Hey everyone!

Like what we did for the past couple of years, we’re having guest posts from the lovely folks on Patreon, to help us take stock of our drama years, yay! 🥳

We’ll be seeing about 2 guest posts per week, and this will unfold into January 2023, and that’s perfectly ok.

My annual year-in-review, which usually comes out in December, will also come out in January (or thereabouts 😅), after all the guest posts have been published.

If you missed our earlier posts, you can check them out as follows: Ele, Natalia, JJ, Sean, j3ffc, Uyen, MC, Elaine, lotusgirl.

Today, I’m pleased to announce that ABV is sharing his drama year.

ABV’s pretty new to our little Patreon community, but he’s been settling in super well, and we’ve all been having such a great time getting to know him.

What I love about ABV, is how he approaches dramas with a lot of thought, and a lot of heart, at the same time. For someone who says that he’s late to the drama game, he’s sure watched a good number of dramas – and he’s sharing his picks today, from 2023, as well as from pre-2023.

Thanks ABV, for taking the time to write this post!

I hope you guys enjoy!

~ KFG ❤️

Introduction:

Hello everyone. I am ABV and this is my first attempt at writing one of these posts. I enjoyed preparing this post though and I hope that you all have fun taking something out of it too.

I am from India. I studied law, cleared the Company Secretary course and work as a Company Secretary dealing with corporate and secretarial compliance.

My journey with K-Drama started only last September (i.e. September 2022) and I have since been doing nothing but watching show after show. I feel like I am very late to get on this train but better late than never.

On the positive side, I have a whole slew of shows that I can pick up and watch.

Before K-Drama, I was an avid watcher of anime, reading manga and other Japanese media for over a decade. I am also a gamer and I watch films as well. I am also an ardent fan of Liverpool Football Club. Another sport I follow is Cricket.

I had diverse interests but ever since I stumbled on to K-Drama (and C-Drama in June 2022), it has been quite the relentless ride. I started with Stranger (boy was that a superb series to start off this journey) and the rest is history.

As for my genre preferences, while I started off with thrillers, what I like most about K-Drama/C-Drama is that they are character-centric most of the time, which suits my preferences.

My favourite genres are romance, slice-of-life and drama. I also happen to adore family drama.

In fact, as you will notice from this post a bit later, I watched a lot of family drama and I happen to like the long watches with 50+ episodes because that means you spend more time with the characters.

I have also really enjoyed being part of this blog, participating in discussions with all of you and being part of the Patreon community. A massive shout out to the wonderful space that Kfangurl has created and kept going for 11 years now!

Post Structure:

This post will actually cover 15-16 months or so of my Drama year rather than just the calendar year. Took the liberty of adding a bit more content since I was able to watching more than 150 shows in this time period.

It might be one of the longer guest posts but I felt like I should put it out there since I was able to have such a massive first Drama year.

I will break up this post into roughly three categories:

I. Top 10 shows from the year 2023 which would contain shows that aired (Begin and conclude) in 2023;

II. Top 10 shows that I watched which aired prior to 2023; and

III. Top hidden gems that I feel deserve some recognition.

For the sake of variety and diversity, I decided that this would be the best way to cover more shows. Also note that I have ensured that there is no overlap between the three categories. That way, every list will contain new titles.

I will also add the top actors (male and female) and OTPs for the first two sections.

I tend to do a lot of research before picking up a series to watch. That is one of the main reasons why I find KFG’s blog, The Fangirl Verdict, to be an invaluable resource. The chances of me being disappointed by a series that I watch to completion are rather low.

Therefore, I will not be doing a Razzie award section or shows to avoid section.

I also happened to watch some C-Drama midway through this year. So there will be a few C-Drama that make the cut too.

Without further ado, let me get started with the post itself.

I. TOP SHOWS FROM THE YEAR 2023:

No. 10: Call it Love (TIE):

This is the type of show that it not easy to pick up but once you do complete it, it will stay in your mind for a long time to come. KFG mentioned in her review that it was like My Mister but with romance thrown in and that is actually the best way to describe it.

At times, I felt like it was more heart-wrenching than My Mister but really, come the end, it does give you sufficient closure.

I was not sure if this series had the staying power but it just stuck with me as a highly memorable experience.

The OTP relationship progresses in such an organic fashion which makes it possible to root for them despite the circumstances surrounding they find themselves in.

No. 10 Twinkling Watermelon (TIE):

Cheating a bit here but I felt a need to keep Call It Love on my list so I had to settle for a tie between Call It Love and Twinkling Watermelon.

It took me 3 full episodes to really get into it and another 3 to become fully invested but once that happened, it was a whirlwind of feels and I absolutely loved the four main characters.

I thought the performances of all four were exceptional. Hats off! The ending was also well done even if there was room for a little more drama time to give us an extended epilogue.

This was a drama full of heart showcasing youthful days in all its glory. Cannot help but admire how the characters wear their hearts on their sleeves.

No. 9 Parallel World (C-Drama):

This was one of the late December watches that forms a part of this list. Shout out to JJ and Sean for bringing this series to my attention.

I was immediately intrigued because a good old fashioned sci-fi exploration adventure with a genuinely interesting world and its creatures or mechanics was something that I had not really watched in dramaland so far.

What surprised me was that the world was so interesting that I looked forward to our group just exploring and learning something new every episode. I would honestly not have minded if that was all the series was about.

I loved seeing how the people in the Parallel World lived in harmony with the exotic beasts and they were fascinating in their own right.

Add to all this, one of the most badass lead pairings out there in Ye Liu Xi (Ni Ni) and Chang Dong (Bai Yu), and we have a winner.

This OTP was so so brilliant. They just oozed awesomeness. They complemented each other so well and built an unbreakable bond. The way they healed each other and leant on each other was a pleasure to witness.

