2023 K-DRAMAS
It’s a new year with new k-dramas for fans around the world. Keep on reading to see the shows you need to add to your watch-later list!
K-dramas with Confirmed Dates
Kokdu: Season of Deity
Image Credits: MBC via Wikipedia
Kokdu (Kim Jung-hyun) is a grim reaper who visits Earth every 99 years to punish humans. On his latest visit, he meets cheerful doctor Han Gye-jeol (Im Soo-hyang). Unable to disobey her commands, Kokdu starts working with Gye-jeol as a visiting doctor. Romance and fantasy go together like chicken and beer, and we’re impatient for this series to start!
Release Date: January 27, 2023
Where to Watch: MBC TV, Viki
Bait/The Bait (Part 1)
Image Credits: Coupang Play via AsianWiki
If you like true crime and unsolved mysteries, this is the show for you. “Bait/The Bait” follows lawyer-turned-homicide detective Goo Do-han (Jang Keun-suk) and reporter Na Yeon-seon (Lee Elijah), who investigate a murder case involving a supposedly dead swindler (Heo Sung-tae).
Release Date: January 27, 2023 (Part 1)
Where to Watch: Coupang Play
Our Blooming Youth
Image Credits: tvN via Wikipedia
The countdown is on for Park Hyung-sik’s newest drama. He plays Lee Hwan, the Crown Prince who suffers from a mysterious curse. At his side is Min Jae-yi (Jeon So-nee), an intelligent young woman accused of murdering her family. They agree to help each other, and in the process fall in love.
Release Date: February 6, 2023
Where to Watch: tvN, Viki
Love to Hate You
Image Credits: Netflix via Star News (Naver)
Opposites really do attract. Yeo Mi-ran (Kim Ok-vin), who works at the entertainment law firm Gilmu, hates losing to men. She meets her match in romantic actor Nam Kang-ho (Teo Yoo), who is suspicious of women. Sparks fly as the two enter a pretend relationship, which quickly becomes a true romance.
Release Date: February 10, 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
The Heavenly Idol
Image Credits: tvN via Wikipedia
Pontifex Lembrary (Kim Min-kyu) is an esteemed High Priest in another dimension. One day, he wakes up in the body of Woo Yeon-woo, a member of idol group Wild Animal. Lembrary must come to terms with his new life with the help of Wild Animal’s new manager, and Woo Yeon-woo’s number 1 fan, Kim Dal (Go Bo-gyeol).
Release Date: February 15, 2023
Where to Watch: tvN
Taxi Driver (Season 2)
Image Credits: Image via Soompi
Your favorite vigilantes are back! The Rainbow Taxi Company continues bringing criminals to justice in less-than-legal ways, this time moving its operations to Vietnam. While most of the original cast is back, Esom (who played Kang Ha-na) won’t be returning. Shin Jae-ha will join as On Ha-jun, a new Rainbow Taxi driver.
Release Date: February 17, 2023
Where to Watch: SBS, Netflix
Call It Love
Image Credits: Disney+ via Han Cinema
You may need a box of tissues. After her father’s death, Shim Woo-joo (Lee Sung-kyung) is kicked out of her home by his mistress. She approaches the mistress’ son, Han Dong-jin (Kim Young-kwang), with a plan for revenge. Things change, however, as the couple learns to heal together.
Release Date: February 22, 2023
Where to Watch: Disney+
Sacred Divorce
Image Credits: JTBC via Soompi
If the name doesn’t grab your attention, the premise might. Shin Sung-han (Cho Seung-woo) switches from his job as a music professor to a divorce lawyer after hearing shocking rumors. Curious? You could read the original webtoon by Kang Tae-kyung – or wait for “Sacred Divorce” to air in March.
Release Date: March 4, 2023
Where to Watch: JTBC
The Glory (Part 2)
Image Credits: Netflix via Soompi
“The Glory” is returning in March for eager and impatient viewers. Moon Dong-eun (Song Hye-kyo) was bullied as a teenager. She becomes a homeroom teacher for the elementary school attended by the child of the bullies’ ringleader (Lim Ji-yeon). Dong-eun begins to carry out her plan of revenge, aided by Joo Yeo-jeong (Lee Do-hyun) and Kang Hyeon-nam (Yeom Hye-ran).
