20 greatest Ok-dramas of 2024

From record-breaking romances to revenge dramas filled with unimaginable twists, the very best of 2024 Ok-dramas have been nothing in need of enjoyable. Whereas a number of the reveals had been anticipated hits, others had been a giant shock and proved {that a} Netflix launch isn't essential to a Ok-drama's worldwide success. As such, the way forward for the style seems to be much more thrilling.

The 2024 reveals are a number of the greatest Ok-dramas of all time and are all noteworthy regardless of their completely different tones and tales. Profession-best performances, tightly woven storylines, and unimaginable Ok-drama {couples} are simply a number of the keys to their particular person successes and showcase the very best the style has to supply. These 2024 Ok-dramas make daring selections to offer hours of leisure and solidify them as must-watches for all Ok-drama followers.

20

Mr. Plankton

Starring Woo Do-hwan and Lee Yoo-mi

Mr. Plankton combines a number of the greatest elements of comedy and tragedy to create a compelling watch. It might begin with a wierd premise, however lots of the greatest Ok-dramas do, typically veering into cleaning soap opera territory to create a riveting story.

In Mr. PlanktonA person discovers he has a terminal sickness and decides to take one final journey. This journey goals to search out his organic father, however to take action he kidnaps his ex, who this system calls the unluckiest lady on the earth, simply earlier than her marriage ceremony to another person. The 2 find yourself on a journey that features some complicated moments, but additionally comedic banter and therapeutic for each of them.

Top-of-the-line elements of the sequence is that the viewers is aware of from the start how the present will finish. It is a Ok-drama that isn't about giving the characters a cheerful ending, however in regards to the journey they take alongside the best way for no matter its ending.

19

A killer paradox

Starring Choi Woo-shik and Son Sku-ku

A killer paradox brings an ethical dilemma to the Ok-drama viewers within the type of the story of a serial killer. The present is a bit of darker than your common Ok-drama, however it additionally options plenty of humor.

The sequence questions whether or not somebody who by accident kills a serial killer is justified of their actions or whether or not what they did makes them as dangerous because the particular person they killed. He does this by following the brand new killer (who isn't restricted to a morally reprehensible sufferer) and the cat-and-mouse sport he performs with the detective pursuing him.

What makes the sequence much more attention-grabbing is that the detective is aware of who this new killer is; he simply can't show it. Likewise, the killer is aware of the detective is after him. It offers a brand new contact to a police sequence and even a brand new contact to a drama just like the American sequence Dexterwhich is presently seeing a surge in curiosity because of a sequel sequence and a prequel sequence.

18

Welcome to Samdal-ri

Starring Ji Chang-wook and Shin Hye-sun

Welcome to Samdal-ri it really began airing in late 2023 however resulted in 2024, so it qualifies as among the finest Ok-dramas of the yr. The sequence is slower-paced than many trendy Ok-dramas, however additionally it is fantastically shot, permitting audiences to completely immerse themselves within the setting of Jeju, an exquisite province in South Korea the place a lot of the sequence takes place. .

The present follows two individuals who have been associates since childhood, however their lives have stored them to some extent aside. After the dying of considered one of their moms, considered one of them turns into a meteorologist in her hometown, whereas the opposite turns into a style photographer in Seoul. They've a romance, however it strikes slowly, permitting the characters to breathe and develop whereas the viewers watches the story unfold.

This sequence is totally for many who love their Ok-dramas with dose of romance, but additionally for many who don't must binge a tv present as rapidly as attainable.

17

No achieve, no love

Starring Shin Min-a and Kim Younger-dae

Most of the romantic comedies amongst Ok-dramas concentrate on the thought in Korean tradition that it's higher to be a married grownup than single.. There's particularly a stigma related to being a single lady, even when that lady already has a profitable profession. This concept is explored a bit of in No achieve, no love however in a really completely different approach than the standard Ok-drama.

Right here, the primary character is a girl who isn't being pressured into marriage by her household, which is the standard Ok-drama trope. As a substitute, she is being penalized at work as a result of her firm's executives consider a girl must have a husband and a profession to achieve success. To get a promotion, she hires a person who works part-time at a close-by comfort retailer to fake to be her husband.

