2023 k-dramas ranked

Every single episode was so special and eye-opening. Like short stories captured cinematically in a way that's made me hunt for more k-dramas like this. Incredible.

I liked D.P.'s first season but the second season has driven it home as one of my favourite k-drama's of all-time. Every aspect of its production lends to the emotion and the messages that it conveys and lingers. SO GOOD.

Ugh, I have never watched anything like this; let alone a k-drama. There's a nuance in the way the mockumentary format lends to the adult-like reality of the story and characters in the drama. Topped of perfectly with the incredible acting by the main leads, I felt everything they felt. 

I've been counting down the days until Lee Jae Wook landed a lead role, since watching him in Search WWW a few years ago, and when this drama got announced I was over the moon. But this drama exceeded every expectation I could have had; it lives within it's own genre. Excited to see more k-dramas under this fantasy+historical twist done with such depth. Lee Jae Wook staked his mantle with this k-drama.

Unexpected highlight of the year. Being a huge fan of Park Hyungsik, I pretty much watch anything he's in, even when the genre isn't to my taste (see Happiness). I was not expecting to like this at all, not only have I dnf-ed the last three period dramas I tried to watch prior to this, I was not looking forward to the typical politics and genderbending shenanigans (also slow pace) of these dramas. But Our Blooming Youth revolutionized my taste in period dramas. 

Turns out, I just needed to experience this to feel the embrace of a good period drama. Keeps the flow of the plot while letting you enjoy the characters and the setting in a lax but not meandering way. 

A special little drama that watches like a book as well.

Time-capsule sort of kdrama. Felt like a singular experience I could not recreate; one of those dramas were every episode feels precious.

SO much fun. I am not a fan of the rom-com cliche sort of kdramas.....that's what I thought, until I watched this. Something about this one felt both in the cliche but also seamless, comforting, and fun! I was completely taken in by Yoona and Junho's chemistry, such a great iconic drama of the year!

So, I did not like Tale of the Nine Tailed, plain and simple. So, I did not have plans to watch s2 at all; until I found out it was set during the Japanese occupation (literally the best period drama setting ever), and my sister recced the hell out of it. Watched it to amuse my sister but ABSOLUTELY loved it! Considering the part I did not like of s1 was Cho Bo-Ah, I should have seen this coming. But this season was LEAGUES BETTER; the cinematography, the story-telling, the pacing; everything was elevated; I would love to see more in this world if this is how they get told now.

Ahhhh this drama has a singular vibe that cannot be recreated. Something about it is both sad, hilarious, comforting and painful all at the same time. Fell in love with Rowoon in this one, this man can really act.

It's pretty incredible when a drama with HIGH expectations exceeds them anyway. The Good Bad Mother will go down in the kdrama history books for being so subtly iconic. 

SO much fun! A brand of kdramas that is just all about having fun and I am here for it!

Kind of confused me most of the time, but the rest of the time it was badass and impactful.

Hmmm, a meh show tbh. There was a lot of lost potential here; I think the writers could have gone a more fun route but stuck to the practical ending and choices which made this a dull watch.

I can't lie, I felt like this would be a top 3 drama for me when I started watching it, but it lost that weight almost immediately after I finished it. Something about this drama did not linger and when I think of it, it just makes me feel blue and depressed.

I was really hoping s2 would bring that punch but the open endings left me confused and wondering why I wasted so much time on this drama...

THIS WAS A COMPLETE WASTE OF TIME WTF