20 Latest and Most Popular Korean Dramas in 2024

Facing workplace discrimination and her boyfriend's infidelity, Bae Seok Ryeo decided to quit her job in the US and return to Korea. Back in her hometown, she unexpectedly reunites with her childhood best friend, Choi Seung Hyo.

In the past, the two were very close as their mothers were friends. However, meeting again as adults feels awkward due to some embarrassing memories from the past.

Choi Seung Hyo has grown into a handsome young man and is now one of Korea's top young architects, running his own firm. His success leads Seok Ryeo's mother to compare him to Seok Ryeo, which only adds to her stress.

Thankfully, Seung Hyo understands the situation and tries to comfort Seok Ryeo. As they spend more time together, their initially awkward relationship starts to warm up, and they begin to develop feelings for each other that go beyond friendship.

Inspired by the novel Snow White Must Die by Nele Neuhaus, this drama tells the mystery of a man named Ko Jung Woo (Byun Yo Han).

When he was in high school, Jung Woo was a smart student who was selected to enter medical school. After taking the entrance exam, Jung Woo was mysteriously arrested by the police on charges of killing two of his classmates. Surprisingly, Jung Woo has no memory of the incident. The bodies of the victims were never found, making the case even more bizarre.

After spending 10 years in prison, Jung Woo soon meets Detective No Sang Cheol (Ko Jun) to reinvestigate the case.

This mystery thriller Korean drama, Perfect Family is based on the webtoon by Nyangpa and Joo Eun and directed by Yukisada Isao. This series tells the story of the life of a seemingly small family that falls apart after their daughter is involved in a tragic event.

The family of Choi Jin Hyeok (Kim Byung Chul), his wife Eun Ju (Yoon Se Ah), and their daughter Sun Hui (Park Ju Hyun) seems both harmonious and wealthy. Although Sun Hui is their adopted daughter, both Eun Ju and Jin Hyeok have always loved her as if she were their biological daughter.

However, their world is turned upside down when Sun Hui returns home one day, covered in blood, and confesses that she may have killed her friend. Things get even more complicated when Sun Hui's friend's house catches fire, sending the family into a panic. One by one, these strange events reveal the true secrets of Choi Jin Hyeok's family, which apparently has a dark past.

Parents are willing to do anything for their children, and this theme is clearly portrayed in the drama "Your Honor." Starring veteran South Korean actors Son Hyun Joo and Kim Kyung Min, both actors play fathers who become entangled in conflicts involving their sons.

Song Pan Ho (played by Son Hyun Joo) is a judge highly respected in the community for his fairness and honesty in handling cases. He raises his son, Song Ho Young, with strong values, despite Ho Young's struggle with severe asthma.

However, when Ho Young is involved in an accident that kills the son of a famous mob boss, Kim Kang Heon (Kim Kyung Min), Pan Ho is forced to go beyond his moral limits. He tries hard to cover up the case to save his son's life from Kang Heon's cruelty.

Meanwhile, Kang Heon, who deeply loved his deceased son, cannot ignore the suspicious circumstances of the case. When he discovers evidence suggesting that the person responsible for his son's death had asthma, he is determined to track down the perpetrator and seek revenge.

Byeon Moo Jin was once married to Geum Ae Yeon, and together they had two children, Mi Rae and Hyeon Jae. However, after several business failures, their family began to fall apart, leading to their separation.

Following the divorce, Geum Ae Yeon then had to raise her children on her own by working part-time at a large supermarket. Eleven years later, her eldest child, Mi Rae, has become the manager at the same store, serving as the family's main provider. Meanwhile, the youngest, Hyeon Jae, has turned into a source of trouble, adding to the family's burdens.

One day, Moo Jin unexpectedly reappears in their lives, now as the owner of the building where they live. He tries to reconnect with his ex-wife and children, but Mi Rae is firmly against it. In contrast, Hyeon Jae is supportive of their father's efforts. The question remains: will this family find a way to reunite in the end?

