The following are the 10 shows that captured hearts, minds, souls of audiences globally — as well as broke through in the zeitgeist in 2023:
“Our Blooming Youth” (Viki)
Ranking #1 on my Top 10 Shows of 2023, “Our Blooming Youth” was outstanding on all levels, including: cast, characters, dialogue, cinematography, directing, editing, pacing, music score, set dressing, costuming. Not only is the series stunning to look at, it is cheer-worthy throughout, and offered a well crafted story of a woman masquerading as a man in order to clear her name and investigating the murder of her family, all while saving a crown prince marked for death.
“Our Blooming Youth” was directed by Lee Jong-jae (known for his work on “Another Miss Oh” and “100 Days My Prince”) and written by Jung Hyun-jung (known for her work on “Romance Is A Bonus Book” and “Lovestruck In The City”), and starred: Jeon So-nee (previously known for her supporting roles in “Encounter” and “Dr. Brain”) and Park Hyung-sik (known for his starring roles in “Happiness”, “Soundtrack No. 1”, “Suits”, “Strong Girl Bong Soon”), and co-stars Pyo Ye-jin, Lee Tan-sun, Yun Jong-seok, Heo Won-seo, Jung Da-eun and Hong Soo-hyun.
The story follows a young woman on the eve of her wedding, suddenly on the run, framed for murder, and desperate to prove her innocence, who turns to the only man who might trust her — the crown prince who is also caught up in a web of deception, lies, and murder and who is equally desperate for someone to trust. These two lost souls make a calculated decision to trust each other while weaving together the pieces to a labyrinthine mystery as the clock ticks down.
One of the key elements that made “Our Blooming Youth” claim the crown on my Top 10 list was the fact that it empowered its female characters and rewarded their efforts throughout the series. It also felt realistic in what they were able to achieve on their own and how women relied on each other to accomplish their goals. Women supporting women. Those are the stories we need to see more of.
“Our Blooming Youth” also smartly employed equal amounts charm and humor to keep the characters engaging and worth rooting for, as characters that you cheer for and want to spend time with was crucial. Particularly, because the real world continues to claim so much of our every day lives; thus, leisure time is precious and a show that rewards a viewer’s decision to spend time with it, has earned acclaim.
“My Dearest” (Viki)
Already earning multitudes of awards, “My Dearest” is sweeping the awards season and deservedly so. An epic tale of romance set amongst war and occupation, “My Dearest” is tragedy that dares to defy expectations. Its intricate characters wove a spell of hope among horror.
No matter how great the odds against them, love is worth fighting for. That’s the message throughout “My Dearest.” Directed by Kim Sung-yong and written by Hwang Jin-young, and starring Namkoong Min (previously known for his starring roles in “One Dollar Lawyer” and “Hot Stove League” and Ahn Eun-jin (previously known for her roles in “The Good Bad Mother”, “The One and Only” and “Hospital Playlist”, “My Dearest”) is an enticing and addictive series.
The majestic cinematography truly captivates, drawing the viewer deeper and deeper into a love story that defies everything to survive. By sheer willpower of the characters alone, as well as amazing performances by its leads, “My Dearest” just shines.
Credit should also be given to the supporting cast who also brought their characters to life so brilliantly: Kim Yoon-woo, Lee Da-in, Lee Hak-joo, Park Jeong-yeon, Kwon So-hyun, Jeon Hye-won, So Yu-jin and Lee Chung-ah. Not every character is one that you love, yet each has an essential role to play.
“My Dearest” will perhaps be remembered most for its audacity to tell a familiar tale — the story draws a lot from the classic film “Gone With The Wind”, but with such care and warmth. In addition, the chemistry between Ahn Eun-jin and Namkoong Min was mesmerizing.
The series also stayed grounded in a world where women helping and supporting women was crucial. That empowerment is what we need to see more of on screen.
“The Glory” (Netflix)
“The Glory” is a devilish delight. It should feel wrong to celebrate the downfall and destruction of horrible people, but in the world of cinema and stories, it feels incredibly satisfying to see bad things happen to bad people.
Directed by Ahn Gil-ho (known for his work on “Happiness” and “Memories of the Alhambra”) and written by Kim Eun-sook (known for her work on “Goblin”, “Secret Garden”, “Descendants of the Sun” and “The King: Eternal Monarch”), “The Glory” is in expert hands. Combined with the incandescent presence of Song Hye-kyo (reunited with Kim Eun-sook from their previous work on “Descendants of the Sun”), “The Glory” shines brighter than it should. It also employed to fantastic use its supporting cast: Lee Do-hyun, Lim Ji-yeon, Yeom Hye-ran, Park Sung-hoon, Kim Hieora, Cha Joo-young, Jung Ji-so, Shin Ye-eun, Bae Gang-hee, Song Ji-woo, Lee So-e, Oh Ji-yul, Jung Sung-il, Park Ji-a, Son Sook, Son Na-young, and Choi Soo-in.
