Soompi & Viki Staff Talk: What Is Your Favorite K-Drama Of 2023?
Already a month into 2024, our staff looked back on our favorite K-dramas from last year for this edition of Soompi & Viki Staff Talk.
Check out our staff’s picks below!
Yeon: “Perfect Marriage Revenge”
I usually don’t watch “makjang” dramas because the evil characters and tragic events stress me out, so I was originally not interested in watching “Perfect Marriage Revenge” which is about a woman who seeks revenge for everything that her family has done to her. However, I heard that the romance depicted by Sung Hoon and Jung Yoo Min is actually really cute, so I gave it a try and was pleasantly surprised. Not only is the romance great, but any stressful elements that arise are settled so quickly that there’s no time to be distressed about them. It’s such a satisfying drama that I ended up binge-watching it in just two days—definitely my favorite of 2023!
Watch “Perfect Marriage Revenge”:
Sala: “Taxi Driver 2”
2023 graced us with many sequels, and one of the joys was experiencing the highs and thrills of another season of “Taxi Driver” with the return of Kim Do Gi (Lee Je Hoon) and his capable Rainbow Taxi crew. “Taxi Driver” is about a mysterious taxi service that delivers vengeance on behalf of victims who are unable to get justice through the law. After a great run in 2021, Season 2 arrived in 2023 with the perfect balance of laughter, action-packed thrills, and heartwarming stories. “Taxi Driver 2” also featured special appearances from Namgoong Min, Moon Chae Won, Kim So Yeon, and more. The way the Rainbow Taxi team banded together to take down the enemy and bring justice definitely made “Taxi Driver 2” my favorite K-drama of 2023!
Watch “Taxi Driver 2”:
Winnie: “The Real Has Come!”
In 2023, the K-drama that took me on the most thrilling ride was surprisingly one with 50 episodes. “The Real Has Come!” is about Oh Yeon Doo (Baek Jin Hee), who is pregnant with her ex-boyfriend’s child, and Gong Tae Kyung (Ahn Jae Hyun), who is opposed to marriage. They begin a contract marriage as Gong Tae Kyung seeks to escape family pressure and Oh Yeon Doo aims to raise her child without a father. Together, they navigate prejudices and overcome obstacles to be finally together despite numerous heart-wrenching moments. While the storyline follows classic drama clichés, it’s super easy to digest, making it the perfect meal companion.
Watch “The Real Has Come!”:
Natalie: “The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract”
Romance, comedy, fantasy, whatever you want, “The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract” has it all! But what makes it my favorite drama of 2023 is the lead couple’s insane chemistry. The main couple, played by Lee Se Young and Bae In Hyuk, has the best on-screen romance and best off-screen friendship. On screen, they beautifully portray their tragic backstory which involves traveling back and forth in time as well as their budding love. Off screen, they are much loved by fans as the “ParkHa” couple. When they visited the Viki Cafe for a live interview, all of us Viki staff were secretly fangirling over their cute chemistry! If you haven’t watched it yet, make sure to binge-watch “The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract”—you won’t regret it.
Watch “The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract”:
Ginny: “Our Blooming Youth”
I think “Our Blooming Youth” is a drama that captures the essence of 2023, making it my favorite K-drama of 2023. “Our Blooming Youth” tells the love story of Lee Hwan (Park Hyung Sik), a crown prince suffering from a mysterious curse, and Min Jae Yi (Jeon So Nee), a genius woman falsely accused of murdering her family. The acting is full of depth and emotion, and the plot draws curiosity about what the mystery is. With stunning cinematography and a carefully curated soundtrack, “Our Blooming Youth” stands out as one of the best dramas of the year, leaving a lasting impact.
Watch “Our Blooming Youth”:
Somni: “A Good Day to Be a Dog”
Not only because I’m a fan of the lead actors, but I was immediately intrigued to watch “A Good Day to Be a Dog” also because I’m a dog person. As expected, the dogs in the drama are adorable, and I loved how the relationship between Hae Na (Park Gyu Young) and Seo Won (Cha Eun Woo) developed, especially because the two had completely wrong ideas about each other’s feelings at first. I dare say the heartfelt kiss scene between the two on a rainy day was the cutest and most heart-fluttering scene of the year!
Watch “A Good Day to Be a Dog”:
Yerim: “Moon in the Day”
My favorite K-drama of 2023 would have to be “Moon in the Day,” which is about a man for whom time has stopped after being killed by his lover and a woman who has lost her memories of her past life. Since the drama includes elements of sageuk, romance, and fantasy, I was able to enjoy the combination of all my favorite genres. The main cast members Kim Young Dae and Pyo Ye Jin showcased great chemistry, and the complicated but sad relationship of their characters left a lasting impression on me. I won’t reveal how their love story unfolds to avoid spoilers, but I can say that it’s a drama that’s hard to stop watching once you begin.
Watch “Moon in the Day”:
Heejo: “My Dearest”
Can we even talk about 2023 K-dramas without mentioning “My Dearest”? Set in the Joseon dynasty, “My Dearest” is a historical romance drama about Lee Jang Hyun (Namgoong Min) and Yoo Gil Chae (Ahn Eun Jin). This is honestly the best Korean drama I have seen in a long time! The storyline, acting, and cinematography were all superb. Namgoong Min’s performance, in particular, had me eagerly awaiting each episode. The love story, set against a war-torn backdrop, was heartbreakingly beautiful, and the satisfying ending totally topped off the beauty of this drama for me.
Watch “My Dearest”:
JJin: “Twinkling Watermelon”
“Twinkling Watermelon” is the kind of drama that I could happily watch over and over again. This drama is more than just a rom-com—it’s a perfect remedy to warm up your winter, touching on family love and motivating you to tackle life. What makes this drama special is the emotional rollercoaster it takes you on. Get ready for some laughter and tears, but trust me, it’s totally worth it! The scene where Yi Chan (Choi Hyun Wook) sings for Chung Ah (Shin Eun Soo) in sign language was especially heart-touching and inspired me to make learning sign language my New Year’s resolution. Here’s to a new year filled with joy and warmth from this wonderful drama!
Watch “Twinkling Watermelon”:
What was your favorite K-drama of 2023? Let us know in the comments below!
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