KDramas of 2023

September 13

“He’s a failed dad turned accidental kidnapper—and now, an unlikely hero.”

A desperate man kidnaps a genius child to pay for his daughter’s surgery—but the plan goes sideways when murder and conspiracy get involved.

• 12 episodes, 59 minutes each
• Mystery Thriller, Comedy Drama
• watch if: you love dark comedies, offbeat thrillers, and unexpected emotional bonds
• skip if: you want clear moral lines or conventional pacing

September 15

“Once idols, now cashiers.”

After their K-pop group disbands, five ex-idols end up running a struggling supermarket—and rediscovering purpose in aisle three.

• 10 episodes, 54 minutes each
• Comedy Drama
• watch if: you enjoy lighthearted slice-of-life, found family, and idol humor
• skip if: you want romance or dramatic plot twists

September 15

“Seven sinners. One bloody truth.”

A girl disappears, and seven people connected to her vanish into a web of lies, vengeance, and survival.

• 17 episodes, 1 hour and 15 minutes each
• Thriller Mystery Drama
• watch if: you like makjang chaos, high drama, and morally bankrupt characters
• skip if: you want realism, subtlety, or anyone to root for

September 16

“She’s done being the family doormat.”

After years of sacrifice, a woman finally decides to live for herself—and shake up her family’s expectations.

• 51 episodes, 1 hour and 5 minutes each
• Melodrama, Romance, Family Drama
• watch if: you’re into weekend family dramas, strong female leads, and generational conflict
• skip if: you don’t have time for 50+ episodes or slow-burn resolutions

September 18

“She wanted to build a happy home—until her daughter-in-law turned out to be her ex's daughter.”

After remarrying, a woman’s new family life takes a chaotic turn when shocking connections between past and present begin to surface.

• 131 episodes, 30 minutes each
• Romantic Comedy, Family Drama
• watch if: you like daily dramas with tangled secrets and explosive reveals
• skip if: you’re not into long episodes or heightened family melodrama

September 8

“In Japanese-occupied Korea, bandits fight back with bullets.”

Outlaws in 1920s Gando unite to protect their homeland—setting off a violent rebellion for justice and freedom.

• 8 episodes, 58 minutes each
• Historical Drama, Action Thriller
• watch if: you’re into period action, anti-heroes, and stylish gunfights
• skip if: you dislike historical settings or gritty wartime narratives

September 25

“A teen guitarist time-slips into 1995—and meets his dad as a teenager.”

Deaf CODA student Eun Gyeol stumbles into the past, joins a band, and must rewrite fate while protecting his family’s future.

• 16 episodes, 1 hour and 10 minutes each
• Time Travel, Youth Romance Drama
• watch if: you enjoy emotional coming-of-age stories, music, and time travel
• skip if: you prefer realism or fast-moving plots

September 27

“He brought soup—and stirred up old feelings.”

Stuck in a dull routine, Do Hoon’s quiet life is interrupted when his former junior Yoon Soo moves in next door. As they begin to share meals and memories, a new kind of warmth starts to simmer between them.

• 8 episodes, 30 minutes each
• BL, Food Romance
• watch if: you like soft slice-of-life romance, food as love language, and second chances
• skip if: you need high-stakes drama, fast pacing, or overt displays of passion

September 27

“To take down a drug ring, he must become a monster.”

A cop goes undercover in a ruthless criminal organization—led by his wife’s ex-boyfriend.

• 12 episodes, 53 minutes each
• Crime Mystery, Action Thriller
• watch if: you want gritty undercover thrillers, tense love triangles, and moral conflict
• skip if: you avoid violence or heavy emotional stakes

October 6

“A fake kidnapping becomes dangerously real.”

Three former classmates reunite for a staged abduction to make quick cash—but when things spiral out of control, the price of betrayal rises.

• 8 episodes, 45 minutes each
• Crime Thriller Drama
• watch if: you like tense thrillers, character-driven stakes, and moral gray zones
• skip if: you need clean logic, lighthearted scenes, or clear heroes and villains

October 7

“She’s got super strength—and terrible taste in men.”

Namsoon returns to Seoul to find her birth family, only to uncover a drug ring and team up with a cop who can’t believe his eyes.

• 16 episodes, 1 hour and 10 minutes each
• Supernatural, Comedy Drama, Action, Romance
• watch if: you liked Strong Woman Do Bong Soon and want more action-comedy chaos
• skip if: you’re not into superhero hijinks or crime capers

October 11

“She turns into a dog every time she kisses someone.”

To break the curse, she must get a kiss from the one man who’s afraid of dogs—her uptight coworker.