The others in our group were also cool people and the group dynamic was so refreshing.

No. 8 Moving:

For what is probably the top pick on most lists for the year 2023, this placement may seem low.

I will be the first to admit that if I was purely basing this list on quality of the show without any bias or favouritism, this would be very close to the top.

However, as far as personal preferences go, this show is actually not one of my favourites since it is more on the darker side, gruesome and more action filled.

But not having this here would be pure injustice as this was undoubtedly one of the best shows of the year so I had to sort of compromise and have it on here somehow.

Han-Hyo Joo (as Lee Mi Hyun) in a lead role was something I was looking forward to ever since I watched Happiness and adored her role in that show. I was actually taken aback by how low-key her role was initially but when she had to get back to the action, she was still as badass as ever.

Lee Mi Hyun’s loveline with Kim Doo Shik (Zo In Sung) and the loveline cum back story that Jang Joo Wan (Ryu Seung Ryong) had with Hwang Ji Hee (Kwak Sun Young) were excellent.

HOWEVER, what stole the limelight in my eyes was actually the adorable relationship between Bong Seok (Lee Jung Ha) and Hee Soo (Go Youn Jung). They were so cute and I found myself waiting for their scenes as I watched the show.

Definitely looking forward to seeing more of them in the future.

This show just oozes quality in every regard, be it writing, production, directing, action sequences, pacing, etc.

No. 7 Perfect Marriage Revenge:

This is one of the low-key entries on this list but I found it to be a very tightly knit exceptionally paced show.

As far as entertainment value goes, this one is right up there for me among my 2023 titles.

It was so easy to root for Han Yi Joo (Jung Yoo Min) as she plotted her way to get revenge on her family with Do Guk (Sung Hoon), her loyal husband firmly by her side. The OTP growth from an initial contract setup to genuine trust and care was delightful.

The show starts off by setting up the premise and paving the way for Yi Joo’s revenge but slowly evolves into one where she realises the importance of love, family and embarks on a quest to find true happiness. The title of the series is so apt!

It was an engaging ride from the get-go and there was never a dull moment throughout its runtime.

Another aspect of the series that I valued deeply was that the angst or repercussions of dramatic moments never drag on and there were swift resolutions to issues.

All the characters have screen presence too and perfect roles for their respective personalities.

Most of all, it had a very satisfying ending where every character got what they deserved.

No. 6 Daily Dose of Sunshine:

I loved this show far more than I ever imagined before I picked this up.

The way it dealt with mental health was something special. It was portrayed in such a tactful and imaginative way. There was a sympathetic yet raw feel about it. It felt compassionate, delicate and yet, never shied away from presenting disturbing scenes when required.

The characters, the doctors, nurses and the main cast were all so darn lovable. I really liked the character interactions, the quirky nature of the dialogues, the delicate subject matters handled with such poise and the amount of emotion that it invoked.

I thought everything was on point and the camaraderie between the core cast was so so strong. I just like nice people and this show had tons of nice people.

Park Bo Young as Da Eun was outstanding and her very own journey was a personification of the message that this series was trying to convey.

Definite gem.

No. 5 Hidden Love (C-Drama):

Hidden Love was actually a show that motivated me to watch C-Drama more. I found that this show was receiving a lot of attention and it was impossible for me to ignore.

I picked this up as soon as I mustered some motivation and it was such a delight.

The three main characters Sang Zhi (Zhao Lu Si), Duan Jia Xu (Chen Zhe Yuan) and Sang Yan (Victor Ma) just nailed their roles and I loved, like truly loved their interactions/relationship.

What stood out for me was how well the show handled Sang Zhi’s crush coming to fruition.

The age gap situation at the start of the drama could have been off-putting but the show really handled the entire matter with tact and Jia Xu reciprocating the feelings at just the right time felt natural.

Come the end, they felt like equals rather than the age gap playing on the viewer’s mind (at least for me). The music was exceptional as well.

I find that C-Drama tend to have a more light-hearted approach to romance sometimes which actually suits my preferences better.

No. 4 My Dearest:

For me, one of the biggest challenges is picking up a Saeguk or Historical Drama to watch. It is just a barrier that I need to breach gradually. Experiences like My Dearest late last December greatly helps my cause.

I had my eye on it right from the time it was announced as I am a fan of both Namkoong Min (as Lee Jang Hyun) and Ahn Eun Jin (as Yoo Gil Chae). That alone was reason enough for me to give this a shot.

Once I finally got around to it, it is safe to say that both of them knocked it out of the park with outstanding performances.

Namkoong Min was the star and he was incredible as Jang Hyun portraying a whole range of powerful scenes throughout the drama.

Ahn Eun Jin nailed it as our bold, charming and beautiful Gil Chae who acted as a real beacon to women in that historical time period.

She stuck to her beliefs and led other women including her aides and Eun Ae (Lee Da In) to persevere in the face of the Qing invasion given how women and their chastity held such importance at the time.

Gil Chae was strong in that she chose to live on and fight against the atrocities.

The OTP was just fantastic. The connection kept getting stronger and while they were separated time and time again, they always had a place in each other’s heart and kept finding their way back to each other.

The ending was moving and felt inevitable. Star-crossed lovers in every sense.

What I was actually surprised by was that I really enjoyed how the series portrayed the hardships of the Joseon people and how the King’s fear and paranoia made the ministers, Crown Prince and Crown Princess suffer.

I was invested in these political conflicts which I usually find to be difficult to watch. I was also engaged by the Qing side of the story.

I was particularly impressed by Choi Young Woo’s performance as Yong Gol Dae. The fate of the Crown Prince and Princess was painful to witness as they cared for their people so much.

There was so much that the series did that it is difficult to put it all in a short passage. These are just some of my thoughts. The tip of the iceberg.

