It’s only been two months, and some 2023 Korean Dramas are at the top of the AC Neilsen Korea Charts. These cable dramas have made it to the top 50 of all time, both in terms of household and individual viewers.
AC Neilsen Korea measures viewing results for both Korea nationwide and the city of Seoul. The rating service breaks out their results by terrestrial (public tv) and cable tv. Both are measured in terms of household viewers and individual viewers. Terrestrial household results start from 1992, and cable household results from 2013. Both terrestrial and cable individual viewers’ ratings began in 2018. This article will use the nationwide AC Neilsen Korea results for cable dramas—special thanks to AsianWiki and MyDramaList for the plot synopses.
If you want a broader list, you should also check out the Best Korean Dramas of 2023 or Best Korean Dramas of All Time articles.
Last Updated: Mar 6, 2023
Highest Rated Korean Dramas in 2023 Based on Nielsen Ratings
Alchemy of Souls Season 2
Aired: Dec 10, 2022 – Jan 8, 2023
Episodes: 10
Where to watch: Netflix
Plot: Jang Uk returns from death, and three years later, the story of the mages unfolds anew. Jang Uk becomes a hunter of the soul-shifters when a young woman, a prisoner in her own home, seeks his help to reclaim her freedom.
Rating breakdown
The first 2023 K-Drama to see the top 50 cable dramas list is Alchemy of Souls Season 2, the follow-up to Season 1 (while both dramas aired in 2022, Season 2 finished airing in January 2023 thus is included in this list). This fantasy epic spanned 30 episodes between the two parts and featured a switch-up on the female lead due to storytelling requirements.
Both parts did remarkably well, landing in the top 50. However, Alchemy of Souls Season 2 beats its predecessor, landing at #44 place for households with a 9.651% rating (Alchemy of Souls Season 1 placed #47 with a rating of 9.295%). The sequel, however, fell slightly behind its predecessor for individual viewers. It ranked at #32 for individual viewers with 2.267 million, whereas Alchemy of Souls Season 1 paced at #29 with 2.410 million.
Red Balloon
Aired: Dec 17, 2022 – Feb 26, 2023 (ongoing)
Episodes: 20
Where to watch: Viki, Kocowa
Plot: A story of four people attempting to quench their desires and appease their heartbreaks.
Rating breakdown
Red Balloon represents a handful of TV Chosun dramas that have made it into the top 50 cable dramas list. This melodrama, featuring Seo Ji-Hye from Crash Landing on You fame in the lead role, is currently at #36 on the list with a 10.057% rating and at #43 for individual viewers with 2.038 million.
Agency
Aired: Jan 7, 2023 – Feb 26, 2023 (ongoing)
Episodes: 16
Plot: The drama follows the career of Go A-In as she works from the bottom to the highest position in an advertising agency.
Rating breakdown
Lee Bo-Young headlines this k-drama about a hardworking female executive in the advertising industry. This drama has shot up in the ratings, currently at #19 for households with a rating of 13.383% and at #21 for individual viewers with 3.055 million.
Crash Course in Romance
Aired: Jan 14, 2023 – Mar 5, 2023 (ongoing)
Episodes: 16
Where to watch: Netflix
Plot: Nam Haeng-Seon used to be a national athlete. She now runs a side dish store. She has a super upbeat personality and unlimited stamina. She takes another turn and enters the private education field for students preparing for their university entrance exam. Unexpectedly, Nam Haeng-Seon gets involved with Choi Chi-Yeol.
Rating breakdown
Crash Course in Romance often finds itself competing neck and neck with Agency for ratings, the two constantly toggling back and forth, week after week. This romance drama, which stars Jeon Do-Yeon and Jung Kyoung-Ho in the leads, is currently in the lead. It is at #18 for households, with a 13.501% rating, and at #16 for individual viewers, with 3.328 million.
And that completes our Highest Rated Korean Dramas in 2023 Based on Nielsen Ratings. We’ll keep this list updated monthly, so make sure to return.
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