• 14 episodes, 1 hour each
• Supernatural, Fantasy Drama, Romantic Comedy
• watch if: you like quirky romance, light fantasy, and charming leads
• skip if: you’re not into magical realism or episodic storytelling

October 13

“The war tears them apart—again.”

As Joseon is engulfed by Qing invasion, lovers reunite under desperate circumstances, facing loyalty, sacrifice, and impossible choices.

• 11 episodes, 1 hour and 11 minutes each
•  Historical Romance, Melodrama
• watch if: you want epic romance, heartache, and historical drama
• skip if: you haven’t seen Part 1 or dislike tragic love stories

October 14

“A defense lawyer falls into darkness—and starts to like it.”

A struggling attorney takes on a gangster client, stepping deeper into crime until he becomes what he once feared.

• 10 episodes, 1 hour each
• Crime Thriller, Mystery Drama
• watch if: you’re drawn to psychological thrillers, anti-heroes, and moral decay
• skip if: you want redemption arcs or clear-cut justice

October 20

“She was a K-pop star. Now she’s his downstairs neighbor.”

College student Won Jun just wants a quiet life—until he finds himself living beneath Doona, a retired idol with a mysterious past.

• 9 episodes, 50 minutes each
• Romantic Comedy, Youth Drama
• watch if: you like slow-burn romance, roommate tension, and emotionally wounded characters
• skip if: you prefer tidy resolutions, grounded plots, or clear character motives

October 20

“A K-pop debut… with a side of business gay?” 

Eden is ready to debut—but there’s a catch. His agency pairs him with fellow trainee Ji Hoon for a “business gay performance.” As the fake chemistry heats up, real feelings might just follow.

• 8 episodes, 15 minutes each
• BL, Music Romance
• watch if: you enjoy BL with idol drama flair, fake-dating tropes, and chaotic media shenanigans
• skip if: you're not into industry satire, meta-romance, or overtly tropey setups

October 23

“She married for revenge. He married for secrets.”

In this makjang whirlwind, secrets, scandals, and twisted family ties unfold after a third marriage throws everyone’s plans into chaos.

• 132 episodes, 35 minutes each
• Melodrama, Revenge, Romance
• watch if: you live for drama, scheming stepmothers, and slap-worthy cliffhangers
• skip if: you avoid long-form daily dramas or over-the-top plot twists

October 23

“One bite grants a wish—but there's a cost.”

A mysterious cookie circulates in a high school, giving students the power to fulfill their desires—with disturbing consequences.

• 20 episodes, 34 minutes each
• Fantasy Thriller, Youth Drama, Mystery
• watch if: you love dark teen thrillers, moral dilemmas, and fantasy horror
• skip if: you want realism, light school romance, or comforting vibes

October 28

“She dreamt of stardom—then washed ashore 15 years later.”

After vanishing at sea, aspiring singer Mok Ha returns to society and chases her dream, only to face a whole new stage of survival.

• 12 episodes, 1 hour and 20 minutes each  
• Music, Life, Romantic Comedy
• watch if: you enjoy quirky heroines, underdog comebacks, and heartfelt comedy
• skip if: you dislike tonal shifts, flashbacks, or eccentric plot devices

October 28

“She died betrayed—then woke up with a plan.”

After a tragic end, Han Yi Joo returns to the past, determined to rewrite her fate by entering a fake marriage and exacting revenge.

• 12 episodes, 1 hour and 4 minutes each
• Time Travel, Romance, Family Drama
• watch if: you’re into reincarnation plots, cold leads warming up, and stylish revenge
• skip if: you avoid melodrama, time-travel tropes, or slow romantic build-up

October 30

“A widower and a spinster become reluctant cupids.”

In Joseon-era Korea, two social outcasts team up to arrange marriages—while fate seems determined to entangle them in one.

• 16 episodes, 1 hour and 10 minutes each
• Historical Romantic Comedy
• watch if: you enjoy historical rom-coms, enemies-to-lovers, and clever banter
• skip if: you dislike period settings, matchmaking plots, or slow character progress

November 1

“Two souls, one ancient curse.”

In this fantasy romance, a modern-day bodyguard and an idol possessed by a vengeful spirit must unravel their tangled past lives.

• 14 episodes, 1 hour and 1 minute each
• Historical Romance, Thriller Fantasy
• watch if: you crave reincarnation angst, doomed love, and moody visuals
• skip if: you want logical plots, light tone, or happy-go-lucky characters

November 3

“She's new to psych ward nursing—and it's nothing like the textbook.”

Based on real experiences, this heartwarming drama follows Da-eun, a rookie nurse navigating the emotional highs and lows of mental health care.

