With October 2023 just around the corner, it’s time to unveil the most anticipated korean dramas this month. We’ve compiled a list of the “9 New Korean Dramas to Watch” that are set to keep you hooked with their captivating stories and diverse genres. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in and check out the drama lineup for this month.
1. High Cookie (2023)
In this teen fantasy thriller drama, individuals grapple with the perilous effects of a malevolent cookie that grants wishes when consumed, ensnaring them in a dangerous quagmire.
Choi Soo Young, having lost her parents in a tragic accident, shoulders the responsibility of caring for her younger sister. Assuming the role of the family’s provider at 18, she forsakes her education to work multiple part-time jobs in a factory. A pivotal moment occurs when her sister faces trouble due to a homemade cookie, compelling Soo Young to risk everything to protect her.
Seo Ho Su, a third-year student at the prestigious Junghan High School in South Korea, faces personal struggles, including a mother battling cancer and an absent father. Despite his determination to focus on his studies, he falls victim to the abuse of his affluent classmates, who perceive him as an easy target.
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Youth, Fantasy
Starring: Nam Ji Hyun, Choi Hyun Wook, Kim Mu Yeol
Release date: Oct 23, 2023
2. The Matchmakers (2023)
In this historical tale set in the Joseon period, the focus is on two main characters: Sim Jung Woo, a remarkably intelligent and handsome man, and Jung Soon Deok, a widow leading a dual life.
Sim Jung Woo, a prodigious scholar, attains the top position in the state examination at a young age. However, his destiny takes a tragic turn when he is selected to marry the princess. On their wedding day, an unexpected and abrupt demise befalls the princess, drastically altering Jung Woo’s life. Due to the prevailing customs of the Joseon era, he is forbidden to hold government positions or remarry, marking him as an unfortunate man.
Jung Soon Deok, a widow, carries a hidden identity under the name Yeo Joo Daek. As Joo Daek, she excels as a matchmaker and deals in women’s products like cosmetics and accessories. She is a discreet force in the capital city of Hanyang, earning the reputation of being the finest matchmaker.
Fate intertwines Jung Woo and Jung Soon Deok, leading them to collaborate in their efforts to unite older single men and women in matrimony. Their shared involvement in matchmaking endeavors sets the stage for this captivating narrative, delving into love, societal expectations, and the complexities of relationships in historical Korea.
Genres: Historical, Comedy, Romance
Starring: Rowoon, Cho Yi Hyun, Jo Han Chul
Release date: Oct 30, 2023 – Dec 19, 2023
3. Castaway Diva (2023)
In this story, Mok Ha, an aspiring singer, mysteriously disappears during her middle school years and finds herself stranded on a deserted island. Remarkably, she survives in solitude for an astonishing 15 years. Upon her rescue, Mok Ha faces the daunting task of readjusting to modern society after her extended isolation, presenting a new set of challenges in her life.
Genres: Music, Comedy, Romance, Life
Starring: Park Eun Bin, Kim Hyo Jin, Chae Jong Hyeop
Release date: Oct 28, 2023 – Dec 3, 2023
4. My Dearest Part 2 (2023)
Jang Hyun, an emotionally detached man, finds himself experiencing love for the first time upon meeting Gil Chae, a charming and admired woman. However, Gil Chae’s heart belongs to her first love, Yeon Jun, who is engaged to her best friend, Eun Ae. Yeon Jun, a student at Sungkyunkwan, grapples with his feelings for Gil Chae but is bound by tradition to his engagement with Eun Ae, and she remains understanding of the situation. As the love triangle unfolds, Gil Chae, torn between her feelings for Yeon Jun and her budding emotions for Jang Hyun, grapples with confusion. The outbreak of war further complicates their relationships, putting their love and survival to the ultimate test.
Genres: Historical, Romance, Drama, Melodrama
Starring: Namkoong Min, Ahn Eun Jin, Lee Hak Joo
Release date: Oct 13, 2023 – Nov 11, 2023
5. Doona! (2023)
Joon, a college freshman, moves into a new apartment and unexpectedly discovers that Duna, a former celebrity, resides downstairs. Initially attempting to keep his distance, Joon becomes increasingly intrigued by Duna’s enigmatic life.
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Youth, Drama
Starring: Bae Suzy, Yang Se Jong, Park Se Wan
Release date: Oct 20, 2023
6. Strong Girl Namsoon (2023)
Kang Nam Soon, possessing superhuman strength, embarks on a journey to find her parents in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea after going missing as a child in Mongolia. She reunites with her wealthy mother, Hwang Geum Joo, who had tirelessly searched for her and dedicated herself to virtuous acts. Gil Joong Gan, Nam Soon’s grandmother and Geum Joo’s mother, also possesses extraordinary strength. The trio becomes unwittingly involved in a drug case unfolding in Gangnam. Detective Kang Hee Sik collaborates with the three women in the investigation, and he finds himself drawn to Kang Nam Soon during the course of their work.
Genres: Action, Comedy, Romance, Supernatural
Starring: Lee You Mi, Kim Jung Eun, Kim Hae Sook
Release date: Oct 7, 2023 – Nov 26, 2023
7. Evilive (2023)
Han Dong Soo, a pragmatic livelihood lawyer, adopts a random approach to selecting prisoners to represent, taking up their cases. Despite his typically rational and sensible demeanor, he harbors a darker side. An unexpected trigger pushes him across ethical boundaries, immersing him in a malevolent world. His younger half-brother, Han Beom Jae, operates a second-hand computer shop and acts as a case intermediary, connecting clients to Han Dong Soo. However, Beom Jae notices a concerning change in Dong Soo after a particular case is assigned.
This case involves Seo Do Young, the second-ranked member of a crime syndicate. Do Young, a former baseball player, defies the stereotypical gangster image with his handsome appearance. Concealed beneath his good looks lies a sinister and unpredictable cruelty.
Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Drama
Starring: Shin Ha Kyun, Kim Young Kwang, Shin Jae Ha
Release date: Oct 14, 2023 – Nov 12, 2023
8. A Good Day to Be a Dog (2023)
Han Hae Na, a high school teacher, carries a family curse where a kiss from a family member transforms the recipient into a dog at midnight for six hours. This bizarre condition, passed down through generations due to an ancestor’s mistake, has significantly impacted her romantic relationships. To avoid causing this transformation, she requests potential partners not to kiss her, often leading to them leaving.
In an intoxicated state, Han Hae Na accidentally kisses Jin Seo Won, a fellow teacher at her school with whom she isn’t particularly close. Panicked by the implications, she desperately seeks another kiss from Seo Won. However, complicating matters is Seo Won’s fear of dogs, creating an intriguing dynamic between them.
Genres: Comedy, Romance, Fantasy, Supernatural
Starring: Cha Eun Woo, Park Gyu Young, Lee Hyun Woo
Release date: Oct 11, 2023 – Jan 3, 2024
9. The Perfect Deal (2023)
Lee Joon Sung, Song Jae Hyo, and Park Min Woo, high school friends now in their twenties, reunite after graduating. Joon Sung, once a promising soccer star, faced setbacks but seeks to rebuild his life. Jae Hyo, now studying medicine, grapples with personal challenges. Min Woo, born into affluence, joins them. During a casual gathering, Jae Hyo, troubled and seeking a way out, devises a plan for a staged kidnapping of Min Woo, aiming to extort a billion won. However, this scheme takes an unforeseen twist, plunging them into a dark and tumultuous journey.
Genres: Thriller, Crime, Drama
Starring: Yoo Seung Ho, Kim Dong Hwi, Yoo Soo Bin
Release date: Oct 6, 2023
