2024: A Year of Must-See Korean TV - From Melodrama to Mystery
It would be a daunting task to share an exhaustive list of all the incredible Korean shows released in 2024. So in this post, we'll highlight a few that stood out.
Love(?) + Marriage = Drama
Two of the year's most popular Korean dramas explored marriage from vastly different perspectives.
"Can love conquer all?"
Queen of Tears (눈물의 여왕) (tvN): Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won star as a wealthy heir and a woman from humble beginnings who fall in love despite their contrasting backgrounds. Their relationship faces challenges from family members, societal pressures, and personal tragedies. The result? Ratings gold for tvN.
Queen of Tears (눈물의 여왕) tvN starring Kim Soo-hun and Kim Ji-won
"A Dish Best Served Cold..."
Marry My Husband (내 남편과 결혼해줘) (tvN): This fantasy drama takes a unique approach to love and second chances. Park Min-young stars as a woman who travels back in time to prevent her own murder and finds herself entangled in a plot of revenge and unexpected romance. The suspenseful storylines and fun characters made "Marry My Husband" one of the first hits of the year.
Marry My Husband (내 남편과 결혼해줘) tvN starring Park Min-Young
A Taste of Korea:
Food variety shows are always popular in Korea, and this year we saw two new programs that tantalized taste buds and explored culinary traditions.
Culinary Class Wars (흑백요리사) (Netflix): This innovative cooking show brought together professional chefs and amateur cooks in a high-stakes culinary competition. With its emphasis on diverse cooking styles and creative challenges, "Culinary Class Wars" was a visual and gastronomic delight for viewers.
Culinary Class Wars (흑백요리사) NETFLIX, hosted by Paik Jong-won and Ahn Sung-jae
Fresh off the Sea (언니네 산지직송) (tvN): Plenty of travel shows feature men camping and fishing, so a female-centric show was a breath of fresh air. This heartwarming reality show followed a group of female celebrities as they traveled to rural areas of Korea, experiencing local life and preparing meals with fresh, seasonal ingredients. "Fresh off the Sea" offered a charming and insightful look into the beauty of the Korean countryside and the importance of community and sustainability.
Fresh off the Sea (언니네 산지직송) tvN, featuring Yum Jungah, Ahn Eun-jin, Park Joon Myun and DEX
Quirky Sleepers?:
These two shows were released later in the year and aren't bonafide hits, but they're generating buzz.
A Virtuous Business (정숙한 세일즈) (JTBC): Set in the 1990s, this adaptation of the British drama "Brief Encounters" stars Kim So-yeon and Kim Sung-ryung as a pair of housewives who jump into selling adult toys door-to-door in rural, conservative South Korea. With a plot like that, who wouldn't want to watch?
A Virtuous Business (정숙한 세일즈) JTBC, starring Kim So-yeon, Leon Woo-jin, Kim Sung-ryung and Lee Se-hui
Dog Knows Everything (개소리) (KBS2): This unique mystery sitcom has been getting attention for its quirky premise and lighthearted nature. Lee Soon-jae stars as an actor who becomes acquainted with Sophie, a former police dog that can somehow talk. The two investigate mysteries together. This show features a cast of legendary, elderly Korean actors
Dog Knows Everything (개소리) KBS2, starring Lee Soon-jae
There are a still few weeks left in 2024. Make sure you’re subscribed to Breakthrough Now Media’s newsletter to get the latest Korean tv ratings to see what people are watching.