[Last Updated on November 3, 2023]
Get ready to immerse yourself in a world of captivating and unmissable stories as November ushers in a wave of new Korean dramas. But this isn’t your ordinary lineup; it’s a smorgasbord of creativity, brimming with adaptations and a dash of intriguing contract relationships. Among these eight gems, seven draw inspiration from existing creative works, with webtoons taking the spotlight.
If you’re a fan of fantasy dramas with a time-travel twist, brace yourself for Pyo Ye-jin’s “Moon In The Day” and Lee Se-young’s “The Story Of Park’s Marriage Contract.” Speaking of contracts, you’re in for a treat as Song Kang and Kim Yoo-jung also enter into their own kind of relationship deal in “My Demon.”
Both “Moon In The Day” and “The Story Of Park’s Marriage Contract” promise a journey through time, blending the modern and historical facets of Korea. For those yearning for an authentic sageuk experience, set your sights on Kim Dong-jun’s “Goryeo-Khitan War,” an adaption of a novel inspired by the epic historical clash between Korea’s Goryeo kingdom and China’s Khitan-led Liao dynasty around the year 1000.
But wait, if it’s action and thrills that set your pulse racing, don’t miss Nam Joo-hyuk’s gripping “Vigilante” or Lee Sung-min’s spine-tingling “A Bloody Lucky Day.” The latter’s premise will give you chills—a taxi driver unwittingly picks up a high-paying passenger, only to discover that this passenger is a serial killer.
On the other hand, if you lean toward more serious themes that touch the reality we live in, Park Bo-young’s workplace drama “Daily Dose of Sunshine” should be your go-to choice. There’s also “Tell Me You Love Me”—a mix of romance and melodrama starring Jung Woo-sung and Shin Hyun-been—which offers a Korean twist on the classic Japanese TV series “Aishiteiru to Itte Kure.”
These exciting tales of love, history, fantasy, action, and suspense are all set to grace your screens this November. Read on for some more details!
(Note: TVING’s “Secret Playlist” is also confirmed to release on November 18 while Im Si-wan starrer “Once Upon a Boyhood” is also scheduled to premiere on November 24 on Coupang Play, bringing the total of new K-dramas this month to 10.)
November 1 — Moon in the Day
Network: ENA
Starring: Kim Young-dae and Pyo Ye-jin
“Moon In the Day” is a fantasy romance series that follows a handsome yet deeply insecure celebrity whose life takes an unexpected turn when a public service video shoot leads to a near-fatal car crash. His savior is a courageous firefighter, who gets enlisted as his personal bodyguard due to her remarkable skills. However, his world is shattered when he wakes up after the crash, for his body is now possessed by a nobleman from Silla.
November 3 — Daily Dose of Sunshine
Network: Netflix
Starring: Park Bo-young, Yeon Woo-jin, Jang Dong-yoon, and Lee Jung-eun
“Daily Dose of Sunshine” is a heartwarming drama that follows a compassionate nurse who finds herself transferred from internal medicine to a challenging psychiatric ward. Drawing inspiration from a real-life psychiatric nurse’s experiences, the series explores the protagonist’s unwavering determination to be a beacon of hope for her patients, offering kindness and warmth amidst their emotional struggles.
November 8 — Vigilante
Network: Disney+
Starring: Nam Joo-hyuk, Yoo Ji-tae and Kim So-jin
“Vigilante” is an action thriller that centers on the dual life of a dedicated police university student who becomes a relentless vigilante during the night. Fueled by a burning desire for justice, he takes matters into his own hands, relentlessly pursuing criminals who slip through the cracks of the legal system. As he dispenses his own brand of justice, he challenges the leniency of law enforcement, drawing the gaze of a mesmerized public and wary authorities.
November 11 — Goryeo-Khitan War
Network: KBS2
Starring: Kim Dong-jun, Ji Seung-hyun and Choi Soo-jong
“Goryeo-Khitan War” is a historical drama that follows the story of King Hyeonjong, the eighth ruler of Goryeo who ascended the throne at the young age of 19. Faced with the formidable challenge of a 400,000-strong Khitan invasion, Hyeonjong, guided by his political mentor General Kang Gam-chan, leads a 26-year-long war against the Khitan Empire. This epic series chronicles their heroic efforts to unite Goryeo and secure a hard-fought victory.
November 20 — A Bloody Lucky Day
Network: TVING
Starring: Lee Sung-min, Yoo Yeon-seok and Lee Jung-eun
“A Bloody Lucky Day” is an action thriller that follows a taxi driver who believes his luck is about to change when he picks up a high-paying passenger heading to Mokpo. Little does he know, his ordinary shift will lead him on a terrifying journey when his unexpected passenger turns out to be a serial killer.
November 24 — My Demon
Network: SBS
Starring: Kim Yoo-jung and Song Kang
“My Demon” is a fantasy rom-com that delves into the complexities of trust, love, and the unexpected bonds that can form in the unlikeliest of circumstances. In a world where supernatural beings walk among people, a charming demon and a demon-like heiress enter into a contract like no other. This cynical heiress has always kept her guard up, building walls around her heart to protect herself. But everything changes when she enters into an agreement with a real demon.
November 24— The Story Of Park’s Marriage Contract
Network: MBC
Starring: Lee Se-young and Bae In-hyuk
“The Story Of Park’s Marriage Contract” is a fantasy romance series that tells the story of a Joseon woman who is transported to the future after falling into a well. She then finds herself in modern-day Korea and meets a man who bears a striking resemblance to her late husband, who tragically passed away on the first night of their wedding. As she navigates this unfamiliar world, she ends up entering into a contract marriage with this man while seeking a way to return to Joseon.
November 27 — Tell Me You Love Me
Network: ENA
Starring: Jung Woo-sung and Shin Hyun-been
“Tell Me You Love Me” is a romantic series that follows a hearing-impaired individual who thrives in his serene realm and carefree spirit, and a woman of unwavering self-respect who passionately pursues her dreams and love through her voice. This poignant melodrama challenges our understanding of communication, delving into the intricacies of how well individuals grasp each other’s words and how accurately they express themselves.
About the featured image: Kim Dong-jun in a still image from “Goryeo-Khitan War”