In 2024, although the year is not even halfway over, K-dramas have already delivered some outstanding works. We’ve gone through this frenzy to bring you a list of the most popular K-dramas that are setting hearts racing and blowing up on the internet. Whether you’ve already found your favorites or are curious to discover what you may have missed, now is the time to check out our list. See if your favorite picks are there and discover new must-see K-dramas that deserve a spot on your viewing list.
1- Queen of Tears
At the heart of Yongduri Village stands Baek Hyun Woo (Kim Soo Hyun), considered the pride of the village and serving as the legal director of Queens Group. Opposite him is Hong Hae In (Kim Ji Won), the heiress nicknamed the “queen” of the company’s department stores. Their story unfolds in “Queen of Tears,” a creation by acclaimed screenwriter Park Ji Eun, known for “Crash Landing on You,” “My Love From the Star,” and “Producer.” This K-drama weaves a captivating narrative of love, resilience and humor, chronicling the extraordinary journey of a married couple who overcome a crisis together. This hilarious K-drama doesn’t just eliminate its competition; he comes in strong, seizes the crown and leaves the audience asking for more.
2- Lovely Runner
Adapted from a beloved web novel and scripted by Lee Si Eun, known for his work on “True Beauty,” “Lovely Runner” unfolds as a unique romance with time travel. The K-drama poses a fascinating question: “How far would you go to save your ultimate idol? » The story focuses on Kim Hye Yoon’s character, Im Sol, a devoted fan distraught over the loss of her idol, Ryu Sun Jae, played by Byeon Woo Seok. Im Sol finds herself transported to the past with the chance to change fate and save him. This K-drama not only propelled its lead actor to superstardom, but also invaded social media, turning viewers into fanatics obsessed with memes and fictional couples.
3- Marry My Husband
Adapted from the web novel of the same name, “Marry My Husband” tells a story of revenge through the eyes of Kang Ji Won, played by Park Min Young. Kang Ji Won, a terminally ill woman, discovers that her best friend Jung Soo Min (played by Song Ha Yoon) and her husband Park Min Hwan (played by Lee Yi Kyung) are involved in an affair. She meets a tragic end at the hands of her husband. By a miracle, she is transported ten years into the past. Kang Ji Won then seizes this second chance at life and joins forces with his boss Yoo Ji Hyuk (Na In Woo) to take revenge. Park Min Young’s stunning transformation for this role has fans on social media going crazy.
4- Parasyte: The Gray
Based on Hitoshi Iwaaki’s iconic manga series “Parasyte,” the K-drama “Parasyte: The Grey” explores the chaos that ensues when alien parasitic life forms descend on Earth, seeking domination by taking over human hosts. Jeon So Nee plays Jeong Su In, a woman infected by one of these mysterious parasites. Instead of taking control of his brain, the parasite and Su In begin an unusual coexistence. Goo Kyo Hwan plays Seol Kang Woo, a tireless parasite researcher driven by the quest to find his missing sister. As the story progresses, the two characters face a world increasingly invaded by these intrusive creatures.
5- Sweet Home 3
In Season 3, the story picks up right where Season 2 left off, with the relentless monstrosity crisis escalating. Hyun Su (Song Kang), now profoundly transformed into a monster, struggles to regain his humanity amidst the chaos. Meanwhile, Nam Sang Won (Lee Shin Sung), who has taken possession of Pyeon Sang Uk’s (Lee Jin Wook) body, leads a group to the survivors’ stage with an unusual new condition aimed at helping those who show symptoms . The stadium, once a refuge, has become a battleground of confusion and fear. To add to the uproar, Eun Hyeok (Lee Do Hyun) emerges reborn from a cocoon as a neohuman. This season concludes the intense struggle of the characters torn between their monstrous side and their human side, bringing their desperate fight to a dramatic finale.
6- A Killer Paradox
This series tells the story of Lee Tang, played by Choi Woo Shik, a student whose life changes dramatically one fateful night. A simple argument at his part-time job takes a tragic turn when Lee Tang accidentally kills a customer. Consumed by guilt and fear of being a murderer, Lee Tang discovers a strange ability: he can identify those with dark pasts. Unwittingly, he becomes a vigilante, targeting those who have committed heinous acts. Lee Tang then transforms into a complex figure, both vengeful and antihero. However, his new mission does not go unnoticed. A detective, characterized by a chilling personality and great persistence, begins to track him down, opening the way to a game of cat and mouse.
7- The 8 Show
Adapted from Bae Jin Soo’s popular webtoons, ‘Money Game’ and its sequel ‘Pie Game’, ‘The 8 Show’ immerses viewers in a captivating story set around a high-stakes survival game. Taking place in an isolated environment, eight competitors compete in extreme conditions, driven by the singular goal of accumulating wealth before the game’s fatal conclusion. Fans initially thought that the intelligent and logical character from “Floor 7” would steal the show, but it was “Floor 8”, played by the unpredictable Chun Woo Hee, who really shook things up. With her unpredictable antics, she turns the tables, making “The 8 Show” a whirlwind of suspense, surprises and unexpected hilarity.