As a result of it's a romantic comedy, the viewers is aware of that the faux relationship will flip into an actual relationship, however there's plenty of laughs and plenty of emotion to get there. A number of the highlights of the sequence aren't even the romantic elements, however somewhat the friendships between the sequence' foremost feminine characters.

16

Love within the massive metropolis

Starring Nam Yoon-su and Lee Soo-kyung

...the sequence has gotten misplaced within the bigger Ok-drama panorama for some followers, however they shouldn't ignore that.

Love within the massive metropolis is an attention-grabbing addition to the Ok-drama world for a number of causes. For one, it was tailored from an current novel. Then again, each the Ok-drama and the movie adaptation of the identical identify premiered in 2024. This will likely imply that the sequence has gotten misplaced within the bigger image of Ok-dramas for some followers, however they shouldn't ignore it.

Any sexuality outdoors of heteronormative stereotypes isn't usually seen in Ok-dramas. There's nonetheless a stigma related to LGBTQ+ that makes it troublesome for writers to deliver these tales to the display in South Korea. Love within the massive metropolisnonetheless, it facilities its story round a homosexual man who finds himself after a decade of friendship (and being roommates) with a straight lady.issue in getting his mom to simply accept him and a visit to Thailand.

What can also be attention-grabbing Love within the massive metropolis is that the sequence is directed by 4 completely different administrators. That is uncommon for Ok-dramas, which normally depend on a director and a author (or writing duo) for his or her whole run to make the fashion and tone pretty constant from starting to finish. Right here, every chapter of the primary character's life is within the fingers of a distinct director, giving it an virtually anthological really feel, regardless of being fully centered on the identical character.

Love within the massive metropolis It's an enormous step ahead for creativity and illustration in Ok-dramas.

15

LTNS

Starring Esom and Ahn Jae-hong

Darkish comedy is a extremely enjoyable approach to discover relationship dynamics.

Earlier than airing on tv in 2024, LTNS (an acronym for Very long time with out intercourse) premiered its first two episodes on the Busan Worldwide Movie Competition. This was consistent with the discharge schedule, as two episodes aired weekly throughout the sequence' run in South Korea.

The present is certainly a novel tackle a pair's relationship issues, which is a part of why individuals had been so eager about watching. It featured an estranged couple teaming as much as catch their important others dishonest. Whereas one initially works as a taxi driver, the opposite works at a lodge counter. Their lives change as a result of one buddy betrays one other, resulting in this new and unconventional profession to generate profits.

The pair not have a bodily relationship, and this new skilled enterprise has them re-examining their connection to one another. Darkish comedy is a extremely enjoyable approach to discover relationship dynamics. The sequence obtained nominations on the Baeksang Arts Awards and the Blue Dragon Sequence Awards, so it's clear that audiences and awards committees agree.

14

Physician Fall

Starring Park Shin-hye and Park Hyung-sik

Ok-dramas supply all kinds of medical reveals, similar to American medical procedurals. Whereas some take care of medical mysteries, others take care of the primary characters' relationships. The latter is the case in 2024 Medical Drop. It's not a lot about medical expertise as it's a few rising love story.

The sequence reveals two characters who had been rivals as college students meet once more as adults. They each work within the medical discipline, however each lose their jobs as medical doctors on account of very completely different circumstances and find yourself transferring in collectively. Though the sequence has some pacing points, general it's a superb examination of how two individuals can consider one another as enemies throughout one time of their lives and are available to care deeply about one another at one other time.

13

Charming the King

Starring Jo Jung Suk and Shin Se Kyung

Historic Ok-dramas are extremely fashionable each in South Korea and overseas. They usually permit these not from the nation a peek at customs and occasions that Koreans are already acquainted with. In addition they inform nice tales of affection, mistaken id and, in some circumstances, time journey.

Charming the King is likely one of the hottest historic Ok-dramas launched lately. Observe a royal who's depressingunable to belief anybody round him and the particular person he performs baduk with. Seems he's proper to not belief anybody. The person he performs baduk with is definitely a girl who went undercover and turned herself right into a spy in hopes of getting revenge on the royals. Alongside the best way, nonetheless, her quest for revenge means she meets and falls in love with him.

