Korean dramas, or K-Dramas, have taken the world by storm, captivating audiences with their unique storytelling and engaging characters. However, not every drama manages to live up to the expectations set by fans and critics. In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the world of K-Dramas, but this time, we won’t be celebrating the best. Get ready for a rollercoaster of letdowns as we explore the worst K-dramas of 2023.
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- Durian’s Affair:
The drama that received the highest number of votes for disappointment in 2023 was “Durian’s Affair.” Despite not achieving significant global recognition, it stirred controversy due to its unconventional relationship between the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. While it garnered impressive ratings and increased viewership, experts considered the show the worst K-drama, mainly due to its unconventional storylines. The final episode, labeled a “crazy ending” by fans, was a particularly disappointing aspect.
- The Heavenly Idol:
TVN’s romantic comedy, “The Heavenly Idol,” featuring Kim Minu and Cole Bogul, faced criticism for its storyline and direction. Despite a promising start with over 3% viewership, the show experienced a downward spiral and concluded with an average rating of 1.8%. Some attributed the disappointment to the poorly executed plot, while others pointed fingers at the script, which lacked coherence. The reactions and reasoning of the characters were criticized for being unintelligent and unrealistic.
- The Real Has Come!:
Securing the prime weekend spot on KBS2, “The Real Has Come!” reportedly disrupted the station’s dominance. While some viewers appreciated its light-hearted nature, others grew weary of its repetitive nature after a few episodes. Ahn Jae Hyun’s acting and the late addition to the cast were particularly criticized, hindering the audience’s connection with the storyline.
- Pandora Beneath the Paradise:
Despite a promising start with a 4.8% rating, “Pandora Beneath the Paradise” left fans disappointed. The anticipation was heightened due to the success of the drama “Penthouse,” which shared the same writer. However, as the drama progressed, viewers found it increasingly boring, attributing their disappointment to poor writing and absurd situations that didn’t make sense. Some also criticized the subpar camera work, and the drama concluded with a low rating of 4.4%.
- The Uncanny Encounter 2:
“The Uncanny Encounter” made a comeback for a second series, generating excitement among fans even before its commencement. Critics, however, asserted that it fell short of the hype and quality set by the first series, a common occurrence for many shows. The opinions of critics diverged from those of netizens who thoroughly enjoyed the K-Drama.
- King The Land:
The inclusion of “King The Land” might surprise netizens, as many fans dubbed it one of their favorite K-Dramas of the year. Despite a clichéd classic romance storyline, the show successfully captivated fans. However, critics contended that the only positive aspect of the show was the visual chemistry between the lead actors, 2PM’s Junho and Girls’ Generation’s YoonA.
- Koke Do Season of Deity:
“Koke Do Season of Deity” stands out as perhaps the most controversial drama in recent years. The decision to cast Kim Junun as the lead, merely two years after a significant manipulation scandal, stirred negative reactions even before its airing. The drama concluded with a low average rating of 2.1%, and criticism was directed towards the lead actress, Inang, with some stating that her acting appeared stiff and expressionless.
- Joe Sun Attorney:
“Joe Sun Attorney,” a historical revenge drama, faced an unexpected failure, primarily due to its unfortunate airtime. Despite compelling performances and commendable storytelling, the ratings were disappointing, starting at 2.8% for the first episode and averaging 3% nationwide. The drama competed in the same slot as the second season of “Taxi Driver,” which garnered a high rating of 21%.
- Mask Girl:
Despite generating high expectations on Netflix, “Mask Girl” did not receive the same level of hype domestically in Korea. The drama skillfully blended horror, satire, and dark comedy, addressing themes like commodification, objectification of women, and the quest for love and value. Discussions arose about the impact of promotional strategies on a show’s success, considering its relatively low recognition domestically compared to its global Netflix ratings.
- Our Blooming Youth:
Ranked at number seven, “Our Blooming Youth” created high expectations due to its story and the involvement of popular actor Park Hae-jin. However, the drama faced challenges attributed to limitations in writing and a poorly executed script, leading to criticism and low ratings. Adapted from a Chinese novel, the drama encountered issues before airing, and lead actress Chae Soo-bin faced criticism for her portrayal.
- Strangers Again:
“Strangers Again” turned out to be a disappointment, consistently receiving a rating of 1% for all episodes. Despite the remarkable on-screen chemistry and compelling performances of Gang So Ra and Jang Soo, the drama failed to attain success. The lackluster reception was attributed to the predictable and unoriginal plot, offering little in terms of imagination.
Well, that’s it for the list of the most disappointing K-Dramas of 2023. If any particular drama rating surprised you or if there are other disappointing dramas you’d like to mention, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments. Subscribe to the channel to get updated, and don’t forget to hit the bell icon to never miss an update. Thanks for reading, and see you at the next one!