After spending 13 years in prison for a crime he once committed, Kim Guk Ho (played by Yoo Jae Myung) is finally released. However, his life remains far from peaceful, as he becomes the target of many people.

The reason behind this chaos is a mysterious masked man who has offered 20 billion won to anyone who can kill Guk Ho. In response, a detective named Baek Joong Sik (played by Cho Jin Woong) is assigned to protect him.

Meanwhile, Guk Ho hires a lawyer named Lee Sang Bong (played by Kim Moo Yul) to help him stay alive. Will Guk Ho manage to survive when everyone wants to kill him?

The Brave Yong Soo Jung is a 2024 South Korean television series starring Uhm Hyun Kyung, Seo Jun Young, Lim Ju Eun, and Kwon Hwa Woon. The series follows the life of a young woman facing her personal challenges.

The protagonist, Yong Soo Jeong (Uhm Hyun Kyung), is a popular television host admired for her honesty on screen. However, in her private life, especially in matters of love, she struggles to express herself. When she falls for Joo Woo Jin (Kwon Hwa Woon), the heir to the controversial Masung Conglomerate Group, she becomes paralyzed by her emotions and unable to take action.

The series explores Su Jeong's journey as she confronts her feelings for Woo Jin and faces the complexities of her life. What challenges will Su Jeon face in the future with Woo Jin?

Beauty and Mr. Romantic is a South Korean television series that aired on KBS2 in 2024. Directed by Hong Seok Goo, the series stars Im Soo Hyang alongside Ji Hyun Woo. It's about the life of a top actress who tries to overcome various challenges.

Park Do Ra (Im Soo Hyang) is a strong and intelligent woman. Growing up in poverty, she worked hard to become rich through her acting skills. Her efforts paid off, and she is now famous and wealthy. Unfortunately, her mother takes advantage of this by pushing Do Ra to work constantly.

When Do Ra wants to end her acting career and enjoy life, her mother creates many problems for her. During this difficult time, a novice drama producer, Go Pil Sung (Ji Hyun Woo), tries to help Do Ra get back on her feet. As they spend time together, their relationship grows closer, and they begin to have feelings for each other.

The third season of Sweet Home still highlights Cha Hyun Soo's challenging life as a neohuman or half-monster. He faces numerous dilemmas, torn between his desire to protect his friends and his fellow neohumans.

Hyun Soo is determined to protect the neohumans from unfair persecution, believing they are not a threat to humans. This stance puts him in a complicated situation, especially when he encounters his old friend from the Green Home apartment, Lee Eun Hyuk, who is revealed to be alive and transformed into a powerful neohuman.

Eun Hyuk's return is not without reason. He is on a secret mission and requires Hyun Soo's assistance to initiate a new era of monsterization. The situation grows more complex with the hidden agendas of Sergeant Tak In Hwan and Chief Ji, whose secrets pose a threat to the survivors in the refugee camp.

Raising various social issues that may occur in the corporate world, The Auditors highlights the efforts of a group of audit teams to solve corruption cases in a large company. As corruption runs rampant at JU Construction, a new audit team is brought in to tackle the mess.

The team is led by Shin Cha Il (Shin Ha Kyun), a strong believer in upholding justice. Alongside him is Goo Han Soo (Lee Jung Ha), a Gen Z employee with exceptional analytical skills, though he can be a bit reckless at times.

Han Soo joins the audit team with hopes of eventually landing a job in the United States. However, his optimistic outlook often clashes with Shin Cha Il's cold nature.

Despite their contrasting personalities, both begin to understand that cooperation is essential to completing the tasks ahead. The two begin to build mutual respect and work together as best they can to clean up JU Construction of its corruption and nepotism.

Fans of political-themed Korean dramas, get ready! The Whirlwind will immerse you in intense political intrigue between two central figures: the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister. Instead of collaborating to move the government forward, their conflicting views set them on a path to destroy each other.