Charming the King in actual fact, it steadily elevated scores from the primary episode to the final because it aired. The finale had twice as many viewers as the primary.

12

Chief Detective 1958

Starring Lee Je-hoon and Park Yeong-han

The Ok-drama Chief Inspector it aired from 1971 to 1989, lengthy earlier than Ok-dramas had been extra prone to have a single season than multi-season arcs. Chief Detective 1958 is definitely a prequel sequence to that long-running Ok-drama.

Though most interval dramas in Korea happen a whole bunch of years up to now, Chief Detective 1958 is ready only a decade earlier than the occasions of the unique sequence. It covers the late Fifties by the Sixties, giving an inside have a look at a gaggle of detectives earlier than the period of recent know-how helped remedy circumstances.. Prison profiling has not but been developed, forensic science continues to be in its infancy, and corruption could make it troublesome for detectives to resolve even minor crimes.

It's a extra traditional have a look at the legal course of than any trendy sequence tends to do. With a big forged the place every character is markedly completely different from one another, attending to know the characters is as attention-grabbing as watching them remedy circumstances.

11

The Midnight Studio

Starring Joo Received and Kwan Nara

The Midnight Studio additionally referred to as Midnight Picture Studiorelies on the novel Night time images studio by Kim Yi-rang, who additionally labored on the tv sequence. The sequence might not have had large scores when it initially premiered in March 2024, however it garnered plenty of curiosity on account of its fascinating idea.

It follows a lonely photographer who lots of the dwelling discover prickly. That's advantageous, since he devotes a lot of his time to photographing the useless. The sequence reminds the general public that “images are recollections”, a working operate of the photographer’s household for generations. They {photograph} the ultimate recollections of the useless.

The episodes are largely procedural in nature, as each options the photographer and people round him studying the ins and outs of a distinct ghost. The general story of the present, nonetheless, sees the photographer making an attempt to flee the curse that causes his household to {photograph} the useless and die at age 35.. In fact, it's additionally a love story, however it's a platonic love in addition to a romantic one, because the connections between the characters are totally explored for a captivating story.

10

Parasite: The Grey

Starring Jeon So-nee, Koo Kyo-hwan and Lee Jung-hyun

Parasite: The Grey is considered one of a number of 2024 Ok-dramas that delves into the that means of life and it does this by spectacular visuals and nice performing. Parasite: The Grey It's based mostly on the Japanese manga Parasite and is the third live-action installment within the sequence, following Parasite Half 1 (2014), Parasite Half 2 (2015), and the anime Parasite: The Maxim (2014). Parasite: The Grey expands the universe by exploring the results of the parasites outdoors of Japan by an expertly written script that mixes horror with deeper meanings.

Parasite: The Grey is at its greatest when it leans into its horror parts, which makes for some gripping moments within the Ok-drama.

Parasite: The Grey It might have roots in manga and anime, however it's not essential to have seen the unique to understand its story. Parasite: The Grey is at its greatest when it leans into its horror parts, which makes for some thrilling Ok-drama moments. The CGI is usually effectively achieved and makes the absurd parasites look alive. Though feelings are the very best half Parasite: The GreyJeong Su-in's (Jeon So-nee) character constructing deepens the present's emotional connection and takes it a step additional as a fantastic watch.

9

Gyeongseong Creature

Starring Park Website positioning-joon and Han So-hee

Though a lot of the horror Ok-drama's first season will air in late 2023, Gyeongseong Creaturethe second a part of was a good way to begin 2024 for the style. An intense historic Ok-drama, the present focuses on the real-life atrocities dedicated by Imperial Japanese Unit 731. Very similar to Parasite: The Grey, Gyeongseong Creature It's a horror at coronary heart, however it balances a number of genres and plots to raise it past only a blood-filled story.

Gyeongseong Creature isn't with out its flaws, as some story parts felt rushed and the primary few episodes ran a bit of slower than essential. Regardless of that, Gyeongseong Creature It has an all-star forged and unimaginable manufacturing worth that makes the romantic and political parts thrive on display, making for completely fulfilling viewing. Extra, Gyeongseong CreatureThe second season adjustments its base by transferring from 1945 to the current day.

