Korean dramas are taking over internationally. With the success of dramas such as Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead that paved the way for the international fan following, the drama industry finds itself new fans every minute.
2023 is coming with a bunch of hit dramas, some sequels, and some new ones. Here are a few most awaited K Dramas in 2023.
1. All Of Us Are Dead 2
Directed By: Lee Jae-Kyu, Kim Nam-Soo
Cast:
Yoon Chan-young, Park Ji-hu, Cho Yi-Hyun, Lomon, Yoo In-Soo, Lee Yoo-mi
Synopsis:
All of Us Are Dead is a coming-of-age zombie apocalypse horror television series that premiered on January 28, 2022. It follows the story of high school students (Lee Cheong-san, Nam On-jo, Choi Nam-ra, Lee Su-hyoek, Yoon Gwi-nam, and Lee Na-Yeon) who battle a zombie apocalypse after a failed (secret) science experiment by the school’s teacher.
The zombie virus spreads soon after the teacher fails to contain the infected. The series depicts the students’ survival of the virus by using equipment around the school.
Season 1 ended on a cliffhanger, leaving fans wondering whether Cheong-san is still alive and what holds Nam-ra’s fate. All that will be revealed in All of Us Are Dead S02.
2. Squid Game 2
Directed By: Hwang Dong-Hyuk
Cast:
Lee Jung-Jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-Joon, HoYeon Jung, O Yeong-su, Heo Sung-Tae, Anupam Tripathi, and Kim Joo-ryoung.
Synopsis:
With an ensemble cast that delivered a stellar performance, Squid Game is a survival thriller drama television series that debuted on Netflix on September 17, 2021. The series is about a secret game where 456 players will play a brutal and grotesque version of a children’s game to win 45.6 billion Won.
The story revolves around Seong Gi-hun, a divorced father and a gambler who drowns in debt and is invited to play a dangerous version of a children’s game to win a large amount of money. The game is discovered to be barbaric and even kills the players that cannot win each of its rounds.
Season 1 gripped the audience with its fantastic performance. The series won many accolades, including numerous international ones.
Fans are desperately waiting to know what Season 2 brings.
3. The Uncanny Counter 2
Directed by: Yoo Seon-dong & Park Bong-seop
Cast:
Jo Byung-gyu, Yoo Jun-sang, Kim Se-jeong and Yeom Hye-rang
Synopsis:
The Uncanny Counter revolves around So-Mun, a high school student with a disability who joins a group of paranormal hunters -the Counters- who search for and fight against evil spirits that prey on humans after they escape from the afterlife.
Season 1 premiered on OCN on November 28, 2020, and ended on January 24, 2021. It is available on Netflix.
4. D.P. 2
Directed By: Han Jun-hee
Cast:
Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, and Son Suk-ku
Synopsis:
Deserter Pursuit, commonly called D.P., is a streaming television series that premiered on Netflix on August 27, 2021. It revolves around the adventures of two military police who are in search of deserters. The series explores the harsh nature of the military, the class system, and bullying in the military.
5. Tail of The Nine-Tailed 2
Directed By: Kang Shin-hyo Jo Nam-hyung
Cast:
Lee Dong-Wook, Jo Bo-ah, Kim Bum
Synopsis:
Nothing beats Korean fantasy dramas. And Tail of The Nine-Tailed is the one fantasy drama that everyone loved from the day it aired on tvN October 7 to December 3, 2020.
The series explores the twists and turns in the lives of Lee Yeon, an over 1000-year-old Gumiho, Nam Ji-ah, a television producer who works on a show that features urban myths, and Lee Rang, a half-blood Gumiho and Lee Yeon’s younger brother, who seeks revenge on his brother by creating mischief.
What follows all the characters shakes their respective lives.
6. Sweet Home 2
Directed By: Lee Eung-bok, Jang Young-woo & Park So-Hyun
Cast:
Song Kang, Lee Jin-wook, and Lee Si-young
Synopsis:
Apocalyptic horror dramas are the best. Sweet Home is another Korean drama that managed to steal everyone’s attention when it premiered on Netflix on December 18, 2020. The series gripped the audience’s attention so hard that when seasons 2 & 3 were finally announced, they were finally happy, knowing that more was yet to come for the characters.
The drama revolves around Cha Hyun-soo, a suicidal high school student; Pyeon Sang-wook, a mysterious man with a scar on his face; Seo Yi-Kyung, a former firefighter; Lee Eun-yoo, a former ballerina who quit due to an injury on her foot and Yoon Ji-soo, a bass guitarist.
The drama focuses on each of the characters’ survival and their personal lives. It instantly became a fan favorite after its release and is one of the most-awaited Korean dramas in 2023.
7. The Glory Pt.2
Directed By: Ahn Gil-ho
Cast: Song Hye-Kyo, Lee Do-Hyun, Lim Ji-Yeon, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, and Jung Sung-il
Synopsis: Korean high school dramas are taking over the world these days. Especially the ones that feature bullying and depict the harsh realities of Korean high schools. The Glory is one such drama that left fans in awe after it released Part 1 on December 10, 2022, on Netflix.
The drama portrayed the cruel side of high school in Korea. Moon Dong-eun, a former victim of high school bullying and assault, is ready to seek revenge on her bullies by taking up a job as a homeroom teacher at the elementary school of the bully’s child.
The drama released Part 1 and left the viewers chewing their nails off with the suspense. Part 2 is scheduled to release in March 2023, and viewers have never been so desperate.
8. Dr. Romantic 3
Directed By: Yoo In-Shik & Kang Bo-Seung
Cast:
Han Suk-kyu, Yoo Yeon-seok, Seo Hyun-jin, Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Sung-kyung, Kim Joo-hun
Synopsis:
Dr. Romantic depicts the story of sincere doctors working in the countryside at Doldam Hospital. Season 1 aired in 2016 and Season 2 aired in 2020.
