From dark social satires to quirky comedies, complex superhero tales, uplifting sci-fi, and more, this year’s small-screen treasures were daring and surprising, so we have a list of the best TV shows of 2022, especially focusing on drama shows. 2022 seemed like the year the industry began treating its streaming platforms as the alpha and omega, with conventional broadcast and cable networks considered as, at most, content providers for series’ ultimate streaming homes.
The trouble with streamers is that there are so many of them, and they produce such a wide range of content, so we couldn’t really decide which ones to include in this list of best TV shows of 2022. We’ve got tragedies with unexpected moments of comedy, as well as comedies that unexpectantly demand to be taken seriously, but this post is solely focusing on drama shows.
Drama shows produced in various countries couldn’t be more dissimilar from each other and this year has seen a lot of fantastic work on the tiny screen. These were the best TV shows of 2022 produced in the drama genre.
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1. Alchemy of Souls
The drama unveils the present life of the soul shifter Naksu in the body of another human being, Mu Deok, and makes him the central protagonist, that serves as the learning Master of Jang Uk. He is one of the mage’s sons who has a wonderful story from birth that grew up almost forced to abandon by his physical father, but explanations are kept within him not to be unraveled for his protection.
Apparently, when these two were born, Jang UK and Mudeok, there was the existence of the Star that signified the power, and maybe they were meant to preserve the kingdom of Dae Ho, from the evil encircling the sorceries and soul shifters that grows more visible and uncontrollable. In addition to these two, there were other close Mages’ friends, even with the crown prince there, who appeared to act appropriately.
You will find yourself crying sincere tears throughout some of the drama’s moments and laughing nonstop at others, so Alchemy of Souls is definitely one of the best TV shows of 2022. You should prepare to sit in suspense as the drama exposes the fate of Naksu and Mudeok herself, with the potential for more intrigue as her friendship with Jang grows and her amazing abilities become known.
2. Pachinko
The breadth and ambition in bringing such a complicated and famous work to life are amazing, so Pachinko is one of the best TV shows of 2022. The cinematography was pouring with truth and beauty, and just the décor alone of the 1980s workplace interiors was enough. The acting was excellent – Kim Minha deserves an Oscar for her close-ups as her ability to show fear and courage in the same expression is a work of art. A significant problem for viewers though was the miscast Lee Minho, he simply appeared too attractive to embody the toughness of Hansu.
The screenplay is also quite tight, as it must be to move the several interconnected storylines ahead, but it does not change the fact that Pachinko belongs to this list of best TV shows of 2022.
3. The Bear
The standard technique for creating slice-of-life dramas feels quite conventional and oversaturated in many streaming series nowadays, where you can easily perceive the lack of emotion, so we’re delighted to announce that The Bear pleasantly surprised viewers in that aspect. People have never been a fan of watching dime a dozen dramas, but this one is so nicely put together that you genuinely feel like you’re in a real bustling kitchen with real flesh and blood people.
Some people almost cried at the Season 1 finale because it is so nasty and honest when discussing genuine concerns like drug addiction or suicide, making The Bear one of the best TV shows of 2022.
4. The Dropout
Amanda Seyfried plays Elizabeth Holmes in The Dropout, a psychopath who is tremendously multidimensional yet also terribly shallow, and she does it with sympathy for the character even as she fully embodies the amoral recklessness. The series is one of the best ones, the script and directing are both award-worthy, and inventive touches elevate it above basic docudrama, so it belongs among the best TV shows of 2022.
5. Extraordinary Attorney Woo
In 2022, Extraordinary Attorney Woo is without a doubt the finest legal drama many have seen: it’s a beautifully made TV drama with an engaging plot, but the acting is remarkably skilled and genuine, portraying the noteworthy experiences of an autistic lawyer working at a prestigious legal company in Korea. This all happens while having to deal with prejudice from society.
In many respects, the drama is amazing, so it had to be on this list of best TV shows of 2022. The fact that it is episodic is one of the main reasons you should watch it, and yes, it is completely addicting and entertaining to watch. The main character Woo Young-Woo has a new legal matter to work on in each episode, which also demonstrates her development.
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