K-dramas are gaining popularity, attracting a large audience despite the language barrier. In 2024, new K-dramas such as “Queen of Tears”, “Pyramid Game”, and “High School Return of a Gangster” have emerged, offering gripping storylines, a star-studded cast, and quality production.
New seasons of popular K-dramas like “Sweet Home” and “Gyeongseong Creature” are also planned for 2024. Some of these K-dramas, as they are commonly called, have received high ratings on MyDramaList (MDL), a site web dedicated to helping K-drama fans discover new series and films.
1- Lovely Runner
This high school K-drama starring Kim Hye-yoon and Byeon Wook-seok tells the story of a director, Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon), who falls in love with an idol, Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Wook-seok). Im Sol travels back in time to high school to save them both from a tragic fate. “Lovely Runner” illustrates the challenges Im Sol and Ryu Sun-jae encounter while looking for love. The series first aired on TVN in April 2024 and received a 9,1/10 rating on MyDramaList.
2- Queen of Tears
“Queen of Tears” tells the story of a married couple, Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun) and Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji-won), who navigate challenges and tensions to save their imperiled marriage . This K-drama, released on March 9, 2024, stars Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun and has a rating of 8,8/10 on MyDramaList.
3- A Shop for Killers
Starring Kim Hye-jin and Lee Dong-wook, this action K-drama follows the life of Jeong Ji-jan (Kim Hye-jun), a woman in danger. Jeong Ji-jan goes out of his way to protect himself from notorious assassins who have a score to settle with his late uncle, Jeong Jin-man (Lee Dong-wook). The series first aired on January 17, 2024 and has a rating of 8,8/10 on MyDramaList.
4- Begins Youth
“Begins Youth” is a coming-of-age story that chronicles the humble beginnings of the famous boy band BTS. This K-drama offers a fictionalized view of the experiences of the seven young boys and how they shaped them to become influential figures in the music industry. This program stars Seo Ji-hoon, Ahn Ji-ho, Noh Jong-hyun, Seo Young-joo, Jeon Jin-seo, Kim Yoon-woo and Jung Woo-jin. “Beginnings Youth” has a rating of 8,7/10 on MyDramaList.
5- Flex X Cop
Inspired by the 2015 hit drama series, “Silver Spoon,” “Flex X Cop” explores the relationship between two detectives: rookie Jin I-soo and veteran Lee Gang-hyun. This K-drama shows how Lee Gang-hyun (Park Ji-hyun), who had reservations about Jin I-soo (Ahn Bo-hyun), comes to like him as they become partners. The TV series, starring Park Ji-hyun and Ahn Bo-hyun, was released on January 26, 2024. It has a rating of 8,7/10 on MyDramaList.
6- Pyramid Game
Based on the 2020 Dalgonyak webtoon, this South Korean thriller tells the story of the violence and harassment experienced by new transfer student Seong Soo-ji (Bona) in her fight to end the pyramid game at Baekyeon Girls’ High School. The cast includes actors such as Kim Ju-yeon, known for his role in “Joeson Attorney,” as well as Shin Seul-ki and Jang Da-ah. This K-drama first aired on February 29, 2024 and received a rating of 8,6/10 on MyDramaList.
7- High School Return of a Gangster
Written by Jeong Da-hee and directed by Lee Seong-taek, “High School Return of a Gangster” tells the story of a gangster, Kim Deuk-pal (Lee Seo-jin), who finds himself in the body of a bullied high school student, Song Yi-heon (Yoon Chan-young), on the verge of suicide. Kim Deuk-pal, now in Song Yi-heon’s body, fights against bullies at school and forms a friendship with Choi Se-kyung (Bong Jae-hyun). The K-drama aired on May 29, 2024 and stars Yoon Chan-young, Lee Seo-jin and Bong Jae-hyun. It got a rating of 8,6/10 on MyDramaList.
8- Marry My Husband
This K-drama written by Shin Yoo-dam, tells the story of a woman, Kang Ji-won (Park Min-young), who is offered the chance to travel back in time ten years to escape the unpleasant fate that awaits him in the future. “Marry My Husband” stars Park Min-young, Lee Yi-kyung, Song Ha-yoon, and more. Airing from January 1, 2024 to February 20, 2024, the K-drama has a rating of 8,5/10 on MyDramaList.
9- The A Family
“The Atypical Family” aired in May 2024 under the direction of Jo Hyun-taek. It tells the story of Bok Gwi-ju (played by Jang Ki-yong), a time traveler, and his family, who try to lead a normal life despite their supernatural abilities. This K-drama stars Jang Ki-yong, Go Doo-shim, Claudia Kim and Chun Woo-hee, among others. It got a rating of 8,5/10 on MyDramaList.
10- Knight Flower
Set in January 2024, this adaptation of the 2023 webtoon “Knight Flower” is set in the era of Joseon. It tells the story of Jo Yeo-hwa (played by Lee Hanee), a widow who leads a double life. During the day, Jo Yeo-hwa is a reclusive widow, but at night, she secretly goes out to help the needy. This K-drama highlights the challenges Yeo-hwa faces in maintaining her masked identity. This series stars Lee Hanee, Kim Sang-joong, Lee Ki-woo, Lee Jong-won, among others, and received a rating of 8,5/10 on MyDramaList.
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