With so many Korean dramas in 2024, it can be difficult to find the perfect Korean drama that's both highly rated and perfect for you. From absurd dramas that will keep you laughing throughout, such as ‘Chicken Nugget’, to romantic masterpieces such as ‘Doctor Slump’, we bring you the top 20 Korean dramas of 2024 so far, ranked from highest rated to least rated. These ratings were collected from various news and media sites, as well as our own personal ratings of how good the drama was!

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1. Queen of Tears

‘Queen of Tears’ tops this list, as well as every other list (going head to head with number two on this list – Lovely Runner), where the king and queen of Korean dramas, Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Ji-Won, meet again. Heavy romance in the elite world as well as plenty of comedy makes ‘Queen of Tears’ one of the greatest and highest-rated, Korean dramas of all time, and certainly of 2024.

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2. Lovely Runner

As a close runner-up to the top spot on this list, ‘Lovely Runner’ will stir your heart as you binge-watch through all of its episodes, falling in love with Im Sol (Kim Hye-Yoon) in her journey across time as she attempts to save her celebrity, Ryu Sun-Jae (Byeong Woo-Seok), from inevitable death, and finds herself falling in love instead.

3. The Atypical Family

‘The Atypical Family’ is, you guessed it, atypical, but doesn't fall short of a heartwarming message of love and regret. Following a family with lost superpowers, Do Da-Hee (Chun Woo-Hee) enters the scene reviving their superpowers and revealing a broken past and background that is yet to be provoked.

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4. The 8 Show

Chun Woo-Hee stars in another masterpiece in a less-violent, and yet equally thrilling reincarnation of ‘Squid Game’. Eight players are locked in the same building and the longer they stay inside, the more their money grows. However, as an unfair hierarchy comes into play, ‘The 8 Show’ reveals itself to be darker and deeper than its sister drama.

5. Death's Game

When the main character finds that he must die twelve times as a punishment, we travel with him on a thrilling game of death. With every twist and turn, ‘Death’s Game' is no longer just a game of excitement, but also one of identity and love as well. You will not be disappointed when riding this intense rollercoaster!

6. Pyramid Game

‘Pyramid Game’ is one of the most thrilling dramas of 2024, set in a school where popularity means the difference between life and death. The drama follows Su-Ji (Bona) and her quest to gain popularity and rise to the top of the hierarchy after becoming a victim of the school's brutal bullying.

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7. Gyeongseong Creature

This horror was released in late 2023 and extended into 2024, and because of its popularity and cast, we felt we had to add it to this list. With Park Seo-Joon and Han So-Hee starring, ‘Gyeongseong Creature’ is set in historical times and never fails to keep you on the edge of your seat. If you love bloody monsters and neverending thrill, you must watch ‘Gyeongseong Creature’!

8. Marry My Husband

‘Marry My Husband’ is one of the top revenge dramas of 2024, with Park Min-Young, one of the most popular Korean actresses, at its head. When Kang Ji-Won (Park Min-Young) witnesses her husband and her best friend having an affair\ and is killed by them, she finds herself teleported back in time. She is determined to have her revenge as the plot escalates beyond her control.

9. Hierarchy

If you're looking for a 2024 version of ‘SKY Castle’, look no further than ‘Hierarchy’, the top elite school drama of the year. When a scholarship student attends a school for elite children, looking for revenge, the students reveal its dark secrets and the political struggles beneath an inherent hierarchy of popularity and wealth. ‘Hierarchy’ promises thrill, romance, and revenge all packed into one!

10. Doctor Slump

‘Doctor Slump’ is so underrated, that most viewers tend to forget that it exists, but that doesn't change the fact that it tells one of the greatest love stories of the decade. Two doctors, reuniting again in a deep slump in their lives, blossom from dislike into a beautiful romance. ‘Doctor Slump’ will keep you giggling from beginning to end, and it is a must-watch for any K-drama-romance fanatic.

