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POPCORNX'S TOP KDRAMAS OF 2023



Of all the KDRAMAs I've watched and tracked, featured here is my TOP TEN PICKS for FAVOURITEST KDRAMAS OF 2023, with the following caveats: (A) Series are to be released and/or ended within the year of "2023", nd (B) I would have had to complete all the episodes of the series to be considered (before being chosen/picked).

The series picked for this particular list are based on my overall enjoyment of said series, and is based predominantly on it's entertainment value to me personally, and might not represent your choice nor reasons, cheers.

Also I've tried my best to link to the shows being watchable online for free, besides dubious venues, thank you for understanding.

That said, scroll thru to find out my countdown (from #10 to #1) of POPCORNX's TOP KDRAMAS OF 2023...!





POPCORNX #10 TOP KDRAMA OF 2023: ISLAND (아일랜드) & ISLAND 2 (아일랜드 파트2) 2022-2023

I am combining both Season 1 and Season 2 of 아일랜드 from TVING into a single KDRAMA (6+6 Episodes). Set on Jeju Island, three people fight against evil that is trying to destroy the world. "Van" (Kim Nam-Gil) was raised to fight against evil and kills victims who are possessed, while "Priest Johan" (Cha Eun-Woo) is a Catholic priest that performs exorcisms.

Lee Da-Hee plays the mortal caught in-between, while "Goong-Tan" (Sung Joon) is battling brother to Van, but goes up against him, as expected from KDRAMA tropes, and I am fine with it!



Featuring pedestrian special effects and interesting-creature design(s), the color muted monochromatic-mood and style appealed to me, and a decent time was to be had! I found my way here because of the actors and started because of the premise. Who doesn't like a good supernatural creature exorcism?

I watched both seasons when I knew Season 2 was completed, and could binge it all in a single go! And it turned out to be a good strategy, because each episode was gripping enough fir me to consistently want MORE.

Based on webcomic "Island” written by Yoon In-Wan & illustrated by Yang Kyung-Il (published from May 11, 2016 to February 15, 2018 via Naver).

(Additional info via asianwiki.com)







POPCORNX #9 TOP KDRAMA OF 2023: SONG OF THE BANDITS (도적: 칼의 소리)

I do enjoy me some Magnificent Seven-styled collection of characters, from Battle Beyond The Stars, to Buckaroo Banzai, to X-Men and even Star Wars: A New Hope. This Netflix-dedicated series featured old-timey styled cowboy-seque face-off set in Japanese-occupation South Korea, in the lawless land of Jiandao in China, where out collection of "bandits" goes up against their oppressors.

"Kim Nam-Gil" stars as "Lee Yoon", and he has become an actor I actively follow.

Lee Ho-Jung as contract killer/mercenary "Eon-Nyeon" is the stand out for me. She as well has a Instagram @holly6 and YouTube channel, so I am sorted, cheers.

SONG OF THE BANDITS Features on #POPCORNX







POPCORNX #8 TOP KDRAMA OF 2023: GYEONGSEONG CREATURE PART 1 (경성크리처)

Yet another old-timey period project, featuring convincing production design, but alas lack of chemistry between the leads (in this case I agree with the naysayers), but individually, the actors made their roles their own, and perhaps I might do a further in-depth review whenever I can... beyond that, with even the lazy-creature design, the premise and story was fun enough for me to complete the 10 episodes and be entertained (7 episodes in December 22, 2023 / 3 episodes by January 5, 2024).

In short: Visually Rich, Spiritually Unsatisfying, but ultimately entertaining, even if it meant a one-watch-and-done affair. "Gyeongseong Creature 2" continues in 2024, where it seems the timeline is fast forwarded to the NOW, while it remains to be seen if you would need to watch "Part 1" for this, I'm afraid.

Gyeongseong CreatureFeatures on #POPCORNX







POPCORNX #7 TOP KDRAMA OF 2023: UNLOCK MY BOSS ("사장님을 잠금해제")

NETFLIX SYNOPSIS: When his spirit gets locked inside a smartphone, the CEO of a tech firm teams up with a young stranger to run his company and investigate his own murder..

