13 Best K-Dramas of 2024
It was an excellent year for Korean dramas — and with Squid Game season 2 on the horizon, there’s more to come.
Tag: 2023
“Like Flowers in Sand” (모래에도 꽃이 핀다)
A mystery thriller as much as it is a wrestling saga, Like Flowers in Sand is set in a small town where everyone is obsessed with ssireum, traditional Korean wrestling.
American melancholy: The real loss in “Past Lives” isn’t love
In the Academy Award-nominated film “Past Lives,” the Korean concept of inyeon is used to lead viewers into believing that Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae-sung (Teo Yoo) are destined to be together – if not in this lifetime, then in the future. Or perhaps they were together in a distant past that neither can recall. The introduction of the word leaves moviegoers hoping that these two can have a happily-ever-after ending, despite his living in Seoul, 7,000 miles from her apartment in New York City.
“My Happy Ending” (나의 해피엔드)
There is a lot going on in this K-drama that could’ve been resolved if the protagonists had a long conversation to discuss misunderstandings.
“Welcome to Samdal-ri” (웰컴투 삼달리)
Set in Jeju-do/제주도, “Welcome to Samdal-ri” explores the relationship between childhood best friends Yong-pil (Chang-wook) and Sam-dal (Shin Hye-sun). From the time she was a child, Sam-dal wanted to escape her small town and make a name for herself as a photographer in Seoul. The two dated for a while, with Yong-pil happy to follow her to the bit city and support her dreams.
“My Demon” (마이 데몬)
“My Demon” begins in Joseon. Gu-won (Song Kang) makes a deal with an indigent fisherman. This demon will ensure that the fisherman has prosperity and food for the next decade. But, there’s a catch. In return, the fisherman will give his soul to Gu-won.
“Gyeongseong Creature” (경성크리처)
The gore in this K-drama is intense and unrelenting — so much so that it ironically begins to lose impact. But amidst all the violence are well-developed stories of families, love and patriotism — and that’s what prevents this series from being just another horror show.
“BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star”
“BTS Monuments: Beyond the Star” isn’t always easy to watch. Very real issues are discussed, including severe depression that hints at suicidal ideation. But what comes through is that it’s the group’s hope, friendship, humor and love that binds them together.
The Best K-Dramas of 2023, From “The Glory 2” to “Queenmaker”
What a year for great K-dramas. With so many choices, it was difficult leaving out some of my favorites from this best K-dramas list. As for my top selections, I chose them because each is binge-worthy and features superb acting, well developed storylines that inform and celebrate, and explorations of real-life issues that may be specific to South Korea, but also share universal relevance.
“Castaway Diva” (무인도의 디바)
There is a lot to unpack in “Castaway Diva.” On the surface, it’s about a teenager who has been trapped on an island for 15 years, is rescued, and pursues her dreams of becoming a K-pop idol. And that is an interesting enough premise as it is. However, the real thrust of this K-drama is the long-lasting ramifications of abuse, even after the victims have grown up and have long been separated from the abusers.
“My Dearest” (연인)
Split into two parts, this 21-episode sageuk – or historical drama – showcases the amazing chemistry between lead actors Namkoong Min and Ahn Eun-jin. Set during the Qing invasion of Joseon, this K-drama is as much of a story of resilience as it is about love.
“Vigilante” (비질란테)
As with “The Killing Vote,” this K-drama centers on the intersection of criminals and their corrupt police counterparts — all of whom benefit from the quid pro quo exchange.
“Dream” (드림)
Based on the real-life Homeless World Cup (which was held in September in Seoul), “Dream” offers a more cynical look than Great Britain’s “The Beautiful Game,” which shares the same topic.
“Twinkling Watermelon” (반짝이는 워터멜론)
If you could go back in time and make your parents’ lives better, would you? Eun-gyeol (Ryeoun) doesn’t exactly make this choice. Rather, he’s mysteriously thrust into a bygone era where he meets his high school-age parents.
“The Killing Vote” (국민사형투표)
Based on the webtoon of the same name, the premise revolves around a masked man who uses the pseudonym Gaetal/게탈 — which translates into dog mask — to mete out justice for those who they feel deserved stronger punishment for their crimes.
“Daily Dose of Sunshine” (정신병동에도 아침이 와요)
Based on the novel by former psychiatric nurse Lee Ra-ha and helmed by “All of Us Are Dead” director Lee Jae-gyu, “Daily Dose of Sunshine” tackles the very real world problems of how unkind society can be to people suffering from mental health issues.
“CEO-dol Mart” (사장돌마트)
If you’re looking for a light K-drama where the plot is not really the point, “CEO-dol Mart” is the show to watch. The premise of this series is that after the death of a member, the idol group the Thunder Boys broke up and went their separate ways before they had a chance at getting recognition.
“The Worst of Evil” (최악의 악)
Playing undercover police officer Jun-mo — who hopes that his gig will lead to a promotion — Ji Chang-wook is in his element as an eager cop who infiltrates a drug cartel with ties to China and Japan.
“Doona!” (이두나!)
There is a recurring dream sequence in “Doona!” A young woman is submerged in water. From below, she can see the glitz and glamour of her life as a top star. But when our protagonist startles herself awake, we see her living a mundane life, waking up sweaty in a small apartment and taking long drags of cigarettes in the courtyard. This is how we meet Lee Doo-na, a famous K-pop idol who is hiding away in a shared house for college students.
“My Magic Closet” (Além Do Guarda-Roupa)
The first episode of “My Magic Closet” accomplishes what “XO, Kitty” failed to deliver. It deftly tackles identity and what it’s like living as diaspora.