Prime Minister Dong Ho (Sol Kyung Gu) is driven by a vision to revolutionize South Korean politics. His ambition leads him to manipulate the media and align with corrupt conglomerates. He's even ruthless enough to assassinate a corrupt president without remorse.

However, not everyone shares Dong Ho's extreme views. Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Jeong Soo Jin (Kim Hee Ae), stands firmly against him. With her intelligence and persistence, Soo Jin defends democracy through her own methods.

The fierce battle between Park Dong Ho and Jeong Soo Jin is inevitable, and it spills over beyond the political arena. Dong Ho stops at nothing to get rid of Jeong Soo Jin, even targeting her family.

Life is hard for Baek Seol A, especially after the death of her father. All of her father's wealth is now taken by her stepmother, Moon Jung In, who was also responsible for his death. Abandoned at an orphanage, Seol A was forced to grow up there.

Despite these hardships, Seol A grew up to be a strong and talented scriptwriter. She found solace in a kind-hearted man, Seo Jin Ho, who was also her friend from the orphanage. The two fell in love, got engaged, and planned to get married.

However, on their wedding day, Jin Ho suddenly disappeared. It turns out that the night before, he was struck by Moon Jung In and, out of guilt, ended up living with her. Over time, Moon Jung In began to develop feelings for Jin Ho, as he reminded her of her first love.

After a long absence, Jin Ho reappears as a famous actor, and Seol A recognizes him. To her shock, she discovers that Jin Ho is now living with her evil stepmother. With her patience running out, Seol A decides to take revenge and get what is hers back from Moon Jung In.

Starring Lee Jung Eun, Jung Eun Ji, and Choi Jin Hyuk, Miss Night and Day tells the story of the double life of a woman who mysteriously ages drastically during the day and night.

Lee Mi Jin (Jung Eun Ji) is a 20-year-old woman who has been unemployed for a long time. One morning, she mysteriously wakes up in the body of a 50-year-old woman. Surprisingly, her body reverts to its youthful state at night. Although initially shocked, Mi Jin gradually comes to terms with her unusual situation and even takes advantage of it to secure a job.

During the day, as an older woman, Mi Jin ended up working as an intern at the Seohan District Prosecutor's Office under the alias Im Soon (Lee Jung Eun). She works closely with Prosecutor Gye Ji Ung (Choi Jin Hyuk), who specializes in drug-related cases.

As time passes, Gye Ji Ung becomes involved in a relationship with Lee Mi Jin, leading the two to grow closer. However, as their bond deepens, Gye Ji Ung starts to notice something strange in Mi Jin's behavior. Will he eventually discover that Lee Mi Jin and Im Soon are actually the same person?

Jooshin High School in South Korea is famous for being the most prestigious school. Established by the Jooshin Group conglomerate, it traditionally only admits students who come from wealthy backgrounds.

Among the students are Jeong Jae Yi, daughter of the Jaeyool Group family; Kim Ri An, heir to the Jooshin Group; Yoon He Ra, the youngest daughter of International Yoon; and Lee Woo Jin, the second son of a powerful political family in South Korea.

However, one student captures everyone's attention: Kang Ha, a new transfer student. With his innocent smile, he conceals a secret. His arrival starts to stir things up at Jooshin High School, as he seems determined to avenge his twin brother's murder and uncover the truth.

The setup of Hierarchy may remind you of the Spanish teen series Elite, though it skips the erotic scenes. This drama highlights the profound influence of money and power on people's lives. It might sound cliché, but those who enjoy a good mystery will likely find it interesting.

High School Return of a Gangster is a South Korean television series that follows the story of Kim Deuk Pal (Lee Seo Jin), a 47-year-old gangster who dreamed of getting an education as a teenager but never achieved it because his parents were very poor. One day, his spirit suddenly leaves his body and takes over the body of a high school student named Song Yi Heon (Yoon Chan Young), who is about to commit suicide.

After taking over Yi Heon's body, Deuk Pal finds that Yi Heon has been cruelly bullied by his classmates. Unable to accept this, Deuk Pal confronts the bullies head-on and punishes them for their behaviour.

