K-dramas to watch this 2023
Graphics: Lance Uy
Attention all Korean drama fans out there! Are you looking for new K-dramas to watch this 2023?
Worry no more as we compiled a list of new and ongoing Korean dramas this year! Whether it be romance, comedy, action, medical or family drama, we got a list for you.
“Doctor Cha”
Release date: April 15, 2023
Episodes: 12/16
Official poster of Doctor Cha | Photo courtesy: Uhm Jung-Hwa/Instagram
This medical drama is about Cha Jeong-Suk, a licensed doctor who has not practiced medicine for 20 years because she is a full-time housewife to Seo In-Ho, a strict and sensitive chief surgeon at a university hospital. In their house, Cha Jeong-Suk is treated almost as a housekeeper, not as a mother and wife. After all those years, Cha Jeong-Suk decides to pursue her medical career after surviving a life-and-death situation.
“The Good Bad Mother”
Release date: April 26, 2023
Episodes: 8/14
Lee Do-Hyun as Choi Kang-Ho and Ra Mi-Ran as Jing Young-Son. | Photo courtesy: JTBC Drama/Instagram
If you loved Lee Do-Hyun in “The Glory” and “The Youth of May,” you also need to check out his role in this drama, in which he plays as Kang-Ho, who views his mother as someone terrible due to her strict parenting.
When Kang-ho is all grown-up, he becomes a cold-hearted prosecutor and has a cold relationship with his mother. However, an accident will help the two mend their relationship.
“Black Knight”
Release date: May 12, 2023
Episodes: 6/6
Kim Woo-Bin as 5-8. | Photo courtesy: Kim Woo-Bin/Instagram
After Kim Woo Bin’s cancer diagnosis in 2017, he is now back in the limelight with a new sci-fi drama after starring in “Our Blues” in 2022 with his real-life girlfriend, Shin Min-Ah.
Kim Woo-Bin plays as 5-8 in this new dystopian drama set in 2071, which is about a world destroyed by air pollution. In such a world, people’s survival heavily relies on Black Knights, the not-so-ordinary delivery men.
“Dr. Romantic Season 3”
Release date: April 28, 2023
Episodes: 8/16
(From left) Ahn Hyo-Seop, Han Suk-Kyu and Lee Seung-Kyung pose during a promotion for “Dr. Romantic 3,” | Photo courtesy of SBS
Medical dramas are one of the favorite genres of K-drama fans. And thankfully, we have a new medical drama this year. Through the third season of Dr. Romantic, viewers will continue to follow the medical career and life of their favorite characters portrayed by Ahn Hyo Seop, Lee Sung Kyung and Han Seok Kyu, among others.
“Call It Love”
Release date: Feb. 22, 2023
Episodes: 16/16
A behind-the-scene photo of Lee Sung-Kyung and Kim Young-Kwang in the “Call It Love” set. | Photo courtesy of Lee Sung-Kyung/Instagram
Lee Seung-Kyung from “Dr. Romantic 3” is on a roll this 2023, as her other drama was released earlier this year. This time, she portrays Sim Woo-Joo, who seeks to take revenge on her father’s mistress. However, as Sim Woo-Joo approaches the mistress’s son, Han Dong-Jin, she ends up falling in love with him.
“RACE”
Release date: May 10, 2023
Episodes: 4/12
“Park Yoo-Joo” takes a selfie with her new employee ID in her new company. | Photo courtesy of Lee Yeon-Hee/Instagram
In this light-hearted workplace drama, K-drama fans will see how someone with no academic background will survive corporate life in the field of public relations.
“Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938”
Release date: May 6, 2023
Episodes: 6/12
The official poster of “Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938” | Photo courtesy of Lee Dong-Wook/Instagram
People who loved the “Tale of the Nine-tailed” in 2020 should not miss its new season! The Tale of the Nine-Tailed 1938 follows a nine-tailed fox Lee Yeon, played by Lee Dong-Wook, as he unexpectedly slips back in the year 1938, an era of chaos, and struggles trying to go back to the present time.
“Joseon Attorney: A Morality”
Release date: March 31, 2023
Episodes: 16/16
A scene in “Joseon Attorney: A Morality” | Photo courtesy of Screenshot from MBC Drama/YouTube
Woo Doo-Hwan stars as Kang Han-Soo, a rebellious lawyer who uses and manipulates the legal system to his advantage. However, as he unintentionally becomes a hero of the ordinary people, he eventually matures to become a dignified lawyer. Through his journey, he crosses paths with Princess Lee Yeon-Joo, played by WJSN’s Bona, and Judge Yoo Ji-Sun, played by VIXX’s Cha Hak Yeon.
“Crash Course in Romance”
Release date: Jan. 14, 2023
Episodes: 16/16
Nam Haeng-Sun accidentally splashes water on Choi Chi-Yeol in front of her restaurant. | Photo courtesy of Screenshot from tvN drama/YouTube
A love story between an ambitious and most sought-after math tutor and a passionate and energetic mother. We would love to see it!
Nam Haeng Sun, a single mother who used to be a national athlete, needs a private tutor for her daughter, who is preparing for her college entrance exam. Meanwhile, Choi Chi-Yeol, a popular instructor, is naturally calculative and sensitive in all aspects of life. As the two main leads interact, their connection progresses romantically.
“Family: The Unbreakable Bond”
Release date: April 17, 2023
Episodes: 10/12
Official poster of Family: The Unbreakable Bond | Photo courtesy: Disney+
This family-action-comedy drama follows the double life of Kwon Do-Hoon, who works as a sniper in the National Intelligence Service and as a regular trading employee to cover up his real identity. Juggling these two personas makes him struggle with work-life balance. He either misses or is constantly late for family gatherings and occasions, leaving his devoted wife, Kang Yoo-Ra, in the dark. Kang Yoo-Ra seems to be fine about it–why? Well, it is because she also has a secret.
Korean dramas have been a staple in media entertainment, which avid K-drama fans cannot live without. As the dramas make the viewers feel various emotions by introducing characters with inspiring, heartwarming and romantic love stories, viewers will surely be craving for more. –Joanne Melegrito, INQUIRER.net trainee
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