As we near the end of 2024, we can now look back on the year to remember the top Korean dramas that have been released. It is no surprise that 2024 has been a plentiful year of joy and thrill for Korean drama lovers around the world. Whether you love romantic love scenes or thrilling crime dramas, 2024 has been a year to satisfy anyone. From incredible love dramas that traverse across time like Lovely Runner to heart-stopping murder shows like A Killer Paradox, we bring to you the top 10 Korean dramas released in 2024!

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It should be no surprise that the queen of Korean dramas this year is the ‘Queen of Tears’. Starring two of the most famous leads of all time, Kim Soo-Hyun as the poor farmer's boy Baek Hyun-Woo, and Kim Ji-Won as the heiress of a multi-billionaire CEO Hong Hae-In, ‘Queen of Tears’ was an instant hit and broke numerous records on its release. As the two leads go through a rocky patch in their marriage, love miraculously begins to bloom again. With the perfect blend of romance, comedy, and thrill, ‘Queen of Tears’ tops this list as the best Korean drama of 2024.

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Lovely Runner
Coming close in second place, ‘Lovely Runner’ comes out as one of, if not the, best romance dramas of the past decade. Traveling across time, Im Sol, played by Kim Hye-Yoon, finds herself in her high school days with the purpose of saving her future celebrity crush from his inevitable fate. The beauty of this drama lies in the incredible chemistry the two leads have with each other. Filled with love and heartbreak, ‘Lovely Runner’ is a must-watch for any fan of Korean drama romance.

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Doctor Slump
‘Doctor Slump’ is one of the most underrated Korean dramas of 2024. When two doctors who are at the lows of their lives reunite again, a new romance is ignited. A mix of both romantic comedy and a medical drama, ‘Doctor Slump’ is a drama you cannot miss out on. Praised for its reliability and freshness, ‘Doctor Slump’ will keep you binge-watching and giggling throughout as you root for the chemistry between the two main leads.

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Mr. Plankton
‘Mr. Plankton’ was released in late 2024 but instantly rose to the top of South Korea's drama charts. Romantic comedies have been reigning over the past year – ‘Mr. Plankton' follows one of the unluckiest men in the world and his ex-girlfriend. When he finds out he only has a few months to live due to a terminal illness, he and his ex are forced to accompany each other. You will be taken on an emotional rollercoaster in this heartwrenching, must-watch drama!

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A Shop for Killers
This Korean drama has to be part of this list because of its fresh take on action dramas. Although the drama can be a bit slow-paced at parts, the actors brought out their individual characteristics, playing into the storyline and allowing the thrill and intense action scenes to shine. When Ji-An's uncle dies, she realizes that he doesn't lead the life she once believed, but a weapons shop for killers. Quickly, she finds herself the target of multiple assassins and fights to stay alive with unlikely allies. ‘A Shop for Killers’ is thrilling and will keep you on the edge of your seat all the way through.

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The Judge from Hll
Released in late 2024, ‘The Judge from Hll’ puts a spin on the normally ordinary courtroom drama by adding a bit of fantasy and romance. Surrounding a fierce judge who fights against corruption and a detective, the storyline is compelling and the acting of the entire cast is top-notch. Their on-screen chemistry makes ‘The Judge from H*ll’ one of the top Korean dramas of 2024 and a must-watch for any fan of crime and justice dramas.

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Marry My Husband
‘Marry My Husband’ was one of the first marriage-revenge Korean dramas that caught the international audience's attention, and was definitely out of character for the lead Park Min-Young, who played the lead as well in the iconic romance drama ‘What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim'. However, the acting was on point and the entire cast worked together to create one of the best dramas of 2024. The entire concept of the drama was interesting, starring a woman getting revenge on her husband for his affair, while also being emotional and heartwrenching.

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The Atypical Family
After the two megahits, ‘Queen of Tears’ and ‘Lovely Runner’, Korean drama fans were looking for something different and special – this was where ‘The Atypical Family’ fit into the scene. ‘The Atypical Family' stars a family of individuals fallen from their supernatural powers due to various modern-life problems. As the family fights through love, betrayal, and hidden motives to restore their original status, we watch a fully-fledged drama hook its viewers from the first scene to the last. ‘The Atypical Family’ is a healthy break from the typical romance and a great watch for any K-drama fan.

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A Killer Paradox
Just like the name, ‘A Killer Paradox’ is a thrilling drama about murder, with also a wonderful blend of psychological and philosophical meaning. With an interesting plot surrounding an average college student who accidentally kills someone, ‘A Killer Paradox’ is exciting and psychologically thrilling. The drama gives equal weight to both the plotline and crime perspective, as well as the character development, and highlights the lead's compelling personality and thoughts – a must-watch for any fan of crime and thrill!

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Pyramid Game
Last but not least, ‘Pyramid Game’ is set in an all-girls high school where how students view each other determines not only your social status but sometimes the difference between life and death. With the purpose of displaying the reality and shocking nature of bullying, ‘Pyramid Game’ is an exciting drama that will keep you on the edge of your seat from Episode 1 to 10.

Take the Quiz: What Drama Should You Watch Next?
Take this quiz to find out what K-drama you should watch next!
From ‘Queen of Tears’ to ‘The Atypical Family’, 2024 has brought Korean drama fans around with world great entertainment and variety. As we binge-watch through countless hours with our favorite actors, we can also look forward to ‘Squid Game Season 2’ coming out next year, and expect many more great shows to be released. Don't forget to check out our other articles on the top Korean dramas to you should watch, or take the interactive quiz to find out which Korean drama you should watch next!