The most exciting K-dramas releasing in 2024 and beyond include webtoon adaptations, prestige web series that are perfect to binge, and weekly releases of all genres. This list of best K-dramas of all time reveals how wide-ranging Korean TV shows can be, ranging from romantic comedies to action-packed thrillers. 2023 was a big year for K-dramas, starting with surprise hits like the honor And ending with the return of sweet home.
2024 has already seen a couple of great Korean shows streaming in the US. US, including the first season of Gyeongseong creature. Netflix’s Korean shows represent a significant portion of the best K-dramas currently available for streaming, but other platforms like Disney+ also have highly anticipated titles. The Best K-dramas premiering in 2024 and 2025 include brand new shows but also second or third seasons of established hits.
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K-Dramas for 2024 and beyond |
Release date |
Streaming platforms |
The judge of hell |
September 21, 2024 |
Disney+ in Select Regions |
Gyeongseong creature (Season 2) |
September 27, 2024 |
Netflix |
Squid game (Season 2) |
December 26, 2024 |
Netflix |
All of us are dead (Season 2) |
tba |
Netflix |
Aema |
tba |
Netflix |
Smart resident life |
tba |
tba |
The clan (Season 2) |
tba |
Netflix |
Ask the stars |
tba |
tba |
Everything will come true |
tba |
tba |
When life gives you tangerines |
2025 |
tba |
10
The Judge of Hell (September 21, Disney+ in select regions)
Starring Park Shin-hye and Kim Jae-young
While international K-drama audiences are likely more familiar with the romantic comedies that come out of South Korea, that’s not the only TV genre K-dramas have to offer. Mysteries and supernatural series are seeing a huge resurgence in K-dramas right now. That’s why The judge of hell has such an interesting premise.
Kang Bit-na (Park Shin-hye) is actually a demon. To anyone else who meets her, however, she is like a judge since she inhabits the body of a man. Her job is to send souls to hell who have killed others without remorse or repentance for their crimes. She crosses paths with a detective (Kim Jae-young) who is warm and very pious but also hides a secret.
The intrigue will certainly come from the interactions between the two, not unlike the series lucifer, Which has a similar concept, though probably a more comedic tone.
9
Gyeongseong Creature Season 2 (September 27, Netflix)
Starring Han So-Hee and Park Seo-jun
Gyeongseong Creature is an action horror-thriller television series created by Kang Eun-kyung and Chung Dong-yoon for Netflix. Set in 1945 during the Japanese occupation of Korea, Jang Tae-Sang, a wealthy informant in the heart of Gyeongseong, and Yoon Chae-ok, a highly skilled investigator, come together to face a literal creature created from humanity’s cumulative greed.
- Release date
-
December 22, 2023
- Seasons
-
1
- creator(s)
-
Kang Eun-kyung, Chung Dong-yoon
Although the first season of the series was set in 1945, the second season of the series will be set in the present day. The original series saw scientific experimentation lead to the creation of monsters that had to be tracked down. Season 2 implies that history may be repeating itself as biological experiments are once again happening in Seoul.
Park Seo-jun returns for season 2, but playing a character named Jang Ho-jae, who, of course, looks almost exactly like his season 1 counterpart, who will likely play into his storyline. Han So-hee is also returning for the second season, but still playing her same character from the 1945 storyline, though it’s not yet clear how that will work into the show’s narrative.
What little else is known about the second season is that it will include an elite group of secret agents and a man who has tentacles for arms. Even those who weren’t blown away by the first season are likely to be intrigued.
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8
Squid Game Season 2 (December 2024, Netflix)
Starring Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-jun, Lee Byung-hun, Gong Yoo, Park Gyu-young and Lee Jin-uk
In Squid Game, a mysterious invitation to join a competition is sent to people at risk who are in need of money. Four hundred and fifty-six participants from all walks of life are locked in a secret place where they play games to win 45.6 billion won. Games are selected from traditional Korean children’s games, such as red light and green light, but the consequence of losing is death. To survive, competitors must choose their alliances carefully – but the further they go in the competition, the more likely betrayal will rear its ugly head.