The series was extremely high on production values, grand in scale and a genuine epic. Deserves all the accolades it gets.

No. 3 Agency:

I was legitimately surprised by how darn well this series was written and Lee Bo Young as Go Ah In was so exceptional. So were the rest of the core cast.

It was a delightfully engaging experience and there were sparks flying with every interaction.

It has been a while since every dialogue carried meaning and electricity. Last show I recall doing this was Stranger which was my first K-Drama as alluded to earlier.

Definitely a show that I will remember for a long time.

I think what was most memorable was how measured the show was. You genuinely can feel for every single character which is very hard to do in a workplace drama such as this.

I do not think many shows can match this show for getting the viewer to empathise with every character. Even the supposedly antagonistic ones. It found the ideal balance in everything which is why I feel that this is a very striking show.

No. 2 Nothing But You (C-Drama):

Shout out to KFG for reminding me to pick this drama up on more than one occasion and when I finally did late last December, it made me wonder why I did not watch it earlier. I just absolutely loved it.

Firstly, I liked how all the characters talked to each other properly. The interactions and communication, however simple, was always meaningful.

That was the biggest highlight for me personally. Talking to each other can keep every relationship healthy and that is what we find most in this show.

a) Camaraderie in the tennis club between the management, coaches and players.

b) The super healthy OTP communication where it was clear as day as to how much they care for each other.

c) The super precious bestie relationship that Liang You’an (Zhou Yu Tong) and Luo Nian (Jiang Pei Yao) had. It was so beautiful to see.

d) Also, the relationship between An Cong (Tu Song Yan) and Song San Chuan (Wu Lei).

I genuinely love this quality about quite a few C-Drama I have seen already.

Secondly, I could relate to the sport and tennis part of it a lot.

Till 2019 Wimbledon, I was an ardent tennis follower (okay, that’s a lie, I was a huge Roger Federer fan and he is still my favourite sportsman). I even played tennis for a while.

And the genre combination of Slice of Life + Romance + Sports was my favourite in Anime and Manga.

So I could appreciate the portrayal here and attention to detail a whole lot.

I really liked the fact that Song San Chuan had a playing style similar to Roger Federer too. A single handed backhand (always elegant to look at), all court play and pushing forward to be effective at the net using his badminton skillset. These details pleased me a whole lot.

Finally, the OTP relationship was fantastic.

Every time they were on the screen, even early on, I just had a huge grin on my face. They were just smitten with each other and showed their deep compassion in little everyday interactions. The subtlety and maturity of the relationship really hit home.

I could watch another 38 episodes of the two of them without fuss.

The soundtrack was also pleasant. Really suited the series. I am always game for a series such as this portraying healthy relationships and character growth.

No. 1 Meet Yourself (C-Drama):

If ever there was a series tailor made to suit my preferences, it is this one.

From the time Xu Hong Dou (Crystal Liu) set foot in Yunnan, I knew this was a series made for me.

The first episode laid the platform for the premise in one of the most powerful (emotionally) pilot episodes I have seen. Just a mention of the name Chen Nan Xing (Janice Wu) reminds me of episode 1.

The rest of the series was just an ultra-pleasant tale of healing and finding purpose in life.

The scenic and beautiful village, the look at Chinese culture, natural attractions, animals, the wonderful community of people in Yunnan, the families, friends and the main couple were all so on point.

I yearn for shows like this and this is exactly why fiction is a getaway from reality. Everything about this show was just healing. I could just watch a show like this all day every day.

The interactions between the characters were so warm and the OTP relationship progression was extremely natural. Li Xian as Xie Zhi Yao was such a wonderful male lead.

A quick shout out to Estelle Wu as Granny Xie. She was just gold dust. Such a bundle of joy and one of the most adorable grandmother characters in dramaland.

Thinking about this series just makes me smile. It makes me happy. That in itself deserves plaudits in my book. It was a serene experience and a fitting series in my eyes to top this list.

Top 5 Actors of 2023 (Male):

No. 5 Li Xian as Xie Zhi Yao from Meet Yourself:

He was such a nice person that I cannot ignore him. He genuinely felt so warm in all his interactions throughout the series and it was impossible not to love him in this role.

No. 4 Wu Lei as Song San Chuan from Nothing But You:

This was my first drama starring Wu Lei and he was fantastic as Song San Chuan. His smitten puppy dog eyes when he looked at Liang You’an was a sight to behold. The tennis or badminton sequences were so well done too.

No. 3 Kim Young Kwang as Han Dong Jin from Call it Love:

I just love how down to earth his character was while displaying poise and a range of emotions when called upon. He shouldered a lot and the multi-faceted nature of his role really makes him warrant a place on this list.

No. 2 Ryu Seung Ryong as Jang Joo Wan from Moving:

Everyone in Moving performed exceptionally well. However, it is very difficult to look past Ryu Seung Ryong as Jang Joo Wan.

He was simply brilliant. Whether as a papa bear, or a trusty colleague or as a monster destroying everything in his path or as a soft-hearted lover, he was superb.

No. 1 Namkoong Min as Lee Jang Hyun from My Dearest:

As alluded to in my passage about My Dearest, Namkoong Min was stellar as Lee Jang Hyun. Not much to add to that really. Unquestionably, one of the best acting performances of the year in my book.

Top 5 Actors of 2023 (Female):

No. 5 Zhou Yu Tong as Liang You’an from Nothing But You:

I LOVED Liang You’an’s character in Nothing But You. She was so classy, competent and empathetic. She knew how to handle people as well. Genuinely excellent manager!

No. 4 Crystal Liu as Xu Hong Dou from Meet Yourself:

Such a normal, understated role. Yet, so caring, kind, lovable with a lovely smile. Her journey of healing in Meet Yourself was pure joy.

