The 10 Best K-Dramas of 2024

As a devoted K-drama enthusiast with over a decade of binge-watching under my belt, I’ve seen the rise and fall of countless series that have left me emotionally drained yet eager for more. This year, I found myself captivated by an extraordinary selection of dramas that tugged at my heartstrings, made me laugh out loud, and even brought a tear to my eye. Among these outstanding productions, one drama stood out as the epitome of Korean storytelling excellence – “Lovely Runner”.

The power of Korean storytelling on television is now out in the open. With 80% of Netflix users watching Korean-language content, it’s clear that K-dramas have entered the American mainstream. This expansion has been facilitated by significant investments made by Netflix and other major U.S. media companies like Disney, Paramount, and Amazon into the Korean entertainment industry as part of their strategic goals to boost profits and subscriber bases.

The surge of American streaming platforms delving into the world of K-drama has sparked debate among its passionate, predominantly female global fanbase. Critics argue that these platforms’ influence on the industry is evident in changes they see, such as moving away from the traditional single-season format and an uptick in graphic content like violence, sex, and nudity within K-dramas. On a larger scale, this increased interest from international streaming services has broadened the global audience for K-drama, making room for a wider variety of shows to be produced. Although romantic melodramas continue to form the foundation of Korean TV, the success of shows like “Squid Game” has fueled the demand for K-dramas that also attract male viewers.

1) The emergence of homegrown Korean streaming services like Waave, Tving, and Watcha has contributed significantly to the variety in K-drama productions, as they invest in unique series and topics that may not appeal to traditional broadcasters such as KBS, MBC, SBS, tvN, and JTBC. Meanwhile, iQiyi, a Chinese streaming platform, is expanding its reach globally, similar to Viki, aiming to capture the increasing audience of viewers who are dedicated to watching Asian dramas only. Thus, it’s never been more convenient for fans worldwide to enjoy K-dramas.

2024 could have been a breakout year for Korean TV, brimming with new talents and highly-anticipated productions. However, from a viewer’s perspective, it seems that 2024 has been relatively uneventful. Shows like “Hellbound,” “Sweet Home,” and the returns of “Uncle Samsik” and “Queen of Tears,” as well as projects starring top Hallyu actors, have not lived up to expectations. Despite some K-dramas in 2024 boasting large budgets and big names, it was actually a year where lesser-known series outshone the more extravagant productions.

Series that haven’t concluded their stories were not eligible for this year’s list. For instance, the contract marriage melodrama “When the Phone Rings” and Kang Full’s “Light Shop” have captivated many Korean drama enthusiasts in December, but their 2025 and 2024 end dates respectively, make them ineligible for this year’s selection. On the other hand, the highly anticipated return of “Squid Game“, a K-drama set to premiere on December 26, 2025, was not considered due to its release date being outside the scope of this article.

10. Mr. Plankton (Netflix)

As a film enthusiast, I’ve got to say that the Netflix series “Mr. Plankton” was a unique take on the romantic comedy genre. Unlike many K-dramas where we hope for a happy ending, this show starts with the tragic reality of its male lead’s impending demise. The masterful use of dramatic irony adds depth to the bittersweet tale penned by Jo Yong. The series, which slipped in towards the end of last year, explores the messy adventure of Hae Jo (Woo Do-hwan from “Bloodhounds”) and Jo Jae-mi (Lee You-mi from “Strong Girl Namsoon”), who find themselves on a journey together after Hae Jo learns he has a terminal illness and kidnaps his ex-girlfriend on her wedding day. Their story is not one where love miraculously overcomes even death, but it’s more powerful for embracing the harsh truth of life.

9. Death’s Game (Amazon Prime)

As a movie critic, I’ve found that some of the most captivating K-dramas originated from webtoons. The recently released series, “Death’s Game,” is a prime example of a manhwa adaptation that not only mirrors the essence of its original webtoon but potentially surpasses it. This reincarnation action thriller revolves around a protagonist, Choi Yee-jae, played by Seo In-guk from “Cafe Minamdang,” who is attempting to escape a fate he thought he desired. After seven grueling years of job hunting in cutthroat Korea, Yee-jae contemplates suicide, an act that infuriates Death, portrayed by Lee So-dam from “Cinderella and the Four Knights.” Instead of claiming his soul, she sentences him to live 12 lives, each one doomed. If he manages to survive in these increasingly perilous, action-packed existences, he can continue living; failure results in a trip to hell. The first half of “Death’s Game” premiered in December 2023, with the conclusion airing in January 2024. Writer-director Ha Byung-hoon masterfully transforms this tale about the value of life into an action drama that eclipses the greatness of its source material, as demonstrated by Go Youn-jung’s expanded role as Yee-jae’s ex-girlfriend in the K-drama.

