5 days Ago By Mimansa Shekhar
How do you pick your favourite when you have more than 50 Korean shows as different as chalk and cheese hitting the bull's eye across genres? From contract marriages to time travel, and from revenge plots to childhood romance trope, there was something for every K-drama lover. 2024 was, in fact, a surprise package. Apart from our absolute favourite and biggest stars returning on screen, the year gave us many surprises and breakout actors.
While Lovely Runner became a hot favourite, Queen Of Tears posed serious competition. And if that wasn't enough, just before the year began wrapping up, our screens blasted with When The Phone Rings, that appeared out of nowhere, and broke all viewership records. Even Mr.
Plankton that came quietly and shocked us. ALSO READ: Recap 2024: How Small Films With Ghoonghats, Ghosts, Guns Turned Big This Year - From Laapataa Ladies To Munjya Here, we put 2024 under scanner, and rank the top 10 K-dramas that not just ruled the charts, it even triggered our emotions and left a mark in our hearts for various reasons. Be it storylines or performances, they are going to be remembered for a long time.
Top 10 K-drama of 2024 ranked 10. My Sweet Mobster Starring: Uhm Tae-Goo and Han Sun-Hwa Streaming: Viki Rakuten A group of reformed gangsters try to move on from their dark past, and helping them is the sole sunshine in their life - a woman! A heartwarming love story of a mobster and a kids' content creator. When life gets serious, watch this fun show.
Lesser known supporting actors leave an impression in this rom-com. 9. Love Next Door Starring: Jung Hae-In and Jung So-Min Streaming: Netflix Childhood-friends-turned-lovers.
.. He fell first, she fell harder.
.. Pick any trope of K-dramas and LND used it to perfection.
Despite being predictable, it won audiences' love due to its healing and emotional connect. The crackling chemistry between its lead pair added to the boon. 8.
Marry My Husband Starring: Park Min-Young and Na In-Woo Streaming: Amazon Prime Video What if you end up reliving your life, would you make amends? Destiny gives a wife an opportunity to travel back in time to avenge her murder at the hands of her husband and best friend. She sees life under a new lens while also self-discovering herself. An engrossing revenge-drama.
7. Doctor Slump Starring: Park Hyung-Sik and Park Shin-Hye Streaming: Netflix Two archrivals and schoolmates bump into each other years later when their lives have hit rock bottom. These enemies eventually find solace and overcome the slump together, giving us an adorable rom-com.
With actors who are masters of the comedy genre, this one can be tuned in without a second thought. 6. Family By Choice Starring: Hwang In-Youp, Jung Chae-Yeon and Bae Hyun-Sung Streaming: Viki Rakuten A star cast that breathed life into their characters, it had one of the best castings of 2024.
This trio connects so well, you shed happy-sad tears with them. Each one with mommy-issues, together they become shields with armour. Not to miss the brilliant daddies.
The dining table scenes are heart-melting. 5. Mr.
Plankton Starring: Woo Do-Hwan and Lee Yoo-Mi Streaming: Netflix Another surprise hit, it teaches you how to live life even if your days are numbered. Two crazy ex-lovers are forced to embark on a road trip only to realise there was never any love lost. It makes you laugh, but it makes you cry buckets too.
Despite a sad ending, this one is a must-watch - a lesson about life. 4. The Judge From Hell Starring: Park Shin-Hye and Kim Jae-Young Streaming: Disney+ Hotstar What lies between life and death? A trial by the judge from hell itself, who makes you go through the same torture as punishment for your sins.
A unique courtroom drama combining fantasy, suspense, revenge and heartfelt human emotions. Nobody escapes the prying eyes of Kang Bitna, remember! What a performance by Park! 3. Queen Of Tears Starring: Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Ji-Won Streaming: Netflix A romance for ages, about a couple on the verge of separation until a terminal disease shakes up their marriage.
Thus begins a journey to rekindle their romance with some incredible performances by its lead pair. Engrossing screenplay and a remarkable direction is just some of its plus. It'll make you cry till you die! 2.
When The Phone Rings Starring: Yoo Yeon-Seok and Chae Soo-Bin Streaming: Netflix Until a month ago, this list was almost locked. Then arrived a show that surprisingly blew up things and climbed the ratings in no time. A couple's three-year marriage turns upside-down after a threatening phone call.
It has everything in right measures - a crisp plot, edge-of-the-seat thrill, brilliant performances and a sparkling chemistry. Do not miss! 1. Lovely Runner Starring: Byeon Woo-Seok and Kim Hye-Yoon Streaming: Viki Rakuten and Netflix How far can you go to save your loved one? And what if you realise it isn't just a one-sided love? This one travels 15 years back in time trying to alter the present.
With multiple realities, possibilities and repercussions, a heart stopping drama with oodles of laughter, more tears, an OST for the keeps, and the best ending one has seen in recent K-dramas. A breakout show with breakout actors of 2024! Which one is your favourite? Let us know @TimesNow Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Korean, Entertainment News and around the world..