No. 3 Ahn Eun Jin as Yoo Gil Chae from My Dearest:

Spoke about Ahn Eun Jin already above and her character growth coupled with her performance in this drama was nothing short of exemplary. Also loved her in The Good Bad Mother and Hospital Playlist 1 and Hospital Playlist 2.

No. 2 Ni Ni as Ye Liu Xi from Parallel World:

One of THE most badass, cool, beautiful and awesome female leads that I can recall seeing. Literally exudes an aura of badassery. Seriously, this role was made for Ni Ni.

No. 1 Lee Bo Young as Go Ah In from Agency:

I always appreciate Lee Bo Young. Also saw her in I Can Hear Your Voice, Mother and My Daughter, Seo Yeong. Loved her in all of them. But this show made me an ardent fan of her acting.

I personally think that this role was made for her and it is her best performance to date. She showcases her full range of acting skills here.

She is cool, shows layers of kindness, steely resolve, beams with confidence while carrying a fiery aura and finally, also shows fragility.

I think Agency was such a wonderful watch because this performance rubbed off on everyone else and as a result, the whole series had exciting character interactions filled with intensity.  

Top 5 OTPs of 2023:

No. 5 Zhao Lu Si as Sang Zhi and Chen Zhe Yuan as Duan Jia Xu from Hidden Love:

This was an easy choice for me. Looks, chemistry, quirkiness and the way the relationship evolved were all great.

No. 4 Zhou Yu Tong as Liang You’an and Wu Lei as Song San Chuan from Nothing But You:

Lovely OTP. Just caring, compassionate and genuinely in love with each other.

No. 3 Crystal Liu as Xu Hong Dou and Li Xian as Xie Zhi Yao from Meet Yourself:

Such an organic and healing relationship. This OTP just made me happy.

No. 2 Ahn Eun Jin as Yoo Gil Chae and Namkoong Min as Lee Jang Hyun from My Dearest:

Fate, destiny, star-crossed lovers, you name it. This pair was meant to be.

No. 1 Ni Ni as Ye Liu Xi and Bai Yu as Chang Dong from Parallel World:

Not too many couples that can outdo this pairing when it comes to just pure awesomeness. As mentioned earlier, they just clicked together and it was a relationship built on unwavering trust.

II. TOP 10 SHOWS PRIOR TO 2023:

My drama year predominantly consisted of shows that I watched prior to 2023.

Effectively, this section covers some of my all-time favourites since this is my first year or so of drama watching.

It was extremely difficult to leave out some titles that I hold really dear and re-watched scenes of multiple times such as:

You Are My Glory (2021 – C-Drama), Crash Landing on You (2019), Romance is a Bonus Book (2019 – Such healthy relationships), The Beauty Inside (2018 – Seo Hyun Jin and Lee Min Ki on fire), My Father is Strange (2017 – Jung So Min, Lee Joon and Lee Yu Ri were outstanding in this), Five Enough (2016 – Super OTP), Dr. Romantic Franchise (Easily my favourite medical drama), Healer (2014 – Classic), Smile You (2009), Our Beloved Summer (2021), V.I.P (2019 – Loved Lee Chung Ah), A Piece of Your Mind (2020 – Chae Soo Bin made this such a pleasant watch), I’m Not a Robot (2017 – Adorable OTP), The Fiery Priest (2019 – Entertainment gold), Sky Castle (2018 – Veteran actors in full flow), etc.

Any combination of the aforementioned titles would make for an excellent favourites list in its own right. However, in the end, I selected the following titles after putting myself through the wringer:

No. 10: Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) (TIE):

One of my earliest watches and still one that I look back on very fondly. It is quite a popular show so I will not talk about it too much.

It really had a community feel about it in a beautiful seaside setting. That is what I was drawn in by.

After that, we have the main romance between our OTP which progresses quite naturally and the most wonderful second male lead ever.

I really liked Lee Sang Yi as Ji Sung Hyun in this because he formed a very healthy friendship with Doo Shik (Kim Seon Ho) and was always respectful of boundaries. Genuinely refreshing to see.

No. 10: Happiness (2021) (TIE):

This is an extra special drama. So unique and one of a kind.

A zombie drama where the zombies actually are not of the classic mindless variety and the outbreak is more akin to a virus spreading across the population. It released after the COVID outbreak so that made it all the more relevant.

Add to that, a superb implementation of a contract marriage between our OTP Yoon Sae Bom (Han Hyo Joo) and Jung Yi Hyun (Park Hyung Sik).

This pairing’s progression from friends who have absolute trust in each other to lovers was delightful to see. They were so awesome together. Honestly, they just carry themselves with such nonchalance while being badass at the same time.

After all that, throw in another fascinating character, Han Tae Sook (Jo Woo Jin) whose intentions or motives keep you guessing throughout and we are in for an exhilarating ride.

The drama acts as a social commentary, the lockdown situation in the apartment really hits home and the other characters play their roles perfectly.

It was exhilarating from start to finish while throwing in meaningful slice of life or romantic interactions between our characters throughout its run time.

Good production values, some really appropriate soundtracks that just resonate and vibe flawlessly with the show. It just clicked in all respects for me.

Truly an extremely memorable experience.

No. 9: My Mister (2018):

This drama is a masterpiece. I have listed out many shows till this point and this is the first time that I am using this word to describe a show. I honestly feel that this series is masterfully written.

The relationship between Dong Hoon (Lee Sun Kyun) and Ji Ahn (IU) was beautiful.

Not a romance but still one of the most memorable relationships in dramaland. I think they were true soul mates and the show really sold this relationship to us as such.

They found a way to exist in this magical space where they were able to heal each other and come out as happier people in the end.

One more takeaway is the soundtrack “Grown Ups”. It played during all the emotional sequences and always had a massive impact.