The first season revolved around the life of Boo Yong-Joo, Kang Dong-Joo, and Yoon Seo-Jung. The second season was all about two young but ambitious doctors, Seo Woo-jin and Cha Eun Jae.
After the blockbuster hit from the first two seasons, it is back with season 3, which will air in 2023. From the results of the first two seasons, it is crystal clear that the upcoming season will also be a hit.
9. Gyeongseong Creature
Directed By: Jeong Dong-Yun
Cast:
Park Seo-joon, Han So-hee, Soo Hyun, Kim Hae-sook, Jo Han-chul and Wi Ha-joon.
Synopsis:
Probably the most awaited Korean drama of all time, Gyeongseong Creature is an upcoming television series that stars an ensemble cast that includes Park Seo-Joon and Han So-hee as the lead.
The drama will be about when Gyeongseong, the old name for Seoul, was at its darkest and worst era. It will tell the stories of the people who fight for survival every day.
10. Ask The Stars
Directed By: Park Shin-woo
Cast: Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin
Synopsis: What happens when a space tourist and an astronaut fall in love on a space station? Well, Ask The Stars will show the viewers exactly what will unfold when two most unlikely people fall in love.
Gong Ryong is an obstetrician-gynecologist who arrives at a space station as a tourist, and Eve Kim is an American–Korean astronaut with a mysterious aura. The drama is set to gain fans instantly with its interesting plot.
11. The Worst Evil
Directed By: Han Dong-Wook
Cast:
Ji Chang-Wook, Wi Ha-Joon, and Im Se-mi
Synopsis:
Crime dramas are everyone’s favorite. Especially when Ji Chang-Wook is on it. He will be back with a new crime drama, The Worst Evil, in 2023.
The drama will be about undercover police investigators who infiltrate a massive criminal organization responsible for the illegal drug trade between Korea, China, and Japan. It will be full of suspense and surprise that will always keep the viewers on edge.
Fans are excited to see the on-screen charm of Ji Chang-Wook and Wi Ha-Joon.
12. Arthdal Chronicles 2
Directed By: Kim Won-Seok
Cast:
Lee Joon-gi and Shin Se-Kyung
Synopsis:
Arthdal Chronicles made news after the first season came out. After all, it was the first Korean ancient fantasy drama. The story is set during the Bronze age and is about the inhabitants of the ancient city of Arthdal.
Its unique plot, along with the extraordinary cast, stole the audience’s hearts and paved the way for a second season.
13. The Queen of Tears
Directed By: Jang Young Woo
Cast:
Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Ji-Won
Synopsis:
The Queen of Tears is a drama about a married couple who find themselves embarking on a thrilling journey fighting against the odds of life.
Baek Hyun-Woo is the legal director of the conglomerate Queens Group and is married to Hong Hae-In, the heiress of Queen Department Store. Fans are thrilled to see the fresh lead pairing of Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Ji-Won.
Everybody should fasten their seatbelts as the upcoming drama will sweep the viewers off their feet.
14. Murder DIEary
Directed By: Lee Chang-hee
Cast:
Choi Woo-shik, Son Suk-ku, and Lee Hee-joon
Synopsis:
An ordinary college student and superpowers. Now, that’s an interesting idea for a plot.
And yes, we will be getting to see a drama with that story. Murder DIEary is an upcoming mystery thriller Korean drama that will keep viewers hooked on the story.
Lee Tang, a student, discovers that he can identify evil people after he commits an accidental murder. He is soon pursued by Jang Nan-gam and Song Chon for the murder that he committed.
The drama has an interesting plot and will break viewership records once it debuts on Netflix.
15. A Good Day To Be A Dog
Directed By: Kim Dae-Woong
Cast: Cha Eun-woo, Park Gyu-young, and Lee Hyun-woo
Synopsis: A Good Day To Be a Dog is an upcoming Korean television drama that tells the story of a woman who turns into a dog when she kisses a man who is the only cheat key to solve the curse but is afraid of dogs.
With such a fascinating plot and hints of bubbly romance, the drama will surely be loved by viewers. And why won’t they? Cha Eun-woo will be again seen in romantic drama and what better treat than that?
16. A Time Called You
Directed by: Kim Jin-won
Cast:
Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, and Kang Hoon
Synopsis:
Time travel and romance are two genres that always come with a bang. A Time Called You is a time travel and romance drama that will keep viewers giggling with its romance and comedy.
Jun-hee misses her boyfriend who died a year ago and somehow manages to travel back in time to 1998 from 2023. She finds herself in the body of 18-year-old Min-Ju and meets Si-heon, who bears an uncanny resemblance to her deceased boyfriend.
17. Strong Woman Kang Nam-Soon
Directed by: Kim Jeong-sik
Cast:
Lee Yoo-mi, Kim Jung-eun, Kim Hae-sook, Ong Seong-wu, and Byeon Woo-seok
Synopsis:
Strong Woman Kang Nam-soon is related to one of the hit dramas of all time, Strong Woman Do Bong-soon.
The drama will focus on Nam-soon, Do Bong-soon’s sixth cousin, and how she has superpowers just like all the women in her family. Nam-soon finds herself, along with her mother and grandmother, tangled up in a drug case.
Fans have been waiting for a sequel of Strong Woman Do Bong-soon and finally got one. Cannot imagine the viewership records as it will make history by topping the charts after it premieres on JTBC.
Conclusion
The most awaited Korean dramas of 2023 are listed above. All of them are set to break records and charm the audience with their stories, performances, and cast. Which one will you be watching first?
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