10 Most Popular Netflix K-Dramas of 2023, Ranked by Viewing Time

1. The Glory

IMDB rating 8.1/10

Gripping, heat-pounding, and so expertly written and conceived, The Glory is not for the faint hearted. After years of shocking bullying at her school, a young girl devises the ultimate revenge plan by becoming a teacher. She takes a job as the homeroom teacher of the bully's own child. Based on the horrific true story, this is not to be missed if you can handle it.

Viewing time: 622,800,000 hours

Watch if you like: Frightening revenge thrillers with amazing acting and writing.

2. Bloodhounds

IMDB rating 8.1/10

Crime and action are so perfectly blended in this exciting tale. Two young boxers find themselves in over their heads when they become involved with Smile Capital, a shady money-lending company run by an unscrupulous and evil man. Quickly they go from fighting for a living, to fighting for their lives as they try to untangle the chaotic web of the money lending world.

Viewing time: 164,870,000 hours

Watch if you like: A healthy dose of action with your crime dramas.

3. Gyeongseong Creature

IMDB rating 7.3/10

A truly unique historical horror story, that shows us just how dangerous human beings can become. In 1945, Gyeongseong (now called Seoul) looked very different. During the time of Japanese occupation of Korea, it was the site of cruel experiments on innocent people. A wealthy man and a woman who is an expert at finding missing people, are thrown together as they face an unspeakable evil, born from the crimes of war and science.

Viewing time: 141,700,000 hours

Watch if you like: Brilliantly written horror tales, set against a frighteningly factual backdrop.

4. Celebrity

IMDB rating 7.5/10

Have you ever dreamed of finding fame as an online influencer? Well, if you have, this show will likely change your mind, and fast. It follows the story of Seo A-ri, who decides to make herself an online celebrity. She soon becomes addicted to the attention and starts to make some highly questionable decisions to keep herself on top. But in doing so, she discovers the dark side of social media. Lies, drugs, stalking, and even murder.

Viewing time: 113,200,000 hours

Watch if you like: Social media based thrillers that present cautionary tales to those seeking to get rich quickly.

5. Mask Girl

IMDB rating 7.3/10

Another internet-based celebrity learns some valuable lessons in Mask Girl, although the tone is more black comedy than terror. A young office worker despises her appearance and so wears a mask to become an overnight internet sensation. As she lives her two very separate lives, events soon take a turn that threaten to see them collide and expose her secrets.

Viewing time: 105,600,000 hours

Watch if you like: Crime thrillers with a sharp dark humor edge, softening the impact of some of the more frightening aspects.

6. Love to Hate You

IMDB rating 7.9/10

Romantic comedies that are genuinely laugh-out-loud funny are one of the gems of the K-drama world. A confident lawyer who does not trust men, finds herself forced to work at an entertainment law firm. Soon, she cozies up to a misogynistic actor to obtain proof that she believes will expose his vile nature, with hilarious and romantic results.

Viewing time: 99,900,000 hours

Watch if you like: Enemies learning to put their differences aside to make room for love, while making you laugh the whole time.

7. Queenmaker

IMDB rating 7.5/10

Bringing girl power to the world of politics, Queenmaker has two strong female leads that will captivate you from the start. Do-hee is a high-profile general manager joins forces with Kyung-sook, a human rights lawyer, who wants to become the new mayor of Seoul. They face sexism and each other’s differing opinions, but ultimately strive for the same goal; to make Kyung-sook mayor.

Viewing time: 99,480,000 hours

Watch if you like: Political dramas with formidable female leads.

8. A Time Called You

IMDB rating 7.8/10

This drama is a sweet mystery and love story with some fantasy thrown in. A young girl is grieving the death of her boyfriend, when she finds herself somehow transported back in time to 1998 and into the body of a high school student. When she meets a fellow student that is identical to her deceased boyfriend, her tale becomes even stranger. Especially when the best friend of her dead boyfriend’s doppelganger develops feelings for her.

Viewing time: 85,700,000 hours

Watch if you like: Coming-of-age fantasy love stories, with a healthy amount of mystery and intrigue.

9. Black Knight

IMDB rating 6.4/10

Based on the webcomic Taekbaegisa, this sci-fi action series has some amazing VFX and a fun story. Set in a dystopian future where air pollution has become too severe to go outside without a gas mask, only 1% of the population remains alive. Knights are the delivery drivers, the heroes of this world, who keep the citizens supplied with food and necessities. A skilled and experienced Knight takes a young refugee boy under his wing and teaches him the ropes.

Viewing time: 79,400,000 hours

Watch if you like: Futuristic action stories, with the hardened hero occasionally showing a softer side.

10. Doona!

IMDB rating 7.2/10

The show that proves fame and fortune mean nothing when compared to true love. Based on the webcomic, Doo-na is a K-pop idol, lead singer of the group Dream Sweet. When she suddenly announces her retirement and moves into a residence in a college town, she soon meets a kind and sweet student, who sweeps her off her feet. But can they have a normal life together?

Viewing time: 66,000,000

Watch if you like: Warm, endearing, and tender romantic stories.