No. 8: One Spring Night (2019):

The first time that I watched this show, I really appreciated it. However, upon re-watch, I realised what a wonderful series it truly was.

It had a mature approach to the romance because of the circumstances surrounding the leads.

One of them being a single Father and the other having a fiancée. However, slowly but surely, they got to know each other and took baby steps to further their relationship.

The meticulous approach where each building block to their relationship was painstakingly placed while slowly getting the family members to also approve really makes it stand out.

I also appreciated the relationship between the sisters and how they supported each other.

The show also has some aggravating male characters but none of them ever really stand a chance to succeed in actually spoiling things so it was tolerable. The soundtracks are also beautiful to listen to.

This was my introduction to Han Ji Min and I have really enjoyed her roles in quite a few shows since. Familiar Wife and The Light In Your Eyes to name a couple.

No. 7: Thirty But Seventeen (2018):

This drama had me grinning from ear to ear on multiple occasions and it is one the most heart-warming shows that I have watched.

It is my favourite Shin Hye Sun drama and instantly made me a huge fan of hers. This show perfectly displays her full acting repertoire. At least till I watch Mr. Queen where I have heard that she is again fabulous.

But back to the point, I think pretty much all the characters in this show are warm hearted and lovable.

The romance has innocence and Shin Hye Sun’s delivery in particular was brilliant. A shout out to the younger actors who played the leads as well. They did a fantastic job in making the 17 year old versions really believable.

No. 6: My Husband Got a Family (2012):

From here on in, there will be a noticeable theme among some of my favourites starting with this one.

Personally, there is only one reason why I place this show so highly on the list. That being Kim Nam Joo’s performance as Cha Yoon Hee. Kim Nam Joo is an exceptional actress and it is a shame that she has acted in so few shows since this one.

This being a family drama, it is about a lot more than just the OTP or main romance. Birth secrets, family bonding, multiple couples, etc. are par for the course.

The unique aspect here is that our OTP is already married so this is one of the rare shows that spends its entire duration exploring their married life and how they handle their in-laws/family. This integration is the reason why it is such a worthwhile experience.

Yoon Hee has to deal with all this when she could never have imagined that her life would turn this way. Gwi Nam (Her husband and titular character played by Yoo Joon Sang) was so supportive and their relationship is one of genuine love.

There were a whole host of other couples and they all have their own ups and downs.

There was one sweet already married couple among them too to add to our main leads. This couple will come as a real surprise but they are so pleasant to watch. Yi Sook’s (played by Jo Yoon Hee) loveline was also a fun one that I really got behind.

No. 5: Be My Dream Family (2021):

This family drama can start off slow, can make you feel enraged early on, can bewilder you with a couple of plot/storyline/character choices, BUT, at the end of the day, the pay-out after roughly 45-60 episodes was huge.

I experienced a wide range of emotions when watching this series and come the end of the drama, you are just so happy for each and every character.

Most importantly, it shows character growth in such an organic and meaningful fashion.

There are multiple couples and family relationships in this. Geum Sang Baek’s (Ryu Jin) and In Young Hye’s family were by far my favourite.

I absolutely LOVE In Young Hye’s character (Played by Park Tam-Hee). She is one of my favourite characters ever in all fiction. I wholeheartedly felt for her in every scene she was in. Too bad that Park Tam-Hee has not acted in more Drama which have subtitles.

Giving me a character like that to root for is always a huge plus for any show. That alone gives this series extra brownie points. Her relationship with her husband, children, friend, in-laws, colleagues, everything was beautiful.

The way the two families forming part of the premise come together and become one throughout the course of the story was so pleasing to witness.

Also, Sang Min (Lee Tae Goo) and Ga Eun (Joo Ah Reum) had an adorable love-line.

Kang Mo Ran (Park Joon Geum) was a lovely lady who acted as the gel for the two families and really, I loved every character in the end.

That is all I can ask for from a family drama.

No. 4: Stranger 1 (2017) and Stranger Season 2 (2020):

I am cheating a little here by including both seasons of Stranger in this one entry but I have taken a liberty to do so.

This series is special to me. I hold it dear and close to my heart because this is where it all began. This is the series that started my journey with K-drama.

For the second time, I will use the word as I personally consider this series to also be a masterpiece. Especially considering the genres and how difficult it is to actually be as impeccable as this series was.

Cho Seung Woo, Bae Doo Na and Lee Joon Hyuk, Yoo Jae Myung, Shin Hye Sun, Jeon Hye Jin, Yoon Se Ah and Choi Moo Sung over two seasons as just the main cast of characters. Now if that is not a stellar cast of characters, I do not know what is.

Thing is, they all put in stunning performances.

It was an award winning show for a reason.

The writing was truly magnificent. So thoughtful, the pacing was tight, the dialogues, character interactions and the intensity of the scenes were always on point. The series was engaging throughout. From minute one pretty much.

This series had very rare qualities that not many shows of this nature can boast about. Besides, the two seasons are starkly different and yet, they manage to hit all the right notes. Incredibly hard to do that.

No. 3: What Happens to My Family? (2014):

Yes, another family drama and this one really played on my emotions a whole lot. I vividly remember laughing and crying in the same sequence multiple times.

There is an impending tragedy that the viewer is made aware of relatively early in the show and once that becomes known, the evolution of the family dynamics from the existing disharmony to true harmony is the draw of this series.

That and two very strong love-lines too. Seo Wool (Nam Ji Hyun) and Dal Bong (Park Hyun Shik) and Tae Joon (Kim Sang Kyung) and Kang Shim (Kim Hyun Joo).

First off, Seo Wool was one of the single most angelic characters I have ever seen.

