionally a little bit of a gradual burn romance to get pleasure from that was good to see take form.
We get a pleasant combination of genres too. The thriller ingredient moved issues alongside whereas the center and humor delivered considerate moments alongside the way in which. Total, it was an excellent watch.
My Ranking: 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 they’d unbelievable chemistry. Their relationship was distinctive and intriguing.
We additionally get good character journeys for every of them with lots to discover. That is an emotional story specializing in the characters of Doona and Gained Jun and the way they had been individually affected by their relationship. Each actors gave fantastic performances.
Total, Doona! was an amazing 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 Ranking: 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 look at 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.
Many of the drama is on the lighter aspect with a whole lot of tacky comedy and enjoyable hijinks, however there’s a severe story working within the background. It was a bit uneven tonally at occasions, however for probably the most half it got here collectively properly.
So total, 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 actually packed a punch in the long run be delivering loads of emotion and suspense. I undoubtedly had a good time with this drama.
My Ranking: 7.5/10 (The Heavenly Idol Evaluation)
6. A Time Referred to as You
A Time Referred to 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 occasions, however it nonetheless delivers a novel and interesting time journey romance that was good to look at.
Except for the romance, there’s additionally an fascinating and complex friendship to discover in addition to in-depth character explorations. All the actors had been nice and gave good performances. So, total, I used to be pleased with how A Time Referred to as You turned out. It was a stable drama and really gratifying.
My Ranking: 7.5/10 (A Time Referred to 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 lovely 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 sequence was additionally very emotional. It excelled at displaying the deep emotions the characters had been experiencing. The beautiful soundtrack was fantastic and helped create such a considerate environment as these tender feelings had been introduced out.
So total, I totally loved See You in My nineteenth Life. It gave me a compelling fantasy story with a romance that spans occasions. The story was nice from begin to end and really moved me many occasions with the problems it explored. It was an exquisite drama throughout.
My Ranking: 8/10 (See You in My nineteenth Life Evaluation)
4. King the Land
King the Land is sort of a romp via cotton sweet land within the drama world. This can be a really feel good romance at its finest. It’s additionally just about the definition of a kdrama rom-com. Pretty normal however mild and comforting with a little bit of a fairy story really feel. There’s 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 plenty of nice moments between them. For those who like your romances candy with a touch of maturity, than this one is for you!
So total, I actually loved King the Land. It doesn’t do something new, however it does what a rom-com must do by delivering a heart-fluttering romance that oozes with sweetness, simply sufficient story to maintain an excellent tempo, and an amazing solid to ship the enjoyable.
My Ranking: 8/10 (King the Land Evaluation)
3. The Forbidden Marriage
The Forbidden Marriage was such a beautiful shock! It was a deal with. That is a kind of dramas that drew me in proper from the beginning. It gave me all types of feels, and I beloved each minute. It’s a really participating present with romance, friendship, humor, coronary heart, and a stable story shrouded in thriller.
All the characters had been nice too. Everybody from the primary solid all the way down to the supporting ones had a narrative. There are many quirky characters that add plenty of enjoyable to the sequence in addition to some good little aspect storylines. The Forbidden Marriage was an exquisite look ahead to me, and it left my coronary heart feeling very full.
My Ranking: 9/10 (The Forbidden Marriage Evaluation)
2. Castaway Diva
Castaway Diva was a unbelievable 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 additionally lovely. A whole lot of considerate knowledge was woven into the story and delivered in such pretty methods. There was a strong message about discovering a method 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 concerned with every thing from the primary story all the way down to the subplots. A pleasant thriller ran all through with reveals coming at acceptable occasions. All the pieces 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 look at. Castaway Diva was an exquisite sequence that undoubtedly left an affect.
My Ranking: 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 lovely world full of complexity, mages, and magic. It’s a world populated by a sprawling solid of fascinating characters. We get a fleshed out story with constant plot developments and full of twists and turns. The pacing was fantastic with the depth constructing with every episode. The drama undoubtedly leans heavy, however there’s loads of lighthearted humor scattered all through it too.
The cinematography and particular results had been high notch, and I beloved seeing how this magical world was delivered to life. We get to get pleasure from 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 Ranking: 10/10 (Alchemy of Souls 2: Mild and Shadow Evaluation)
Different Dramas I Accomplished in 2023
As a 12 months finish evaluate, here’s a record of the older Korean dramas that I accomplished this 12 months. Full opinions 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 whole rely to 14 new dramas and 3 older dramas for a grand whole of 17 dramas! A bit greater than final 12 months, so not too unhealthy. After all, my watch record remains to be so full! And with that, it’s time to arrange for all the dramas now we have to look ahead to in 2024!
How was 2023 for you? What had been your favourite dramas of the 12 months?
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