Welcome to the Kdrama Kisses 2023 Korean Drama Awards! Let’s share some love for some of my favorite performances and dramas in each genre. In addition to this, you can check out the big list of my favorite dramas of the year in my Best Korean Dramas of 2023 post. So let’s see what my favorites of the year were:
Best Actor:
Lee Jae Wook (Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow)
Lee Jae Wook put in a wonderful performance in Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow. He showcased Jang Uk in mourning over his lost love and out for revenge. His feelings get very complicated though as he meets Nak Su. Lee Jae Wook displays an array of emotions as this character goes through a powerful journey.
Best Actress:
Park Eun Bin (Castaway Diva)
Park Eun Bin was absolutely fantastic as Mok Ha in Castaway Diva. She is such a bright soul filled with so much passion and energy. She was both charming and adorable, yet she was able to deliver with the more mature and intense emotions. Great performance!
Best Romantic Comedy:
King the Land
King the Land is the definition of a kdrama rom-com and is a feel good romance at its best. Fairly standard but light and comforting with a bit of a fairy tale feel. It does what a rom-com needs to do by delivering a heart-fluttering romance that oozes with sweetness, just enough story to keep a good pace, and a great cast to deliver the fun. If you like your romances sweet with a dash of maturity, than this one is for you!
Best Crime/Thriller Drama:
Family: The Unbreakable Bond
Family: The Unbreakable Bond was like half spy thriller/half family comedy. The spy story was very dark and filled with tension. Jang Hyuk and Jang Na Ra put forth great performances in this one, and it was good to see them back on screen together to deliver both comedy and thrills.
Best Historical:
Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow
Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow was another thrilling ride. It was the perfect continuation of our story. It’s a world of magic, romance, heart, thrills, and action. That world is well developed with a complex story that has great twists and is populated by a sprawling cast of interesting characters. It’s a grand story that felt epic on many levels. The saga that is Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow is truly a special one.
Best Couple:
Junho and Yoona (King the Land)
Junho and Yoona were as sweet as can be in King the Land. They are a fun couple and genuinely like each other. They are also incredibly supportive of each other which was nice to see. We get to see so many cute scenes between this pair including some very nice kisses. They have a lovely chemistry.
Best Bromance:
Lee Jae Wook, Hwang Min Hyun, & Yoo In Soo
(Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow)
We get a nice bromance between Jang Uk, Seo Yul, and Park Dang Gu in Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow. These three friends from different clans faced some epic trials together.
Best Girlmance:
Yoona, Kim Ga Eun, & Go Won Hee
(King the Land)
There’s a fantastic girlmance with Sa Rang, Da Eul, and Pyung Hwa in King the Land. These girls were there for each other through thick and thin. Their stories were fun and engaging and rounded out the drama very nicely.
Best Villain:
Jo Jae Yoon (Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow)
Jo Jae Yoon is easily Best Villain for his performance in Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow as the over-the-top baddie Jin Mu with his grand plans to dominate the kingdom. He was so entertaining in the best kind of way. He’s definitely the kind of villain you love to hate.
Best Kiss:
Junho and Yoona – Sprinkler Kiss
(King the Land)
Junho and Yoona had a sexy kiss after a fire set off the sprinklers in King the Land. After exchanging some longing gazes, we get a passionate and loving kiss as they get drenched by water. It’s a swoony one for sure!
Best Costumes:
Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow
Again this year Best Costumes goes to Alchemy of Souls 2: Light and Shadow. Gorgeous costumes are on display all around with a wonderful mix of traditional Korean dress embellished with fantasy elements.
Best Soundtrack:
Castaway Diva
I really enjoyed the soundtrack for Castaway Diva. The OST had many great songs throughout the drama including some fantastic songs sung by Mok Ha and Ran Joo. I loved that they actually used full length songs, performed them, and tied them into the overall story.
It’s always a challenge to pick favorites for the year, but these were some of the ones that really stood out, so I’m glad to share a little bit of extra love for them.
So who were your favorite actors and what were your favorite dramas in 2023?
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