A classic revenge tale of a horrifically scarred teen, who returns 17 years later to witness the spectacular downfall of her high school tormenters. Sometimes it doesn’t take an intricate revenge plot to destroy someone, it only takes time and willingness to be a bystander as evil people’s lives implode and explode due to their own base instinct towards self-destruction.
Oddly, voyeurism watching the downfall of others has never felt this rewarding. Credit goes to the superb craftmanship of the storytelling and execution by an exceptional cast and skilled director making “The Glory” such a decadent watch experience.
I also applaud the skillful use of the theme of “women helping women” in small yet instrumental ways.
“Moving” (Disney+)
“Moving” is a thoroughly unexpected story. It starts off as a simple hero’s journey tale of two teens discovering each others’ superhero powers. It then morphs into a layered horror story showcasing multi-generational trauma after a government experiment gone wrong. Superhero origins stories can start off slow and then blow up. “Moving” follows this path by enticing viewers and then suddenly springing a darker tale of death and destruction upon them.
Directed by Park In-je (known for his work on “Kingdom”) and written by Kang Pool (who also wrote the original comic source material), “Moving” introduces a large cast of superheroes involving parents and children as each races to escape the evil clutches of a murky government entity seeking to control them.
Where “Moving” shines the most is its exceptional cast: Han Hye-joo, Zo In-sung, Go Youn-jung, Lee Jung-ha, Ryoo Seung-ryong, Kwak Sun-young, Kim Shin-rok, Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Do-hoon and Yoon Sa-bong.
A hero does not have to do heroic things — he/she/they just need to be there for one person. In “Moving”, these hero’s journeys are told through the lens of how important it is just being there for the one person who needs them the most: a mother and son, a father and daughter, a husband and wife, a Good Samaritan, a teacher keeping watch, a friendly neighbor. Anyone can be a hero to someone. It just takes the willingness to act.
“Moving” is both an story of big characters and big acts woven carefully together with smaller tales of heroism. The series definitely feels like it is just getting started, so the fact it was greenlit for a second season is welcome news.
Women characters were also expertly and intricately woven into this complicated world dominated by brutal men. It served to remind that women are always watching and listening and will strike at unexpected moments. Remembering those crucial aspects created a richer and more engaging story of character interactions. It also make it more root-worthy.
“The Diplomat” (Netflix)
Life is never what you expect it to be. Never has this theme been more prevalent than in the new series “The Diplomat” where a career intelligence analyst finds herself thrust onto the political stage through the mechanisms of everyone around her.
Creator and writer for the series Debra Cahn comes from a rich background working on “Homeland”, “The West Wing”, “Grey’s Anatomy” where characters find themselves swept up in massive events beyond their control.
Fresh off her starring role in the FX series “The Americans”, where she played a ruthless Russian spy, Keri Russell is exceptional as the lead of “The Diplomat”. Keri’s ability to convey the aburd and comical moments in the midst of political chaos has been finely honed over the years. In addition, her aura lends itself well to these stories, characters and events as Keri looks helpless and fragile, but that is just the facade that she wears as underneath, she is a raptor ready to strike.
Co-starring Rufus Sewell and David Gyasi, “The Diplomat” cleverly maximizes the mysterious personas of its three stars to keep the audience guessing as to who can be trusted and who is playing who. Much of the series feels like a “shell game” and you are never sure that watch you are watching is really what is going on.
That kind of tight, twisty and fast-moving story telling is an adrenaline rush and highly addictive. It is also fun that the female characters seem to be in the thick of it and manipulating people and events with just as much ease. Adding their intriguing performances to the show are co-stars: Ali Ahn, Celia Imrie, Nana Mensah, and T’Nia Miller.
Women at the heart of world events feels natural and necessary. It also adds a layer of unexpectedness and that makes for stronger world-building and character interactions. Cannot wait to see what craziness erupts in Season 2 of “The Diplomat”.
“Doctor Cha” (Netflix)
When offered a second chance at life, a determined woman vows to make the most of it. So after a life-saving surgery, she chooses to return to being a practicing doctor after nearly two decade absence, working at the same hospital as her surgeon husband and son, and her husband’s mistress. “Doctor Cha” is about seizing that second chance at life and facing difficult situations that arise when discovering that her seemingly perfect life was just an illusion.
