Korean drama is one of the most popular shows in entertainment. With amazingly talented actors, the best screenplay and an interesting story have made the entire world crave K Dramas. The first K Drama that has grabbed the world’s attention is the Squid Game. It has made us expect more from the Korean industry. Post that, it is a golden era for K Dramas. Almost all the series have performed well. In that, some peaked high in the sky. 

Most Korean Dramas are romantic story based. These cute love stories were also one of the attention-grabbing features of K dramas. When it comes to thriller and horror-based series, they make you shiver. Every genre of Korean drama is put so much work and produced. It is the reason why Korean dramas are very special these days. In this article, we have listed the 15 best K dramas that you must watch in 2023.   

The Silent Sea

The story is set in space. It takes place in the future. The world is short of water. There is a research lab set on the moon. It totally crashed because of an accident. They have a sample. It is lunar water. When a living person comes in contact with the lunar water, the water multiplies. The samples have actually made all the scientists drown. Those samples can be used to create water on earth. Since the world is in need of water, there is an immense need to get those samples.  An astronaut team is sent to collect the sample.

In the journey, there are many interesting and totally unexpected plot twists in the series. These unexpected twists make the series worth watching. There are many shocking twists that are revealed as the series goes on. Many betrayals will come to light. It is one of the best K dramas on Netflix. 

Director: Choi Hang-Yong

Lead Actors: Bae Doona, Gong Yoo

Streaming on: Netflix

Under the Queen’s Umbrella

It is a historical story. A king has passed away. There is a mystery in his death. The time has come to select the other prince. The queen called Hwa Ryeong has a trouble-making son. The series is all about how she is trying hard to make her son the next prince. There is another queen called Dowager who is also trying hard to make her son the prince. Queen Hwa will play games like chess to hold the prince’s position for her son.

In the end, the mystery behind the king’s death will be revealed. The series is loved by many because it literally portrays how strong a queen should be. It shows how a woman should fight for her rights. Thus it makes its way to one of the best K dramas.

Directed by: Kim Hyung-sik

Lead Actors: Kim Hye-soo, Kim Hae-sook, Choi Won-young

Streaming on: Netflix

Business Proposal

It is one of the best K dramas. It performed the best in 2022. It is a rom-com series. One of the main characters is called Kang Tae-Mu, who is the president of GO Food. There is a food researcher at the same company called Shin Ha-ri. She has a mad crush on her friend who is called Young Seo.

There is another friend of hers, with whom Kang Tae-Mu is arranging a date. But the girl was not interested; she was impersonated by Shin Ha-ri. She is intended to do some weird things so that Kang Tae-Mu will hate her. But on the date, Ha-ri comes to know that she is with her company president. Despite her weird acts, Kang Tae-Mu decides to marry her. But Shin Ha-ry denies it. The cute saga continues. It is silly but a good series to watch. Thus, it is on the list of best K dramas to watch in 2023. 

Director: Park Seon-ho

Lead Actors: Ahn Hyo-Seop, Kim Se-Jeong, Kim Min-Kyu, Seol In-Ah

Streaming on: Netflix

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

It is yet another beautiful K Drama to watch. The story is about a dentist who is successful in Seoul. Then she moves to a seaside village. She decides to open a dental clinic there. She is meeting a person. He is the jack of all trades. He is helping her to overcome all the obstacles and set up her clinic. They will fall in love with each other. It is an amazing love-based series. It is more of a feel-good stereotypical K Drama. It is a must-watch one. Thus, it gets a place for itself in the best K dramas to watch in 2023. 

Developed by: Kim Je-Hyeon 

Lead Actors: Shin Min-A, Kim Sun-Ho, Lee Sang-Yi

Streaming on: Netflix

All Of Us Are Dead

The series is a thriller horror series. There is a high school in South Korea where the Zombie virus outbreak. The students need to safeguard themselves without any help from the outside world. A group of students gather. They rely on each other to escape from the zombies. The series showcases the process of how the students plan and survive the situation. Despite being a horror series, it also speaks about many social issues. It addresses bullying, cyberbullying, refugees and many more. Overall it is an intense series to watch. Thus it marks its place in the list of the best K dramas to watch. 

