Top 5 K-Dramas Released in 2024 to Watch After (or Instead of) Hierarchy
Not only the ones from the Netflix top chart are worth checking out.
There’s no surprise that new K-dramas are released every month, as the demand for them is quite high. However, the bar is already set so high that after yet another excellent series it seems that there is not a chance for the new show to beat the existing ones. But guess what? Almost all of them manage to do it!
2024 started off great for new K-dramas, especially for fans of South Korean dramas who loved the recent show on Netflix, Hierarchy, that follows a drama which unfolds at the most prestigious school in South Korea.
However, there are 5 other shows released this year that are definitely worth watching.
1. Lovely Runner
One of the best shows of 2024 is undoubtedly Lovely Runner. The adorable romantic comedy follows Ryu Seon Jae, a top celebrity whose life only seems so perfect. In reality, the demanding nature of the entertainment industry has left him completely exhausted.
However, his music made another wicked soul, Im Sol, who after hearing his songs on the radio became a true fan of Ryu Seon Jae, only to be crushed with the news of his tragic death… But it wouldn’t be a perfect K-drama if there’s no magic twist. So Im Sol accidentally ends up 15 years into the past with a strong desire to change it all.
“It was TOO good! The fluff didn’t feel forced, the comedy was there and didn’t dwell on the villain story. The pace was great. The main leads were perfect, someone said it in another thread that they nailed it with their acting because the interaction felt like real life scenarios (they kissed when they needed to kiss, etc) and the micro-expressions of Byeon Woo-seok were chef’s kiss,” Redditor missmarchi said.
2. Flex X Cop
The story in this K-drama revolves around Jin Yi Soo. It seems that he has everything in this life, being a third-generation conglomerate. But one day everything changes for him, when he becomes a crucial part of an investigation. Yi Soo uses his money and all the connections to help the Police catch the criminal, but it doesn't seem like a done deal at first…
“Imagine a South Korean chaebol who looks like Elvis 1956, has the sleuthing skills of Sherlock Holmes, has fantastic networking skills, never mopes in self-pity, has amazing comedy chops, and is dropped into the local police detective agency as a PR stunt when they falsely accuse him of beating someone up and has to win them over. By the end they all have a deep respect for each other,” Redditor Poem_Aromatic said.
3. The Atypical Family
One of the most appreciated series this year is this one. At the center of the story is Bok Gwi Ju, who, like the rest of his family, has superpowers. His special ability is that he can travel back to times when he was happy. He can't change it, but he can relive all the times that caused him to fall into depression. Can you imagine being able to go back to a better time and then coming back to the wicked reality?
Well, it was actually the problems of modern times that made him lose his superpowers along with his family. But when Do Da Hae comes into his life one day, everything starts to change.
4. Doctor Slump
The fans of medical dramas, as well as romantic comedy fans, loved Doctor Slump! The story revolves around Yeo Jeong Woo, whose perfect life is in danger. Once a successful doctor, his life is pushed to the edge after a mysterious medical accident.
Just at this moment he meets Nam Ha Neul, his former rival at university. And the most interesting thing is that they both meet again when they are at their lowest. It's magical what two broken people can do to make each other feel better. The show just gives you hope that there's always something that can help you get on with your life.
5. A Shop for Killers
Another perfect K-drama is A Shop for Killers, which follows Jeong Jin Man, who after entering college accidentally receives a call from the local police informing her about her uncle's "suicide." She would never believe that he could kill himself, but still she ends up in his apartment where she discovers many bizarre things.