Seriously, she was so kind, so honest, so adorable, had a lovely speaking accent and a super winsome smile to top it all off. You cannot say that she made a single wrong choice throughout the drama. She was always considerate of others. Her love-line with Dal Bong was one filled with innocence and earnestness.

I also loved the couple’s relationship with Eun Ho (Seo Kang Joon) who was their close friend and confidant. Lovely and healthy relationship.

The other couple was just hilarious and brought out lots of laughter throughout.

At the end of the day though, it is a family drama and at the core of a family drama is always the family bond. Here the heart of the family was Soon Bong (Yoo Dong Geun) who was the Father and his performance was superb.

I will remember this show for making me feel a range of emotions that is not comparable to any other series.

No. 2: Family’s Honor (2008):

This was a really special drama. It is one of a kind and I do not think that there would be too many other shows that show Korean traditional culture while invoking as much emotion as this show did.

The main couple were central to most of the drama in this show and it was the standout relationship that acts as a bond between the Ha and Lee families but there were several other characters and relationships (both romantic and non-romantic) that drove the show forward.

Grandpa Ha (Shin Goo) was such a wise man and the way he always uses thought and warmth as the head of the family was so pleasing to see.

Jin-ah (Shin Da Eun) and Soo-young’s (Jeon No Min) romantic relationship was a favorite of mine.

Such a pure, beautiful and organic relationship. I loved how it was built on kindness and honesty. Jin-ah’s smile was one of the most wonderful things to see in this series.

Finally, the main couple’s romance which went through all sorts of ups and downs as the series progresses. Once they make up their minds though, they remained unwavering and steadfast. The banter between them after they were married was so nice to see.

I cannot even get to the family relationships but everyone together in both the Ha family and/or the Lee family was something I looked forward to every time.

Dan-ah (Yoon Jung Hee) is another character that I will remember for a long time. She was so graceful, kind, elegant and down to earth. I will miss this character cast so much.

They just do not make shows like this anymore.

No. 1: Ugly Alert (2013):

I could write essays about this one.

To give you an idea as to how much I loved it. This is a 133 episode (35 minutes each) family drama that I took about 10 days to finish for the first time and after I was done with that watch, I immediately went back and started watching it again.

Like without a second thought. Just re-watched the whole thing in a week.

Last November, I watched it a third time. So in such a short space of time, I re-watched this long family drama three times. Every single time, it invoked the same amount of emotion and made me appreciate the show more.

The reason why I love it so much is mainly because of the main couple. The OTP.

Gong Jun Soo (Im Joo Hwan) and Na Do Hee (Kang So Ra) had one of the most epic and unwavering romances that I have seen. They get together pretty early on and even their relationship when it was just budding and slowly turning into love was precious.

But back to the point, they were a couple for nearly 100 episodes despite all the adversity and trials thrown at them. Even if the whole world wanted to separate them, they stood firm and together.

That to me, was special. To add to this, I think their chemistry was fantastic. There were plenty of hugs and kisses. Plenty of healthy conversations. They always sought each other when they had a tough time.

Then, this is a family drama so the other family relationships also matter. The show delivered on this front too.

Shin Joo Yeong (Shin So Yool) and Gong Hyeon Seok (Choi Tae Joon), the second major couple, also had an excellent love-line. The relationship between Do Hee and Joo Yeong coupled with the extremely important core brotherly relationship between Jun Soo and Hyeon Seok was also something to look forward to.

There are a few soundtracks that stand out as well and unfortunately, they are not available on official platforms.

It is impossible for me to summarise the core relationships and positives that one can take out of this without actually writing a separate review for it.  I have not talked about so many major characters. But yes, without question, it is my favourite drama to date.

Top 5 Actors Prior to 2023 (Male):

This is a lot more challenging than when I did it for 2023 because I have a whole host of performances to choose from.

No. 5: Kim Nam Gil as Kim Hae Il (The Fiery Priest):

This show was so much fun and a large reason for that was because of how eccentric and stylish Kim Nam Gil was. He exuded an aura of badassery while maintaining an impeccable comic timing. That is so hard to do.

Then to top it all off, the action sequences were so good to boot. I also loved Kim Nam Gill in Through the Darkness where he plays a criminal profiler.

No. 4: Ji Chang Wook as Healer (Healer):

This is Ji Chang Wook’s best role till date.

He was always a sight to behold during action sequences but this role also had him show other facets. His chemistry with Park Min Young, the emotional baggage that he carried and his derpy look when he was working as a reporter. All wonderful.

It was a very memorable performance.

No. 3: Lee Sun Kyun as Park Dong Hoon (My Mister):

I just want to take a moment to reflect on the passing of Lee Sun Kyun (May his soul Rest In Peace).

All of us were deeply affected by the tragic circumstances under which he met his end. Deepest condolences to his family. We will miss him, his kind eyes and that VOICE so much.

Such a sad way to lose a phenomenal talent. All of us are extremely frustrated at how the whole situation was handled and we can only hope that things change for the better.

My Mister was a special show and one of the main reasons for that was Lee Sun Kyun and the magical voice that he had. But beyond that, he was able to carry out his role with such class and display a range of emotions so effortlessly.

No one will forget this performance. Lee Sun Kyun is synonymous with My Mister.

No. 2: Jung Kyung Ho:

Okay, so I am going to cheat here. If I was to pick my favourite Korean Actor, I would pick Jung Kyung Ho without a second thought.

However, it is difficult for me to choose ONE performance of his among the shows that I have watched that stands out above all. He was equally magnificent in all of them. He just brings his A game all the time.

Smile You (2008), Falling for Innocence (2015), Hospital Playlist (1 and 2), Prison Playbook and even Crash Course in Romance which is a 2023 show.

If I really had to pick one among these, I would probably say Falling for Innocence was his best performance. Because the other shows have strong performances to support him.

