Best KDramas of 2023: Rounding Up Our Favorite KDramas of the Year

The year 2023 has been nothing short of spectacular for K-Drama enthusiasts, offering a rich tapestry of storytelling, unforgettable characters, and remarkable performances. 

Among the myriad of releases, several dramas have captured audiences' hearts and minds, showcasing the depth and diversity of Korean television. 

Here are our picks for the best KDramas of 2023 that have left an indelible mark on viewers worldwide.

The Glory is one of the best Kdramas of 2023. It was written by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Ahn Gil-ho for Netflix. 

The show features a star-studded ensemble cast, including Song Hye-kyo, Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, and Jung Sung-il. 

The series is divided into two parts: Part 1 was released on December 30, 2022, and Part 2 was released on March 10, 2023, to critical acclaim and viewership success. 

The show has received eight nominations at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards, winning three – Best Drama, Best Actress for Song Hye-kyo, and Best Supporting Actress for Lim Ji-yeon.

The story revolves around Moon Dong-eun (played by Song Hye-kyo), who seeks revenge on her previous classmate Park Yeon-jin (Lim Ji-yeon) and her group of friends for the bullying she experienced in high school. The series originally released on December 30, 2022, and became one of the most-talked-about K-dramas over the past few weeks. Part 2 is a continuation of Dong-eun's meticulously planned revenge, with the fight between Dong-eun and Yeon-jin taking center stage.

Mask Girl (Korean: 마스크걸) is a 2023 South Korean streaming television series directed by Kim Yong-hoon and featuring a cast including Lee Han-byeol, Nana, Go Hyun-jung, Ahn Jae-hong, and Yeom Hye-ran.

The series, based on the Naver webtoon of the same name by Mae-mi and Hee-se, was released on Netflix on August 18, 2023. It tells the story of Kim Mo-mi, an office worker who becomes an anonymous camgirl under the persona of Mask Girl. 

The show has been described as a gripping cam-girl thriller with a unique character development approach, featuring complex and morally ambiguous protagonists.

The series has received attention for its dark and intense narrative, as well as the standout performances of the cast, particularly Lee Han-byeol and Yeom Hye-ran. 

In 2023, the South Korean web series Moving (Korean: 무빙) was released, directed by Park In-je, and based on the webtoon by Kang Full. The series, a Disney+ original, features a supernatural drama revolving around three high school students and their parents who discover their superpowers. 

The show premiered on August 9, 2023, and became the most-watched Korean original series on Disney+ globally and Hulu in the United States after seven days of availability. It stars actors such as Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo, Zo In-sung, Cha Tae-hyun, Ryoo Seung-bum, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Jung-ha, Go Youn-jung, and Kim Do-hoon. 

The series won 6 awards at the 2023 Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards, including Best Creative, Best Lead Actor, Best Writer, Best Newcomer Actor and Actress, and Best Visual Effects awards.

The show is a blend of action, drama, romance, and humor, and has been praised for its high-quality production, including its visual effects and casting.

Queenmaker (Korean: 퀸메이커) is a 2023 South Korean streaming television series directed by Oh Jin-seok and starring Kim Hee-ae, Moon So-ri, and Ryu Soo-young. The show was released on Netflix on April 14, 2023, and features 11 episodes. 

The series follows Hwang Do-hee, an accomplished fixer for a powerful business conglomerate, who jumps into politics to make a headstrong civil rights lawyer, Oh Kyung-sook, the mayor of Seoul. 

The show has been praised for its fast-paced, nail-biting political thriller with plenty of twists and turns. The series has received positive reviews for its acting, dialogues, and storyline, with some critics comparing it to House of Cards.

The show has been described as a well-executed drama on corruption, human evil, and the struggle to have honesty, righteousness, and justice prevail.

Bloodhounds (Korean: 사냥개들) is a South Korean streaming television series directed by Kim Joo-hwan and starring Woo Do-hwan, Lee Sang-yi, Park Sung-woong, and Huh Joon-ho. 

The show was released on Netflix on June 9, 2023. The series revolves around two young boxers who become involved in the world of private loans. 

It has been described as a gripping pandemic-era K-drama with a dark and intense narrative. 

The series spans 8 episodes and has received positive reviews for its action, crime, and drama elements. The show has been praised for its well-executed storytelling and the performances of the cast, particularly Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi

Death's Game (Korean: 이재, 곧 죽습니다) is an ongoing South Korean web series written and directed by Ha Byung-hoon and starring Seo In-guk and Park So-dam. 

The show is based on a webtoon of the same name by Lee Won-sik and Ggulchan, which was serialized on Naver in 2019. 

The series follows Choi Yi-jae, a man who, in the midst of frustration, begins a new life with death. 

The show is an original drama of TVING and is available for streaming on its platform, as well as on Amazon Prime Video in selected regions. The series is divided into two parts, with Part 1 released on December 15, 2023, and Part 2 scheduled to be released on January 5, 2024, at 12:00 (KST) time slot. 

The show has been described as a fascinating and suspenseful journey of Choi Yi-jae, who experiences death and reincarnation 12 times due to the judgment of Death (Park So-dam). 

The series features a star-studded cast, including Seo In-guk, Park So-dam, Go Youn-jung, Lee Jae-wook, Sung Hoon, Kim Jae-wook, and others. The show has generated anticipation among K-drama fans, with the official trailer and cast photos released.

The Worst of Evil (Korean: 최악의 악) is a 2023 South Korean streaming television series that premiered on Disney+ on September 27, 2023, at 16:00 (KST). 

Set in the 1990s, the show follows undercover police investigators who infiltrate a massive criminal organization spanning China and Japan. 

The series stars Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon, Im Se-mi, and Bibi. It has been described as a gripping crime-action K-drama that delves into the world of narcotics and undercover police work.

The show has received positive reviews for its intense and noir action, deep emotional impact, and morally ambiguous characters. The series consists of 12 episodes and has been well-received by fans of the crime drama genre.

Which of these best Kdramas of 2023 have you watched? Which one is your favorite? Share it with us at The Daebak Co.