Release Date: March 10
Where to Watch: Netflix
Spinoffs and Sequels
Strong Woman Gang Nam-soon/Strong Woman Kang Nam Soon
Image Credits: Lee Yoo-mi’s Instagram (L), Ong Seong-wu for GQ Korea Twitter via Kdramastars (R)
In 2017, the world was introduced to Do Bong-soon. Six years later, it will be meeting her distant cousin, Gang Nam-soon (Lee Yoo-mi), who also has superhuman strength. Nam-soon travels to Gangnam-gu, where she meets detective Gang Hee-sik (Ong Seong-wu) and gets caught up in a drug case with her mother (Kim Jung-eun) and grandmother (Kim Hae-sook).
Release Date: first half of 2023
Where to Watch: JTBC
Arthdal Chronicles (Season 2)
Image Credits: tvN/Studio Dragon via NME
“Arthdal Chronicles” is making a long-overdue comeback! Set eight years after the first season, the second season sees a new war between Arthdal Kingdom and Ago Union. Jang Dong-gun and Kim Ok-vin will return as Ta-gon and Tae al-ha. However, Lee Joon-gi and Shin Se-kyung will replace Song Joong-ki and Kim Ji-won as Eun-seom/Saya and Tan-ya respectively.
Release Date: early 2023
Where to Watch: tvN
Tale of the Nine-tailed 1938
Image Credits: Lee Dong-wook’s Instagram
More good news: “Tale of the Nine-tailed” also returns this year. Lee Yeon (Lee Dong-wook) travels back to 1938, where he meets mountain spirit-turned-restaurant owner Ryu Hong-joo (Kim So-yeon). He also encounters former friend Chun Mu-young (Ryu Kyung-soo) and mischievous brother Lee Rang (Kim Bum). We can’t wait to see what will happen!
Release Date: early 2023
Where to Watch: tvN
D.P. (Season 2)
Image Credits: Netflix via Soompi
“D.P.” (short for Deserter Pursuit) continues after a gut-punching season 1 finale. Viewers will see what happens to Ahn Joon-ho (Jung Hae-in), Han Ho-yeol (Koo Kyo-hwan), and the rest of the returning cast. New characters include Gu Ja-woon (Ji Jin-Hee) and Lieutenant Colonel Seo-eun (Kim Ji-hyun).
Release Date: third quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
Sweet Home (Season 2)
Image Credits: Netflix via Soompi
Yes, “Sweet Home’s” second season is coming this year! Fans have so many questions about what happened to Cha Hyun-soo (Song Kang), Pyeon Sang-wook (Lee Jin-wook), and the other survivors. Only a little longer until we find out.
Release Date: fourth quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
New Series
Moving
Image Credits: Image via Disney Plus Korea
Adapted from Kang Full’s webtoon, “Moving” follows teenagers with supernatural powers that they inherited from their parents. Featuring a stellar cast including Ryu Seung-ryong, Han Hyo-joo, and Zo In-sung, it is sure to be an exciting show.
Release Date: first quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Disney+
The Devil
Image Credits: SBS via GQ Korea
Gu San-young (Kim Tae-ri) becomes possessed by a demon. She meets Yeom Hae-sang (Oh Jung-se), a folklore professor who can see spirits. Together, they become embroiled in a case involving five bodies and the demons (literal and figurative) in their lives.
Release Date: June 2023
Where to Watch: SBS
Bloodhounds
Image Credits: Netflix via Soompi
Boxing and loan sharking collide in this gritty drama. Former boxers Geon-woo (Woo Do-hwan) and Woo-jin (Lee Sang-yi) get caught up in the world of loan sharks. Huh Joon-ho plays Geon-woo’s boss Mr. Choi, while Park Sung-woong plays his cutthroat rival Myung-gil.
Release Date: second quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
Black Knight
Image Credits: Netflix via HanCinema
Imagine a world where you can’t breathe without a respirator and rely on a delivery service run by “knights.” That’s where you’ll find Knight 5-8 (Kim Woo-bin), a courier with amazing fighting skills. He and his allies, Seol-ah (Esom) and Sa-wol (Kang Yoo-seok), go up against the power-hungry Ryu Seok (Song Seung-heon) for their survival.
