n 2024, the Korean drama industry has captivated global audiences with new and exciting productions. From intricate and thrilling stories to romantic and comedic narratives, Korean dramas this year have showcased remarkable diversity and quality. In this article, we aim to introduce the top 15 Korean dramas of 2024, examining key highlights and notable features of each to help you make the best viewing choices.
This year has been marked as a period of creativity and activity in Korean drama production, earning numerous awards and accolades while also increasing the global popularity of Korean dramas. The variety in themes and styles, including contemporary dramas, historical, and sci-fi genres, has allowed audiences to immerse themselves in the broad and multi-layered world of Korean television and enjoy every moment of their viewing experience.
1. Queen of Tears
- Genre: Romantic, Comedy
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 9.2
- Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won
Synopsis: This drama portrays the crisis and revival of love between Hong Hee-in, the third-generation heir of the Queens group, and Baek Hyun-woo, a farmer’s son from Yangdo-ri, and their three years of married life. “Queen of Tears” tops Korean drama lists with its famous cast Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, offering a blend of romance and comedy that quickly became one of the most popular dramas.
2. The Atypical Family
- Genre: Drama, Fantasy
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 8.7
- Cast: Jang Ki-young, Jeon Woo-hee, Go Doo-shim, Claudia Kim
Synopsis: The story revolves around a family with extraordinary powers whose abilities resurface with the arrival of a new character, revealing secrets from their past.
3. The 8 Show
- Genre: Drama, Mystery
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 8.5
- Cast: Ryu Jun-yeol, Jeon Woo-hee, Park Jung-min, Lee Yool-um
Synopsis: Eight strangers are invited to participate in a game where they are confined in a building and earn a significant amount of money for every minute the game continues. They are trapped in separate rooms on eight different floors and must purchase essentials at a hundred times the normal price, while they can use some of their time to buy group essentials. This black comedy thriller, based on the webtoons “Money Game” and “Foot Game” by Bae Jin-soo, is directed by Han Jae-rim.
4. Death’s Game
- Genre: Drama, Thriller
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 8.3
- Cast: Seo In-guk, Park Soo-dam
Synopsis: “Death’s Game” focuses on Choi Yi-jae, a young man who attempts suicide after seven years of job hunting. However, Death, displeased with Yi-jae’s disregard for it, forces him into a game where he must be reborn 12 times and die to be sent to hell. Yi-jae realizes that if he survives each of the 12 lives, he can continue living. After his death, he starts questioning if things might have been different had he lived other people’s lives. Adapted from the webtoon of the same name, this drama is directed by Ha Byung-hoon.
5. Pyramid Game
- Genre: Drama, Mystery
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 8.2
- Cast: Kim Ji-yoon, Jang Da-ah, Ryu Da-in
Synopsis: This drama follows transfer student Song Su-ji, who falls to the lowest rank in class and becomes the target of bullying and violence. Desperate to end the pyramid game, Su-ji tries to climb up the social ladder to save herself.
6. Gyeongseong Creature
- Genre: Horror, Historical
- Release Year: 2023-2024
- IMDB Rating: 8.0
- Cast: Park Seo-jun, Han So-hee
Synopsis: Set in spring 1945 during Japan’s occupation of Korea, the drama follows Jang Tae-sang, the owner of the city’s most prestigious pawnshop, and Yun Chae-ok, a seeker looking for her missing mother, as they encounter a mysterious creature resulting from secret biological experiments at the Ongseong Hospital.
7. Marry My Husband
- Genre: Drama, Revenge
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 7.9
- Cast: Park Min-young, Na In-woo, Lee Yi-kyung
Synopsis: The drama centers on a woman who returns to the past after her death to seek revenge.
8. Hierarchy
- Genre: Drama, School
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 7.8
- Cast: No Jung-ui, Lee Chae-min, Kim Jae-won, Ji Hee-won
Synopsis: At the prestigious Jooshin High School, established by Korea’s largest business group, students are selected from birth. The drama depicts an exciting story of love, friendship, revenge, and compassion among eighteen young individuals.
9. Doctor Slump
- Genre: Romantic, Comedy
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
- Cast: Park Hyung-sik, Park Shin-hye, Yeo In-soo, Gong Sung-ha
Synopsis: This romantic comedy portrays a relationship that transforms from hatred to love. Han Na-rol and Yeo Jung-woo, who had potential in their careers but fell from grace, were rivals in high school. When they are forced to leave their medical jobs, they end up living together.
10. Wonderful World
- Genre: Drama, Mystery
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 7.5
- Cast: Kim Nam-ju, Cha Eun-woo, Kim Kang-woo, Im Seo-mi
Synopsis: The drama follows a university professor and writer whose life shatters after his son is killed in an accident. Seeking justice, he ends up committing a crime and being sentenced to prison, exploring themes of grief, guilt, and redemption.
11. Parasyte: The Grey
- Genre: Horror, Sci-Fi
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 7.4
- Cast: Jun Sun-nee, Koo Kyu-hwan, Lee Jung-hyun
Synopsis: This sci-fi horror series features alien parasites that fall to Earth, using humans as hosts, killing them, and transforming into unique beings with shapeshifting abilities. Based on the manga “Parasyte” by Hitoshi Iwaaki, the series has received positive reviews.
12. A Killer Paradox
- Genre: Drama, Mystery
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 7.2
- Cast: Choi Woo-shik, Son Suk-ku, Lee Hee-jun
Synopsis: Li Tang, recently discharged from the military, struggles with life and dreams of traveling to Canada. Working in a chain store and heavily reliant on his parents, he becomes involved in a violent altercation with a customer, who turns out to be a serial killer.
13. Flex X Cop
- Genre: Drama, Crime
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 7.1
- Cast: Ahn Bo-hyun, Park Ji-hoon, Jang Kyu-ri
Synopsis: The drama tells the story of Jin Ai-soo, a third-generation chaebol turned detective, and Lee Kang-hyun, an experienced detective in the violent crimes unit. Initially skeptical of Ai-soo, Kang-hyun comes to see him as a partner.
14. Captivating the King
- Genre: Historical, Romantic
- Release Year: 2024
- IMDB Rating: 7.0
- Cast: Jo Jung-suk, Shin Se-kyung, Lee Shin-young
Synopsis: This historical romantic drama depicts the harsh love story between Yi In (Jo Jung-suk), a king trapped in a crisis of royal and political power who trusts no one around him, and Kang Hee-soo (Shin Se-kyung), who seeks to deceive him and reshape the kingdom.
In conclusion, the top Korean dramas of 2024 have offered a wide range of genres and themes, reflecting the creativity and talent of the Korean entertainment industry. Whether you’re interested in romance, mystery, fantasy, or historical dramas, this year’s selections promise engaging and captivating stories.
surce: hexdl.com/mag