But in Falling for Innocence, he stole the show and made everything pop. He was the one I wanted on my screen at all times.

His acting skills, versatility and character growth were the reason why the logic of this show’s premise can take a back seat. I watched this show in a single day. And he was the sole reason.

No. 1: Cho Seung Woo as Hwang Shi Mok (Stranger 1 and 2):

Hwang Shi Mok’s character, from the minute I started my K-drama journey was one that I found to be awe-inspiring.

He was simply too brilliant for words. His character was not an easy one to play and Cho Seung Woo nailed it.

What this role needed most was subtlety and tact. Especially when it comes to facial expressions and eyes. He is supposed to be largely emotionless but the point is, he is slowly supposed to grow and start showing glimpses of emotion as time goes on.

Incredibly hard to achieve this but he manages to do this with aplomb.

Top 5 Actors Prior to 2023 (Female):

This is arguably the hardest list for me to choose. I am going to ignore a few actresses that I have spoken about earlier.

Park Eun Bin in Extraordinary Attorney Woo and Shin Hye Sun in Thirty But Seventeen to name a couple. These are two performances that could easily make this list without doubt.

But I want to cover some other actresses who I have not mentioned earlier and two that are quite underrated in general.

Still, I believe that these five picks are perfectly worthy in their own right.

No. 5: Uee as Kang Hye Soo in Marriage Contract (2016):

KFG in her review stated that this is Uee’s best performance and that she was outstanding in this. I cannot help but agree.

As a viewer, your heart cries out for her. You feel every emotion with her and the way she still keeps a strong front for the sake of her child (an incredible bundle of joy) is incredible.

This was not an easy role to play and the way she acts with such poise was something I respected a whole lot. This series itself was a hidden gem and deserves a watch.

No. 4: Seo Hyun Jin as Oh Hae Young in Another Miss Oh (2016):

Seo Hyun Jin is another one of my favourite actresses in Korean Drama.

In this drama, she was freaking fabulous. She drives this series with her full repertoire on show. Her versatility, acting skills, range of emotions, her smile and the way she acts with her whole being was a treat to behold.

I also thought that her performances were wonderful in The Beauty Inside and Dr. Romantic (Both shows that I hold dear).

No. 3: Kim Seo Hyung as Cha Young Jin in Nobody Knows (2020):

Definitely one of the lesser known shows mentioned so far and I must say that Kim Seo Hyung was magnificent in this role.

She was so cool, upright, had a steely yet badass aura and when she needed to pack a punch, boy did she bring it. To top it all off, she also had a delicate and empathetic side to her.

Nobody Knows was a masterfully written murder mystery with strong performances from the whole cast and a hidden gem. But the headline performance was by Kim Seo Hyung.

Highly recommend this series. She was also brilliant in Sky Castle.

No. 2: Park Tam Hee as In Young Hye in Be My Dream Family (2021):

I already alluded to this in my excerpt above so I will just say that I felt an emotional connection to this character that made me love the show a whole lot more.

Really simple character but one that I personally cared for a LOT. She shoulders so much but never wavers. Always does her duty and all she can for her family. That is something to be admired.

No. 1: Kim Nam Joo as Cha Yoon Hee in My Husband Got a Family (2012):

Spoke about Kim Nam Joo too and I am still surprised that she did not win an award for this role. Not much more to add to what I mentioned earlier. This is a show to be watched to appreciate her performance first and foremost.

She was marvelous.

Top 5 OTPs Prior to 2023:

Again, this is a very difficult list to choose. But, with the exception of my top pick, I will take the liberty of picking OTPs from shows that I have not talked about earlier.

These OTPs are perfectly able replacements for any OTP from any show that I have mentioned above.

No. 5: Yoon Se Ri (Son Ye Jin) and Ri Jung Hyuk (Hyun Bin) from Crash Landing on You (2019):

There would be very few of you who would not have heard of this series or couple and quite honestly, I have lost count of the number of times I have re-watched OTP scenes from this drama.

Exceptional chemistry and a very good looking pair who also became a couple in real life. Not much needs to be said here.

No. 4: Jiang Jun (Bai Lu) and Yuan Shuai (Luo Yun Xi) from Love is Sweet (2020) (C-Drama) (TIE):

This is another pair that is eye candy. But the skinship, sparky chemistry and amusing interactions takes this pair to the next level. It really lit up the show.

What I really loved about this show was how natural the OTP were together. It seemed like they were really playing around at all times and whenever they smiled, it was so delightful.

No. 4: Qiao Jing Jing (Dilraba Dilmurat) and Yu Tu (Yang Yang) from You Are My Glory (2021) (C-Drama) (TIE):

Third eye candy pair on the trot. I love epic romances where the couples show unwavering solidarity but then, I also love heartwarming, wholesome, fluffy and just adorable cuteness overload like in this show.

The Jing Jing – Yu Tu couple were just irresistible.

No. 3: Chae Yeong Shin (Park Min Young) and Seo Jung Hoo (Ji Chang Wook) from Healer (2014):

KFG must have this well documented already but this OTP is of the really cracky variety and both actors saved their very best career performances for this show.

The show is great all round but this central pairing is at the heart of everything that makes this show so remarkable.

No. 2: Seo Jung In (Lee Min Jung) and Kang Hyun Soo (Jung Kyung Ho) from Smile, You (2009):

There were a lot of issues with Smile, You as a series. An infuriatingly clingy second male lead, opposition from parents that annoyed me to no end and some draggy tropes.

But, I still regard this title highly for one sole reason. This OTP pairing.

I was so invested in their romance that I could ignore all the frustration and still root for them to get together. That is why I kept going without throwing something on my screen.

Loved them. They were chalk and cheese in terms of personality. Jung In was aggressive, went for what she coveted and the alpha in this pairing. Hyun Soo was docile, disciplined and kind.

