Must Watch K-dramas/Movies of 2024 (Updated: September)
My favorites from 2024. Most of them started strong and I was highly anticipating watching them. Many of them finished strongly and are therefore are in top of the list. Some of them had some weak areas but still overall made an enjoyable watch. In all cases they are rated 7 and above, which in my books are good dramas and definitely worth a shot ✦ My Rating System is in detail here for reference: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo
Have also categorized them as:
• MUST WATCH - Highly Recommended, most likely a masterpiece with rating 9+
• GOOD WATCH - Recommended, most likely a good watch but had some minor flaws due to which is not Masterpiece/Great status, ratings 7-8
✦ Do comment your favorites! ✦
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1. Black Out
Korean Drama - 2024, 14 episodes
MUST Watch | Crime/Thriler
• Best Parts: Everything, this is a flawless drama
• 5th drama in my drama journey since 2006 that has earned a 10/10 rating
• Every second of this drama is captivating, and does not allow you to keep it down.
Full Review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo/review/395716 -
2. The Judge from Hell
Korean Drama - 2024, 14 episodes
MUST WATCH | Mystery, Action, Supernatural, Rom-Com, Law
- Best Parts: Story, CGI, Acting, Rom-Com, Action, Visuals
- Even among this list, this drama qualifies being in Top 5 for 2024
- Almost perfect - I personally found the last 4 eps a bit rushed, but then my expectations were sky-high
Full Review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo/review/401262
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3. No Gain, No Love
Korean Drama - 2024, 12 episodes
MUST Watch | Rom-Com
• one of the best rom-coms of 2024 & love the short format with crisp storytelling
• this had it all - romance, comedy, chaebol drama, action, mystery - in balance
• close to dramas like A Business Proposal, Weightlifting Fairy, etc - with cute, romance manhwa/webtoon style romance
• I also loved how they balanced heavy topics like parental and domestic abuse, office politics/nepotism, foster homes and orphanage and challenges faced by the dwellers as children and as adults
Full Review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo/review/393830 -
4. Blood Free
Korean Drama - 2024, 10 episodes
GOOD Watch | Futuristic World, Action, Suspense/Thriller
• Need Season 2 of it, and more Ju Ji Hoon, please!
• Every invention comes with its own pros and cons - which this drama is trying to highlight
• There is suspense, power play and action - delivered skillfully by all characters
• There is no romance in this - but there is a subtle electric feel whenever the leads are onscreen together that makes it evident that they care and respect each other, and you want something more. -
5. Pyramid Game
Korean Drama - 2024, 10 episodes
GOOD Watch | Survival Game, High-School, Adrenaline Rush
• Watch if you are a fan of survival games format dramas (think Squid Games, Alice in Wonderland etc.)
• This is unique as it is set in a girls high school and the stakes are not your life directly, but rather you social standing. But then it blurs cause we know at that age - social life = your life, so it is interesting to see the choices these girls make to survive.
Full Review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo/review/365451 -
6. Lovely Runner
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
GOOD Watch | Rom-Com, Fantasy (Time-Travel)
• This drama had its own frenzy, and for me the best part is the recognition that BWS got
• Fangirling aside - this is a good drama but for me the latter half could have been better
• Best Parts would be the chemistry of the main leads, the OST, the murder mystery & time-travel and comedy skits by the support and lead characters
• It would have been better rated by me, had the drama been shorter - but even then I'd recommend it once if you are a fan of such genre.
Full Review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo/review/363243 -
7. The Atypical Family
Korean Drama - 2024, 12 episodes
MUST Watch | Supernatural, Romance
• Unique and Atypical story - just like its title
• Heart-warming tale of romance/soul-mates, family - delivered through characters that are super natural and/or con artists
• Sounds like a strange mix right? but it works very well, and the main OST keeps up the momentum making you binge this short series in no time
• I gave it 8 and call it a good drama not great -just cause of the last episode, as I wanted more of it. They could have given more time to flesh out the ending and shared the logic/context
• Still highly recommended - as this is a unique narrative, unlike anything I have seen before.Full Review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo/review/366279
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8. High School Return of a Gangster
Korean Drama - 2024, 8 episodes
HIDDEN GEM - Good Watch | Action, Body-Swap, High School - Slice of Life
• This drama needs to be more widely known
• In limited episodes it delivered a high impact - acting of the ML was really top-notch as he delivered the character of a high schooler and 40+year old gangster.
• The story is simple but heart warming, navigating through the challenges of body sway between a shy high school guy and kind-hearted gangster. You can expect a lot of comedy, action and underlying message of the issues they both faced in their respective life and how they overcome it through support of family and friends - all with a touch of the supernatural.
Full Review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo/review/369213 -
9. The 8 Show
Korean Drama - 2024, 8 episodes
GOOD Watch | Survival Game, Short Drama
• I love crime/thrillers and suspense, and survival game formats
• This one had a unique setting - unlike Squid Games, though stakes are similar
• Also loved how it had a Wes Anderson feel to its narrative
• Probably because we are so used to bloodshed/death at a large scale in survival games, this ones' ending felt a little low on the shock and impact. Hence rated it 8, but still would recommend giving it a go at least once.
Full Review: https://mydramalist.com/profile/omo-omo-omo/review/360937 -
10. Marry My Husband
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
You can never be too careful when choosing friends and life partner. Watch it for the villains and to get that satisfaction when the revenge is complete! ⭐
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11. Queen of Tears
Korean Drama - 2024, 16 episodes
Personally did not like it as much as it was advertised, but still one of the good ones out there!
#Respect ❤️ -
12. Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale
Korean Drama - 2024, 10 episodes
Personal bias towards Cinderella stories - but this one was very different (no mean step mother and sisters). The message was more on being your own Prince Charming and living your best life.
The story began very well, but the ending became a little shaky.