8. Marry My Husband (Amazon Prime)

Occasionally, shows like “Marry My Husband” underscore the idea that vengeance can be most satisfying when it’s delayed and made possible through time travel. The story unfolds in 2023 where Park Min-young’s character, Kang Ji-won (from “What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim”), is battling cancer, only to learn that her husband and closest friend have been unfaithful. In a tragic turn of events, they end up killing her. However, she miraculously wakes up in 2013 with the power to transfer her misfortunes onto others.

7. Pyramid Game (Paramount+)

As a film enthusiast, I’d like to highlight that “Pyramid Game” isn’t to be mixed up with other well-known K-dramas centered around games. Unlike my previous school experiences, joining Baekyeon Girls’ High School is a whole new ball game for me, especially as an army brat accustomed to shifting environments. However, this school presents an entirely different challenge – the Pyramid Game, a mobile application that dictates the social pecking order of Class 2-5. The more votes one receives each month, the more “popular” one becomes, wielding power over others. Conversely, receiving no votes puts you at risk of being bullied and humiliated without mercy. I’m currently grappling with whether to play along or rise up against this system and bring it down entirely.

6. The Judge From Hell (Hulu)

This year on Korean television, numerous male anti-heroes emerged, but none could match the entertainment value provided by Park Shin-hye’s captivating performance as Justita. As a demon judge banished from the underworld due to an error in judgement, she must now assume the form of mortal judge Kang Bit-na and kill ten remorseless human murderers within a year to return to her supernatural duties. The plot is further complicated by Han Da-on (played by Kim Jae-young), a detective who firmly believes in the justice system, and who harbors a significant secret of his own.

5. The Atypical Family (Netflix)

In contrast to the lingering era of superhero stories in Hollywood, the Korean TV industry has been subtly and consistently delivering exceptional superpowered narratives over recent years. Last year, it was Disney+’s generational drama “Moving”. This current year, it’s Netflix’s more low-key family drama titled “The Atypical Family”. Unlike “Moving” where characters were entangled in global government schemes, “The Atypical Family” is a drama that primarily unfolds within the confines of a home, focusing on the Bok family. The members of this family possess superhuman abilities, but their powers have been compromised by chronic conditions like depression, insomnia, and obesity. Unfortunately, in one significant error, Netflix cast Claudia Kim in a fat suit instead of hiring an actress who naturally embodies the role of Bok Dong-hee.

In the series “My Roommate is a Gumiho,” actor Jang Ki-young portrays Bok Gwi-ju, a man who’s been unable to travel through time since his spouse passed away. When Chun Woo-hee, a cunning con artist disguised as Do Da-hae from “The 8 Show,” flirts with him and targets his wealth, the downcast Gwi-ju shows no interest. However, when Gwi-ju’s powers mysteriously reactivate, both characters find themselves grappling with unexpected feelings for each other, leading to a captivating romance that stands out in K-drama this year. This romance is just one piece of a broader narrative focusing on themes such as trauma, healing, and family.

4. A Shop For Killers (Hulu)

Some K-dramas—like a good assassin—get in, get the job done, and get out. A Shop For Killers, a quick, eight-episode action drama released in the first few months of 2024, is one such story. Co-created, co-written, and co-directed by Lee Kwon, this Kill Bill-like drama begins in the middle of its story, as we are introduced to protagonist Jeong Ji-an (Inspector Koo’s Kim Hye-jun) in the middle of an attempted assassination on her. Why Ji-an is in this position is answered in the series through a non-linear fashion, flashing back to Ji-an’s life to explore how her relationship with the mysterious uncle who raised her, Jeong Jin-man (Goblin’s Lee Dong-wook), and his untimely death, have made her a target. Expertly acted, stylishly shot, and perfectly paced, A Shop For Killers is a—forgive me—killer example of the diversity of K-drama genre offerings.

3. Love in the Big City (Viki)

In many stories featuring underrepresented communities or characters, such as “Love in the Big City” (based on a bestselling novel of the same name), criticism has been excessive and varied. Upon the release of the trailer for this slice-of-life drama focusing on the life of queer character Go Young (as seen in “The King’s Affection” and portrayed by Nam Yoon-su), there were homophobic protests from certain Korean groups opposed to LGBTQ issues, who accused the drama of promoting homosexuality. After its airing, some viewers in the international English-speaking community criticized the TV version unfavorably compared to a future film adaptation that emphasized the friendship between Go Young and Jae-hee (named Mi-ae in the drama), or traditional BL dramas that prioritize queer romance over other aspects of the queer experience.

Instead of being defined by what it isn’t, this series is more accurately described by its unique aspects. For instance, it deviates from traditional BL dramas, K-dramas, and the source material, as well as the feature film adaptation, and does not represent every queer Korean person’s experience. Written by renowned author Park Sang-young and directed by a quartet of directors (Hur Jin-ho, Hong Ji-young, Son Tae-gyum, and Kim Se-in), Love in the Big City—the TV drama—offers a profoundly emotional story about one gay man navigating life and love in a society that often feels unwelcoming.