I remembered the lingering fun watching the KDRAMA. I enjoyed the comedy and hijinks, along with the melo-drama of the CEO's family, and corporate intrigue. The premise and mystery kept me coming back for answers, and in this instance, there was a satisfactory answer at the end, which helped this KDRAMA notched up the chart, cheers.

The cast was likeable and did not outshine each other much, and that made for a comfortable watch-experience as well, methinks. That said, Watched Once was enough, cheers ... 12 binge-able episodes to be had on Netflix







POPCORNX #6 TOP KDRAMA OF 2023: DELIGHTFULLY DECEITFUL (이로운 사기)

Chun Woo-Hee as genius scam/con-artist and ex-convict "Lee Ro-Woom", who lacks empathy is the ice-queen beauty, goes up against and eventually works with Kim Dong-Wook's "Han Moo-Young", the overtly empathetic lawyer. Together with their small circle of rag-tag friends they commit cons and heists, and of course revenge.

None too high-concept, slice of fictional urban life. Interesting twists and plays on tropes, makes it a interesting watch.

What charmed me the most however, was the gorgeous Chun Woo-Hee's contestant 4th wall break(s), and breaking down the heists to uss, the viewers, which ups the quotient of "interactivity" at the very least in terms of audience AKA "my" engagement and investment in the KDRAMA, and it certainly worked well for me to constantly look out for the twice a week airing when it was broadcasted!

Also broadcast on tvN, you can currently watch all 16 episodes on Viu.com.

Can't wait to catch Chun Woo-Hee again in the currently streaming "The Atypical Family", since premiered on Netflix, cheers.







POPCORNX #5 TOP KDRAMA OF 2023: ALCHEMY OF SOULS: LIGHT AND SHADOW (환혼: 빛과 그림자)

NETFLIX SYNOPSIS: A powerful sorceress in a blind woman's body encounters a man from a prestigious family, who wants her help to change his destiny.

Truth be told, this season paled in comparison to Season 1, as it felt stretched for stretched-sake, but still the drama was fun, especially when the filmmakers incorporated modern/current day-sensibilities in the characters' presentation, which made this martial-artsy-period project a delight to watch. All the aesthetic bells and whistles added a colourful depth to the richness, indeed.



10 episodes is digestible, and I remembered waiting for the twice-a-week airing before completion, and while the anticipation might not have matched the ending, nor expectation of S1, it was a fun watch, and as well introduction (for me) to actress Go Youn-Jung, whom will star in one of my fav KDRAMAs for 2023...!

Both Season 1 & Season 2 can currently be watched on Netflix.





POPCORNX #4 TOP KDRAMA OF 2023: REVENANT (악귀)

DISNEY+ SYNOPSIS: In this Korean occult mystery, a woman possessed by an evil spirit, and a man who can see evil spirits, uncover the secrets of mysterious deaths surrounding five spirits.. (RATED: NC16)

I am a "horror-lightweight". In fact, I outright avoid any horror-fuelled projects, and can only devour the lightest of scares, one prime example was 2022's HOMETOWN, but I found myself watching "Revenant" first because of the premise, then actress Kim Tae-Ri, in this "fish out of water"-tale, drowning in a perpetual doom-cloud that loomed heavy in the broadcast air .. and yet, I returned every episode to find out what "happens next", and how the twists can be resolved. Nice change from my usual watches, with still the supernatural bent I do so enjoy in my KDRAMA-choices.

Broadcast on SBS, 12 episodes currently to be had on Disney+.







POPCORNX #3 TOP KDRAMA OF 2023: THE KIDNAPPING DAY (유괴의 날)

MY SYNOPSIS: Warmed-hearted poor man desperately needs $$$ to pay for sick daughter's operation, kidnaps a rich man's daughter for ransom, instead crash into the girl, who looses her memory. The rich man is found murdered. Then we are thrust into 12-episodes of resolving the situation. Wrong place, wrong time, wrong kidnap.

