Step into September with an array of enthralling Korean dramas, each promising to transport you to different worlds and eras. You might delve into a tale of love and mystery that spans time itself, or immerse yourself in a historical saga where kingdoms clash and alliances teeter on the brink. Mysterious disappearances and journeys of self-discovery, this month’s K-drama list has it all.
The K-dramas releasing this September come with well-known stars like Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, Lee Joon-gi, as well as Kim Nam-gil, who is set to make his Netflix debut! The list also includes a sequel to a renowned show featuring Song Joong-ki and Kim Ji-won.
Read on to find out more about these exciting new K-dramas of September 2023!
A Time Called You
Release Date: 8th September
Lead Cast: Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, Kang Hoon, Lee Min-go
Network: Netflix
Plot: Based on the Taiwanese series Someday or One Day, this remake will follow the life of Han Jun-hee whose boyfriend passes away. A year later she is still grieving but suddenly finds herself transported back in time, to the year 1998. She wakes up in the body of a high school student. There, she meets Si-heon who eerily resembles her own boyfriend. This intriguing mystery will unravel over 12 episodes and, ideally, Netflix will release them all at once.
Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword Of Aramun
Release Date: 9th September
Lead Cast: Lee Joon-gi, Shin Se-kyung, Jang Dong-gun, Kim Ok-vin
Network: tvN, Disney+
Plot: Set about a decade after the events of the first season, Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun will follow the mounting tensions between the Kingdom of Arthdal and the Ago Union. Lee Joon-gi will play an older version of Song Joong-ki’s Eun-seom and Saya while Shin Se-kyung will play an older version of Kim Ji-won’s Tan-ya.
The Day
Release Date: 13th September
Lead Cast: Yoon Kye-sang, Park Sung-hoon, Yu-na, Kim Shin-rok, Kim Sang-ho, Seo Jae-hee, Kang Young-seok
Network: ENA
Plot: A thriller and a black comedy all at once, The Day follows a man who is desperate to save his sick daughter but doesn’t have the money to do so. Pushed to the edge, he agrees to kidnap an 11-year-old girl but things do not go as planned. To make things more complicated, the girl loses her memory. Episodes of this K-drama will air every Wednesday and Thursday at 21.00 KST.
7 Escape
Release Date: 15th September
Lead Cast: Uhm Ki-joon, Hwang Jung-eum, Lee Joon, Lee Yoo-bi, Shin Eun-kyung, Yoon Jong-hoon, Jo Yoon-hee, Jo Jae-yoon, Lee Deok-hwa
Network: SBS
Plot: This crime drama will follow the mysterious disappearance of a young girl and the seven people who get entangled in the crime. The characters include a money-chasing CEO, an aspiring idol, a rich owner of a big company, a gangster, an art teacher, a doctor and more. Lies, desire and revenge will all come together in this 16-episode mystery drama that is scheduled to release sometime in September 2023.
Hyo Shim’s Independent Life
Release Date: 16th September
Lead Cast: Â UEE, Ha Joon
Network: KBS2
Plot: After prioritising her family above everything else for years, Lee Hyo-shim has finally had enough. She steps away from the role of devoted daughter and decides to live an independent life. On the journey to find herself, she also finds romance. You can find episodes of this drama every Saturday and Sunday from the date of release.
Song of the Bandits/Thief: Song of the Sword
Release Date: 22nd September
Lead Cast: Kim Nam-gil, Seo Hyun, Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Hyun-wook, Lee Ho-jung
Network: Netflix
Plot: Set against the backdrop of the Japanese occupation of Korea in the 1920s, this series follows a diverse ensemble brought together by fate in the lawless region of Gando. The Japanese forces, Korean army, assassins, bandits, migrants and more will clash and collide with one another as the Koreans fight for their homeland. Expect plenty of action and adventure in this 12-episode series.
Sparkling Watermelon/Twinkling Watermelon
Release Date: 25th September
Lead Cast: Ryeoun, Choi Hyun-wook, Seol In-ah, Shin Eun-soo
Network: tvN
Plot:Â A coming-of-age story and a fantasy drama all at once, this series will dive into the life of a young man who suddenly finds the ability to time travel. In the past, he comes across the 18-year-old version of his father and together, they form a band. Episodes of this fantasy drama will air every Monday and Tuesday.
The Worst of Evil
Release Date: 27th September
Lead Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Wi Ha-joon, Im Se-mi, Kim Hyung-seo
Network: Disney+
Plot: Ji Chang-wook is back on our screens and this time, he’s playing a police officer — in the 1990s! Named Park Joon-mo, he decides to infiltrate a massive criminal organization. But he and his wife, a narcotics officer, soon get dragged into the web of an illegal drug trade between South Korea, China and Japan. You can expect the stakes of this crime thriller to be raised higher with every episode.
Which Korean drama are you most looking forward to in the month of September? Which do you think could become the best of 2023? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!