Top 20 Highest Rated Kdramas of 2023 So Far [Ft. HappySqueak]

MyDramaList

6 Nov 202316:01

Summary

TLDRThe script revisits the top 20 highest-rated Korean dramas of 2023, offering a diverse mix of genres from romance and comedy to action and supernatural thrillers. Highlights include 'Divorce Attorney Shin' with its strong lead and relatable friendships, 'King the Land' featuring a workplace romance, and 'Uncanny Counter Season 2' with its action-packed fight against evil spirits. Time-travel, reincarnation, and medical dramas also make the list, showcasing the rich storytelling and talented casts that captivated audiences. The list is topped by 'Moving,' a supernatural action thriller about high school students with extraordinary abilities, reflecting the year's trend of compelling narratives and dynamic characters.

Takeaways

📚 The script lists the top 20 highest-rated Korean dramas (kramas) of 2023, providing a brief overview of each drama's plot and characters.
🏆 The dramas span various genres, including romance, action, supernatural, thriller, and fantasy, showcasing the diversity of Korean television content.
🎬 The list includes sequels such as 'Uncanny Counter Season 2', 'The First Responders Season 2', 'Taxi Driver Season 2', and 'Dr. Romantic Season 3', indicating the continued popularity of these series.
💑 Many dramas feature romantic storylines, often with a comedic twist or a backdrop of unusual circumstances, such as 'King the Land' and 'Love to Hate You'.
🕵️‍♂️ Several dramas incorporate elements of mystery and crime-solving, like 'Blood Hounds' and 'Revenant', where the protagonists are involved in solving cases or fighting against crime.
🎭 The script mentions adaptations of webtoons, such as 'See You in My 19th Life' and 'Blood Hounds', highlighting the trend of turning popular webcomics into live-action dramas.
🌟 Notable actors and actresses star in these dramas, with some dramas featuring well-known actors like Kim Dong-uk and Jinu in 'My Perfect Stranger'.
🏆 'Moving' is listed as the number one highest-rated drama of 2023, focusing on high school students with superhero-like abilities and the adults who wish to use them.
👥 The dramas often depict strong bonds between characters, such as friendships and teamwork, which are central to the storylines and resonate with viewers.
🎉 The script concludes by inviting viewers to share their favorite dramas from the list and whether they have seen all of them, encouraging engagement and discussion.

Q & A

What is the theme of the drama 'Divorce Attorney Shin'?
-The drama 'Divorce Attorney Shin' revolves around a multi-talented lawyer known for thinking outside the box and winning seemingly impossible cases, supported by his best friends. It explores their bond and the challenges they face in their personal and professional lives.
Who are the main characters in 'King the Land'?
-'King the Land' features a diligent and ambitious female lead who rises in her career and a rich, somewhat arrogant male lead with ties to a famous hotel and the wealthy King group.
What is the premise of 'Uncanny Counter Season 2'?
-'Uncanny Counter Season 2' continues the story from the first season, where a team of 'counters' fights against evil spirits causing havoc on Earth, using their unique powers and abilities.
How does 'A Time Called You' incorporate time travel into its plot?
-In 'A Time Called You', the young female lead, grieving the loss of her boyfriend, is transported back in time to the late '90s where she encounters a doppelganger of her boyfriend, setting the stage for a potential love triangle.
What is unique about the romance in 'Crash Course in Romance'?
-The romance in 'Crash Course in Romance' is unique as it focuses on an older pairing: a former Olympic athlete turned side dish shop owner and a popular genius math instructor, offering a fresh take on K-drama romance.
What is the concept of 'See You in My 19th Life'?
-'See You in My 19th Life' is based on a webtoon and explores the concept of reincarnation, following a girl who remembers her past lives and seeks to reconnect with those she was closest to in her 18th life.
What is the central conflict in 'The First Responders Season 2'?
-The central conflict in 'The First Responders Season 2' is the joint operations and teamwork between a police station and a fire station, as well as the personal lives and struggles of the first responders.
How does 'Duty After School' blend youth drama with sci-fi action?
-'Duty After School' blends youth drama with sci-fi action by having students at a high school who are preparing for university admissions suddenly fast-tracked into military training due to the appearance of alien monsters threatening the planet.
What is the main plot of 'Love to Hate You'?
-'Love to Hate You' is a romantic action drama where a lawyer with street fighting skills crosses paths with a celebrity actor, initially disliking him but eventually ends up teaching him combat fighting for his role, leading to a chemistry-fueled fake relationship that blossoms into real love.
What is the main storyline of 'My Perfect Stranger'?
-In 'My Perfect Stranger', a journalist and a hopeful writer are brought together and transported back to 1987, where they work together to solve the truth behind a serial murder case, realizing their goals might be the same.
What is the main conflict in 'Blood Hounds'?
-'Blood Hounds' follows the thrilling adventure of a young boxer who must defend his mother and others victimized by a notorious crime boss and loan shark, with the help of a once legendary money lender and his newly acquainted best friend.
What supernatural elements are present in 'Revenant'?
-'Revenant' features supernatural horror elements where a part-tim who is studying to become a public officer begins to change after receiving items left by her late father, and mysterious deaths start occurring around her.
What is the main focus of 'DP Season 2'?
-'DP Season 2' continues to follow the arrest squad and military deserters, focusing on the different situations they face, the emotional struggles of the characters, and the strong performances that resonate with viewers.
What historical setting does 'My Dearest' take place in?
-The romantic historical drama 'My Dearest' is set in the 1600s, where the main couple crosses paths and a romance ensues amidst a backdrop of war and societal expectations.
What fantasy elements are included in 'Tale of the Niled 1938'?
-'Tale of the Niled 1938' includes fantasy elements with the famous Gumiho role, where the leading actor encounters one of the female characters in a time period setting, mixing historical with fantasy.
What is the central theme of 'Taxi Driver Season 2'?
-The central theme of 'Taxi Driver Season 2' is justice and revenge, where an honest special forces officer and the Rainbow Taxi crew carry out justice against criminals while protecting victims.
What is the main plot of 'The Good Bad Mother'?
-In 'The Good Bad Mother', an overly strict mother is disconnected from her son but reconnects when he suffers an accident, leading to a plot that involves uncovering a mystery linked to the accident in their small village.
What challenges does the medical team face in 'Dr. Romantic Season 3'?
-In 'Dr. Romantic Season 3', the medical team faces new challenges when a North Korean ship drifts into South Korean waters, leading to complications and the need to provide efficient care to those on board.
What is the main storyline of 'The Glory Part Two'?
-The main storyline of 'The Glory Part Two' follows a female lead who encounters severe trauma due to school bullies and later seeks justice through a calculated series of events, delivering a gripping performance that captivates audiences.
What is the central theme of 'Moving'?
-'Moving' is a supernatural action thriller focusing on high school students with superhero-like abilities and the adults who wish to use them for their powers, exploring themes of secrecy, protection, and the struggle against dark forces.

