Every year turns out to be a wild ride in K-dramaland and 2024 is no different from thrilling time-traveling rom-coms to Ji Chang-wook putting out some of his best works in the same year. And with our global editorial team recapping and reviewing hyped as well as underrated K-dramas of this year, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to curate a list of the best and the worst.
As usual, it is a tough job trying to narrow down to only the 10 best shows when there are so many gems this year. So, if we miss some, do let us know in the comments below!
So, without further adieu, here are the 10 best K-dramas of 2024:
#10 Queen of Tears
Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you, this one is in our worst K-dramas of 2024 list as well. But it’s also pretty good if we ignore the bad with the talented cast and the chemistry between Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun that carry the show.
And while the absurdity makes it bad, it also makes it endearing and entertaining. So what if memory loss and faking identities and pretending to die tropes are overdone? If layered well with comedy and sincerity, it makes for a fun watch as seen with Queen of Tears.
#9 Hide
Involving a righteous female lawyer whose world is turned upside down, a femme fatale who is the true mastermind and a missing husband, Hide is a show with a mature, experienced cast and mature themes that you must watch if you love murder mysteries and thrillers.
This one is an underrated gem which deserves more recognition for its plot twist after plot twists that keep viewers on their toes. Sure, it gets a little predictable by the end, but the show doesn’t want to shock viewers by then. It has us invested in the characters’ actions and makes us root for the good guys to take down the deliciously bad guys.
#8 Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale
Tired of overused cliches and tropes, frustrating misunderstandings and melodramatic conflicts that drag the plot? Then this bite-sized satire is for you. Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale is a bubbly, goofy, silly rendition of Cinderella that’s not meant to be taken seriously.
Yet it manages to convey some food for thought discourse while delighting us at every turn courtesy of the hilarious dynamic of our lead couple. And it has Lee Jun-young finally getting his time to shine in a rom-com that is worthy of his stature!
#7 Pyramid Game
While Pyramid Game‘s premise may seem dystopian in the way societies have degraded, this is still very much a reality in pockets of the world that makes it that much more terrifying that there are people out there who are deliberately targeted and bullied via social ranks.
But what makes this K-drama worthwhile is the ensemble cast, as viewers get easily emotionally invested, praying that their favourite makes out unscathed. And the bad guys getting what’s coming to them after a harrowing 10-episode run is just the cherry on top.
#6 My Sweet Mobster
A silly and over-the-top comedy involving a reformed mob boss, an endearing female lead and a hilarious bad guy, this adorable love story has everything from misunderstandings and chaotic investigations to a sunshine-sunshine protector trope.
With just the right balance of mystery and romance, My Sweet Mobster is entertaining yet intriguing, dramatic but goofy which means there is a little something for everyone. Oh, and you’re bound to swoon every time you hear Uhm Tae-goo’s deep and husky voice!
#5 Queen Woo
This South Korean House of The Dragon may not have dragons but it does have Ji Chang-wook, Jeon Jong-seo and Lee Soo-hyuk in frustratingly grey roles. Add a splash of bloodshed, steamy affairs, gory action and scheming, Queen Woo makes for the perfect historical drama.
It also has that quintessential sageuk somberness that makes it an epic tale despite being quite bite-sized in reality. And while you are rooting and hating these complex characters, you will be watching with bated breath as to who will finally sit on the throne and through what means.
#4 The Fiery Priest Season 2
Very few sequels are better than their originals such as Shrek and Kill Bill. But in K-dramaland, it happens to be in the form of The Fiery Priest which is already a masterclass in comedy with its season 1 following a hot-headed priest and his found family as they take down corrupt officials.
But somehow, The Fiery Priest Season 2 turns out to be even better, broadening its horizons. All our favourite characters are back and they seem to be even more unhinged than before. But it’s a style-and-substance project as along with the comedy, we also get an intriguing mystery that is cleverly interwoven with all the antics, keeping viewers laughing and speculating as to what happens next.
#3 Love In The Big City
More than just a BL, this K-drama includes themes of loneliness, friendship and self-acceptance. A beautifully executed show, the big city nightlife contrasts Young’s loneliness and quest for love quite well, symbolising and highlighting his thoughts and his relationships.
Love In The Big City is bittersweet, yes, but that is what makes it so relatable as every one of us has experienced some form of heartbreak. But it never vilifies anyone, objectively portraying flawed but likeable humans in their element.
#2 The Judge from Hell
This one could have easily been the best K-drama of the year if not for a certain time-travelling comedy winning hearts. And despite its pacing quirks, The Judge from Hell still charms viewers with its unique premise. Sure we have the likes of Death’s Game and The Devil Judge meshing justice and stubborn individuals meting out justice. But here we have Park Shin-hye giving her best performance as literally a demonic judge.
But it is more than law and order as she changes along the way and grows more human as she meets people who instigate hope in humanity. And well with Kim Jae-young finally getting his breakthrough role in an enemies-to-lovers trope, this one is as satisfying in the romance department as it is with the investigative subplots, making sinners suffer in just the right way.
#1 Lovely Runner
If last year had Twinkling Watermelon, this year has Lovely Runner, a time-travelling rom-com with a murder mystery to boot. But it’s the shocking plot twist right at the start of the show that completely throws us off balance and keeps us off-kilter throughout. Every time we try to figure out the plot, another wrench is thrown into poor Sol’s plan to save her idol.
But along with the intricate mystery, the characters feel so real, likeable and sweet that we can’t help but feel for them. We get some laughter and tears along the way, budding relationships and friendships that are so endearing and sincere that viewers won’t forget these characters even after the credits roll.
Of course, here are some honorary mentions in the form of A Virtuous Business and Welcome to Samdal-ri with their risky premise and wholesome ending! So, there we have it, the 10 best K-dramas of 2024. We, of course, have our eye on Squid Game 2 and a couple of other December releases in case they leave a mark, good or bad on the K-drama industry.
Read More: Worst K-dramas of 2024
Do you agree with our list? What is the best K-drama of 2024 according to you? Let us know in the comments below!