ELEGANCE THAT WRAPPED UP 2023
Happy new year!!
Wishing that 2024 is everything we wish for and more.
I know its already March but it is never too late to say Happy New Year.
In looking forward to 2024, it is right to review the grace that wrapped up our 2023. 2023 was a bit like 2016, having some of the best dramas Korea has had to offer. 2023 had a mix of intriguing yet heart-wrenching, hilarious and still thrilling dramas that kept us at the edge of our seats and like all things, the easiest way to relate would be a review of the tail end of it. Some of these beautiful dramas wrapped up in 2023 while others trickled down into 2024.
Here are my top five K-dramas that wrapped up 2023 well.
1. My dearest
My dearest is a 2-season drama that swept up multiple awards in the 20233 MBC drama awards and for good reason. The saeguk had the best mix of smooth lined action, perfectly infused comedy and pure undiluted romance and not to say the least heart-wrenching sorrow. The story follows two very self-aware people in extremely trying times. In the course of Lee Jang Hyun’s journey of self-recovery, he unknowingly puts Gil Chae at the center of his choices, and this leads them both into a whirlwind of heartbreak, sorrow and eventual laughter.
My dearest manages to mix comedy and intense sorrow in a realistic and yet mind gripping way. If comedy, action and romance are a must in your K-drama, My dearest is just right.
2. Death’s Game
For someone who doesn’t like high blood pressure, I watched Death’s Game even when Season 2 was yet to be released. I admit I fell, but how lovely it was as it was nothing short of a masterpiece. The story is intriguing, fast-paced and well interwoven even as it was short. The eight straight to the point, edge-of-your-seat level of interesting episodes present to us Choi Yee Jae, who after years of struggling decides to make the sad decision of ending his life. Insulted by his decision, Death decides to punish him by making him die 12 more times in 12 different bodies with each death being more painful than the previous one and thus his cartwheel of sorrows begin.
The drama is filled with so many A-listers and yet it was not overburdened or too heavy. Lee Jae wook in the drama was a welcome development.
Want fantastic writing with even better casting and edge-of-your seat delivery, Death’s Game is just right.
3. Alchemy of Souls
There is no way to describe 2023 without mentioning Alchemy of Souls. We all loved the first season. We cried, and laughed and hated the antagonists together. It had comedy, romance and most of all, mind- boggling action with easy on the eyes CG and the second season came in even hotter. Our Jang-Uk is now well defined, his fights are glorious to watch, end swiftly and shows us just why the ice stone was such a big deal in the first season and our female lead came in with a truckload full of naturally infused comedy. Nothing was forced yet we were all giggling, we agreed with everything she said and yet it was foolish, and she had us falling deeper with each episode.
Wanting to complete the Alchemy of souls, the Light and shadow season is just right.
4. Perfect Marriage Revenge
Han Yi Joo’s first, only and worst bad luck was her family. Adopted into a wealthy family, her privileged exterior was only a cover for the sub-par life which was always at the brink of death she was actually living. Being a peace-loving, family-oriented person, she kept giving of herself until her family took her life and there is nothing like good old death to wake someone out of a life of outpouring. After being granted the chance to travel back in time through chance, she decides that enough is enough, joins hands with Seo Duk Guk to figure out how to regain her life.
I went in for Sung Hoon, since it had been forever since I last saw him, and I fell for the story. It has 12 screen-gripping episodes and made me realize that Cinderella’s stepmother was only learning work and was on a different level from Yi Joo’s adopted mum who must sit side by side with the devil.
Ready to slap people through your screen, Perfect marriage revenge is just right.
5. Maestra: Srings of Truth
The return of the genius conductor, Cha Se-eum, to Korea is marked by a series of weird, hostile and inexplicable events to which she must uncover if she is to save her orchestra and her life. The 12-episode drama, in my opinion, is not getting as much credit as it deserves as it gives us a peak into the lives of conductors especially 5% of them which are female conductors.
This drama’s peculiar high point is that Cinderella is not waiting for any Prince but has her sleeves all rolled up and ready for a fight.
Ready to see Music and brains meet up, Maestra is just right.
It’s a new year and with new years come new resolutions, new dreams and new goals but the most important goal of all is to remain healthy both physically and mentally. One of the goals of the new year should be to discover how we unwind and purposefully follow a strict timetable in doing so. We need to learn to listen to our bodies and know that our health is ours and that the first and most important stage of love is Self-love and involves taking care of our self.
HAPPY NEW YEAR.