Outlines

00:00

📺 Top 20 K-Dramas of 2023 Overview

This paragraph introduces a countdown of the top 20 highest-rated K-dramas of 2023. It highlights the variety of genres and themes, such as romance, comedy, action, and supernatural elements, featured in the dramas. The paragraph sets the stage for a detailed exploration of each drama, promising insights into their plots, characters, and the reasons behind their popularity.

05:03

🏆 Diverse Genres and Engaging Storylines

The second paragraph delves into the specifics of the top 20 K-dramas, starting with 'Divorce Attorney Shin' at number 20 and 'The First Responders' season 2 at number 14. Each drama is briefly summarized, showcasing their unique storylines and the dynamics between characters. Highlights include the unconventional lawyer in 'Divorce Attorney Shin', the workplace romance in 'King the Land', the supernatural battles in 'Uncanny Counter Season 2', and the time-traveling mystery in 'A Time Called You'. The paragraph emphasizes the diverse genres and engaging storylines that have captivated audiences.

10:04

🌟 Popularity and Critical Acclaim for K-Dramas

Continuing from where the previous paragraph left off, this section covers K-dramas ranked from number 13 to 6. It discusses the youth drama 'Duty After School' with its sci-fi action twist, the romantic action of 'Love to Hate You', the time-altering story of 'My Perfect Stranger', and the thrilling adventure in 'Blood Hounds'. The paragraph also touches on the supernatural horror of 'Revenant' and the anticipation for 'DP Season 2'. Each summary provides a glimpse into the plot and the reasons these dramas have garnered both popularity and critical acclaim.

15:05

🎬 High Ratings and Compelling Characters

This paragraph focuses on the top 5 K-dramas of 2023, starting with 'My Dearest' at number 7 and ending with the number 1 spot, 'Moving'. It describes 'My Dearest' as a romantic historical drama, 'Tale of the Nailed' as a fantasy series with a leading actor reprising his role, and 'Taxi Driver Season 2' as an exhilarating story of justice. 'The Good Bad Mother' is highlighted for its slice-of-life and comedy elements, while 'Dr. Romantic Season 3' continues the medical and life drama with new challenges. Finally, 'The Glory Part Two' and 'Moving' are noted for their strong narratives and the phenomenal performances of their casts, which have resonated with audiences worldwide.

🎉 Honorable Mentions and Audience Engagement

The final paragraph wraps up the list of top K-dramas by mentioning additional strong contenders such as 'A Good Day to Be a Dog', 'My Lovely Boxer', 'Queen Maker', 'Strong Girl, Namsoon', and 'Matchmakers Soom Deers'. It invites viewers to share their favorite dramas from the list and whether they have seen them all, encouraging audience engagement through the comment section. This paragraph serves as a reminder of the diverse and captivating world of K-dramas and the ongoing conversation among fans.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Kramas

Kramas is a term that seems to be used as a shorthand for Korean dramas, which are television series produced in South Korea. The script discusses the 'highest rated kramas of 2023,' indicating that the video is focused on the most popular and well-received Korean dramas from that year. This term is central to understanding the theme of the video, which is to review and highlight the top-rated Korean dramas.

