K-pop, Manga, Dorama, Anime… If these words resonate with you, you’re in the right place. But let’s not mix everything up—this time, we’re talking about Korean dramas 🇰🇷.

K-dramas, or Korean television series, are no longer just romantic stories for teenagers. The modern Korean entertainment industry offers a wide range of genres, high-quality content, and excellent acting. K-dramas are truly taking over the film industry, and soon, they might even pose serious competition to Hollywood… or have they already started? 🤔

Anyway, there are already a few K-dramas in 2024 that have been considered the best in their genres—ranging from drama and thriller to fantasy and horror.
Let’s dive in 👇

🎬 Seonjae eopgo twieo (선재 없고 뛰어) - "Grab Seonjae and Run" — Best Romantic Drama of 2024

"Grab Seonjae and Run" has become the best romantic K-drama of 2024. In the first week, it became the most-watched Korean drama in almost 130 countries, breaking all records. It was also recognized as the best drama of the year by the Times.

This is a touching love story full of sincerity and hope. Im Sol, deeply in love with her idol Ryu Seonjae, is destined to save him from suicide. She returns to the past, 15 years ago, when Ryu Seonjae wasn’t a famous musician, and she wasn’t confined to a wheelchair. Im Sol does everything to change their tragic destinies. Will she manage to save her soulmate and find happiness, or will she have to come to terms with the bitterness of loss? You’ll find out after watching.

🎬 Killeodeului syopingmol (킬러들의 쇼핑몰) - "Killers' Shopping Mall" — Best Action Drama

"Killers' Shopping Mall" has been recognized as the best action drama of 2024. The news of Jeon Jin-man’s death reaches his niece, Jeon Chi-an. The young girl travels to her hometown to properly bury her uncle according to all Korean traditions. Jeon Jin-man was her closest and most beloved person, who took care of her when she lost her parents. His death deeply affects Chi-an because he is a symbol of strength, protection, and support for her.

At home, she meets her childhood friend Chan-min, who worked with Jeon Jin-man. Together, they uncover her uncle’s secrets. It turns out he wasn’t just a garden supply seller, but a supplier of weapons to hired killers. With millions of dollars at stake, Jeon Jin-man’s past makes Chi-an a target. Former clients start hunting her down. Chi-an must learn to survive in the criminal world and uncover all the secrets behind her uncle’s death.

🎬 Yu Feng Xing / The Legend of Shen Li (驭凤行) - "The Legend of Shen Li" — Best Fantasy Drama

"The Legend of Shen Li" is a Chinese fantasy drama based on rich legends about gods, demons, and ordinary mortals. Shen Li, a princess descended from the spirit world, is forced to leave her world and turn into a bird to avoid marrying a celestial being. Her companion and helper is the obedient servant Mo Fan, who accompanies her in the human world.
You can discover their adventures on Earth by watching the drama.

🎬 Hieoroneun animnidaman (히어로는 아닙니다만) - "Though I'm Not a Hero"

Pok Kwi-joo had a superpower—he could travel back to the good moments of the past. His mother, Pok Man-heum, could predict the future, which brought great wealth to their family, and his sister, Pok Don-hee, could fly. However, they all lost their supernatural abilities due to their negative traits and weaknesses. After his wife’s death, Pok Kwi-joo stopped noticing the joys of life and thus lost his superpower. The whole family falls into depression until Do Da-hae, who wants to marry Pok Kwi-joo for money, appears. Do Da-hae’s arrival dispels the family’s melancholy, and each member begins to discover themselves, overcoming their difficulties.

🎬 Gisaengsu: deo geurei (기생수: 더 그레이) - "Parasit: The Grey" — Best Horror Drama

"Parasit: The Grey" is an adaptation of the "Parasit" manga, which significantly differs from the original plot. The manga was written by Japanese author Hitoshi Iwaaki in 1994. The story is about an alien invasion where the aliens take over human bodies like parasites. They use the body as a shell for movement and camouflage. When needed, the aliens transform into monsters with giant wings and tentacles. They feed on human flesh, learn quickly, and possess incredible strength.

More and more people fall victim to these aliens. The infected person loses consciousness, and their mind is controlled by the parasitic alien. Some just disappear, becoming the next meal for the monster, but most people don’t even suspect the existence of aliens because the government keeps it a secret. Only the special "Grey" squad, led by Choi Jun-gyon, can fight against the parasites. Will the heroes be able to defeat the invaders, or will humanity have to coexist with aliens on Earth as two biological species?

🎬 Nunmului yeowang (눈물의 여왕) - "Queen of Tears"

Movies about love usually end with "happily ever after," but what happens after the wedding is rarely talked about. "Queen of Tears" explores this very phase, when the passion fades, and the newlyweds begin to see each other’s flaws.

Pak Hyeon-un and Hong Hae-in thought their life after marriage would be perfect, but the reality is quite different. The romance fades, and they have to work hard to preserve their love and union. Pak Hyeon-un even considers divorce, but everything changes when Hong Hae-in is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.
The forgotten feelings between the man and woman are rekindled, and Hyeon-un does everything he can to save his wife. Will they be able to keep their vow to share both joy and sorrow, in sickness and in health?

🎬 Piramideu geim (피라미드 게임) - "Pyramid Game"

Son Soo-ji transfers to an elite girls' school in Seoul, where she has to not only study but also survive in the strict school environment. Every month, the girls vote for the most unfortunate and useless student, who then becomes the target of bullying and exclusion. As soon as she enters the school, Son Soo-ji finds herself at the bottom of the social hierarchy, thanks to the actions of her classmates. The girls will do anything to avoid being at the bottom of the hierarchy and often deceive newcomers.

Princess Baek Ha-rin, with her elite group, controls this system at the top of the pyramid. Those at the bottom of the hierarchy are subjected to humiliation and disdain. Son Soo-ji quickly learns the rules of the "Pyramid Game" to avoid becoming a victim of bullying the following month. However, she is unwilling to accept the established social order and decides to end this bullying with Cha Eun. The desperate and oppressed girls choose to stage a revolution at school.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab your popcorn, pick a K-drama, and start this exciting journey.

By the way, if you’re interested in Asian culture, check out our previous blog "5 New Anime Series to Binge-Watch".