جنوری 02, 2024
Staff Picks: Our Favorite K-Dramas of 2023
2023 was another year filled with amazing K-drama releases. Out of the countless Korean dramas that came our way this year, here are the favorites that the allkpop staff loved the most!
Perfect is an understatement for the drama, "Moving", released this August 2023, which will spark and reignite your love for all things K-Drama again. Honestly, it was the drama that brought me out of my watching slump, with its catchy plot, amazing storyline, and character design, not to mention the applauded acting of the cast members. Every detail of the drama was also great, leaving almost no room for plot holes but still managed to keep us on the edge of our seats and make us anticipate a possible next season with brewing fan theories. Han Hyo Joo, who we all know is an amazing actress, proved once again that she can do any role out there, now as a mother with supernatural senses. Ryu Seung Ryong is also undeniably a huge factor in the success and excellence of the drama, with his heart-wrenching portrayal as Jang Ju Won will make you shed tears without you even knowing. The "children", Lee Jung Ha, Go Youn Jung, and Kim Do Hoon are also wonderful revelations in the drama, with their compelling portrayal that make us root for them and watch them grow. As this has been easily my favorite drama of the year, I am hoping for another season with more exposure from some of the cast such as Zo In Sung, and give answers to the questions left unanswered.
It is a violent action drama starring Woo Do Hwan. He is sweet, trusting and perfect in his role. Yes, there are many bloody scenes but well-directed and choreographed fights. With only 8 episodes, I found it to be a short yet engaging series. It started slow but what came ahead was amazing.
I think this was one of the best dramas because unlike other dramas where the male lead is always the one to help the female it was the complete opposite in this series. The male lead was the one who was more the damsel in distress whereas the female lead provided more the supportive role. This was definitely refreshing to see, plus Ahn Bo Hyun and Shin Hye Sun's chemistry was definitely great to see. Really want them in another drama together, hopefully sometime in the future!
While I have not watched many Korean dramas this year, I happened to stumble upon a gem titled "A Breeze of Love." This BL drama unexpectedly captured my heart with the innocent love between the two leads–one grappling with chronic insomnia, and the other affectionately dubbed "human sleeping pills" for their miraculous ability to induce sleep merely by being present. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that it's not a mysterious aura that induces drowsiness, but rather the profound sense of ease emanating from their presence. If you are into BL dramas, this is definitely a must-watch!
This drama is on this list for one reason: Shin Hye Sun. Her being my favorite actress easily climbed this drama to the top of the list, but it was also her top-tier acting that made this drama so successful too. It’s just the way she acts with much sincerity, you can feel all of the emotions she portrays so perfectly every time. You’ll laugh, cry, get angry, and feel all sorts of emotions with her. Story-wise too was just too beautiful and pure; imagine being lonely for multiple lifetimes, but was short-lived when you finally found the one and so your goal is to find the love of your life again in your next reincarnation.
Perfect is an understatement for the drama, "Moving", released this August 2023, which will spark and reignite your love for all things K-Drama again. Honestly, it was the drama that brought me out of my watching slump, with its catchy plot, amazing storyline, and character design, not to mention the applauded acting of the cast members. Every detail of the drama was also great, leaving almost no room for plot holes but still managed to keep us on the edge of our seats and make us anticipate a possible next season with brewing fan theories. Han Hyo Joo, who we all know is an amazing actress, proved once again that she can do any role out there, now as a mother with supernatural senses. Ryu Seung Ryong is also undeniably a huge factor in the success and excellence of the drama, with his heart-wrenching portrayal as Jang Ju Won will make you shed tears without you even knowing. The "children", Lee Jung Ha, Go Youn Jung, and Kim Do Hoon are also wonderful revelations in the drama, with their compelling portrayal that make us root for them and watch them grow. As this has been easily my favorite drama of the year, I am hoping for another season with more exposure from some of the cast such as Zo In Sung, and give answers to the questions left unanswered.
It is a violent action drama starring Woo Do Hwan. He is sweet, trusting and perfect in his role. Yes, there are many bloody scenes but well-directed and choreographed fights. With only 8 episodes, I found it to be a short yet engaging series. It started slow but what came ahead was amazing.
I think this was one of the best dramas because unlike other dramas where the male lead is always the one to help the female it was the complete opposite in this series. The male lead was the one who was more the damsel in distress whereas the female lead provided more the supportive role. This was definitely refreshing to see, plus Ahn Bo Hyun and Shin Hye Sun's chemistry was definitely great to see. Really want them in another drama together, hopefully sometime in the future!
While I have not watched many Korean dramas this year, I happened to stumble upon a gem titled "A Breeze of Love." This BL drama unexpectedly captured my heart with the innocent love between the two leads–one grappling with chronic insomnia, and the other affectionately dubbed "human sleeping pills" for their miraculous ability to induce sleep merely by being present. As the narrative unfolds, it becomes clear that it's not a mysterious aura that induces drowsiness, but rather the profound sense of ease emanating from their presence. If you are into BL dramas, this is definitely a must-watch!
This drama is on this list for one reason: Shin Hye Sun. Her being my favorite actress easily climbed this drama to the top of the list, but it was also her top-tier acting that made this drama so successful too. It’s just the way she acts with much sincerity, you can feel all of the emotions she portrays so perfectly every time. You’ll laugh, cry, get angry, and feel all sorts of emotions with her. Story-wise too was just too beautiful and pure; imagine being lonely for multiple lifetimes, but was short-lived when you finally found the one and so your goal is to find the love of your life again in your next reincarnation.