Every year, there are a handful of Korean dramas that remain at the tip of everyone’s tongues (remember Crash Landing on You andDescendants of the Sun?).While last year gave us some really gripping Korean series like The Worst of Evil,this year has had an equally promising start. Now that we’re officially halfway through the year, there’s no better time to look at the best K-dramas of 2024, all of which are unsurprisingly also some of the highest-rated on IMDb.
The South Korean media viewership has only been increasing over the last few years, especially on prominent streaming platforms. So much so that the co-CEO of Netflix, Ted Sarandos shared that more than 60% of its users have watched at least one Korean title on the streaming service (via a 2023 NBC News report). The year 2024 too has had an exciting slew of highest-rated K-dramas — from romance drama series like Queen of Tears to thrillers like Wonderful World.
Netflix’s ‘must-watch rom-com of the year’, Queen of Tears stars K-drama heartthrob Kim Soo-hyun and remains one of the best K-dramas of 2024. The show was featured in Netflix‘s Top 10 lists in 40+ countries on 10 March 2024, according to media outlet Koreaboo (via FlixPatrol).
Keeping up with the appeal of medical romantic comedies is the Oh Hyun-jong directorial Doctor Slump. Starring Park Shin-hye, who returned to the screen after a three-year-long hiatus, this highest-rated best K-drama of 2024 debuted at No. 1 on Netflix’s weekly chart for non-English TV series after its release in January. The series also amassed over 2.9 million views and 10.2 million viewing hours between 29 January 2024 and 4 February 2024.
Meanwhile, portraying a mother’s desperation to avenge her son’s death is director Yi Seung-young’s Wonderful World. One of the top-rated and best K-dramas of 2024, the show stars veteran actor Kim Nam-joo and K-pop group ASTRO’s member Cha Eun-woo in leading roles. According to an official statement by Disney Plus, Wonderful World is penned by the renowned Kim Jieun and focuses on the story of Eun Soo-hyun (played by Kim), a desperate mother who will go to extraordinary lengths to exact revenge for the death of her son.”
12 best K-dramas of 2024 to binge on this year
Jump To / Table of Contents
- Wonderful World
- Queen of Tears
- A Shop for Killers
- Wedding Impossible
- Flex X Cop
- Marry My Husband
- The Impossible Heir
- Captivating the King
- Doctor Slump
- Gyeongseong Creature Part 2
- Love Song for Illusion
- A Killer Paradox
1 /12
Wonderful World
Directed by: Yi Seung-young
Cast: Kim Nam-joo, Cha Eun-woo, Kim Kang-woo, Lim Se-mi
Release date: 1 March
Episodes: 14
IMDb rating: 9
Synopsis: Psychology professor Soo-hyun (Kim) loses her son to a group of dangerous and corrupt men. But the law fails to do justice and forgives the perpetrators. Now Soo-hyun’s only mission in life is to avenge the death of her son and punish the culprits. Helping her in her mission is the mysterious Kwon Seon-yul (Cha).
2 /12
Queen of Tears
Directed by: Kim Hee-won and Jang Young-woo
Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon
Release date: 9 March
Episodes: 16
IMDb rating: 8.3
Synopsis: Hong Hae-in (Ji-won), the heiress of Queens Group, and Baek Hyun-woo (Soo-hyun), the Legal Director of the group, are a happy married couple on the surface. However, they can’t stand each other behind closed doors. Soon, a crisis arises and the duo is forced to face the situation together. Will this bring Hyun-woo and Hae-in closer or will they fall apart?
About the show: One of the highest-rated and best K-dramas of 2024, Queen of Tears marks Kim Soo-hyun’s return to screen after a three-year hiatus.
3 /12
A Shop for Killers
Directed by: Lee Kwon
Cast: Lee Dong-wook, Kim Hye-joon, Seo Hyun-woo
Release date: 17 January
Episodes: 8
IMDb rating: 8.1
Synopsis: After the demise of her parents, Jung Ji-an (Kim) grows up under the guidance of her uncle Jung Jin (Lee). One day, a phone call from the police informs Ji-an about her uncle’s suicide. Finding it hard to believe, Ji-an travels back to her uncle’s home to unravel the truth. In the process, she comes across a group of assassins desperate to kill her.
About the show: One of the best K-dramas of 2024, A Shop for Killers is a Korean drama adaptation of the novel Sarinjaui Syopingmol by Kang Ji-young.
4 /12
Wedding Impossible
Directed by: Kwon Young-Il
Cast: Jun Jong-seo, Kim Do-wan, Moon Sang-min
Release date: 26 February
Episodes: 12
IMDb rating: 8.1
Synopsis: Na A-jeong (Jun) and Lee Do-han (Kim) are long-term friends who share the same notion about marriage and prefer staying single. But when Do-han’s chaebol family forces him to marry, he requests A-jeong to pose as his wife. Will this fake bond change the duo’s notion about love and commitment?
About the show: This romance Korean drama is based on the web novel of the same name by Song Jung-won.
5 /12
Flex X Cop
Directed by: Kim Jae-hong
Cast: Ahn Bo-hyun, Park Ji-hyun, Kang Sang-jun
Release date: 26 January
Episodes: 16
IMDb rating: 7.9
Synopsis: Chaebol Jin Yi-soo (Ahn) joins the police department and is assigned to the violent crimes team, led by an honest officer Lee Gang-hyun (Park). Soon Gang-hyun learns that Yi-soo uses his money and connections for his investigations and starts loathing him. However, when the duo team up together for a case, Yi-soo thrives to do better for the sake of Gang-hyun.