Directors: Lee JQ and Kim Nam-Su

Main Actors: Park Ji-hu, Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun, Lomon, Yoo In-soo, Lee Yoo-mi, Kim Byung-chul, Lee Kyu-hyung, and Jeon Bae-soo

Streaming on: Netflix

Hell Bound

The story is set in the present. The events that take place in the present and future are between 2022 to 2027. This is yet another horrifying story. It is about supernatural beings. There are three huge demons trying to take some humans to hell. There is a detective and an attorney who is trying to get to the bottom of the situation. The best part about the series that keeps it interesting is how the story is portrayed. It involves many lead roles. It totally has 6 episodes.

The first three episodes are about the detective and the attorney. The last three episodes are about a television producer and her wife. They are struggling to prevent their newborn baby from being sent to hell. It is an excellent series to watch. It is one of the best K dramas that will ever exist. 

Director: Yeon Sang-ho

Lead Actors: Yoo Ah-in, Kim Hyun-joo, Park Jeong-min, Won Jin-ah, Yang Ik-june

Streaming on: Netflix

Squid Game

The game changer of K dramas is here. It is one of the best thriller series ever in the history of web series. It is a web series that will keep the audience at the edge of their series. The main character’s debt is due. There is a prison where debtors like him were kept in. They need to play child games. If they win they will be given huge prize money. If they lose, it will cost them their life. The series also touched on the inequality in society and human greediness. It is the top-rated Korean drama. 

Director: Hwang Dong-Hyuk

Lead Actors: Lee Jung-Jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-Joon, Jung Ho-Yeon

Streaming on: Netflix

You may also read our blog: 10 Best Movies on Netflix

Vincenzo

Vincenzo is a complete package. You can see some action, romance and drama in one place. The story is about a Korean man. He is adopted by an Italian family. They raised him as a part of a mafia. As soon as the father dies their biological son is trying to kill the adopted son. So he lands in Seoul.

There he came to know there is a huge treasure which is full of gold. It is under an old apartment. He is trying to loot it. But a company takes over the building illegally. So the lead partners up with a lawyer to file against the company so that they can get the gold. It is one of the best K dramas with a different storyline. Hence it is a must-watch.

Director: Kim Hee-won

Lead actors: Song Joong-ki, Jeon Yeo-bin

Streaming on: Netflix

It’s Okay to be Not Okay

It is yet another feel-good web series. The main character is Moon Gang-Tae. He is taking care of his elder brother Moon Sang-Tae. He has autism. Their mother was killed by a murderer. Post that they both are orphaned. Moon-Young, who is an author. She has an antisocial personality disorder. Moon Gang-Tae and Moon Young meet each other and spend some time together. Speaking about their past life. It is a good romantic story. It also speaks about trauma and healing. Hence it is one of the must-watch K dramas on Netflix. 

Director: Park Shin-Woo, Jung Dong-Yoon

Lead Actors: Kim Soo-Hyun, Seo Ye-Ji, Oh Jung-Se

Streaming on: Netflix

Thirty-Nine

It is very tough to see a story that will feature a middle-aged woman as the lead character. The story is about the struggle of women. She is an independent woman. She is struggling with her work, love, family and her health issues. How strong she is in handling these are portrayed in the series. The series also portrays how beautiful female friendships are. Hence it is one of the good K dramas on Netflix. It is a very comforting series that pays tribute to women’s friendship and life’s messiness.

Director: Kim Sang-ho

Lead Actors: Cha Mi-Jo, Jeong Chan-Young, Jang Joo-Hee

Streaming on: Netflix

Our Blues

Our Blues is one of the best K dramas to watch. The series takes place on Jeju Island. It is an alluring place in South Korea. It is one of the most visited tourist places. The series revolves around three main characters. A merchant, diver and fish store owner. The series states the events that occur in those three characters’ lives. It is a very light-hearted story. But it is worth watching. Thus it makes it to the list of the best K dramas to watch. 

Director: Kim Kyu-Tae

Lead Actors: Lee Byung-Hun, Cha Seung-Won, Han Ji-Min

Streaming on: Netflix 

Little Women

This series is based on a novel called Louisa May Alcott. It was an 1868 based novel. The story is set in the present era. There are three sisters who are very poor. They are being filed for a case of 70 Billion won which is lost. In this case, they need to stand against Korea’s richest family. The series states how these poor sisters bravely face their opponents. The three sisters were always poor. The middle sister is a reporter. The younger one is studying and is a great artist. The elder sister is taking care of her family. It is an interesting K drama to watch. 

