With a wave of K-dramas of all genres, it can be said that 2024 has been a real boon for millions of fans and viewers around the world. From romantic comedies mixed with tragedies to fantasy romances teleporting us back fifteen years, to psychological thrillers reminiscent of “Squid Game”, K-drama directors have not disappointed our high expectations when it comes to series to watch after a long day.
As Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Ji-Won dethrone ‘Crash Landing on You’ to become the highest-rated romantic K-drama, Byeon Woo-Seok and Kim Hye-Yoon have become the most popular K-drama actors in 2024. If you are looking to discover the best K-dramas of the year, this article is for you.
1- Queen of Tears
It’s impossible to talk about K-dramas of 2024 without mentioning “Queen of Tears,” starring Kim Soo-Hyun, Korea’s highest-paid actor, and Kim Ji-Won, known for her role in the international success “Descendants of the Sun”. Surpassing the audience records set by “Crash Landing Onto You”, “Queen of Tears” undoubtedly stands out as one of the best K-dramas of the year.
Going through a difficult period in their marriage, Hong Hae-In (played by Kim Ji-Won), heiress to a conglomerate, and Baek Hyun-Woo (played by Kim Soo-Hyun), see their love reborn in a miraculous way. With a perfect combination of comedy, romance, family drama and jealousy, “Queen of Tears” will captivate you from the first episode and take you on an emotional whirlwind filled with romantic scenes, memory loss and power struggles.
2- Lovely Runner
“Lovely Runner” closely followed “Queen of Tears” and became TVN’s most popular K-drama in April and May. Thanks to the electrifying chemistry between Byeon Woo-Seok and Kim Hye-Yoon, viewers loved all sixteen episodes, being captivated by every line.
The story transports us with Im Sol, who travels back in time to save his idol, Ryu Sun-Jae, from certain death. As they travel back and forth through time, they fall madly in love, and the different timelines intertwine to form a magnificent story. Between traumatic pasts, comedic subplots and light romantic scenes, “Lovely Runner” offers everything you need to take a break and escape into a world of fantasy and romance.
3- The 8 Show
Strongly reminiscent of “Squid Game,” “The 8 Show” stars Chun Woo-Hee, also famous for his other 2024 K-drama, “The Atypical Family,” as well as Ryu Jun-Yeol.
When eight strangers are offered the chance to win money by staying in a building, the amount increases with each minute spent in the game, and they accept the offer. However, as the game progresses, it turns into a power struggle, with each character fighting to stay in the running. This psychological thriller, where the game ends immediately if someone dies, will keep you in suspense from start to finish.
4- The A Family
The K-drama “The Atypical Family” stars Do Da-Hee, played by Chun Woo-Hee, who enters alongside the Bok family. This family is unusual and atypical because of their superpowers. However, upon entering the modern era, the Bok family faces various problems in the form of unrest that limits their powers. As Da-Hee revives their abilities, secrets and personal stories come to light, making the plot even more gripping. “The Atypical Family,” with its original concept and unique characters, is truly spectacular.
5- Doctor Slump
“Doctor Slump” was released on January 27 and quickly climbed into the top 10 K-dramas on Netflix. Starring Park Hyung-Sik and Park Shin-Hye, known for their performance in the 2013 hit “The Heirs,” this K-drama skillfully combines comedy and romance.
When two former high school rivals find themselves at a low point in their careers, a love story blossoms between them. With multiple subplots, numerous twists and turns and brilliant chemistry between the two leads, you won’t get bored watching all 16 episodes of “Doctor Slump” in one go.
6- A Killer Paradox
When a student accidentally kills two people, he finds himself chased by a police officer who will do anything to catch him. This thrilling thriller, “A Killer Paradox,” will captivate you with its intricate plot and fascinating stories.
Starring Choi Woo-Shik, known for his lead role in the hit romance “Our Beloved Summer” as well as the 2019 thriller “Parasite,” alongside Son Suk-Ku and Lee Hee-Joon, the cast of “A Killer Paradox” is bloody and violent, but offers a promising escape from the usual romantic scenes that often dominate K-dramas.
7- Wonderful World
Cha Eun-Woo, the handsome protagonist of “True Beauty” and member of the boy group “ASTRO”, returns in one of this year’s most popular K-dramas, “Wonderful World”.
Starring Kim Nam-Joo as the lead, “Wonderful World” tells the story of a mother who seeks revenge after the unjust death of her son. However, she unexpectedly finds comfort in others who share the same pain as her, and together they heal each other and solve each other’s mysterious affairs. With plenty of twists and turns and heartbreaking moments, “Wonderful World” is the perfect K-drama to watch on a rainy day with a blanket and popcorn.
As we approach the halfway mark of the year, there’s no denying that we haven’t yet seen the last of the binge-watchable K-dramas. With season 2 of “Squid Game” expected soon, “Hierarchy” starring Roh Jeong-Eui, and season 2 of “Gyeongseong Creature”, starring Han So-Hee and Park Seo-Joon, released in late 2024, Countless fans around the world are eagerly awaiting what the world of K-dramas has in store for us next.