While living a high school life in Yi Heon's body, Deuk Pal befriends Choi Se Kyung (Bong Jae Hyun), who seems to have the perfect life but secretly suffers from domestic violence at the hands of her father. Determined to help Se Kyung, Deuk Pal attempts to overcome this problem before his spirit returns to his original body.

While it may remind you of Squid Game, The 8 Show introduces unique elements. The drama is inspired by Bae Jin Soo's Naver webtoon Money Game and its follow-up, Pie Game.

The plot kicks off when eight financially struggling individuals are invited to a reality show named Money Game. They must live in an eight-story apartment for 100 days, trying to earn as much money as possible.

Each participant picks a numbered card and lives on the corresponding floor. They earn money every minute and can order anything they want through an intercom. However, essentials are priced 1,000 times higher than normal.

Soon, players realize that the higher the floor they are on, the more money they make. This sparks fierce competition as everyone vies to reach the top floor, sometimes even by sabotaging other players.

Sun Woo's webtoon Treat Me Carelessly caught the eye of director Jang Yang Ho, who decided to turn it into a drama series with Fantagio production. The drama stars L, also known as Kim Myun Soo, and Lee Yoo Young.

L portrays Shin Yoon Bok, a young man who embraces traditional living. He is set to inherit his family's role in Sungsan Village, a place that preserves the culture of the Joseon era. Yoon Bok even dresses like an old-school Confucian scholar to follow his family elders' advice.

Despite his traditional upbringing, Yoon Bok has the heart of any typical young man, full of rebellion. Dreaming of becoming a webcomic author, he leaves for Seoul. There, he meets Kim Hong Do (Lee Yoo Young), who will profoundly impact his life.

Kim Hong Do works on a contract basis in the design team of a clothing company, handling almost all the tasks, even minor errands. Despite being underestimated by her colleagues, she remains determined to achieve her dream of becoming a designer for a luxury fashion brand.

Miss Jang Ki Yong's appearance on screen? The good news is, The Atypical Family marks his comeback! In this fantasy romance drama, he plays Bok Gwi Ju, a man with a superpower. This power runs in his family.

Gwi Ju's ability lets him go back in time, but only to happy moments. Sadly, he loses this power when he becomes depressed.

Modern problems like insomnia, bulimia, and gadget dependence also weaken the powers of Gwi Ju's family members. Now, they live like normal humans.

However, when a woman named Do De Hae (Chun Woo Hee) gets involved in Gwi Ju's family life and starts living with them, miracles begin to happen. What kind of miracle is it?

At 33, Song Ki Baek's life as a host seems perfect, even though he's still single. His excellent speaking skills have earned him respect.

But one day, he had an accident and got electrocuted. Thankfully, he survived, but the incident left him with a tendency to speak impulsively, which is a nightmare for his career.

However, this change caught the attention of On Woo Joo, a television show screenwriter. Woo Joo was intrigued by Ki Baek's new way of speaking and decided to cast him in one of her shows. Since then, they have grown close. Over time, both Ki Baek and Woo Joo help each other with their problems.

After the success of Nevertheless, directed by her and Kim Ga Ram, Jang Ji Yeon is now confident in directing her first drama, Frankly Speaking, by herself. This drama, which first aired on JTBC, marks her first collaboration with writer Choi Kyung.

Lovely Runner is a South Korean television series produced by CJ ENT, starring Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon. Based on Kim Bbang's novel The Best of Tomorrow, the story follows a girl's struggle to save her beloved idol, the one who gives her sprit to life.

Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon) is a girl with many dreams, but an accident in her childhood shattered them. When she's struggling, she meets a top star, Ryu Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok), who reignites her spirit.

Not long after becoming a big fan, Im Sol is devastated when she hears that Ryu Sun Jae died. In her grief, she suddenly wakes up in another time where she and Ryu Sun Jae are 15 years old and schoolmates. To save Sun Jae, Im Sol does everything she can to keep him safe.