Pictures: Netflix

Say it ain’t so! There will be some heavy-hitting K-dramas from Netflix’s extensive library of Originals leaving the platform throughout 2023.

Why are Netflix Originals leaving the platform?

Unfortunately, the way Netflix classifies its content means there’s a lot of confusion about what an «Original» actually is.

In the case of many Netflix original K-dramas, in particular, the shows that are released on a weekly basis are licensed internationally. This means that Netflix is ​​not a producer of the k-drama and instead pays a premium fee to be the exclusive worldwide distributor outside of South Korea. However, this also means that all of these exclusive K-dramas are marketed as «Netflix Originals.»

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The reason these K-dramas are leaving is because the streaming rights that Netflix paid for were only for a limited period of time. It usually ranges from five to ten years, depending on the agreement.


Netflix Original K-Dramas Leaving Netflix in 2023

prison playbook

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: sixteen
Last day to watch on Netflix: January 23, 2023

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Editor’s Note: Prison Playbook has since been renewed and isn’t scheduled to come out until February 2025.

Currently ranked 24th on the list of highest-rated cable dramas of all time, the series was once the third-highest-rated cable K-drama. A fantastic watch, should be on every K-drama fan’s watch list before it’s gone.

With his major league baseball debut just around the corner, a star pitcher lands in prison and must learn to navigate his new world.


Bad Boys: Vile City

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: sixteen
Last day to watch on Netflix: March 8, 2023

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A solid thriller that every K-drama should be watching before it’s gone in March 2023!

Ordered to take down an evil business leader who controls the city, a prosecutor assembles a team of men who may not be so clean.


a korean odyssey

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: twenty
Last day to watch on Netflix: March 9, 2023

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Editor’s Note: A Korean Odyssey has since been renewed and isn’t scheduled to come out until March 2025.

The Korean spin-off of the classic Chinese story Journey to the West was one of the first big hits with Netflix subscribers. We’ll be sad to see it leave the Netflix library.

An egotistical mythical creature’s attempt at invincibility fails when he finds himself at the mercy of a woman who can see beings from another world.


Live

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 18
Last day to watch on Netflix: March 16, 2023

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Netflix has had an extremely fruitful relationship with Studio Dragon, the production studio behind Live. Another fantastic police drama, we expect Live to be one of the K-dramas returning to Netflix in the near future.

Police officers from South Korea’s busiest patrol division work day and night as guardians of law and peace, but the reality is far from orderly.


wolf brigade

Director: Kim Jee Woon
Last day to watch on Netflix: May 24, 2023

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One of the first internationally licensed Korean movies on Netflix, Wolf Brigade’s aesthetic is similar to that of Wolfenstein, a popular video game franchise.

Ordered to take down an evil business leader who controls the city, a prosecutor assembles a team of men who may not be so clean.


death anthem

Seasons: 1 | Episodes: 3
Last day to watch on Netflix: December 5, 2023

Some of the best k-dramas on Netflix have been period dramas. With such a rich history, there is no shortage of historical events to choose from to create great new shows.

During the Japanese colonial period, married playwright Kim U-jin falls in love with soprano Yun Sim-deok, one of Korea’s Notable New Women.

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Full List Of Netflix Original K-Dramas Coming In 2023
Qualification Departure
Bad Boys: Vile City 08/03/2023
Live 03/16/2023
the hymn of death 05/12/2023

Life was previously on the list of leaving K-dramas, but has since been renewed and will remain on Netflix for another three years until 2026.

Will any of the K-dramas return to Netflix?

Life was previously on the list of leaving K-dramas, but has since been renewed and will remain on Netflix for another three years until 2026.

Prison Playbook and A Korean Odyssey have been renewed and will remain on Netflix until 2025.


Which Netflix Original K-drama would you be sad to see leave Netflix in 2023? Let us know in the comments below!