The structure of this drama anthology style, where each director handles a duo of episodes, gives each segment of Go Young’s twenties a unique mood. This diverse approach allows for extensive world-building, which remains one of the TV drama’s key advantages over other narrative styles. In this K-drama portrayal of Go Young by Nam, we see a character who is both imperfectly beautiful and intricately complex as he transitions from a chaotic college student to a courageous writer. While these two aspects are significant parts of Go Young’s identity during different periods in the series, they are far from his only traits, and the drama avoids limiting him to a single definition. Love in the Big City, with its ambitious narrative, could have been a triumph even if it was mediocre, but instead, it stands out as one of the top K-dramas of 2024.

2. Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born (Disney+)

Each episode of “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born” initiates on a stage, coinciding with the beginning of its intro in the Disney+ series. As the curtains rise, sepia-tinted images appear, and the voice of veteran first-generation Korean drama actor Cho Yeongsuk narrates: “We find ourselves in the 1950s, following the devastating Korean War. Traditional theater known as female gukgeuk is captivating the public, and many young girls aspire to be princes.” The story introduces our fictional characters, including Yoon Jeongnyeon, a talented pansori prodigy from the provinces who yearns for life on stage. Kim Tae-ri portrays Jeongnyeon, an outstanding actress of her generation, recognized for blockbusters like “The Handmaiden,” “Space Sweepers,” and “Twenty-Five Twenty-One.” To play Jeongnyeon, Kim devoted three years to mastering the art of pansori, a traditional Korean genre that combines singing and drumming. This 12-episode drama chronicles Kim’s character’s journey from an unrefined teenage fishmonger to a stage star.

In the skillful guidance of director Jung Ji-in in “The Red Sleeve”, the series presents a subtle yet profound exploration of themes. It follows the rise to fame of an underdog performer, but delves deeper into the preservation of Korean cultural heritage amidst the encroaching pressures of modernity from the West. The narrative encompasses the influence of fandom and storytelling, the battle to maintain artistic integrity against commercial forces, and the portrayal of trauma in both personal relationships and collective artistic experiences. It also tackles the dramatic arts and the depiction of gender roles. Despite some justified criticism for omitting explicit queer narratives from its source material, “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born” established a distinctively queer, female-centric universe that was uniquely captivating on television in 2024.

1. Lovely Runner (Viki)

After spending three years in development before airing, Lovely Runner was initially not expected to be 2021’s favorite Korean drama. Yet, once it aired on tvN domestically and Viki internationally in April, its weekly audience steadily grew. By the time the series finale aired in late May, millions of K-drama enthusiasts worldwide were deeply engrossed in the tale of Sol and Sun-jae, eager to discover if their love could conquer destiny’s harsh twists.

In a similar vein to the captivating time-travel romance Your Name, Lovely Runner starts with its protagonist, portrayed by Kim Hye-yoon from Extraordinary You, who is largely unaware of the backstory of her own love tale. Characterized as Sol, she isn’t privy to the fact that Ryu Sun-jae, the K-pop idol whom she adores, resided in the same high school neighborhood. She remains ignorant about Sun-jae’s old watch, an expensive trinket acquired by superfan Sol at a fan auction, possessing the ability to transport her back in time. Furthermore, she is unaware that she might be the only individual capable of preventing Sun-jae’s premature death. The exceptional performances of Kim Hye-yoon and Byeon Woo-seok as Sol and Sun-jae respectively, across different stages of their lives, convincingly portray them as teenagers, college students, and adults aged 30-something—all the while maintaining a consistent love connection.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the artistry that goes into crafting a melodrama masterpiece. The term “melodrama” derives from the Greek word “melos,” which means music, and this musical element is indeed a powerful tool in the hands of skilled directors like Yoon Jong-ho (of “Flower of Evil”) and Kim Tae-yeop. They recognize the potential of a compelling soundtrack to amplify our emotional responses, helping us connect with and understand the characters’ journeys. The OST for “Lovely Runner” was no exception; it grasped the essence of its story perfectly.

In my humble opinion, “Charming Strider” wasn’t initially expected to steal the spotlight as the top K-drama of 2024. It didn’t boast the largest production budgets or the most renowned celebrities gracing its screens. Instead, it offered a compelling narrative—the very essence that makes a drama truly stand out.

Notable mentions include “Like Flowers in the Sand”, available on Netflix, as well as “Doubt” and “Doctor Slump”, both streaming on Netflix. Additionally, “No Gain No Love” can be found on Amazon Prime, along with “The Trunk”. “Love For Love’s Sake” is offered by iQiyi, while “Wonderful World” is available on Disney+. You can find “Good Partner” on Viki, and “Flex Cop X” and “Family By Choice” are available on Hulu. Lastly, “Death’s Game” and “Queen of Tears” can be streamed on Amazon Prime and Netflix respectively.

2024-12-18 22:07