Top 7 Korean Dramas to Watch in 2024

As we enter the second half of 2024, we can look back on the numerous Korean dramas released and review the best and the worst, the most popular dramas, and the ones that flopped the most. From record-breaking dramas such as ‘Queen of Tears’, taking over ‘Crash Landing On You’ as the most popular romance drama of the decade, to ‘Hierarchy’, the modern reincarnation of ‘SKY Castle’, Korean drama fans around the world have been filled to the brim with all the romance, excitement, and thrill anyone could ask for. Here are the top 7 Korean dramas of 2024.

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Queen of Tears

The queen of Korean dramas this year goes directly to ‘Queen of Tears’. If you haven't watched this masterpiece by Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Ji-Won, what are you waiting for? ‘Queen of Tears’ took over international charts, sweeping every top spot imaginable, and dethroned the iconic ‘Crash Landing On You’ becoming the highest-rated and most-watched tvN drama of the decade. ‘Queen of Tears’, following the rocky marriage of a company heiress and farmer boy, will take you on an emotional rollercoaster as you watch the two fall in love all over again. A romantic masterpiece, ‘Queen of Tears’ is undoubtedly the greatest romance K-drama of 2024, and perhaps one of the greatest of all time as well.

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Lovely Runner

‘Lovely Runner’ came out around the same time as ‘Queen of Tears’ but was far less known due to lack of advertising and the overshadowing of its popular sister. However, after ‘Queen of Tears’ ended, Korean drama fans, searching for another drama to watch, stumbled upon a hidden gem. ‘Lovely Runner’ follows a girl who travels back in time to save her celebrity crush from inevitable death. What starts as a schoolgirl story blossoms into a romance that surpasses time and space, branching between Ryu Sun-Jae (Byeon Woo-Seok) and Im Sol (Kim Hye-Yoon). ‘Lovely Runner’ is hilarious, heartbreaking, and lovely all at the same time.

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The 8 Show

The premise of ‘The 8 Show’ is strikingly similar to ‘Squid Game’ and yet vastly different at the same time, drawing viewers to it like moths to a flame. A group of eight contestants are thrown into a building together where the longer they stay in the building, the more money they earn. When they realize that there is a hierarchy built into the system and that the money they earn individually is not equal, the game turns psychological as the contestants fight for their money, and their sanity, in the process. ‘The 8 Show’ is thrilling and will keep you hooked from beginning to end, making it one of the most popular dramas this year.

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The Atypical Family

Chun Woo-Hee, who also played one of the eight contestants in ‘The 8 Show’, returns again as the main star of ‘The Atypical Family’, which took over international charts. The drama showcases one of the most interesting premises this year (except maybe ‘Chicken Nugget’, which took ‘absurdity’ to a different level). A family used to have superpowers, but they've been slowly stripped away as they get afflicted with various modern-day problems such as insomnia and obesity, when their powers begin returning with the presence of Do Da-Hee (Chun Woo-Hee). ‘The Atypical Family’ reveals itself to be one of the most entertaining dramas this year as motives and hidden backgrounds are slowly exposed.

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Hierarchy

The modern reincarnation of ‘SKY Castle’, ‘Hierarchy’ is not your normal love story, nor is it a typical elitist drama. Kang Ha enters Jooshin High, an elite private school for the richest students in the country, as a scholarship student. His motive?

Revenge for his dead brother, who was apparently bullied to death. However, as he meets more of the students, circumstances grow exponentially more complicated. With just the right mix of love, power struggles, and revenge, ‘Hierarchy’ is heartwrenching and satisfying to watch. It was no surprise that the sister of ‘SKY Castle’ would take one of the top spots as the most popular drama this year so far.

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Doctor Slump

"Doctor Slump," one of the most heartwarming romantic K-dramas of 2024, is a perfect blend of romantic comedy and drama. The story follows two high school classmates, now doctors, who used to hate each other but find love blossoming between them as they reunite. Featuring Park Hyung-Sik and Park Shin-Hye, the drama showcases their amazing on-screen chemistry and their spectacular portrayals of a burnt-out doctor and a burgeoning romance. With its captivating storyline and well-developed characters, "Doctor Slump" is a must-watch for any K-drama fan.

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Miss Night and Day

‘Miss Night and Day’ tops this list as the most intriguing Korean drama. A woman lives as her twenty-year-old self during the night and a 50-year-old woman during the day. She takes advantage of this to live her best life and work her dream job. When she gets involved with the same man from night to day, love eventually blossoms and her lives start coming into conflict with each other, throwing both comedy and romance together in one of the most entertaining Korean dramas of 2024.

2024 has seen an influx of the top Korean dramas of the decade, with the likes of ‘Queen of Tears’ and ‘Lovely Runner’. However, lesser-known dramas such as ‘Doctor Slump’ and ‘The 8 Show’ have also been absolute masterpieces and must-watches for any Korean drama fan out there. Take the quiz above to find out what Korean drama you should watch next! If you have any other recommendations for the top Korean dramas this year that we should watch, please leave them in the comments below! You could also apply to The Teen Magazine's writer team and write about your favorite Korean dramas for us ❤️