However, once they fall for each other, the chemistry was so apparent, it was irresistible and I just wanted them on my screen. While I was literally screaming at all the meddlesome hijinks of the other characters, I wholeheartedly rooted for this OTP.

No. 1: Na Do Hee (Kang So Ra) and Gong Jun Soo (Im Joo Hwan) from Ugly Alert (2013):

I have already said quite a bit about this pair earlier but I cannot look beyond this OTP. It is by far and away my favourite romantic pairing in any drama. Really something that needs to be experienced to really understand where I am coming from.

This couple should not have been possible given how different the character backgrounds are in the show. BUT, once they open their hearts to each other, they were inseparable. That quality alone is to be lauded.

Another point is, the female lead falls in love first and I really loved that.

Do Hee remains so steadfast and unruffled once she makes up her mind. It was unreal. She was literally willing to go through brick walls for Jun Soo and the opposite was true as well. Jun Soo had a lot to overcome but she was with him every step of the way.

My admiration for this pairing is off the charts.

III. TOP HIDDEN GEMS:

I initially wanted to list out 10 shows here but given that this post is already incredibly long, I decided to not put a number on it and just talk about shows that I have not mentioned earlier in my post in any category.

Before I start, I just want to list out a few hidden germs that have reviews written by KFG before I list out the other shows that I feel require more attention.

Hidden Gems that have Reviews Written by KFG:

No. 5 Hi Venus (2022)(C-Drama) – A very pleasant watch with a very cute OTP. Breezy soundtrack to boot.

No. 4 Marriage Contract (2016) – A truly heartrending experience. Uee was brilliant.

No. 3 Familiar Wife (2018) – A magical second chance romance with outstanding performances from Ji Sung and Han Ji Min. Great music as well.

No. 2 Reset (2022)(C-Drama) – Loved this. Superbly paced and tightly written. Highly recommend. Was my first C-Drama.

No. 1 My Unfamiliar Family (2020) – This show had me clapping after the final episode. I just loved the way everything was handled.

It also happens to have two of the most memorable soundtracks ever in ‘Family‘ and ‘When We Were Close‘. Strong recommendation from me. It gives you the family drama experience in just 16 episodes.

Personal Hidden Gems:

No. 5: Nobody Knows (2020):

I truly loved this. For the third time, I will use the word masterpiece. Criminally underrated.

It was like the perfect murder mystery and as I alluded to earlier, Kim Seo Hyung was brilliant. But not just her.

Another brilliant performance was delivered by Park Hoon as Baek Sang Ho. He was such a multi-faceted character that you just could not figure out.

The whole show keeps you on the edge of your seat. The tight pacing means that there is zero fluff or messing about. Really deserves more recognition.

No. 4: Forever Love (2020) (C-Drama):

The OTP, Xia Lin Xi (Julia Xiang) and Jiang Zhen Han (Wang An Yu) are absolutely adorable. So darn cute.

Julia Xiang, the actress that plays Xia Lin Xi has one of the most wonderful smiles ever. She is so bubbly, cute, has a beautiful voice and an angelic smile + personality. Wang An Yu is a perfect match for her too.

The two together light up this show and make it a joy to watch.

On the flip-side, most of the supporting characters, especially the meddlesome and jealous ones are super annoying. Having them on my screen just makes me irate. There are decent supporting characters too but you watch this for the OTP.

Thankfully, a majority of the show is about the OTP. I could watch another 28 episodes of them just being cute with each other.

I know I used the word ‘cute’ so many times here but that is the truth.

No. 3: Should We Kiss First? (2018):

Strong adult romance. Poignant melancholic feel throughout and the perfect ending for this type of series. I got a lot more than I expected here. I am surprised at how little recognition this series has.

Kim Sun Ah as Ahn Soon Jin and Kam Woo Sung as Son Moo Han delivered extremely moving performances and given the bittersweet nature of the premise itself, the ending offers a lot of closure.

The characters are adults but even they have breaking points and need hope to cling on to and lead a happy life. The series is about how these adults who have lost their path find solace in each other’s company and finally find happiness.

No. 2 Mother (2018):

A deeply moving series and Lee Bo Young delivers a strong performance.

But my highlight was actually Lee Hye Young as Kang Yeong Shin who just owned this show. Like seriously, it is so hard to be so selfless and giving but she truly loves her daughters.

This is a tale of motherhood and it is not just about one mother-daughter relationship.

It is a carefully woven web of mother-daughter relationships and each relationship has a domino effect on the other. Every mother-daughter relationship showcased here affects the other deeply.

Come the end, the show goes full circle and gives adequate closure. A true gem that I will never forget.

No. 1 My Fated Boy (2021) (C-Drama):

This is currently my favorite age-gap romance series (Nothing But You being a very close second or on par).

I actually just went into this one thinking that it would be a light and fluffy watch. But I was totally blown away by how warm-hearted the series was in general.

Loved the three thirty year old best (girl) friends and their relationship. It was gold dust. Perhaps the best friendship between women that I have seen in drama so far.

Loved both sets of parents (including their relationship with each other) and how supportive they were. Adored the snippets of the OTP’s childhood days at the start of every episode.

Finally, the OTP [Lin Yang (Li Xi Rui) and Lu Zheng An (He Yu) had such a healthy relationship and romance. I will remember this for a long time.

I liked the whole character cast so much. Even Li Tian (Tian Xi Wei) was so darn cute by the end of the series.

Again, surprised by how little known this series is.

Closing:

Thank you all for patiently making it to this point. It was a long post and I do not expect to write something this long ever again but I hope it was an enjoyable read where you were able to find some drama that piqued your interest.

Thank you! Wish you all a wonderful 2024! Happy drama watching. Until next time.

~ABV