- Release date
-
September 17, 2021
- Figure
-
Wi Ha-joon, Anupam Tripathi, Oh Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae, Park Hae-soo, Jung Ho-yeon, Lee Jung-jae, Kim Joo-ryoung
- Showrunner
-
Hwang Dong-hyuk
A pop culture juggernaut, Squid game was a massive success for Netflix and arguably played a role in the rising number of Korean shows on American streaming platforms. Even though sweet home would have worked perfectly as a standalone series, the show was surprisingly not renewed for season 2. However, although Lee Jung-jae returns as Gi-hun for Squid game Season 2, the show is set to be very different from the first season.
The surprise element of Squid gameThe first games cannot be replicated, because the audience already knows what to expect. This creates a tricky challenge for Netflix’s most successful K-drama. The latest news for Squid game Season 2 is that production has begun and Netflix revealed that the season will fall in December 2024. It began shooting in July 2023 and has a 10-month schedule, not including effects work.
7
All of Us Are Dead Season 2 (TBA, Netflix)
Starring: Yoon Chan-young, Cho Yi-hyun, Park Ji-hu and Lomon
All of Us Are Dead is a horror-thriller series based on the webtoon by creator Jeon Bae-soo. Set in a South Korean high school, a scientist father trying to find a way to protect his son from bullies accidentally creates a serum that uses the fear in humans to turn them into zombies. The surviving students and staff are free in the school, cut off from the outside world and must now fight to survive the infected attack – and each other.
- Release date
-
January 28, 2022
- Figure
-
Park Solomon, Cho Yi-hyun, Park Ji-hoo, Yoo In-soo, Yoon Chan-young
- Seasons
-
2
One of Netflix’s most successful Korean shows, All of us are dead Season 1 took the zombie genre by storm With a captivating story almost in one place. Although the destruction of the school and the apparent death of Cheong-san would have made for a tough ending, All of us are dead Season 2 is happening. The series was renewed for a second season not too long after the first premiered in January 2021.
There are dozens of All of Us Are Dead Season 2 theories, showing how anticipated the next chapter of the series is.
Cho Yi-hyun, Park Ji-hu and Lomon will also reprise their roles as Nam-ra, On-jo and Su-hyeok. There are dozens of All of us are dead Season 2 theories, showing how anticipated the next chapter of the series. Considering most of the town and school were destroyed in season 1, it will be interesting to see how All of us are dead 2 will work in terms of tone and pacing. While not much is known about season 2, the show is expected to be different now that the school is no more.
6
Aema (TBA, Netflix)
Starring Lee Na-hee and Bang Hyo-rin
It is possible that the series could be ready to stream by the end of 2024…
Aema is a Netflix original that was in production in 2023. Unlike most Netflix original K-dramas, however, the series is not entirely a work of fiction. It is inspired by real events. Aema is set to chronicle the film’s production Madam Aema. The 1982 movie is a Korean classic.
The production of the movie was fraught with difficulties when casting changes were made. The fiery lead actress is replaced right before the movie starts filming with an up-and-comer who is best known for being a nightclub dancer. The series, however, is released as a comedy, so it is likely that it will take a light-hearted approach to the difficulties behind the scenes of the movie, leaning into the more wild aspects of the production than the dramatic.
It is possible that the series could be ready to stream by the end of 2024, but without any official word from Netflix, it is much more likely that it will not appear on the platform until 2025.
5
Wise Resident Life (TBA)
Starring Go Youn-jung and Shin Si-ah
Hospital Playlist is a South Korean television series that follows the lives of five doctors working in a hospital. It explores their personal and professional struggles as they navigate the challenges of their jobs and personal relationships. The series delves into themes of friendship, love and growth as the characters face different medical conditions and personal struggles.
- Figure
-
Cho Jung-seok, Yoo Yeon-seok, Jung Kyung-ho, Kim Dae-Myung, Jeon Mi-do
- Release date
-
March 12, 2020
- Seasons
-
2
- creator(s)
-
Lee Woo-jung, Shin Won-ho
Hospital playlist is one of the most beloved series to come out of South Korea in the last 20 years. This is a unique take on a medical drama as the doctors reform a band together that they last had when they were students. Although there are many fans who would love to see another season of this, it is not in the cards just yet. instead, Smart resident life is a spinoff of Hospital playlist.
Smart resident life Focuses on a group of interns working in the same medical center in the departments of obstetrics and gynecology. The catch is that they are all interning at a time when the specialty is unpopular because of low birth rates.