• 12 episodes, 1 hour and 10 minutes each
• Medical Drama, Mental Illness Representation, Healing Drama
• watch if: you appreciate healing stories, compassionate portrayals of mental illness, and slice-of-life warmth
• skip if: you prefer high-stakes drama or fast-paced plots

November 8

“First love rebounds—this time, they’re playing for keeps.” 

Basketball captain Do Hyeon is shocked when Dong Uk, his high school first love, joins the team just before the championship. A bold bet leads them to move in together—and maybe pick up where they left off.

• 8 episodes, 18 minutes each
• BL Romance
• watch if: you like sports + romance combos, soft second chances, and BL with a nostalgic edge
• skip if: you're not into slow-burn rekindled romance or minimal conflict storytelling

November 8

“By day, a model student. By night, judge, jury, and executioner.”

Kim Ji Yong leads a double life—studying at the police academy while punishing criminals the law let go. But the media, a detective, and another vigilante close in.

• 8 episodes, 44 minutes each
• Psychological Thriller, Crime Action Drama
• watch if: you love gritty anti-heroes, dark justice themes, and high-octane thrillers
• skip if: you dislike violence, moral ambiguity, or vigilante narratives

November 11

“History remembers the war. This drama remembers the people.”

Set during the Goryeo-Khitan War, this sweeping historical epic follows King Hyeonjong and General Gang Gam Chan as they defend their kingdom against invasion.

• 32 episodes, 1 hour each
• Historical Drama, Military, Action, War
• watch if: you want grand battles, court intrigue, and weighty historical storytelling
• skip if: you’re not into sageuks, long episode counts, or slow political pacing

November 18

“She’s a YouTuber. He’s a trainee. They’re both hiding something.”

Do Guk wants to become an idol. Han Joo’s a secret cover singer with a massive following. When their paths cross, music—and feelings—start to mix.

• 8 episodes, 55 minutes each
• Youth Romance
• watch if: you enjoy youth romance, soft idol dynamics, and hidden identity hijinks
  skip if: you dislike webdrama pacing or low-stakes conflict

November 20

“He just wanted a lucky fare. He got a killer passenger.”

When taxi driver Oh Taek picks up a quiet man heading to Mokpo, he doesn’t know the man is a serial killer. Now, the drive turns into a tense game of survival.

• 10 episodes, 1 hour and 20 minutes each
• Psychological Thriller, Mystery Drama
• watch if: you’re into psychological thrillers, claustrophobic tension, and slow-burn dread
• skip if: you’re squeamish or need a hopeful tone

November 1

“A Joseon woman. A modern CEO. One time-slip marriage contract.”

After a tragic wedding night, Park Yeon Woo wakes up in present-day Seoul—and finds herself married (again) to a cold-hearted chaebol heir.

• 12 episodes, 1 hour and 10 minutes each
• Historical Romance, Fantasy, Mystery
• watch if: you like time-travel hijinks, arranged marriage tropes, and opposites attract
• skip if: you avoid rom-coms or get frustrated by fish-out-of-water clichés

November 24

“She’s icy. He’s immortal. Their contract is sealed in fire.”

Do Do Hee, a cynical chaebol heiress, gets entangled with Jung Gu Won, a demon who loses his powers and needs her to survive.

• 16 episodes, 1 hour and 6 minutes each
• Romantic Comedy, Fantasy Drama
• watch if: you love enemies-to-lovers, supernatural contracts, and high production fantasy
• skip if: you’re tired of contract marriage tropes or flashy effects over substance

November 24

“A fake student takes over school—and finds real friendship.”

Set in the 1980s, this coming-of-age drama follows Jang Byeong Tae, a bullied boy who ends up impersonating a feared transfer student. Trouble—and growth—ensues.

• 10 episodes, 1 hour each
• Youth Drama, Action Thriller, Comedy
• watch if: you’re into retro vibes, misfit hero stories, and underdog triumphs
• skip if: you dislike school bullying plots or identity mix-ups

November 27

“She speaks with her voice. He listens with his heart.”

A quiet, introspective romance between a deaf painter and an aspiring actress, exploring love, communication, and self-expression without words.

• 16 episodes, 1 hour each
• Melodrama, Romance
• watch if: you love tender, melancholic romance and visually expressive storytelling
• skip if: you want fast development, flashy drama, or lots of dialogue

December 1

“The monsters outside changed. So did the ones within.”

As the world continues to collapse into chaos, Hyun Soo and the survivors face evolving threats—both human and not—in this sequel to the apocalyptic horror hit.

•  8 episodes, 1 hour and 11 minutes each
• Sci-Fi Thriller
• watch if: you’re in for monster lore, survival drama, and intense world-building
• skip if: you didn’t enjoy Season 1’s tone shifts or need neat answers

December 1

 “He’s a cupid on his last chance—and she’s the woman who might ruin it.”