Director: Kim Hee-Won

Lead Actors: Kim Go-Eun, Nam Ji-Hyun, Park Ji-Hu

Streaming on: Netflix

Extraordinary Attorney Woo

It is yet another beautiful K drama to watch. The series will make you believe that humanity wins over cruelty in this world. The main character is Young Woo. She is an autistic attorney. She is extremely passionate about studying law. Woo is not able to behave or communicate like others. She has a structured routine to follow. The series is about her overcoming these odds and becoming a lawyer. The series also portrays how kindly the schoolmates treat her. Thus it is one of the best K dramas to watch. 

Director: Yu In-Sik

Lead Actors: Park Eun-Bin, Kang Tae-Oh, Kang Ki-Young

Streaming on: Netflix

Pachinko

Pachinko is a series which touches on the history of Korea. The series depicts the events that took place during the Japanese colonization in 1945. There were many unethical events that happened. This series is set in 20 th century. An independent woman who is raising a child. She was forced to leave Korea. She is entering Osaka in Japan. With family events and historical events, the series will portray struggles and happiness. Hence it is one of the best K dramas to watch in 2023. 

Director: Kogonada and Justin Chon

Lead Actors: Youn Yuh Jung, Lee Min-ho, Minha Kim

Streaming on: Apple TV+

You may also read our blog: Best Netflix Originals only for you in 2022

Twenty Five/ Twenty One

It is one of the best K dramas to watch. The series involves a group of five members. The events taking place in the series will include how they are trying hard to achieve success. It portrays how they are finding the love of their life. There comes a financial crisis. There is a lead couple in this series. The struggles of rebuilding family life are also portrayed. The other supporting characters are also equally admirable. Hence it makes its way to the list of the best K dramas. 

Director: Jung Ji-Hyun

Lead Actors: Kim Tae-Ri, Nam Joo-Hyuk

Streaming on: Netflix

Sweet Home

Sweet home is a thriller series. In this, the monsters are killing humans and taking over the world. The lead character lost his parents in a car accident. He then moved into an apartment. But unfortunately, the apartment is being attacked by the monsters. The series has many twists which make the series worth watching. 

Director: Lee Eung-bok, Jang Young-woo, Park So-Hyun

Lead Actors: Song Kang, Lee Jin-wook, Lee Si-young, Lee Do-hyun

Streaming on: Netflix

Navillera

It is one of the best K dramas to watch. The main character’s name is Shim Doek-Chul. He is a retired mailman. His age is 70 with Alzheimer’s disease. He loves ballet. He started learning ballet dance at the age of 70. He learns from Lee Chae-rok, who has a tragic past. They both teach each other their learnings. The series speaks about death, Alzheimer’s disease and the struggles people face while achieving their dreams. Hence this series made it to the list of the best K dramas to watch in 2023. 

Director: Han Dong-hwa

Leading Actors: Park In-hwan, Song Kang, Na Moon-hee, Hong Seung-hee

Streaming on: Netflix

Conclusion

Korean Dramas have acquired a special place in everyone’s heart. There are many genres of K dramas. There are feel-good series. There are also horror, thriller, rom-com and many more. Almost all of the series has a great story plot. There will be many unexpected twists. Some of the series also explain some social problems as well. Overall Korean dramas are worth watching. All the series are kept as short as possible. So it will not bore you. This article lists the best K dramas. We have given a small summary of all the series listed. All these are must-watch. 

FAQs

1. Why are K Dramas so popular?

K Dramas are very popular because of the fascinating storylines and the unpredictable twists. They are also famous for their romantic love stories. 

2. Where can I watch Korean Dramas?

Platforms that stream Korean Dramas are as follows,

• Kocowa
• Tubi
• Netflix
• Hulu
• YouTube

3. Where can I watch Korean Dramas for free?

Korean Dramas that stream on YouTube are free to watch. 

4. What is the best thriller K Drama to watch?

Squid Game is the best thriller K Drama to watch.

5. Do Korean Dramas have English subtitles?

Ever since K Dramas have become a world sensation, almost all K Dramas have English subtitles.