💡Divorce Attorney Shin

Divorce Attorney Shin is one of the titles mentioned in the script, referring to a specific Korean drama. The explanation of this drama involves a multi-talented lawyer known for unconventional thinking and winning difficult cases, supported by his best friends. This concept is used to illustrate the type of characters and storylines that viewers found engaging in 2023, showcasing the variety and depth of characters in Korean dramas.

💡Romantic Hotel Drama

The term 'romantic hotel drama' is used to describe a genre of Korean drama that typically involves a romantic storyline set in a hotel environment. In the script, it is associated with the drama 'King the Land,' which features a hardworking female lead and a wealthy male lead with ties to a famous hotel and a wealthy group. This keyword is important as it highlights a common theme in Korean dramas, which is the exploration of relationships and romance in various settings.

💡Counter Punch

Counter Punch is the name of the second season of the drama 'Uncanny Counter,' mentioned in the script. It is described as an action comedy where the main characters fight against evil spirits using their unique powers. This keyword is significant as it represents the supernatural and action elements often found in Korean dramas, which are popular among viewers for their thrilling and fantastical nature.

💡Time Travel

Time travel is a narrative device used in the drama 'A Time Called You,' where the female lead is transported back in time to the late '90s after grieving the loss of her boyfriend. This concept is a key element in the script, as it introduces a fantastical and mysterious aspect to the storyline, allowing for exploration of themes such as fate, love, and the consequences of changing the past.

💡Reincarnation

Reincarnation is a central theme in the drama 'See You in My 19th Life,' where the story revolves around a girl who remembers her past lives and seeks to reconnect with those she encountered in her 18th life. This concept is used in the script to illustrate the unique and intriguing storylines that Korean dramas offer, often involving elements of fantasy and the supernatural.

💡First Responders

First Responders refers to the drama 'The First Responders Season 2,' which showcases the teamwork and bravery between a police station and a fire station. The script highlights the action and thrills of emergency situations, as well as the personal lives and struggles of the characters. This keyword is important as it represents the realistic and human aspect of Korean dramas, which often depict the lives of professionals in high-stress jobs.

💡Sci-Fi Action

Sci-Fi Action is a genre descriptor used in the script to describe the drama 'Duty After School,' which combines elements of science fiction with action. The drama features students who are fast-tracked into military training to fight alien monsters, adding a survival scenario to their school life. This keyword is significant as it showcases the diversity of genres in Korean dramas, blending different elements to create unique and engaging stories.

💡Conflicted Love

Conflicted Love is a theme present in the drama 'Love to Hate You,' where a lawyer with street fighting skills initially has a negative impression of a celebrity actor, but they end up in a fake relationship that turns into real love. This concept is used in the script to illustrate the complexities and dynamics of romantic relationships in Korean dramas, often involving initial misunderstandings or conflicts that evolve into deeper connections.

💡Supernatural Horror

Supernatural Horror is a genre mentioned in the script for the drama 'Revenant,' which involves a character studying to become a public officer who starts to change after receiving items left by her late father, along with mysterious deaths. This keyword is important as it highlights the inclusion of horror elements in Korean dramas, which often explore the supernatural and the unknown, creating suspense and tension for viewers.

Highlights

Divorce Attorney Shin is a multi-talented lawyer known for unconventional thinking and winning challenging cases.

The bond between best friends in the drama resonates with viewers and adds comedic elements.

King the Land showcases a hardworking female lead and a rich, arrogant male lead with ties to a famous hotel.

Uncanny Counter Season 2 continues the fight against evil spirits with a team of unique individuals.

A Time Called You features time travel and a young woman meeting a doppelganger of her deceased boyfriend.

Crash Course in Romance explores a romance between an ex-Olympic athlete and a genius math instructor.

See You in My 19th Life tells a story of reincarnation and a girl's quest to reconnect with her past life acquaintances.

The First Responders Season 2 follows the teamwork between a police station and a fire station.

Duty After School is a youth drama with thrilling sci-fi action against alien monsters.

Love to Hate You combines romance and action with a unique chemistry between a lawyer and a celebrity actor.

My Perfect Stranger is a time-altering story involving a journalist and a writer solving a serial murder case.

Blood Hounds is a thrilling adventure about a young boxer defending his mother from a loan shark.

Revenant is a supernatural horror drama involving a public officer, a folklore teacher, and a violent crimes investigator.

DP Season 2 continues the story of an arrest squad dealing with military deserters and their personal struggles.

My Dearest is a romantic historical drama set in the 1600s featuring a mysterious male lead and an outspoken female lead.

Tale of the Nined 1938 features a Gumiho and introduces new twists and characters in a fantasy setting.

Taxi Driver Season 2 follows the story of a special forces officer seeking revenge and justice with a taxi crew.

The Good Bad Mother is a slice of life drama with comedy about a strict mother reconnecting with her son.

Dr. Romantic Season 3 is a medical drama that continues the story of Dr. Kim and his staff facing new challenges.

The Glory Part Two is a globally discussed drama about school bullies and the pursuit of justice.

Moving is a supernatural action thriller about high school students with superhero-like abilities and the adults who wish to use them.