Directed by Kim Dae-in and written by Jung Yeo-rang, “Doctor Cha” shines from a bright and optimistic look at embracing life after an extended absence away from one’s career. Starring the effervescent Uhm Jung-Hwa (one of South Korea’s longest reigning pop stars and idols), the character of “Doctor Cha” is charming, upbeat, funny and highly entertaining. Thus, the series succeeds resting on exceptional casting and crafting of characters.
“Doctor Cha” also allows is characters to face consequences of all their decisions, for better or worse. It allows each to be fully human, silly, petty, and sometimes remorseful. The thing about taking a break from one’s every-day life or embarking on a new chapter in one’s life is that it provides a lens to evaluate and assess one’s choices and then to learn from those choices and move on. Allowing the characters to benefit from hindsight and make course-corrections in their lives and careers makes for a layers and interesting character study and thoroughly engaging story to watch.
“Doctor Cha” also deftly addresses issues of a cheating spouse, a husband with a second family, the complicity of the mistress, how adult children deal with interpersonal family tensions personally and professionally, and how an outsider may wish to save them or sooth their inner turmoils. “Doctor Cha” manages to address all of these angst-filled issues with a loving heart. So the series stays light and informative, rather than judgmental and unforgiving. It also succeeds in empowering all its female characters as they accept and work together. I loved its message that “life is not a zero-sum equation” and how it is possible for everyone to succeed when working together.
“The Morning Show” (AppleTV+)
Finishing its third season, “The Morning Show” is at the top of its game. One of the things it does best is remember that women are in it to win it just as much as men are and women sometime are better at it because they choose to work together. Unity and solidarity is very effective strategically and “The Morning Show” keeps that as its core between its female characters.
Skewering and screwing with the patriarchy has never been more fun than is depicted and portrayed in “The Morning Show”. The razor-sharp humor laced throughout the series is what keeps it unpredictable. Willing to address and conquer thorny quasi-political and Wall Street business shenanigans with fearless audacity is not only enticing, it is pure magnetism. You just cannot take your eyes away when watching this show. They are willing to be bold and bodacious.
Helmed by the producing talents of Kerry Ehrin, Mimi Leder, along with stars Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon along with their corral of stellar writers, “The Morning Show” continues to raise the bar on stories and performances each season. It makes it fun and addictive to watch. Contributing to the “future is female” vibe that permeates the show so effectively are Greta Lee, Nicole Beharie, Julianna Margulies, Natalie Morales, Karen Pittman, Tig Notaro, Holland Taylor. Also with delightful contributions of Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Nestor Carbonell, and Jon Hamm, whose peppered performances bring a zesty spice to the series.
“Mask Girl” (Netflix)
Most unexpected this year was “Mask Girl”, which appeared to be a dark tale of desire and fetishes, but ended up being a story of a woman’s journey towards self-acceptance and choosing a life for herself that she wanted. It was also realistic in that there was no easy choices or illusory happy endings.
Directed and written by Kim Young-hoon, the series was equally harrowing and affirming. Yet, throughout it was a declaration of female empowerment when confronted by the worst of a patriarchal society. Starring Lee Han-byeol, Nana, and Go Hyun-jung as the lead character at various times in her life, “Mask Girl” was an unflinching examination of how women are expected to conform based on their visual appearance and then categorized or given a “place” in our world based on the value attributed based on appearance.
The largest and most significant roles in “Mask Girl” were given to women. It was consistent in how women can be both each other’s biggest supporters and worst enemies. Contributing towards the fascinating array of female characters were: Yeom Hye-ran, Han Jae-yi, Kim Min-seo, Moon Sook, Shin Ye-seo, Kim Ga-hee, and Lee Sun-hee.
For good or evil, women surrounded by women and navigating the expectations and restrictions that women create for themselves and each other was a declaration that not everything has to be about the male lens — including stories about women.
“The Great” (Hulu/Disney+)
Concluding its third and final season, “The Great” continued to share its outlandish vision of what the reign of Catherine the Great was as she tried to navigate her mercurial relationship with her “husband” while ruthlessly ruling over one of the worlds largest empires.
Elle Fanning‘s deft and fearless performance kept the series riveting to watch. Her performance complimented by Nicholas Hoult‘s gave the series perhaps more heart and soul than the story deserved. But, as written, it was women scheming to gain power, keep power, and exert power over just as wily male counterparts that made the stakes so compelling and thrilling. Co-stars Phoebe Fox, Charity Wakefield, Belinda Bromilow, Florence Keith-Roach and Grace Molony were sublime and essential in their roles as well.
“The Great” really emphasized that power must be taken every chance you get. It was fantastic rooting for women as they schemed, strategized, seized and struggled to attain and retain power that was within their grasp. It also served to remind that you should never turn your back on a woman — you never know what she is really doing when you are not looking.
