Top 10 IMDb’s Highest Rated Korean Dramas Of 2024!
Every year turns out to be a wild ride in K-dramaland and 2024 is no different from time-traveling rom-coms to gripping revenge thrillers. With IMDb ratings to back up their brilliance, these shows have captured hearts and set new standards in storytelling. Curious to see which dramas made the cut? Here are the Top 10 IMDb’s Highest Rated Korean Dramas of 2024!"
Number 10: Chief Detective 1958. (7.9)
There are times when you want to watch a lighthearted police drama, especially one that takes place in an era when police work depended more on intuition, contacts and persuasion than it did on technology. Chief Detective, which starts its story in 1958, has that lighthearted vibe. A prequel to the classic drama, this crime series follows detective Park Young-han and his team who catch petty thieves. As he makes his way to the top, he also goes up against corruption. Chief Detective 1958 is less a serious police drama and more of a light drama about personalities. It certainly feels that way, as we see Yeong-han building a team around him that will start off as motley crew and end up as one of the best investigative units at the Jongnam station. Chief Detective 1958 premiered in Korea on April 19 and was an immediate ratings hit.
Next on the list is Flex X Cop. (7.9)
Flex X Cop presents a comedic yet thrilling narrative centered around a chaebol who becomes embroiled in police work after being falsely accused of a crime. The show masterfully blends humor with action, showcasing character development as the protagonist navigates challenges within the police force while building relationships with colleagues. Itaewon Class’s Ahn Bo-hyun plays a third-generation chaebol in this action-comedy drama. Pursuing his career as a detective, he joins the Kangha Police Station’s violent crimes department, led by veteran detective Lee Gang-hyun. Throughout the series, the duo work together as partners as they solve crimes. Released on January 26th this year, Flex X Cop boasts an IMDb's rating of 7point9.
Number 8 with IMDb's rating of solid 8 is Blackout. (8.0)
Blackout is loosely based on the 2010 novel Snow White Must Die by Nele Neuhaus. Reinterpreted for the Korean context, the series is led by Byun Yo-han as Go Jung-woo, who was a promising student who got into medical school on early admission. However, a post-exam trip with his high school friends goes awry, and he is accused of the murder of two classmates. The series begins when he returns to his hometown as an adult after spending 11 years in prison. Despite its initial low ratings, Black Out began to gain traction through word-of-mouth. Viewers praised the solid storyline and strong performances, which led to a significant boost in ratings. This is a dark themed show that does not let the light in. If you like dark crime shows or intense murder mysteries, then this one's for you!
Another drama with a solid 8 IMDb's rating is A shop for killers. (8.0)
Also known as The Killer’s Shopping Mall, A shop for killers delves into the dark underbelly of crime through its gripping storyline. Starring Kim Hye-jin and Lee Dong-wook, this action Korean drama series follows the life of an endangered lady, Jeong Ji-jan, who tries everything she can to protect herself from being assassinated by notorious killers who have unfinished business with her late Uncle, Jeong Jin-man. The series features intense action sequences and unexpected plot developments, keeping viewers engaged throughout its runtime. Strong performances from the cast further elevate this thrilling drama, earning an impressive 8 rating on IMDB.
Number 6: Mr. Plankton.
This whimsical and unconventional drama stars Woo Do-hwan as Hae-jo, a man who feels disconnected from the world around him and believes he has no "roots." When He learns he has three months to live due to a brain tumor, he sets out to reconnect with his true love Jae-mi, and ventures out on one last adventure to find his dad. Mr. Plankton combines humor and melancholy, delving into existential themes of death, abandonment, pre-menopause, love, and life. Woo Do-hwan’s heartfelt performance has been particularly praised for bringing depth to a quirky character, cementing Mr. Plankton as a standout drama in 2024’s lineup.
What Comes After Love (8.2) is another highest-rated 2024 romantic K-drama with IMDb's rating of 8.2 and among the best ones to watch. The K-drama revolves around Hong and Jungo, a South Korean woman and a Japanese man. Hong moves to Japan to explore her life and a series of coincidental meetings lead her to Jungo. The two spend time together, fall in love, and move in together. But a devastating breakup has Hong move back home. Five years later, their paths cross again when Jungo comes to South Korea to sell his novel titled ‘What Comes After Love’. The show follows two timelines, simultaneously showing us the couple’s relationship in the past and their rocky reunion in the future. If you’re the philosophical kind, this slow-paced, contemplative K-drama could be right up your alley.
Taking the 4th spot on the list is the hit Netflix series Queen of Tears. (8.2) One of the highest-rated and best K-dramas of 2024, Queen of Tears marks Kim Soo-hyun’s return to screen after a three-year hiatus. It is a rom-com melodrama that explores the rekindled love story of a married couple — the Queens Group heiress and the legal director at his wife’s family conglomerate — who are on the brink of divorce. When the heiress is struck with a life-threatening crisis, the estranged couple band together and their supposedly forgotten feelings bloom into a memorable romance. The show not only has a solid 8.2 rating on IMDb but also great critical reviews owing to its plot, direction, performances and necessary portrayal of reversed gender roles.
Number 3: Family By Choice. (8.5)
Based on Chinese drama Go Ahead, this K-drama follows best friend trio Kim San-ha, Yoon Joo-won and Kang Hae-joon. Friends since they were young, the trio find themselves meeting again ten years later. The new series features an exciting cast featuring True Beauty’s Hwang In-youp, The King’s Affection’s Jung Chae-yeon and Love Playlist’s Bae Hyun-Sung. One of the biggest strengths of Family By Choice, is that despite being a remake, the Korean version retains the emotional depth of the original while customising the story to suit its cultural context. The narrative is subtle, never going over-the-top melodramatic, yet it brims with emotional depth. With its layered storytelling, stellar performances, and heartfelt message, the series got IMDb's rating of 8.5, and is available to watch on Viki.
2nd on the list is Jeong-Nyeon. (8.6)
The Kim Tae-ri starrer Jeong-Nyeon: The Star is Born is a Korean drama adaptation of the popular webtoon of the same name. An instant OTT hit, the series follows the story of Jeong-nyeon (played by Kim Tae-ri), as she fiercely competes against big industry rivals to achieve her dream of becoming one of the best female classical opera singers in post-war Korea. The drama also highlights unexpected talents, such as Jung Eun-chae, who takes on the role of a nimai, the male lead traditionally performed by women in gukgeuk. What sets “Jeongnyeon” apart from typical dramas is its portrayal of rivalry, built not on animosity but on mutual respect and admiration. With IMDb's rating of 8.5, the drama has struck a chord with audiences ranging from those who lived through the 1950s and 60s to younger viewers familiar with the webtoon.
Topping the list is Lovely Runner. (8.6)
In A year that has seen some less-than-stellar K-drama conclusions, Lovely Runner defied the odds. It’s not that other K-dramas haven’t been enjoyable; it’s that Lovely Runner has mixed nostalgia, romance, a murder subplot, and the emotional agonies of slipping back and forth through time to become something greater than the sum of its tropes. But it’s the shocking plot twist right at the start of the show that completely throws us off balance and keeps us off-kilter throughout. Every time we try to figure out the plot, another wrench is thrown into poor Sol’s plan to save her idol. But along with the intricate mystery, the characters feel so real, likeable and sweet that we can’t help but feel for them. Despite modest ratings in South Korea, Lovely Runner has gained international fame and high ratings of 8.6 on IMDb.
So,what other dramas do you think will make it to the list till the end of 2024. Let us know in the comments section below, and don't forget to subscribe, like, and share with your friends.
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