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11. Wonderful World

Cha Eun-Woo, singer and actor, returns once again as the main character in a drama with Kim Nam-Joo, where a woman who lost her son seeks revenge while solving other people's problems. With just the right blend of mystery and thrill, ‘Wonderful World’ is beautifully written and masterfully played (and Cha Eun-Woo isn't playing a romantic lead for the first time ever!)

12. Parasyte: The Grey

Perhaps one of the more violent Korean dramas on this list – ‘Parasyte: The Grey’ is thrilling and horrifying, as parasites take hosts and graphically take control. Jeon So-Nee at its head, ‘Parasyte: The Grey’ is a must-watch for any fan of horror and thrill, taking science fiction to the next level.

13. A Killer Paradox

When a college student finds that he's killed multiple people by accident, ‘A Killer Paradox’ jumpstarts into a thrilling plot to explore the morality of murder and its consequences. ‘A Killer Paradox’ is psychologically and physically thrilling and will not put you down from beginning to end.

14. Flex X Cop

Ahn Bo-Hyun does not let us down with his latest crime show. Described as ‘one of the best TV shows to watch in 2024’, ‘Flex X Cop’ mixes the perfect blend of comedy and thrill, following Jin I-Soo (Ahn Bo-Hyun) as he chases down criminals. With Park Ji-Hyun and Jang Gyu-Ri leading the supporting characters, ‘Flex X Cop’ is a drama you must add to your watch later list.

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15. Captivating the King

If you loved Cho Jung-Seok from Hospital Playlist, you'll love his acting here. Following a power struggle, Kang Hee-So tries to captivate the king to gain more power but instead love blossoms between them. With powerful forces controlling their actions and a deep dive into historical fiction, ‘Captivating the King’ is romantic, thrilling, and everything you need to keep you entertained throughout all its episodes!

16. Connection

Any Korean drama with Ji Sung is an automatic hit. When a police officer is forcibly addicted to drugs and continues to keep his distance away from anyone because he believes that personal connections are dangerous, circumstances become much more complicated and the world does not seem so black and white anymore. A thrilling and captivating drama, ‘Connection’ is high on the list of the top Korean dramas to watch in 2024!

17. Midnight Studio

Perhaps one of the best romance Korean dramas of 2024, although not as famous as ‘Queen of Tears’ or ‘Lovely Runner’, ‘Midnight Studio’ is interesting and lighthearted. The premise? A photographer who runs a studio for dead people. When the photographer meets his partner in crime, they go on an adventure, solving problems for the dead while their adorable romance blossoms.

18. Branding in Seongsu

Although ‘Branding in Seongsu’ is near the bottom of this list, it is still as thrilling and enjoyable as the ones above. When two completely opposite co-workers accidentally kiss, their bodies are swapped and they must learn to live in this new strange world. With a great blend of comedy and romance, ‘Branding in Seongsu’ is hilarious and exciting, a must-watch for any fan of romantic Korean dramas.

19. Dare to Love Me

Based on a webtoon, ‘Dare to Love Me’ is a perfect blend of comedy and romance. A scholar from a small village in South Korea is polite and diligent, while also remaining cool and collected against most personal relationships. When he meets a girl who is both rebellious and the complete opposite of the gentle and warm stereotype, love begins to bloom between them.

20. Red Swan

‘Red Swan’ is one of the most popular Korean dramas in July 2024, although it did not top the charts by its ratings. The story follows a woman who is born into a poor family and comes out of her misfortunes by becoming a world-class golfer and catching the attention of rich people around the world. A wonderful, entertaining thriller, ‘Red Swan’ is definitely something you must watch this year!

There were so many Korean dramas released this year that it is difficult to narrow down the list to the top 20. If you've already watched all these Korean dramas and would like to find a new one to binge, check out the quiz above! If you have any Korean drama recommendations for 2024 that aren't on this list, please comment their names below!