8

Flex X Police

Starring Ahn Bo-hyun and Park Ji-hyun

Flex X Police It's a welcome change of tempo because it focuses extra on the comedy somewhat than the thrills of the dramatic. Nonetheless, it nonetheless finds time to inject heart-wrenching feelings into a few of its extra intense moments to create a well-balanced Ok-drama. Ahn Bo-hyun takes cost as Jin Yi-soo and does a fantastic job displaying the completely different sides of the chaebol police officer. He works effortlessly with Park Ji-hyun, who delivers a assured efficiency that enables Flex X Police the grounding you want.

Flex X Police might have simply strayed into unusual territory, however held again by humanizing the initially eccentric Jin Yi-soo. Extra, Flex X Police is crammed with many well-developed storylines that permit the Ok-crime drama to take care of a fantastic tempo whereas additionally partaking in a tonal shift that feels cohesive with the light-hearted tone it initially aired in. Flex X Police has already been renewed for a second seasonand, seeing how succesful the sequence is already, the subsequent chapter seems to be to be simply as thrilling as the primary.

7

Recreation of Dying

Starring Website positioning In-guk and Park So-dam

Recreation of Dying has one of the star-studded casts in Ok-drama historical past because of the ever-changing look of its foremost character, Cho Yi-jae (Website positioning In-guk), who has to dwell the lives of 12 different individuals and keep away from dying to beat Dying (Park So-dam) and his personal sport. Though Website positioning In-guk and Park So-dam have little or no display time on account of Recreation of DyingIn step with the idea, their performances are extremely impactful. Alongside them, a bunch of acquainted faces from the Ok-drama trade come collectively to painting a darkish but human story that delves deep into the that means of life.

Recreation of Dying isn't afraid to twist the plot at each flip, leaving what might have been a really disjointed story good and well-anticipated.

Though the primary half Recreation of Dying aired in December 2023, the second half aired on January 5, 2024 and definitely made the wait price it, because of a devastating cliffhanger. Recreation of Dying isn't afraid to twist the plot at each flip, leaving what might have been a really disjointed story good and well-anticipated. Recreation of Dying it even earned a powerful 8.5 score on IMDb, making it one of many highest-rated Ok-dramas of 2024 thus far.

6

Pyramid Recreation

Starring Kim Ji-yeon (Bona), Jang Da-ah and Ryu Da-in

Since its launch, Pyramid Recreation was dubbed squid sportIt's an ideal alternative. The titular sport that legitimizes violent bullying and the commentary on social class that accompanies this skewed fashionable vote have many similarities to the favored Netflix thriller. Nonetheless, Pyramid Recreation is far more than squid sportalternative and it's simply among the finest Ok-dramas of 2024 because of its twisted premise that continuously adjustments the narrative in sudden methods.

Pyramid RecreationThe just about totally feminine forged is the most important promoting level. In contrast to hottest Ok-dramas full of massive names, most Pyramid RecreationThe forged are new faces within the style. This consists of Jang Da-ah, who makes her on-screen debut because the antagonist Baek Ha-rin, however delivers a wide ranging efficiency for a first-time actress. Every character in Pyramid Recreation is simple to outline however troublesome to foretell, and the ever-changing voting system that enables for conformity somewhat than defiance is horrifying however exhilarating to look at, making Pyramid Recreation a Ok-drama that is likely one of the must-see movies of 2024.

5

Great World

Starring Kim Nam-joo, Cha Eun-woo, Kim Kang-woo and Im Se-mi

Great World marks actress Kim Nam-joo (Misty, my husband has a household) returned to tv after a six-year hiatus, and she or he actually didn't disappoint. Great World and a revenge thriller filled with complexities that make Kim Nam-joo carry out exceptionally effectively like Eun Soo-hyun, who's rapidly thrust right into a world of thriller after her son's dying. The sequence additionally stars Cha Eun-woo, who ditches her character sort to provide an equally layered efficiency that provides extra intrigue to the sequence. your story.

Great World skillfully mixes thriller and suspense to maintain the viewers guessing. The present additionally explores heavy topics by themes of grief, guilt, and redemption. Like lots of the greatest Ok-dramas of 2024, Great World follows the momentum that constructed to create a present that's an attention-grabbing and transferring addition to the style.

