JTBC is a cable TV channel or pay television network in South Korea. It is known for broadcasting hit dramas such as Sky Castle (2019), The World Of The Married (2020), Itaewon Class (2020), Beyond Evil (2021), My Liberation Notes (2022), and Reborn Rich (2022).
So far, here are the top five Korean dramas of JTBC that recorded the highest nationwide viewership ratings in 2023:
1. Doctor Cha
The medical drama, Doctor Cha (2023) tells the story of a doctor who gives up her medical career to focus on her family as a full time housewife, only to find herself getting back on medical school as a resident student after 20 years.
According to Nielsen Korea, it premiered on April 15th with a nationwide viewership rating of 4.937% and attained its highest record of 18.546% on its finale, becoming the highest viewed Korean drama on JTBC in 2023.
The drama also ranked first place in the list of Good Data’s Most Buzzworthy Korean Dramas for four non-consecutive weeks, while Uhm Jung-hwa topped the list of Korean drama actors for five consecutive weeks. On Netflix, it entered the Top 10 global ranking for seven consecutive weeks in the non-English TV category.
No. of episodes: 16 | Cast: Uhm Jung-hwa, Kim Byung-chul, Myung Se-bin, Min Woo-hyuk | Screenwriter: Jung Yeo-Rang | Director: Kim Dae-Jin | Available on: Netflix
2. Agency
The office drama, Agency (2023) follows the story of a woman from a poor family without the best academic background who becomes the first female executive at a major advertising agency resulted from her hardwork and passion for success. The drama also depicts the lives of those who battle against tough competition in a fierce world in order to reach the top.
According to Nielsen Korea, it premiered on January 7th with a nationwide viewership rating of 4.797% and attained its highest record of 16.044% on its finale, becoming the second highest viewed Korean drama on JTBC in 2023.
The drama also entered the list of Good Data’s Most Buzzworthy Korean Dramas for eight consecutive weeks. On Netflix, it entered the Top 10 global ranking for two consecutive weeks in the non-English TV category.
No. of episodes: 16 | Cast: Lee Bo-young, Jo Sung-ha, Son Na-eun, Han Jun-woo, Jeon Hye-jin | Screenwriter: Song Soo-han | Director: Lee Chang-min | Available on: Viki, Netflix
3. King The Land
The romantic-comedy drama, King The Land (2023) follows two complete opposites, an elegant hotel heir who cannot stand fake smiles and a hardworking hotel employee whose job is to smile for customer service.
According to Nielsen Korea, it premiered on June 17th with a nationwide viewership rating of 5.075% and attained its highest record of 13.789% on its finale, becoming the third highest viewed Korean drama on JTBC in 2023.
The drama also ranked first place in the list of Good Data’s Most Buzzworthy Korean Dramas for six consecutive weeks. Lee Junho topped the list of Korean drama actors for six non-consecutive weeks while Lim Yoona grabbed the no. 1 spot once and ranked second for six non-consecutive weeks.
On Netflix, it topped the Top 10 global ranking in the non-English TV category for three non-consecutive weeks and it remains popular worldwide, reaching nine weeks so far in the global charts.
No. of episodes: 16 | Cast: Lee Junho, Lim Yoona | Screenwriter: Choi Rom | Director: Im Hyun-wook | Available on: Netflix
4. The Good Bad Mother
The slice-of-life drama, The Good Bad Mother (2023) follows a mother and her son whose relationship is based upon control and rules.
Although the son managed to become a prosecutor upon his mother’s obligatory request, he grows up emotionally distant from her until one day he suffers from amnesia due to an accident, behaving like a young child again. The turn of events allowed the mother to right her wrongs and raise her son again, this time tuning in to his real needs and wants rather than hers, healing together.
According to Nielsen Korea, it premiered on April 26th with a nationwide viewership rating of 3.588% and attained its highest record of 12.032% on its finale, becoming the fourth highest viewed Korean drama on JTBC in 2023.
The drama also entered the list of Good Data’s Most Buzzworthy Korean Dramas for seven consecutive weeks. On Netflix, it entered the Top 10 global ranking for seven consecutive weeks in the non-English TV category.
No. of episodes: 14 | Cast: Ra Miran, Lee Do-hyun, Ahn Eun-jin, and Yoo In-soo | Screenwriter: Bae Se Young | Director: Shim Na Yeon | Available on: Netflix
5. Divorce Attorney Shin
The legal drama, Divorce Attorney Shin (2023) is based on a hit webtoon of the same name by Kang Tae-Kyung that tells the turbulent story of a man named Shin Sung Han. He is a classical pianist and was once a music professor in Germany but returns to Korea after hearing a shocking news, and decides to become a lawyer that deals with divorce cases.
According to Nielsen Korea, it premiered on March 4th with a nationwide viewership rating of 7.272% and attained its highest record of 9.488% on its finale, becoming the fifth highest viewed Korean drama on JTBC in 2023.
The drama also entered the list of Good Data’s Most Buzzworthy Korean Dramas for six consecutive weeks. On Netflix, it entered the Top 10 global ranking for three consecutive weeks in the non-English TV category.
No. of episodes: 12 | Cast: Cho Seung-woo, Han Hye-jin, Kim Sung-kyun, Jung Moon-sung | Screenwriter: Yoo Young Ah | Directors: Lee Jae Hoon, Lim Joon Hyuk | Available on: Netflix
Images: JTBC
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