A 500-year-old cupid falls in love with a veterinarian whose relationships are mysteriously cursed. Can he fix her fate without breaking his own?

• 16 episodes, 1 hour and 2 minutes each
• Fantasy, Romantic Comedy
• watch if: you like whimsical fantasy romances, mythical twists, and star-crossed love
• skip if: magical realism or slow-burn romance isn’t your thing

December 2

“Some people leave to breathe. Others stay to anchor them when they return.” 

Yong Pil, a principled weather forecaster, never left his coastal hometown after his mother's death. Sam Dal, his childhood best friend, ran to Seoul to become a top fashion photographer—until scandal brings her back to the village that never forgot her. Old wounds resurface, but so do old feelings, in this warm, coastal second-chance romance.

• 16 episodes, 1 hour and 10 minutes each
• Life Drama, Romantic Comedy
• watch if: you enjoy hometown healing, slow-burn romance with emotional depth, and slice-of-life charm
• skip if: you need constant plot twists or dislike small-town nostalgia

December 4

“A deadly game. No way out. High school has never been this lethal.”

Students wake up trapped in a “real-life mafia game” where the penalty is death. Can they figure out who’s behind it before time runs out?

• 12 episodes, 35 minutes each
• Youth Horror, Mystery Thriller
• watch if: you love survival thrillers, tense group dynamics, and psychological suspense
• skip if: violence among teens or high-concept mystery games aren’t your vibe

December 6

 “They fell in love through music. Now, the song’s ending—or is it?”

Ex-lovers are reunited when they start working on a music project together. Can they harmonize again, or is it time to move on?

• 6 episodes, 45 minutes each
• Music, Romance, Drama
• watch if: you enjoy slow-burn second chances, musical metaphors, and bittersweet vibes
• skip if: you dislike introspective, character-driven stories with soft pacing

December 9

 “She’s a maestro with secrets—and her orchestra hides more than just talent.”

A renowned conductor returns to Korea to lead a symphony—and gets entangled in mystery, betrayal, and a murder investigation.

• 12 episodes, 59 minutes each
• Music, Mystery Thriller, Drama
• watch if: you love strong female leads, elegant mysteries, and a touch of melodrama
• skip if: you’re not into classical music settings or layered, slow-building plots

December 15

 “Die once, live twelve times—each in a stranger’s body.”

After dying by suicide, a man is punished by Death to live twelve different lives—all ending in death—unless he can change fate.

• 4 episodes, 55 minutes each
• Fantasy Drama
• watch if: you like dark fantasy, high-concept morality tales, and Park So-dam in god-mode
• skip if: repeated death cycles or existential themes aren’t for you

December 15

“In a school where popularity is currency, how far will you go for a heart?”

At Han Arts High School, social status is determined by how many “hearts” you receive. In this hyper-competitive environment, students navigate friendships, rivalries, and love while struggling with insecurity, ambition, and the pressure to be seen.

• 8 episodes, 24 minutes each
• Youth Romance, Music
• watch if: you like youth dramas with a satirical twist, BL subtext, and commentary on social media culture 
• skip if: you’re tired of school-based popularity contests or expect a full romance arc 

December 20

“Wrestling with the past—literally and emotionally.”

A former ssireum prodigy returns to his hometown and rekindles an old flame, only to uncover secrets tied to the local wrestling team.

• 12 episodes, 1 hour and 4 minutes each
• Romantic Comedy, Youth Mystery
• watch if: you love warm, grounded slice-of-life romance with nostalgic flair
• skip if: slow pacing or traditional sports settings aren’t appealing

December 22

 “1945. Occupied Korea. Something monstrous is stirring.”

In the shadows of war, a wealthy man and a bounty hunter confront a horrifying creature born of human experimentation.

• 10 episodes, 1 hour 10 minutes each
• Historical Drama, Science Fiction, Action Thriller
• watch if: you like historical horror, creature features, and dark atmospheric worldbuilding
• skip if: violence, gore, or bleak narratives put you off

December 26

 “Love, breakups, and the messy space in between.”

Told from both sides, this drama dives into the raw, unfiltered emotions of a couple navigating love, miscommunication, and separation.

• 12 episodes, 1 hour each
• Youth Romance, Drama
• watch if: you’re drawn to realistic relationship stories and dual perspectives
• skip if: you want escapism, not emotional realism

December 30

 “She built the perfect life. Then it all unraveled.”

A woman with a seemingly perfect marriage and career begins to question everything when her secrets—and someone else’s—come to light.

• 16 episodes, 1 hour and 10 minutes each
• Psychological Drama, Mystery, Thriller
• watch if: you enjoy psychological thrillers, betrayal plots, and morally gray characters
• skip if: domestic suspense or heavy melodrama isn’t your style