DryedMangoez recaps, reviews and commentary about international (non-American) television programs.
Disney+’s Soundtrack #2 (사운드트랙#2) is a thoughtful, introspective series about love. Whether that is love for another person or love for yourself, the series is able to tell a story about the many complicated feelings that can come about because of it. Noh Sang Hyun, Keum Sae Rok and Sohn Jeong Hyuck (aka Demian) are excellent leads as they bring the simple, though engaging story to life.
Unintentional Love Story (비의도적 연애담) might have a familiar story, but its refreshing approach, charming cast and solid execution make it a thoroughly enjoyable and fulfilling watch.
Another season of sexy singles finding love on a deserted island has come and gone. It’s now become an annual event for Netflix’s Single’s Inferno to become a reliably buzzed-about series during the Christmas and New Year’s holidays. And season three delivered the same not-so-guilty pleasure that can be so fun and frustrating at the same time.
For a quick, easy watch, look no further than Individual Circumstances (각자의사정). This BL drama starring MYNAME’s Kim Junkyu and Mister International Korea 2021 Han Jung Wan is a breezy and light series about two young men reconnecting after time apart and needing to deal with their unresolved feelings for each other.
This year, I decided to single out some wonderful ensemble performances in Korean drama from 2023. Sometimes it takes an entire cast to come together to help make a show so good, or even elevate a show beyond what it would otherwise end up being.
Last year, I decided to put together my K-Drama All-Stars list. That is, actors who I might have seen the most in my drama watching during the year. Though I watched less Korean dramas in 2023, I wanted to single out these performances as my favorites from the year!
Here are my 10 favorite Korean dramas of 2023!
Strong Girl Bong Soon was a popular series when it aired in 2017 and has been well-loved since. So it was no surprise when a sequel was first announced. Strong Girl Nam Soon (힘쎈여자 강남순/Strong Woman Kang Nam Soon) is essentially a loose sequel, set in the same universe as the former series. It stands on its own in many ways, but perhaps shares many of the same hurdles as well.
Thankfully, the first three episodes of season 3 show some interesting new twists that help to refresh what at its core is still a good premise.
tvN’s Stealer: The Treasure Keeper (스틸러: 일곱 개의 조선통보) is a refreshingly creative series. Though the series misses some strong potential to be something much more, the solid cast and fun action make for a brisk and ultimately worthwhile watch.