What made the KDRAMA fun, was in the beginning when girl awakes, she is a boss-baby to the kidnapper, who caters to the genius-level girl's whim and requests, all the while looking for answers to her identity. Both kidapper and kidnappee adopt a "father and daughter" disposition and the story unfolds from there.

Decidedly more melo-drama than comedy, the story is based on a novel "Yoogweui Nal" by Jung Hae-Yeon (published July 17, 2019 by Sigongsa), with Yoon Kye-Sang (Member of idol group "God") as protagonist, whom I've seen for the first time, but subsequently remember him in other projects I'd watched after this.



The genius girl is poutily played by Yu-Na, with series directed by Park Yoo-Young, whom I found to be credited for directing 2019's "Kingdom", and hence my decision to sit thru and wait weekly for episodes, and I am glad I did, although the final few episodes was somewhat of a frustrating chore to sit through.

Ultimately it felt quite an accomplished watch, with a slightly stronger story and morale core than the rest.

Broadcast on ENA, Genie TV, 12 episodes are currently watchable via tv.apple.com and Amazon Prime.





POPCORNX #2 TOP KDRAMA OF 2023: KING THE LAND (킹더랜드 / JTBC Production)

NETFLIX SYNOPSIS: Amid a tense inheritance fight, a charming heir clashes with his hardworking employee who's known for her irresistible smile — which he cannot stand.

Thoroughly enjoyed this rom-com, and appreciated the light-heartedness of this non-preachy series, with a sprinkle of resolvable melo-drama and the genuine charm of smiles particularly from Lim Yoon-A (Member of Kpop Idol group "Girl's Generation"), who indued a go-getter character, while Lee Joon-Ho as run-of-the-mill Prince (none-too-)Charming (whom himself is a member of Kpop boy band "2PM"), in this emotionally light watch.



16 episodes are currently watchable on Netflix, which you can binge to your heart's content, without the need to break your investment of time that drastically, methinks. Watch with comfort, cheers.





POPCORNX #1 TOP KDRAMA OF 2023: MOVING (무빙)

DISNEY+ SYNOPSIS: In this supernatural action series, children who live in hiding with superpowers, along with their parents who live with painful secrets of the past, face enormous dangers together. (Rated M18).

Based on webcomic "Moving ” by Kang Pool (published from February 2, 2015 to September 21, 2015 via Daum), this KDRAMA features an ensemble cast, presenting generational characters, each with their own backstory and history, makes for a well-depth of stories to be witnessed and experienced.



Super-powers being used by the government, both in the North and South. Super-powered beings being hunted. Tropes we have seen in multiple other projects, non-uniformed and everyday, reminding me of "Heroes", but without the naivety.

I stayed for Han Hyo-Joo, and rediscovered Go Youn-Jung, whom I've only seen in Alchemy of Souls S2. I dearly want for a "Season 2", but reckon the "lingering want" and unrequited love does help the allure at the back of my mind's memories.

Watchable here on Disney+. I am keen to rewatch this, but only when I have the time to invest 20-episodes for, much less having a legit "Disney+" account (*cough*).






OTHER KDRAMAS WATCHED+COMPLETED:
Castaway Diva (12 eps / 2023)
See You in My 19th Life (12 eps / 2023)
Bitch and Rich (10 eps / 2023)
The Heavenly Idol (12 eps / 2023)
Celebrity (12 eps / 2023)
Delivery Man (12 eps / 2023)

OLDER KDRAMAS WATCHED+COMPLETED:
Why Her? (16 eps / 2022)
A Korean Odyssey (20 eps / 2017-2018)
I'm Not a Robot (32 eps / 2018)
Arthdal Chronicles (18 eps / 2019)
Happiness (2nd watch / 12 eps / 2021)

UNCOMPLETED KDRAMAS:
Duty After School (Uncompleted)


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