Korean Series, Korean drama series is a type of television show that originates from South Korea and features various genres, themes, and actors. Korean drama series are popular among viewers around the world, especially in Asia, for their captivating stories, emotional performances, and cultural diversity.
Best Korean Series 2023
There are many Korean series that you can watch in 2023, but here are some of the best ones according to the web search and question-answering results:
The Good Bad Mother (Netflix):
A family drama that follows a single mother who struggles to raise her three children while working as a lawyer. She faces various challenges and conflicts, such as dealing with her ex-husband, her rebellious daughter, her autistic son, and her demanding boss. The series is praised for its realistic and emotional portrayal of motherhood and family issues.
Main characters of The Good Bad Mother:
⦁ Jin Young-soon (played by Ra Mi-ran): She is the mother of Choi Kang-ho and the owner of a pig farm. She is a tough and strict woman who raised her son alone after her husband’s death. She wants her son to become a successful lawyer and avoid the hardships that she faced
⦁ Choi Kang-ho (played by Lee Do-hyun): He is the son of Jin Young-soon and a prosecutor. He is ambitious and ruthless and does not care about his mother’s feelings. He has a cold and arrogant personality and often clashes with his mother. However, after an accident, he suffers from brain damage and regresses to a childlike state
⦁ Lee Mi-joo (played by Ahn Eun-jin): She is a childhood friend of Choi Kang-ho and a veterinarian. She has a crush on Kang-ho, but he does not reciprocate her feelings. She is kind and cheerful and helps Young-soon take care of Kang-ho after his accident.
⦁ Bang Sam-sik (played by Yoo In-soo): He is a childhood friend of Choi Kang-ho and Lee Mi-joo and a police officer. He is loyal and brave and has a sense of justice. He also has feelings for Mi-joo but respects her choice. He assists Kang-ho in his investigation after his recovery
⦁ Oh Tae-soo (played by Jung Woong-in): He is the main antagonist of the series and a corrupt politician. He was involved in the death of Young-soon’s husband and tried to cover up his crimes. He also targets Kang-ho, who is investigating him and causes his accident.
My Perfect Stranger (KBS):
A romantic comedy that revolves around a woman who hires a man to pretend to be her boyfriend for a month. She hopes to impress her parents and avoid their nagging but soon finds herself falling for him. The series is a remake of the popular Japanese drama of the same name and features a lot of humor, chemistry, and heart.
Main Characters of My Perfect Stranger:
⦁ Yoon Hae-joon (played by Kim Dong-wook): He is the male lead and a news anchor. He is calm and professional as a journalist, but kind and caring as a person. He agrees to act as Baek Yoon-young’s fake boyfriend for money but gradually develops genuine feelings for her
⦁ Baek Yoon-young (played by Jin Ki-joo): She is the female lead and a writer. She works at a publishing company and dreams of becoming a successful novelist. She is under a lot of stress because of her job and her parents’ pressure to get married. She hires Yoon Hae-joon to pose as her boyfriend but unexpectedly falls in love with him
⦁ Lee Soon-ae (played by Seo Ji-hye): She was Baek Yoon-young’s mother in 1987. She is a cheerful and optimistic woman who runs a small restaurant. She is married to Lee Hyung-man, but they have a rocky relationship. She meets Yoon Hae-joon when he travels back in time and becomes his friend and mentor
⦁ Lee Hyung-man (played by Park Soo-young): He was Baek Yoon-young’s father in 1987. He is a timid and passive man who works as a bank clerk. He is unhappy with his marriage and his life and often drinks to escape his problems. He does not get along with Yoon Hae-joon, who he sees as a rival for his wife’s affection
⦁ Ok-ja (played by Kim Jung-young): She was Baek Yoon-young’s aunt in 1987. She is a loud and nosy woman who likes to gossip and meddle in other people’s affairs. She is married to Lee Oh-bok, but they often bicker and fight. She dislikes Yoon Hae-joon, who she thinks is a troublemaker and a liar.
Duty After School (TVING):
A thriller that is based on the webtoon of the same name. It tells the story of a group of high school students who witness a murder and decide to take justice into their own hands. They form a secret vigilante group called Duty After School and use their skills and resources to track down and punish criminals. The series is known for its suspenseful plot, dark tone, and social commentary.
Main Characters of Duty After School:
⦁ Lee Chun-ho (played by Shin Hyun-soo): He is the leader of Duty After School and a lieutenant in the military. He is a smart and charismatic student who has a strong sense of justice and responsibility. He is also loyal and caring to his friends, especially Kim Won-bin, who he considers his brother
⦁ Kim Won-bin (played by Lee Soon-won): He is the second-in-command of Duty After School and a sergeant in the military. He is a cheerful and optimistic student who likes to joke around and make others laugh. He is also brave and skilled in combat and follows Chun-ho’s orders without question
⦁ Park Eun-young (played by Im Se-mi): She is the homeroom teacher of Class 3-2 and a captain in the military. She is a kind and gentle teacher who cares for her students’ well-being and safety. She is also supportive and helpful to Chun-ho and his team and tries to protect them from danger
⦁ Yeon Bo-ra (played by Kwon Eun-bin): She is a member of Duty After School and a corporal in the military. She is a hot-tempered and outspoken student who often gets into trouble for her actions. She is also loyal and courageous and has a crush on Chun-ho
⦁ Kim Chi-yeol (played by Kim Ki-hae): He is a member of Duty After School and a private first class in the military. He is a quiet and introverted student who has no special dreams or goals. He is also timid and easily scared, but he tries his best to overcome his fears and help his friends.
