Reality and fantasy are well-represented in the roster of May 2023 Korean Dramas.
Web series and OTT dramas also take the bulk of anticipated series in May.
Best Korean Drama List: 2000 – 2005 | 2006 – 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
2023 Monthly K-Drama List: December 2022 | January | February | March | April |
MONDAY-TUESDAY
Family: The Unbreakable Bond (tvN)
The Secret Romantic Guesthouse (SBS)
Pale Moon (ENA)WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY
Stealer: The Treasure Keeper (tvN)
True To Love (ENA)FRIDAY-SATURDAY
Joseon Attorney (MBC)
The Good Bad Mother (JTBC)SATURDAY-SUNDAY
Dr. Romantic 3 (SBS)
Doctor Cha (JTBC)
*Note that daily, weekly and some dramas are not covered by kdramadiary due to the unavailability of video sources on legit streaming platforms.
Our team watches on Netflix, Disney+, Viu, Prime Video, iQIYI and WeTV. In addition, we cover almost all dramas, but in compliance with DMCA rules, for some dramas, we have decided to only do the regular First Look/Mid-Series features plus Full Series Review. You can always refer to our coverage listed on the sidebar or on the header section.
Coming Up: May 2023 Korean Dramas
My Perfect Stranger | May 1 | KBS2
- Streaming Site: TBA
My Perfect Stranger is a fantasy and mystery drama about two people who were trapped in 1987 with different but connected objectives. A man who wants to uncover the truth behind a murder case and a woman who desires to stop her parents’ wedding. They realize that their goals are connected and work together to accomplish their respective missions.
In the drama, Kim Dong Wook plays Yoon Hae-jun. He travels back in time to 1987 to find the culprit who killed him. Jin Ki Joo portrays Baek Yoon-yeong, who is somehow imprisoned in 1987 to prevent her mother’s death.
“My Perfect Stranger” Reveals Watching Points of its Cryptic Story
All That We Loved | May 5 | Genie TV
- Streaming Site: tvN Asia | Viu
All That We Loved traverses the story of friendship and love that anyone would have thought about at least once in their youth. It is a nostalgic high-teen love triangle story set in 2006.
In the drama, Oh Sehun (Now We Are Breaking Up) portrays Go Yoo, a hot-blooded youth who needs more than 24 hours to juggle his friendship, dreams, and love.
Meanwhile, Jo Joon Young (IDOL: The Coup) portrays Go Jun-hee, a smart young man whose priorities only include success, his grandmother and his best friend.
Lastly, Jang Yeo Bin (Our Blooming Youth) takes the role of Han So-yeon, a transfer student that will draw a “first love story” with Yoo and Jun-hee.
Interestingly, All That We Loved will incorporate Cellular Memory Syndrome in the plot. Jun-hee who was weak had a kidney transplant from Go Yoo. Thus, he suffers from the syndrome that posits memories can be transferred outside the brain in all body cells.
Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938 | May 6 | tvN
- Streaming Site: Prime Video
Tale of the Nine Tailed which received great love by showing the charm of K-Fantasy unravels its second story after three years.
Taking its signature flavor, Tale of the Nine-tailed 1938 chronicles the story of Lee Yeon, a nine-tailed fox, who made an emergency landing in an era of chaos.
Aside from its engrossing worldview featuring indigenous gods and native monsters, a dynamic story on a big scale portrayed by more colorful characters awaits the viewers.
Lee Dong Wook, Kim So Yeon, Kim Bum, Ryu Kyung Soo, Hwang Hee and Kim Yong Ji are set to go on a hunt beyond imagination in the second season of the well-loved tvN K-Fantasy series.
“Tale of the Nine Tailed 1938” Showcases Intriguing Character Relationships Featuring Lead Stars
RACE | May 10 | Disney+
- Streaming Site: Disney+
RACE features the story of strong-willed Park Yoon-jo. What she lacks in qualifications and experience she more than makes up for in tenacity and drive.
But when everyone in the company discovers several recent hires were made as part of a newly created diversity program, Yoon-jo will have to overcome the insurmountable to win their approval.
The series stars Lee Yeon Hee (New Year Blues, Welcome to Wedding Hell) as “diversity hire” Park Yoon-jo; Moon So Ri (The Handmaiden, Seoul Vibe) as Goo Yi-jung, the leading voice in the PR industry; Hong Jong Hyun (Moon Lovers) as Yoonjo’s friend Ryu Jae-min; and Jung Yun Ho (Dating On Earth) as CEO of Earth Communication Seo Dong-hoon.
