SBS TV is a free-to-air television channel operated by its network, Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS) in South Korea. It is known for broadcasting hit dramas such as The Heirs (2013), My Love from the Star (2013), Pinocchio (2014), Six Flying Dragons (2015), Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016), Legend of the Blue Sea (2016), Hot Stove League (2019), Penthouse (2020), Our Beloved Summer (2021), and A Business Proposal (2022).
So far, here are the top five Korean dramas of SBS TV that recorded high viewership ratings in South Korea in 2023:
1. Taxi Driver 2
The action-crime-revenge drama, Taxi Driver (2021-23) is based on the webtoon “The Deluxe Taxi (Red Cage)” by Carlos and Lee Jae-Jin. It was also inspired by actual real life heinous crimes committed in South Korea.
The first season in 2021 began with Kim Do-gi, a military captain who comes home with the sight of her mother dead from a murder. He becomes a special taxi driver for Rainbow Taxi Company, a secret company that offers service to its clients who seek justice for the crimes committed to them but neglected by the law, helping them take revenge.
While the first season recorded its highest nationwide viewership rating of 16.0% on its 6th episode, the second season garnered its highest record of 21.0% on its finale, becoming the highest viewed Korean drama on SBS TV in 2023. The drama including Lee Je-hoon also ranked first place in the list of Good Data’s Most Buzzworthy Korean Dramas and Actors for six consecutive weeks, from the second week of March 2023 to the second week of April 2023.
No. of episodes: 16 | Cast: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Eui-sung, Pyo Ye-jin, Jang Hyuk-jin, Bae Yoo-ram, Shin Jae-ha | Screenwriter: Oh Sang-ho | Director: Lee-dan | Available on: Viu
2. Dr. Romantic 3
The medical drama, Dr. Romantic (2016-2023) follows a triple-board certified surgeon who leaves a top medical center in Seoul and ends up at a small hospital in the countryside, mentoring young doctors. The story deals with medical values, hospital ethics, professional growth, social compassion, with romance on the side.
While the first season in 2016 and second season in 2020 attained its highest nationwide viewership ratings of 27.6% and 27.1% respectively, the third season garnered its highest record of 16.8% on its finale, becoming the second highest viewed Korean drama on SBS TV in 2023.
The drama also ranked first place in the list of Good Data’s Most Buzzworthy Korean Dramas for four consecutive weeks, from the fourth week of May 2023 to the third week of June 2023. To date, it continues to reign as the no. 1 most watched Korean drama on Disney Plus in 2023.
No. of episodes: 16 | Cast: Han Suk-kyu, Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Sung-kyung, Yoo Yeon-seok, and more | Screenwriters: Kang Eun Kyung, Lim Hye Min | Director: Kang Bo-seung | Available on: Disney Plus
3. Payback: Money And Power
The legal-revenge-action drama, Payback: Money And Power (2023) follows the story of a former gang member turned money business titan, a young prosecutor, and a female military officer. After living a life of a recluse in the pastures of Mongolia, Eun Yong the money trader returns to Korea to prepare for war against corrupt powers to protect his family and avenge the death of a dear old friend.
According to Nielsen Korea, it premiered on January 6th with a nationwide viewership rating of 8.7% and attained its highest record of 11.4% on its 11th episode, becoming the third highest viewed Korean drama on SBS TV in 2023. The drama also entered the Top 10 list of Good Data’s Most Buzzworthy Korean Dramas for six consecutive weeks and is among the most watched Korean titles on Amazon Prime Video.
No. of episodes: 16 | Cast: Lee Sun-kyun, Moon Chae-won, Kang Yoo-seok, Park Hoon | Screenwriter: Kim Won-seok | Director: Lee Won-tae | Available on: Amazon Prime Video
4. Revenant
The occult thriller drama, Revenant (2023) follows a folklore professor who has the special ability to see spirits, a struggling young woman who gets possessed by a demon, and two detectives who investigate a series of mysterious deaths.
According to Nielsen Korea, it premiered on June 23rd with a nationwide viewership rating of 9.9% and attained its highest record of 11.2% on its finale, becoming the fourth highest viewed Korean drama on SBS TV in 2023. The drama also entered the Top 10 list of Good Data’s Most Buzzworthy Korean Dramas for six consecutive weeks and is among the most watched Korean titles on Disney Plus.
No. of episodes: 12 | Cast: Kim Tae-ri, Oh Jung-se, Hong Kyung | Screenwriter: Kim Eun-hee | Director: Lee Jung-rim | Available on: Disney Plus
5. The First Responders 2
The ongoing drama, The First Responders (2022-23) highlights the joint response and teamwork of a fierce detective, fearless firefighter, and an empathic paramedic. Despite coming from different stations, they work together in solving crimes, disasters, and emergencies.
While the first season recorded its highest nationwide viewership rating of 10.3% on its final episode, the second season premiered with a record of 7.1%, becoming the fifth highest viewed Korean drama on SBS TV channel in 2023. The drama’s two seasons also entered the Top 10 list of Good Data’s Most Buzzworthy Korean Dramas and among the most watched Korean titles on Disney Plus.
No of episodes: 12 | Cast: Kim Rae-won, Son Ho-jun, Gong Seung-yeon | Screenwriter: Min Ji-eun | Director: Shin Kyung-soo | Available on: Disney Plus
Images: SBS
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