Filming was originally scheduled for 2023, but there have been no updates since it was originally delayed.
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4
The Trunk (2024, Netflix)
Starring Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun-jin
- Figure
-
Gong Yoo, Seo Hyeon-jin
- Seasons
-
1
- Directors
-
Kim Kyoo-tae
Netflix The clan is among the most promising upcoming K-dramas on the platform. The series, which will see a series of strange encounters related to the discovery of an old clan that washed ashes on a lake, is described as a mystery, but it is expected to include elements of comedy. This is because Gong Yoo, known for his roles in Squid game, The silent seaAnd Train for Busanwill play a character whose secret marriage will be arranged by his real ex-wife, Seo-yeon.
She will be played by Seo Hyun-jin, known for her roles in Another Miss Oh, Dr. Romantic, The beauty withinAnd You are my spring. This is one of two series in which Gog Yoo will appear in 2024 after taking a two-year break from releasing anything. The second of the series is Squid game Season 2, so there will be plenty for fans of the young actor to enjoy. The clan is based on Kim Ryeo Ryeong’s novel of the same name.
3
Ask the Stars (2024, TBA)
Starring Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin
Ask the Stars is a South Korean romantic comedy series that follows two travelers, an ob-gyn and an astronaut, who meet and begin to fall in love on an international space station.
- Figure
-
Lee Min-ho, Kong Hyo-jin, Oh Jung-se, Han Ji-eun, Alex Hafner, Lee El, Kim Joo-hun
- Seasons
-
1
- Writers
-
Seo Sok-hyang
- Directors
-
Park Shin-woo
Love at first sight K-dramas tend to be great, which seems to be why Ask the stars will deliver. The show, which will air on tvN but does not yet have a confirmed streaming home in the US. Fall in love on a space station. Han Ji-eun, Oh Jung-se and Kim Joo-hun also appear in supporting roles.
Even though there have been dozens of movies and TV shows set up in recent years, A K-drama love story that takes place in a space station Sounds very intriguing. Ask the stars Features Lee Min-ho, best known for Boys Over Flowers, and Gong Hyo-jin, from Jeaoulsy Incarnate and Sang Doo. Park Shin Woo (It’s okay to not be okay) directs the romantic comedy.
The series wrapped filming in 2023, and the premiere date is still up in the air.
2
Everything Will Come True (2024, TBA)
Starring Kim Woo-bin and Suzy
Everything will come true
- Figure
-
Kim Woo-bin, Bae Suzy, Ahn Eun-jin, Noh Sang-hyun, Ko Kyu-pil, Lee Joo-young
- Seasons
-
1
- Writers
-
Kim Eun-suk
- Directors
-
Lee Byeong-hun
There have been several K-dramas about falling in love with a demon or with death itself, including 2023’s My demon Starring Song Kang. Everything will come trueBut, is doing something unique – a Potential love story between a human woman and a genie. Suzy’s character, Ga-young, releases a genie and is granted three wishes. However, the genius, played by Kim Woo-bin, has a personality of his own and will interact with Ga-young.
Everything will come truewhich does not yet have an official US streaming home, will mark the second time Kim Woo-bin and Suzy star together in a K-drama – they first worked together in Uncontrollably Bond. Filming on the series began in February 2024 and is supposed to run until October 2024. This will make a 2024 release difficult, but the series could arrive in early 2025.
1
When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025)
Starring Yoo and Park Bo-gum
When life gives you tangerines Has gone through many names since it was first announced in 2023, including Live, Thank you for your hard workAnd You did well. The final title was When life gives you tangerinesAnd the series isn’t expected to premiere until 2025.
The series follows Ae Soon (IU) who is a nervous rebel who longs to be a poet. She appears alongside the quiet Gwan Shik (Park Bo-gum) who loves her dearly, but isn’t strong in the romance department. Their story is told over three time periods – as children, as young adults and as middle-aged adults – giving fans a complete love story.
Much of the excitement for the series surrounds Yu in one of the main roles. The singer/songwriter is also a popular actor in South Korea. Her last few projects have been in music and feature films, so her fans see this show as something of a TV comeback for her, which makes for an exciting addition to the upcoming K-drama Slate.