“RACE” Highlights K-Workers’ Stories of Determination and Dreams
Black Knight | May 12 | Netflix
- Streaming Site: Netflix
Taking a futuristic concept, Black Knight threads on the premise of an air-polluted world in 2071, where people depend on respirator masks to breathe. Only one percent of the human race has survived and a strict social stratification has been established in the deserted lands of the Korean Peninsula.
In the set fictional world, delivery drivers aka “black knights” play a crucial role within this system, and for refugees, becoming a delivery driver is their only hope for survival.
Amid such chaos, Black Knight flows to the story of a legendary delivery driver named “5-8” with exceptional battle skills and a refugee “Sawol” who dreams of following in his footsteps.
Starring Kim Woo Bin as the legendary delivery man and knight 5-8, the show has garnered significant enthusiasm from fans worldwide.
Joining Kim Woo Bin in the lead cast are Song Seung Heon, who portrays the lone heir to the Chunmyung Group, Kang You Seok, who plays a young boy idolizing 5-8, and Esom, who stars as a major at the Defense Intelligence Command.
“Black Knight” Vaunts The Hero To Bring Hope In An Iniquitous World
Oh! YoungSim | May 15 | ENA
- Streaming Site: Viu
Oh! ‘YoungSim is a romantic comedy-drama about Young-shim and Gyung-tae who meet again after 20 years.
This work is inspired by the main characters in the past animation film Young-shim. It aims to present what their life could be at present.
The original work evokes nostalgia, as well as the cast with solid chemistry and the production team supporting the series aims for a promising project.
“Oh! YoungSim” Confirms Launch Date and Shares Table-Read Moments
Park Ha Kyung’s Travel Journal | May 24 | TVING
- Streaming Site: TVING
Park Ha Kyung’s Travel Journal (LT) depicts unexpected moments and miraculous encounters of Korean language arts teacher Park Ha Kyung (Lee Na Young) who goes on one-day trips on Saturdays when she wants to get a breather and create quick but meaningful memories.
Accordingly, the series features eight trips that would feature eight actors in different genres.
From Jeju to Seoul, the series features a day of Lee Na Young traveling to various places in each episode. it aims to convey sympathy and comfort that can be felt in a landscape that is completely different from everyday life.
Notably, the special appearances of actors Koo Kyo Hwan, Gil Hae Yeon, Park Se Wan, Park In Hwan, Seo Hyun Woo, Sunwoo Jung-ah, Shim Eun Kyung, Jo Hyun Chul, and Han Ye Ri, promise Lee Na-young’s trip even more brilliant.
It will bring unexpected events and encounters in unfamiliar travel destinations that would approach viewers like a gift.
Delightfully Deceitful | May 29 | tvN
- Streaming Site: tvN Asia | Viu
Delightfully Deceitful tells the collaboration between two completely different people, a fraudster who cannot empathize and an overly sympathetic lawyer. It is a revenge story against absolute evil.
Chun Woo Hee takes on the role of Lee Reum, a genius swindler who makes a fortune with a thousand faces and flamboyant speech. She has a brilliant brain and tremendous memory skills but carries deep wounds within.
Kim Dong Wook plays the role of Han Moo-yeong, an overly empathic lawyer who is completely Lee Reum’s opposite. His unique empathy moves others’ feelings.
Lastly, Yoon Park portrays Go Yo-han, a probation officer who protects and observes Lee Reum.
“Delightfully Deceitful” Vaunts Teasers of Chun Woo Hee and Kim Dong Wook
Bitch X Rich | May 30 | Wavve
- Streaming Site: Viu | tvN Asia
Catch Yeri and Lee Eun Saem in the upcoming melodrama Bitch X Rich which revolves around important social issues like school bullying and social class.
Kim Hye-in (Lee Eun Saem), who grew up in poverty, is offered a chance to study at the prestigious Cheongdam International High School in exchange for her silence on a murder she witnessed.
She meets Baek Je-na (Yeri), a third-generation chaebol and queen bee who looks down on anyone with a lower status than her. Hye-in is no pushover, and her presence disrupts the status quo at the school as they become rivals.
Happiness Battle | May 31 | ENA
High society mothers are tangled in a murder case in this thrilling new series starring Lee El, Jin Seo Yeon, Cha Ye Ryun, Park Hyo Joo and Woo Jung Won.
Engaged in an intense social media competition, they compete and destroy each other’s happiness to claim their own.
Update your K-Drama watch list with May 2023 Korean dramas coming up next month!
Photos: Respective network and production companies of aforementioned dramas
[wpedon id=”2271″ align=”center”]