4

Marry my husband

Starring Park Min-young, Na In-woo, Lee Yi-kyung, Track Ha-yoon and Lee Gi-kwang

2024 began on a excessive because of Marry my husband. Revenge Ok-dramas are one of the beloved of the style, and Marry my husband does effectively to face out in an oversaturated panorama as one thing fully new, whereas offering the identical quantity of feelings that audiences have come to like with the style. Marry my husbandIt's arduous to not watch the heady mixture of fantasy, comedy, romance, and revenge as new info is delivered to gentle.

Nonetheless Marry my husbandLater episodes lose power in comparison with the remainder of the sequence, the wonderful performances of Marry my husbandthe primary forged members make up for it.

Nonetheless Marry my husbandThe later episodes of Dropping Power in comparison with the remainder of the sequence, the wonderful performances from the sequence' foremost forged members make up for this. Track Ha-yoon's efficiency because the present's antagonist, Jung Soo-min, is a selected spotlight, making Marry my husbandThe revelations are much more surprising. Then again, Park Min-young's portrayal of foremost character Kang Ji-won's newfound second likelihood at life Marry my husband and makes it extremely enjoyable to look at from begin to end.

3

Lovable hallway

Starring Kim Hye-yoon and Byeon Woo-seok

Lovable hallway is likely one of the largest shock hits of 2024. Regardless of the issues plaguing the manufacturing, its finish result's magical and was actually well worth the wait. In accordance with Sompisimply in its opening week, Lovable hallway ranked #1 on streaming platform Rakuten Viki in over 130 nations, proving that not all Ok-dramas want a Netflix launch to attain overwhelming worldwide success.

Outdoors, Lovable hallwayThe idea of it looks as if nothing greater than an avid Ok-pop fan making an attempt to save lots of his favourite idol from an premature dying, however inside moments, the present sidesteps that concept and as an alternative lays the groundwork for a drama crammed with sincerity and nice chemistry. between Kim Hye-yoon and Byeon Woo-seok. Together with that, Lovable hallwaythe nostalgic have a look at the previous evokes a fantastic feeling of heat and is likely one of the causes for its resounding success.

2

A retailer for killers

Starring Lee Dong-wook and Kim Hye-jun

Following the success of Ok-dramas like 2023 ShiftingHulu's Ok-dramas proceed to impress with the discharge of A retailer for killers in January 2024. A retailer for killers actually begins with a bang in a high-tension first episode that takes audiences straight into Jeong Ji-an's (Kim Hye-jun) new world as she uncovers the darkish secrets and techniques of her uncle Jeong Jin-man (Lee Dong-wook ). his dying. A retailer for killers it by no means loses momentum and simply continues to construct on its unimaginable opening.

Ok-drama veteran Lee Dong-wook's efficiency is a spotlight on this sequence, with Kim Hye-jun additionally offering a superb standpoint for viewers as the brand new face on this unusual world. A retailer for killers deviates from a standard Ok-drama narrative to concentrate on a tightly wound, character-driven story which replaces romance with unimaginable battle scenes. Switching between previous and current can deafen a narrative, however A retailer for killers skillfully stability it.

1

Queen of Tears

Starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won

Whereas there have been many glorious Ok-dramas in 2024, none have had the identical impression as Queen of Tears. Queen of Tears damaged Crash touchdown on youThe Ok-drama file and have become TVN's most-watched Ok-drama of all time, with a Nielsen score of 24.8% for the finale. It remained within the high 10 globally as considered one of Netflix's most-watched non-English-language reveals for a powerful 15 weeks (as of June 16, 2024, by way of Netflix). Queen of Tears'The overwhelming success might be attributed to many issues. Nonetheless, there's a cause why the sequence attracted plenty of consideration this yr.

There isn't any doubt that Hong Hae-in and Baek Hyun-woo's relationship will go down as among the finest Ok-drama romances of all time. Profession-best performances from Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun because the turbulent couple and their unimaginable chemistry make each second they're collectively on display completely magical, turning what might have been a romantic fantasy into one thing extremely actual. Queen of Tears might not have stopped its ending, however its development was so thrilling that it's arduous to not think about it the very best Ok-drama of 2024.

Supply: Sompi, Netflix