Top 12 Highly Anticipated K-Dramas To Watch In December 2023
Ah, 2023 has been a wild ride for K-drama fans, and guess what? The excitement is hitting its peak as we gear up for the festive season. December is rolling in with a killer lineup of Korean dramas that cater to all tastes – from spine-chilling mysteries to those feel-good romances. Let’s break down the top 12 K-drama series that are about to rock your December binge-watch.
1. Sweet Home 2: Unveiling the Horrors Beyond
Director: Lee Eung-bok
Cast: Song Kang, Lee Jin-wook, Lee Si-young
Platform: Netflix
Release Date: December 1
After hooking in a whopping 22 million Netflix subscribers worldwide in its first season, Sweet Home is back with a bang on December 1. Sweet Home 2 dives into the lives of Green Home’s residents post-monstrous mayhem. With a monster apocalypse on the horizon, can Cha Hyun-soo and the gang face the impending threats?
2. Welcome to Samdal-ri: A Journey Back to Roots
Director: Cha Young-hoon
Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Shin Hye-sun, Shin Dong-mi
Platform: Netflix
Release Date: December 2
Rom-com lovers, rejoice! Shin Hye-sun graces Netflix with Welcome to Samdal-ri on December 2. Top photographer Jo Sam-dal (played by Shin Hye-sun) heads back to her hometown for some soul-searching. What unfolds is a heartwarming tale as she reconnects with her childhood buddy, Jo Yong-pil (Ji Chang-wook), now a weather forecaster.
3. Night Has Come: High School Thrills and Chills
Director: Im Dae-woong
Cast: Lee Jae-in, Kim Woo-seok, Choi Ye-bin
Platform: Rakuten Viki
Release Date: December 4
Buckle up for a psychological rollercoaster with Night Has Come on December 4. This teen mystery thriller traps Yooil High School’s second-year students in a deadly mafia game during a field trip. Class prez Kim Jun-hee strategizes for survival amidst intense psychological warfare. Can they unveil the mystery killer and escape the grim fate awaiting them?
4. Maestra: Strings of Truth – Unveiling Mysteries in Harmony
Director: Kim Jeong-kwon
Cast: Lee Young-ae, Lee Mu-saeng, Kim Young-jae
Platform: Hulu
Release Date: December 9
Coming your way on December 9, Maestra: Strings of Truth promises to keep you glued with the story of Cha Se-eum, a renowned female orchestra conductor. As the orchestra faces mysterious cases, Cha Se-eum must unravel the truth while dealing with a secret that could jeopardize her flourishing career.
5. Death’s Game: A Journey Through Life and Beyond
Director: Ha Byung-hoon
Cast: Seo In-guk, Park So-dam, Go Youn-jun
Platform: Hulu
Release Date: December 15
On December 15, Death’s Game unfolds a riveting narrative around Choi Yi-jae (Seo In-guk), who, after years of job struggles, contemplates taking his own life. Confronting Death (Park So-dam) at the gates of Hell, Yi-jae is thrust into a cycle of reincarnation. To survive, he must find the will to live. Adapted from the webtoon Ije God Jukseubnida, this drama is worth the wait.
6. Like Flowers in Sand: Wrestling with Fate
Director: Kim Jin-woo
Cast: Jang Dong-yoon, Lee Ju-myoung, Yoon Jong-seok
Release Date: December 20
Scheduled for December 20, Like Flowers in Sand narrates the struggle of Ssireum wrestler Kim Baek-doo (Jang Dong-yoon) as he faces the challenges of continuing his sport. When childhood friend Oh Yoo-kyung joins as the leader of the management team, a renewed zeal to fight emerges. Will they save the Ssireum team from disbandment?
7. Gyeongseong Creature: Unraveling Mysteries in Colonial Seoul
Director: Jung Dong-yoon
Cast: Park Seo-joon, Han So-hee, Wi Ha-joon, Kim Hae-sook
Platform: Netflix
Release Date: December 22
In Gyeongseong Creature, set in 1945 under Japanese rule, wealthy Jang Tae-sang (Park Seo-joon) undergoes a transformation when he meets bounty hunter Yun Chae-ok (Han So-hee). This horror drama, releasing on December 22, takes viewers on a journey to investigate missing person cases in the mysterious Ongsung Hospital, offering a mix of history and suspense.
8. Soundtrack #2: Revisiting Past Melodies
Cast: Geum Sae Rok, Noh Sang Hyun
Platform: DIsney Hotstar
Premiere Date: December 6
Following the success of Soundtrack #1, Soundtrack #2, set to release on December 6, dives into the angst-ridden journey of childhood friends turned lovers. Geum Sae Rok, a piano tutor, and Noh Sang Hyun, an entrepreneur, grapple with regret, guilt, and bitterness stemming from their long-lost relationship.
9. Snap and Spark: Social Media Drama Unveiled
Cast: Wooyeon (woo!ah!), Jeon Geon Hu, Kangmin (VERIVERY), Seo Soo Hee
Premiere Date: December 15
In the web drama Snap and Spark, airing from December 15, students at Korea Arts High School navigate a world where social media likes determine their social hierarchy. Moon Ye Ji (Wooyeon), an influencer, finds her dominance challenged when trying to win the heart of her male friend Cha Su Bin (Jeon Geon Hu).
10. Between Him and Her: Navigating Long-term Love
Cast: Donghae (Super Junior), Lee Seol, Jeonghwa (EXID)
Platform: Viki Rakuten
Premiere Date: December 26
Based on a popular webtoon, Between Him and Her, airing from December 26, offers a realistic portrayal of long-term relationships. Jung Hyun Sung (Donghae), aspiring to launch a street fashion brand, and Han Sung Ok (Lee Seol), a jewelry designer, explore the simultaneous emotions of boredom and affection that accompany prolonged partnerships.
11. My Happy Ending: Unraveling Betrayals and Secrets
Cast: Jang Nara, Son Ho Jun, So Yi Hyun
Platform: Viki Rakuten
Premiere Date: December 30
Closing the year with a psychological thriller, My Happy Ending, premiering on December 30, follows Seo Jae Won (Jang Nara). Her seemingly perfect life crumbles as hidden secrets of her husband, father, and colleagues emerge. Betrayed and facing shocking truths, Seo Jae Won must navigate the fallout of her shattered world.
12. 2023 KBS Drama Special – Overlap Knife, Knife: Time-traveling Protection
Cast: Kim Dong Hwi, Jo Ah Ram, Shim Yi Young
Platform: Viki Rakuten
Premiere Date: December 2
As part of the annual Drama Special, the short drama Overlap Knife, Knife, airing on December 2, explores time-traveling dynamics. Two individuals, driven by the desire to protect their loved ones, find themselves journeying back in time. The series promises a unique blend of suspense and temporal intrigue.
Final Thoughts
Get ready for a K-drama feast this December 2023! From romance to suspense and social commentary, this month is packing a punch of entertainment for your holiday season. Dive into these captivating K-dramas, and let the emotions and storytelling brilliance take you on a rollercoaster ride. Happy watching!
