From romances and thrillers to historical shows, here are some of the best new K-dramas to add to your September 2023 binge list.

While August 2023 sent us on an emotional rollercoaster with shows like the rom-com queen Han Ji-min starrer Behind Your Touch, September will see the return of the historical K-drama Arthdal Chronicles. The show, which enjoyed a solid 7.4 finale viewership rating nationwide, according to Soompi (via Nielsen Korea), is ready for its second season. Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun is set eight years after the events of season one and releases on 9 September 2023.

Meanwhile, actor-director duo Uhm Ki-joon and Joo Dong-min, who previously worked together in one of the best 2021 thriller K-dramas, Penthouse, are back with another gripping crime tale, 7 Escape.

Not to forget the Netflix Korean drama A Time Called You, which stars Ahn Hyo-seop from the Abyss fame and will feature the first OST by the K-pop group NewJeans, titled “Beautiful Restriction”.

Add these K-dramas to your watchlist for your September bingeing session

A Time Called You

Directed by: Kim Jin-won

Cast: Jeon Yeo-been, Ahn Hyo-seop, Kang Hoon

Release date: 8 September

Episodes: 12

Synopsis: Han Jun-hee (Jeon) is grieving her late boyfriend Ko Yeun-jun (Ahn). One day, she mysteriously travels back to 1998 and ends up as a high school student. In a twist of fate, Jun-hee discovers that the school’s most popular boy, Nam Si-heon, resembles her deceased boyfriend.

About the show: The K-drama is based on one of the best 2019 Taiwanese romantic comedies, Someday or One Day.

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Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun

Directed by: Kim Kwang-shik

Cast: Lee Joon-gi, Jang Dong-gun, Shin Sae-kyeong, Kim Ok-bin

Release date: 9 September

Episodes: 12

Synopsis: Eight years have passed since Ta Gon became the king of Arthdal. Eun-seom is now the ruler of the East and is preparing his Ago Union for an inevitable war against Ta Gon’s Kingdom of Arthdal. Will Eun-seom succeed in his dream of becoming the ruler of Arthdal?

The Day

Directed by: Park Yoo-young

Cast: Yoon Kye-sang,

Release date: 13 September

Episodes: TBA

Synopsis: In order to save his sick daughter, a desperate Kim Myung-joon (Yoon) kidnaps 11-year-old Choi Ro-hee who belongs to a rich household. During this, he accidentally hits Ro-hee, which leads to her memory loss. A lost Myung-joon takes Ro-hee home, and they start living together. In a turn of events, Ro-hee discovers the truth and is devastated by the fact that Myung-joon is not her real father.

About the show: This K-drama is based on one of the best South Korean novels, Yoogweui Nal, by acclaimed writer Jung Hae-yeon.

7 Escape

Directed by: Joo Dong-min

Cast: Um Ki-joon, Hwang Jung-eum, Lee Joon, Lee Yu-bi, Shin Eun-kyung, Yoon Jong-hoon, Jo Yoon-hee.

Release date: 15 September

Episodes: TBA

Synopsis: Mobile platform mogul Matthew Lee (Um), CEOs Geum Ra-hee (Hwang), Yang Jin-mo (Yoon), ex-gangster Min Do-hyeok (Lee Joon), idol Han Mo-ne (Yu-bi), doctor Cha Ju-ran (Shin) and art teacher Go Myung-ji (Jo) get involved in the high-priority case of a missing girl. As the seven suspects attempt to discover the truth and escape their fate, they find themselves embroiled in deceit and bloodshed.

Hyo Shim’s Independent Life

Directed by: Kim Hyung-il

Cast: UEE, Ha Joon, Kim Do-yeon

Release date: 16 September

Episodes: 50

Synopsis: Devoted daughter Lee Hyo-shim (UEE), who is fed up with attending to the demands of her family, decides to move out and live an independent life. She soon meets Kang Tae-ho (Ha), the headquarters incharge of a chaebol group, and gets entangled in a tumultuous romance.

Bumpy Family

Directed by: Kim Sung-geun

Cast: Lee Do-gyeom, Nam Sang -ji, Kang Da-bin

Release date: 18 September

Episodes: 120

Synopsis: It’s been thirty years since Kang Seon-woo (Lee) and Yoo Eun-seong (Nam) got divorced because of a mutual dislike for each other. As fate would have it, the ex-couple is forced to reunite as in-laws. They try to address their old conflicts and overcome their suppressed hurt.

About the show: One of the best KBS1 K-dramas to release in September 2023, Bumpy Family is also known as Tumbling Family.

Song of the Bandits

Directed by: Hwang Joon-hyeok

Cast: Kim Nam-gil, Seohyun, Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Hyun-wook

Release date: 22 September

Episodes: 9

Synopsis: The Japanese colonial period in the 1920s deprived the people of the land of Gando of their livelihoods. In a turn of events, a fierce group of bandits led by the skilled Lee Yoon (Kim), the Korean Independence Army and Joseon migrants start a war against Japanese troops. Together, they vow to fight for their precious homeland and loved ones.

About the show: This Netflix original K-drama is also best known as Bandit: The Sound of the Sword.

The Worst of Evil

Directed by: Han Dong-wook

Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon, Lim Se-mi

Release date: 27 September

Episodes: 12

Synopsis: In 1980s Korea, undercover investigator Kang Joon-mo (Ji) and narcotics officer Yoo Eui-jung (Lim) try to nab the golden triangle of Korea, China and Japan’s illegal drug trading. But with the notorious leader Jung Ki-cheol (Wi) standing in their way, the task at hand doesn’t appear easy.

About the show: One of the most anticipated Disney+ K-dramas, The Worst of Evil is also best known as Choeagui Ag.

(Hero and featured image: Courtesy Netflix) 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

– Which is the highest-rated K-drama?

Some of the highest-rated K-dramas are Crash Landing on You, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, Boys Over Flowers, Business Proposal, Hometown Cha Cha Cha, Heirs, Hotel Del Luna, Goblin, and Legend of the Blue Sea.

– Which K-drama is a must-watch?

Some of the must-watch K-dramas are The Glory Part 2, Bloodhounds, Big Bet Part 2, Queenmaker, Divorce Attorney Shin and Crash Course in Romance.

– Which K-drama is trending in 2023?

Two of the most trending Korean dramas in 2023 are Uncanny Counter season two, starring Kim Se-jeong and Yoo Joon-sang, and Behind Your Touch, starring Lee Min-ki and Joo Min-kyung.

This story first appeared on Lifestyle Asia India