Release Date: second quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
The Good Bad Mother
Image Credits: Netflix via Soompi
Young-soon (Ra Mi-ran) raised Kang-ho (Lee Do-hyun) with a “tough mother” persona, resulting in him becoming cold and distant. After an accident, however, Kang-ho acts like his seven-year-old self. Mi-ran has the choice to be a “bad mom” again or a “good mom.” Expect to both laugh and cry while watching.
Release Date: first half of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
Celebrity
Image Credits: Netflix via Soompi
After becoming an influencer overnight, Seo Ah-ri (Park Gyu-young) learns to navigate a world that is both glamorous and treacherous. Joining the cast are Kang Min-hyuk, Lee Chung-ah, Lee Dong-gun, and Jun Hyo-seong. 2PM’s Lee Jun-ho is expected to make a special appearance.
Release Date: second quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
Mask Girl
Image Credits: Netflix via Soompi
Our next show is considerably grimmer. We meet office worker Kim Mo-mi, who at night transforms into a masked internet broadcasting jockey (BJ). Her life inexplicably changes after an incident at the station. Go Hyun-jung and After School’s Nana will both play Kim Mo-mi, while Ahn Jae-hong will play Mo-mi’s coworker, Joo Oh-nam.
Release Date: third quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
A Time Called You
Image Credits: Netflix via Soompi
What if you could travel in time and find the one you lost? This remake of popular Taiwanese drama “Some Day or One Day” asks that question. Han Jun-hee (Jeon Yeo-been), still grieving after her boyfriend’s death, wakes up in 1998 in the body of Kwon Min-ju. She meets Nam Si-heon (Ahn Hyo-seop), who bears a striking resemblance to her boyfriend Gu Yeon-jun.
Release Date: third quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
Daily Dose of Sunshine
Image Credits: Netflix via Soompi
Based on a webtoon and real-life experiences, “Daily Dose of Sunshine” follows nurse Jung Da-eun (Park Bo-young) who gets transferred to the Psychiatric Department. She experiences growth while caring for her new patients. You could say it will be a healing drama.
Release Date: fourth quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
Doona!
Image Credits: Netflix via Soompi
Imagine: your housemate is a former idol. Or don’t imagine it – check out this drama! Directed by “Crash Landing on You” director Lee Jeong-hyo and starring Bae Suzy and Yang Se-jong, we’re looking forward to the heart and humor these episodes will bring.
Release Date: fourth quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
Gyeongseong Creature
Image Credits: Netflix via Soompi
Take a trip back to spring 1945, when Seoul was called Gyeongseong and Koreans lived under Japanese colonization. Wealthy pawnshop owner Jang Tae-sang (Park Seo-joon) and people-finding specialist Yoon Chae-ok (Han So-hee) team up to fight against a creature born of greed. It’s an interesting mix of history, political intrigue, and monsters – we’re hooked!
Release Date: fourth quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
Goodbye Earth
Image Credits: Netflix via HanCinema
Time for more dystopia. Based on Kōtarō Isaka’s novel Shūmatsu no Fūru, “Goodbye Earth” takes place 200 days before the Earth is set to collide with an asteroid. Cast members include Yoo Ah-in, Ahn Eun-jin, and Jeon Sung-woo.
Release Date: fourth quarter of 2023
Where to Watch: Netflix
Ask the Stars/When the Stars Gossip
Image Credits: Image via Allkpop
Lee Min-ho is back. He plays obstetrician-gynecologist Gong Ryong, who visits a space station as a tourist. Opposite him is Gong Hyo-jin who plays astronaut Eve Kim. After looking at the stills, we can already tell “Ask the Stars” is out of this world.
Release Date: no confirmed date
Where to Watch: tvN
Other returning series: “Dr. Romantic” Season 3, “Soundtrack #1” Season 2, “The Uncanny Counter” Season 2
Other adaptations and remakes: “Vigilante,” “Chicken Nugget,” “Murder DIEary,” “A Good Day to Be a Dog,” “See You in My 19th Life”
Other original shows: “Delivery Man,” “Oasis,” “King the Land,” “Pandora: Beneath the Paradise,” “The Worst of Evil,” “Queen of Tears,” “Behind Your Touch,” “Destined with You,” “Lovers,” “Queenmaker,” “Song of the Bandits”
Which one of these k-dramas are you looking forward to the most? Let us know your thoughts. And if you’re looking for a snack to eat as you binge-watch, check out our website and order your very own SeoulBox!
