New k-dramas to watch in August 2023

Nine new titles are coming to your screens this August, so you can choose from a sageuk (historical show), romance, sci-fi, thriller, action, mystery, fantasy, sports, comedy, or a combination of these. Whether you watch Jo In-sung and Han Hyo-joo’s superhero k-drama Moving, Namgoong Min’s sageuk My Dearest, the sequel to Kim Rae-won’s thriller The First Responders, or Ra Mi-ran’s comedy Cold-Blooded Intern, there is something for everyone in this month's lineup.

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August 4: My Dearest Part 1

Part 1 of the 10-episode MBC historical romance series is set during the Qing invasion of the Joseon Dynasty. Lee Jang-hyun, played by Namgoong Min (Hot Stove League), is a man of dark secrets who rises up the social ranks of his village, while Yoo Gil-chae, portrayed by Ahn Eun-jin (The Good Bad Mother), is a confident noblewoman who faces the hardships of war and falls in love with Jang-hyun.

August 4: The First Responders Season 2

Detective Jin Ho-gae (Kim Rae-won, Doctors), firefighter Bong Do-jin (Son Ho-jun, Go Back Couple), and paramedic Song Seol (Gong Seung-yeon, Flower of Evil), are back to solve crimes and save lives together in the 12-episode action-thriller mystery. Season 2 will also feature the National Forensic Service (NFS) joining forces with the police, fire department, and paramedics, continuing to lay the foundations of South Korean joint investigative series.

Where to watch: Disney+

August 9: Moving

Jo In-sung (It’s Okay, That’s Love), Han Hyo-joo (W: Two Worlds), Ryu Seung-ryong (Miracle in Cell No. 7), and Cha Tae-hyun (My Sassy Girl) star in the most anticipated sci-fi series of the year. Written by Kang Full and adapted from Kang Full’s webtoon, the 20-episode Disney+ k-drama tells the story of three students (Lee Jung-ha, Run On; Go Youn-jung, Alchemy of Souls; and Kim Do-hoon, Today’s Webtoon) who have inherited superpowers from their parents, but must hide their abilities even while helping others.

Where to watch: Disney+

August 10: The Killing Vote

The 12-episode SBS dark thriller based on Hur Young-man’s webtoon follows two police officers, portrayed by Park Hae-jin (Kkondae Intern) and Lim Ji-yeon (The Glory), whose mission is to hunt down "Dog Mask", a vigilante who executes criminals based on the votes of the public.

Where to watch: Prime Video

August 11: Cold-Blooded Intern / Cruel Intern

Go Hae-ra is a middle-aged woman who looks for work after years as a housewife (Ra Mi-ran, The Good Bad Mother) in the 12-episode TVING comedy series. Choi Ji-won (Uhm Ji-won, Little Women) offers her not only an intern position but also a cruel suggestion.

Where to watch: Viu

August 12: Behind Your Touch

Han Ji-min (Josée) portrays a veterinarian who can learn a person's past simply by touching their rear end, while Lee Min-ki (My Liberation Notes) plays a hotshot detective who uses her ability to advance his career. The 16-episode JTBC fantasy-romance series also stars Suho of the K-pop group EXO as a part-time worker.

Where to watch: Netflix

August 18: Mask Girl

Kim Mo-mi (Go Hyun-jung, Dear My Friends) is an office worker by day and a masked DJ at night. She and her officemate Joo Oh-ham (Ahn Jae-hong, Reply 1988) both have an inferiority complex and get caught up in an unexpected situation. Nana (Into the Ring) and Yeom Hye-ran (The Uncanny Counter) also star in the seven-episode Netflix dark comedy series.

Where to watch: Netflix​

August 21: My Lovely Boxer

The 12-episode KBS2 youth drama series revolves around a talented female boxer-turned-teacher (Kim So-hye, How to Buy a Friend) who gets convinced by a cold-blooded sports agent Lee Sang-yeob (On the Verge of Insanity) to return to the ring.

August 23: Destined with You

Lee Hong-jo (Jo Bo-ah, Military Prosecutor Doberman), is a civil servant who accidentally obtains a forbidden book that was sealed 300 years ago. Jang Shin-yu (Rowoon of the k-pop group SF9, The King's Affection), is an ace lawyer who unfortunately receives the book's curse. Together, they figure out how the book can cure Shin-yu in the 16-episode JTBC fantasy-romance drama.

Where to watch: Netflix​