Year In Review: 2024 Korean Dramas
I watched more Korean dramas in 2024 than I did in the past few years. It was a mix bag for me as I loved some wholeheartedly, liked some but not completely and some shows disappointed towards the end (as always LOL). I also dropped some shows, in some cases within 5 minutes (*sigh*). Anyway, read on to find out my year end review — I have given my final impression as “Love, Like or Okay” for each, which is basically how I feel about them overall.
2024 dramas I watched
(In Alphabetical Order)
A Virtuous Business
About: Four rural women start an adult products business in the year 1992 — thus embarking on a journey of self-discovery and financial independence.
Thoughts: This is such an uplifting drama which is sprinkled with warmth and humor. The female friendships, the simplicity of the rural area and a sweet romance make this a charming ride. The 90s setting evokes the feeling of nostalgia and adds to the charm of this show. It deals with certain mature topics, given the subject of the story, and does it with humor and tenderness. It is full of interesting characters and the camaraderie is amazing among them.
Final Impression: LOVE
Full review: coming soon
Doctor Slump
About: Two people who were once rivals at school meet each other again when they are at their lowest points in life. They help each other in finding comfort and fall in love in the process.
Thoughts: A sweet and heartwarming show that tackles the difficult subject of mental health. It is funny, romantic and sometimes relatable. The main and secondary OTP — both are so cute and fun. But the unnecessary thriller plot reduces its overall quality. It could also be shorter in length.
Final Impression: LIKE
Read full review here.
Love Next Door
About: A woman attempting to reboot her life returns to Korea and becomes entangled with her childhood friend — with whom she shares a complicated history.
Thoughts: This show is a perfect example of how even with the right tropes, charming actors and lovely vibe, one can’t make a great drama if the execution and screenplay isn’t good. The drama efficiently establishes the neighborhood and the characters and dynamics. I has a slice-of-life touch to it. But it is not captivating and engrossing. The story also feels all over the place later on. There is a sudden depressing turn of events midway and the show never picks up after that. That being said, it still has certain sweet, warm and funny moments.
P. S. The female lead’s mother is one of the most annoying characters ever!
Final Impression: OKAY
Read full review here.
Lovely Runner
About: After an idol dies tragically, a passionate fan of the idol somehow travels back in time when they were teens. She decides to save him this time.
Thoughts: Blending a complex time travel theme and the simplicity and innocence of love, this drama goes straight to the heart. We witness the two leads through various phases of life and root for their union. This was my crack drama of the year and also a pleasant surprise as I didn’t expect it to win my heart. It makes you laugh, swoon and bite your nails. Kim Hye Yoon and Byeon Woo Seok are captivating — individually and together.
Final Impression: LOVE
Read full review here.
Marry My Husband
About: A woman who is suffering from terminal illness witnesses her husband having an affair with her best friend and is murdered by him. She is then transported 10 years back into the past. She decides to change her fate through this miraculous opportunity.
Thoughts: This a truly entertaining show. There is never a dull moment — and I appreciate that it juxtaposes over-the-top scenarios with quiet, introspective moments. Witnessing the heroine’s journey where she finds confidence, courage and growth is truly satisfying. The drama also provides humor via its antagonist. But the show is too long and becomes exhausting in later episodes when outrageous things keep happening one after the other. There is also the entry of one more villain by the end and it’s an extremely boring plotline.
Final Impression: OKAY
Read full review here.
No Gain No Love
About: A woman asks a man to undergo a fake marriage with her in order to gain promotion at her workplace.
Thoughts: This show maintains its entertainment value from start to finish! It is immensely funny, quirky, delightful and also has a heart. The heroine has to be one of my favorites and the drama consists of so many interesting characters and relationships. We are treated with multiple love stories and couples and they all are a joy to watch. It even made a spin off for the secondary OTP! No Gain No Love has fake relationship trope but it is imbibed with a fresh spin. All in all, easily one of my favorites this year!
Final Impression: LOVE
Full review: coming soon
The Auditors
About: The storyline follows a team of auditors as they uncover corruption and malpractice within a powerful conglomerate.
Thoughts: Led by a strong cast, The Auditors is a fun and fast-paced ride. It has an episodic nature and every case is unique and interesting. It’s exciting to see the auditing team trying to get to the bottom of the cases. The investigations are too dramatic at times and may lead to unintentional laughs but all in all, an entertaining and thrilling ride with compelling dynamics between the characters.
Final Impression: LIKE
Read full review here.
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon
About: Set in the world of private coaching classes, this is part love story between a coaching instructor and her former student who is now her work colleague and also an exploration of the Korean education system.
Thoughts: Draped in the unique style of PD Ahn Pan Suk, this drama is subtle, introspective and realistic in its treatment of characters and moments. The show focuses on conversations, not just the plot. The characters are amusing, and the drama has a very intimate execution. The love story between two sets of OTPs is beautifully done. The show doesn’t always has idealistic solutions to different issues it highlights regarding the education system. The show takes a lot of time to establish its world in the initial episodes and that makes it a mostly boring and dull start. But once we are past that, The Midnight Romance In Hagwon starts to become interesting.
Final Impression: LIKE
Read full review here.
The Trunk
About: In order to save his previous marriage, a man enters into a contract marriage with a woman by means of an agency. And there is a mysterious trunk that’s found in a lake.
Thoughts: This drama is nothing like you have seen before in dramaland. It reminds one of arthouse cinema, with the way it’s executed — the cinematography, the symbolism, the focus given to the arrangement of the scene and blocking, the score, the relationships and dialogues. It’s also very engrossing and is fueled with amazing acting talent. No place for fillers in this show. Every frame has a significance.
Final Impression: LIKE
Full review: coming soon
When The Phone Rings
About: A marriage of convenience couple where he is a Blue House press secretary and she works as a sign language interpreter, who has mutism due to a childhood accident — their cold and convenient relationship takes a new turn when a stranger kidnaps her.
Thoughts: This show started out as an amazing romantic thriller — tight and interesting plot, marriage of convenience trope, great chemistry between the leads, thrills and mystery, the twists and turns in the story. But by the last few episodes, it becomes a bit dull and tedious. The reveals are predictable and the last episode has some really stupid character decisions and plotlines. It also becomes extremely dramatic. Overall, an entertaining watch for most part.
Final Impression: LIKE
Full review: coming soon
Older dramas I watched in 2024
The Red Sleeve
About: A righteous prince falls for a wise court lady, and pursues her as his concubine.
Thoughts: What an epic love story! I wonder why I waited so long to watch this historical drama. The drama traverses through many years as it tells its love story between a crown prince and a court lady. The tone of the drama becomes increasingly serious as we move from the carefree days of the youth to the era when he becomes a king and beyond. The drama is also about the heroine’s struggle between her feelings for the prince and her desire for freedom. This love story is beautiful, angsty and heartbreaking. Simply magical!
Final Impression: LOVE
2024 Dramas I Dropped
Queen Of Tears, Like Flowers In Sand, Uncle Samsik, The Impossible Heir, Frankly Speaking, Red Swan, Mr. Plankton
2024 dramas I plan to watch
Black Out, Love Your Enemy, Doubt, What Comes After Love, Good Partner, The Judge from Hell, Hide, Flex X Cop, Crash, Chief Detective 1958, Light Shop, Knight Flower, Queen Of Divorce, The Atypical Family, Spice Up Our Love, Dreaming of a Freaking Fairytale, My Sweet Mobster