The Glory (Netflix):
A revenge drama that is written by Kim Eun-sook, the famous writer behind hits like Goblin, Descendants of the Sun, and The King: Eternal Monarch. It stars Song Hye-Kyo as Kang Soo-jin, a woman who was bullied in high school and had to drop out due to a violent incident. She vows to get back at her tormentors by becoming a successful architect and ruining their lives. The series is highly anticipated for its star-studded cast, gripping storyline, and stunning visuals.
Main Characters of The Glory:
⦁ Kang Soo-jin (played by Song Hye-kyo): She is the protagonist and the victim of bullying. She was a talented student who dreamed of becoming an architect, but her life was ruined by a group of schoolmates who harassed and assaulted her. She changed her name to Moon Dong-eun and became a teacher, but she never gave up on her revenge plan. She is smart, determined, and ruthless
⦁ Park Yeon-jin (played by Lim Ji-yeon): She is the main antagonist and the leader of the bullies. She was a rich and spoiled girl who enjoyed tormenting Soo-jin and others. She grew up to be a weathercaster and a socialite, married to Ha Do-yeong, a prosecutor. She is arrogant, cruel, and manipulative
⦁ Jeon Jae-jun (played by Kim Ji-hoon): He is one of the bullies and Yeon-jin’s ex-boyfriend. He was a handsome and popular boy who followed Yeon-jin’s orders without question. He became a successful businessman and politician, but he also has a secret son with Yeon-jin, Ha Ye-sol. He is ambitious, greedy, and unscrupulous
⦁ Lee Sa-ra (played by Lee Yoo-young): She is one of the bullies and Yeon-jin’s best friend. She was a pretty and fashionable girl who liked to gossip and flirt. She became an artist and a drug addict, living off her parents’ money. She is vain, selfish, and cowardly
⦁ Choi Hye-jeong (played by Lee Seol): She is one of the bullies and Yeon-jin’s friend. She was a quiet and timid girl who followed the group’s actions without resistance. She became a flight attendant and tried to live a normal life, but she still felt guilty about her past. She is insecure, remorseful, and naive
⦁ Son Myeong-o (played by Kim Min-jae): He is one of the bullies and Jae-jun’s friend. He was a violent and aggressive boy who physically abused Soo-jin and others. He became Jae-jun’s right-hand man and henchman, doing his dirty work for him. He is loyal, brutal, and reckless.
Taxi Driver 2 (SBS):
A crime drama that is based on the webtoon The Deluxe Taxi. It follows a team of vigilantes who work for a mysterious taxi company called Rainbow Transport. They offer special services to clients who have been wronged by society and the law, such as victims of abuse, corruption, or injustice. They use their skills and gadgets to exact revenge on behalf of their clients, while also facing danger from their enemies. The series is a sequel to the hit show Taxi Driver, which aired in 2021.
Main Characters of Taxi Driver 2:
⦁ Kim Do-Gi (played by Lee Je-Hoon): He is the main driver of Rainbow Taxi and a former special forces agent. He is calm and professional as a driver, but kind and caring as a person. He agrees to help people who need justice but also has his own personal vendetta against a powerful politician who killed his mother
⦁ Jang Sung-Chul (played by Kim Eui-Sung): He is the owner of Rainbow Taxi and a former intelligence officer. He is the mastermind behind the revenge service and the one who recruits and trains the drivers. He is also a father figure to Do-Gi and the other members of the team
⦁ Ahn Go-Eun (played by Pyo Ye-Jin): She is the hacker of Rainbow Taxi and a former IT specialist. She is in charge of gathering information, hacking systems, and providing support to the drivers. She is also cheerful and optimistic and has a crush on Do-Gi
⦁ Choi Kyung-Koo (played by Jang Hyuk-Jin): He is the mechanic of Rainbow Taxi and a former engineer. He is responsible for modifying and maintaining the vehicles and equipment used by the drivers. He is also loyal and humorous and likes to tease Go-Eun
⦁ Park Jin-Eon (played by Bae Yoo-Ram): He is another driver of Rainbow Taxi and a former stuntman. He is skilled in driving, fighting, and disguising himself. He is also brave and adventurous and likes to take on challenging missions
⦁ On Ha-Joon (played by Shin Jae-Ha): He is a new member of Rainbow Taxi and a former police officer. He joins the team after witnessing Do-Gi’s actions and becoming disillusioned with the law enforcement system. He is naive and idealistic, but also eager to learn and help others.