“Castaway Diva” (Netflix)
How much did I love “Castaway Diva”? With my whole heart. For a series about domestic violence and the terror it reigned over two teens for most of their young adult lives, “Castaway Diva” was so life affirming, heart-warming and charming that it practically glowed with sweet emotion and hopefulness.
Magnificently brought to screen by director Oh Choon-hwan (known for his work on “Big Mouth”, “Start Up”, “While You Were Sleeping” and “Hotel Del Luna”) and written by Park Hye-ryun (also known for her work on “Start Up” and “While You Were Sleeping”), “Castaway Diva” was in expert hands. Complimented by exceptional casting of stars Park Eun-bin (“Extraordinary Attorney Woo” and “The King’s Affection”), Kim Hyo-jin, Chae Jong-hyeop, Cha Hak-yeon, and with strong supporting performances by Bae Gang-hee, Kim Joo-hun, Shin Joo-hyup, Seo Jung-yeon, Lee Joong-ok, Lee Re, Moon Woo-jin, Lee A-rin, Moon Sook, “Castaway Diva” seemed to sparkle and felt infused with love.
The story of a teenager stranded alone on a remote island for 15 years, rescued and reunited with the boy that helped save her from an abusive father, and then watching her dream of becoming a renown singer come true seems a bit far-fetched. But as told in “Castaway Diva”, all impossible things seem possible. Its theme of “bad things happen but we choose who we want to be in spite of it”, resonated deep into viewers’ hearts.
It was also lovely to see that the women worked together to achieve their dreams and goals. The time of pitting women against each other is gone. This is an era where all women can win and attain success. That women-positive viewpoint and affirmation elevated the story and felt more true to the world we live in currently. After all, “the future is female” and that includes all women.
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As special mention, I wanted to highlight a few more series that were runners-up, which were exemplary and provided such incredible portrayals by women in series showcasing layered, multi-dimensional stories for women:
“The Kidnapping Day” (Amazon Prime)
“Doona!” (Netflix)
“One Day Off” (Viki)
“Not Others” (Viki)
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In the interest of transparency, I have provided a short explanation of how this Top 10 list was curated.
As discovered since 2020, the online streaming platforms (Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, Disney+, Paramount+, Viki.com) continued to dominate, and provided some of the best serialized shows as each expanded their current content to include international series. Accordingly, this is my third year including South Korean international shows (aka K-dramas), though it should be noted that I have included international shows in my annual Top 10 of shows since 2010 from countries, such as: United Kingdom (“Doctor Who”, “Downton Abbey”, “Sherlock”, “Luther”, “The Hour”, “Broadchurch”, “Killing Eve”), Canada (“Orphan Black”, “Mary Kills People”) and Spain (“Money Heist”). It is challenging, yet exciting, to explore the world of international series as streaming platforms continue to add these series to their curated libraries for U.S. viewers to explore and enjoy.
Television critics (aka “entertainment critics”) continue to be challenged to watch and assess a large volume of U.S. shows as well as international shows to come up with a “Top 10” list. Thus, to be a bit more transparent, when assessing shows that I watch, I tried to be fair about which shows I enjoyed watching and the reasons why I spent my time with these shows. Thus, I have done my best to weigh each on a fair scale to select series that earned a spot in my “Top 10” list, based on the following criteria:
• fearless storytelling
• highly entertaining
• consistency
• water-cooler factor
• clearly ascertainable “hero” and “heart”
• strong, complex, well-developed female characters
• empowered female characters
To briefly explain:
“Fearlessness” in storytelling means a willingness to tackle the topic or subject of its story head-on with no regrets.
“Highly entertaining” is pretty self-explanatory — the viewing audience must enjoy watching the show and not just endure it.
“Consistency” means that each episode must stand on its own. Lots of serialized shows have one or two great episodes and then fall-off the creative-cliff for the rest of the season. So maintaining the momentum of a strong, well-written season is crucial as well.
The “water-cooler” factor is also essential. People must be talking about the show. It must be part of the zeitgeist and inspiring passion in those who watch it.
There had to be a clear “hero” and a reason to care about the characters — the “heart.” There are simply too many shows that forget we want to root for someone and we want to care about the characters.
Finally, the show had to not only have strong, well-developed female roles, it had to empower those female characters. This should be a given in any show, but now more than ever, this criteria needs to be recognized as crucial to any top show.
This criteria actually sets a high bar and it made it a bit easier to see which shows truly earned a spot on my “Top 10” list for 2023. Here is to looking forward to all the new and returning shows in 2024!
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