6 /12
Marry My Husband
Directed by: Park Won-gook
Cast: Park Min-young, Na In-woo, Lee Yi-kyung, Song Ha-yoon
Release date: 1 January
Episodes: 16
IMDb rating: 7.9
Synopsis: Kang Ji-won (Park) discovers that her husband Park Min-hwan (Lee) is having an affair with her best friend Jung Soo-min (Song). Feeling betrayed, she confronts the duo and is killed in the process. However, when a strange set of events gives Ji-won a second chance at life, she vows to expose Min-hwan and put him behind bars.
About the show: This TV show is based on the 2021 romantic webtoon Nae Nampyeongwa Gyeolhonhaejweo by Korean artist Seong So-jak.
Directed by: Min Yeon-hong
Cast: Lee Jae-wook, Lee Jun-young, Hong Su-zu
Release date: 28 February
Episodes: 12
IMDb rating: 7.9
Synopsis: Kang In-ha (Jun-young) is the illegitimate son of a Korean conglomerate. When he is deprived of his share in the business, In-ha partners with his ambitious childhood friend Han Tae-oh (Jae-wook) to take back what is rightfully his.
8 /12
Captivating the King
Directed by: Jo Nam-gook
Cast: Cho Jung-suk, Shin Sae-kyung, Park Ye-young, Lee Shin-young
Release date: 21 January
Episodes: 16
IMDb rating: 7.8
Synopsis: Yi In (Cho Jung-suk) is a King of the Qing Dynasty. One day he meets a skilled Baduk (Go) player Kang Hee-soo (Shin Sae-kyung) and is completely mesmerised by her. What Yi In is unaware of is that Hee-soo is seeking revenge for his wrongdoings.
9 /12
Doctor Slump
Directed by: Oh Hyun-jong
Cast: Park Shin-hye, Park Hyung-sik, Yoon Park, Kong Seong-ha
Release date: 27 January
Episodes: 16
IMDb rating: 7.4
Synopsis: Successful doctors Yeo Jeong-woo (Hyung-sik) and Nam Ha-neul (Shin-hye) have been university rivals and still can’t stand each other. However, when a crisis hits their lives, the duo find themselves comforting each other. Will Jeong-woo and Ha-neul fall in love during this period?
10 /12
Gyeongseong Creature Part 2
Directed by: Jung Dong-yoon
Cast: Park Seo-joon, Han So-hee, Wi Ha-joon, Kim Hae-sook, Kim Su-hyun
Release date: 5 January
Episodes: 3
IMDb rating: 7.3
Synopsis: Pawnshop owner Jang Tae-sang (Park) and bounty hunter Yun Chae-ok (Han) from Gyeongseong get entangled in a series of missing person cases in the mysterious Ongsung Hospital. Now Tae-sang and Chae-ok must work together to unravel the truth behind the kidnappings.
11 /12
Love Song for Illusion
Directed by: Lee Jung-seob
Cast: Park Ji-hoon, Hong Ye-ji, Ji Woo
Release date: 2 January
Episodes: 16
IMDb rating: 7.3
Synopsis: Dangerous assassin Yeon Wol (Hong) is on a mission to kill crown prince Sa Jo-hyun (Park). She discovers that the prince suffers from dual personality disorder and decides to trap him. She poses as a concubine and enters Sajo’s mansion. But Yeon-wol soon develops romantic feelings for the prince and starts getting distracted from her mission.
About the show: One of the best K-dramas to release in 2024, Love Song for Illusion is adapted from the webtoon of the same name by Vanziun.
12 /12
A Killer Paradox
Directed by: Lee Chang-hee
Cast: Choi Woo-shik, Son Suk-ku, Lee Hee-jun
Release date: 9 February
Episodes: 8
IMDb rating: 7.2
Synopsis: After a brawl with a drunk criminal, University student Lee Tang (Choi) ends up killing him in self-defence. The incident makes him realise that he possesses a special ability to spot evil men. Tang eventually plans to erase all corrupt people from society with each passing day. But with Detective Nan-gam (Son) and ex-detective Song Chon (Lee) tailing him, the task seems difficult.
About the show: An adaptation of the webcomic SalinjaㅇNangam written by Ggomabi and illustrated by Nomabi.
(Hero and featured image: Courtesy Netflix)
(Note: IMDb ratings as of 12 March 2024)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
– Which is the highest-rated best K-drama in 2024?
Some of the highest-rated best K-dramas in 2024 are Queen of Tears, Wonderful World, A Killer Paradox, Marry My Husband, Captivating the King and Love Song for Illusion.
– Which is the number 1 Korean drama?
Some of the best K-dramas are Sky Castle, Welcome to Samdal-ri, My Demon, Crash Landing on You, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, Business Proposal, Vigilante, Reborn Rich, The Heirs, Boys Over Flowers, Goblin and Queen of Tears.
– Which K-drama has a 9.5 rating?
The K-drama Doom at Your Service has a 9.5 rating on the American streaming platform Rakuten Viki.
– Which K-drama is trending now in 2024?
The K-dramas trending in 2024 are Queen of Tears, Marry My Husband, Doctor Slump, Wonderful World, Flex X Cop and The Impossible Heir.
– Who is the top actor in South Korea?
Some of the top actors in South Korea are Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Song Knag, Song Joong-ki, Ji Chang-wook, Lee Hee-joon, Yeo Jung-woo, Kim Hyun-joo, Ahn Bo-hyun, Lee Jae-wook, Park Shin-hye and Gong Yoo.
(The information in this article is accurate as on the date of publication.)
Netflix korean dramas Best K-dramas marry my husband Doctor Slump k-dramas 2024 queen of tears Best K-dramas 2024 a killer paradox
