From “Queen of Tears” to “Marry My Husband,” 2024 has already given K-Drama fans a feast of fantastic shows to enjoy, but, luckily, there is only more to come! As the highly anticipated second season of “Squid Game” approaches and a lineup of captivating new dramas awaits, this year promises to be exciting for the growing number of K-Drama fans around the world. In this article, we’re going to be listing some of the dramas that we’re looking forward to watch in 2024. So, if you’re ready, let’s get to the list!
1. Squid Game Season 2
Starting with the aforementioned second season of the globally popular drama, “Squid Game”. With the release of the teaser video for “Squid Game” season two, fans collectively went into a frenzy of speculation and excitement—in the teaser, we see Seong Gi-hun at the airport, where he is confronted by a mysterious voice warning him of regrettable decisions. In response, a determined yet visibly angry Gi-hun vows to track down whoever is behind the ominous call, setting the stage for a gripping new installation of “Squid Game”. Additionally, teasers shared on the series’ social media platforms suggest the arrival of new characters, like Young-hee’s boyfriend, Cheoul-su. Without even a release date, the highly anticipated “Squid Game” season two is already the talk of the town, making it the most eagerly awaited drama of the upcoming year!
When? Squid Game Season 2 is expected to be released at the end of 2024 on Netflix.
2. Sweet Home Season 3
“Squid Game” is not the only drama that is coming back for a new season—horror K-Drama, “Sweet Home,” is also scheduled to release its third, and potentially last, season this year, and fans have many theories about where the new season could be headed! If you have not been following the drama, “Sweet Home” follows Cha Hyun-su, a depressed recently-orphaned teenager, played by Song Kang. Determined to end his life, one day Cha Hyun-su is surprised to wake up in a monster apocalypse in which humans can suddenly transform into horrendous creatures. Together with the other residents of the “Green Home” apartment building, Cha Hyun-su has to find a way to survive and not get ripped apart by the monsters outside and inside the building. With the last season ending on a massive plot twist and the third season promising to be an explosive finale, you can imagine how much fans are looking forward to “Sweet Home” season 3!
When? Sweet Home Season 3 is expected to be released in the second half of 2024 on Netflix.
3. Resident Playbook
Fans of the popular medical drama “Hospital Playlist” also have something new to get excited for—not just another season, but a spin-off, called “Resident Playbook,” set to premiere in the second half of this year! The new Netflix K-drama will be set in the Jongno branch of the Yulje Medical Center, the same hospital in which the beloved characters of “Hospital Playlist” worked. In this new drama, viewers will get an inside look at the lives of young ob/gyn residents, led by Go Youn-jung’s character. Alongside Go Youn-jung, the cast will include talented actors like Shin Si-a, Han Ye-ji, Kang You-seok, and Jung Joon-won. The spin-off promises to deliver the same heartwarming moments and witty banter that fans loved in “Hospital Playlist,” while still exploring new storylines and character dynamics. Basically, if you loved “Hospital Playlist,” then you can’t miss out on “Resident Playbook”!’
When? Resident Playbook was originally meant to be released in the first half of 2024 but is now pending a new release date.
4. Hong Rang
If historical dramas, or sageuks, are more your style, then you absolutely have to tune into “Hong Rang.” Set in the Joseon dynasty, the drama centers around successful merchant’s son Hong-rang, played by Lee Jae-wook, who vanished at a young age, leaving his older step-sister Jae-yi, portrayed by Jo Bo-ah, to search for him. When Hong-rang suddenly returns out of the blue after 12 years (now as a 20-year-old man with no memory of his past), the stage is set for a gripping drama. As the story unfolds, you can expect twists and turns as Hong-Rang’s true identity and secrets come to light. With a talented cast bringing these characters to life, “Hong-Rang” promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats with its suspenseful plot and emotional performances!
When? Hong Rang has not confirmed a release date yet.
5. Hierarchy
If you loved dramas like “Pyramid Game” and “SKY Castle,” then you have to keep an eye out for the upcoming Netflix school drama “Heirarchy.” Starring Roh Jeong-eui and Lee Chae-min, “Heirarchy” is about South Korea’s most prestigious school, Jooshin High School, established by the conglomerate, Jooshin Group. Typically only students from prestigious families can even attend the school, some of whom include Jeong Jae-yi, daughter of the Jaeyool Group’s heads, Kim Ri-an, Jooshin Group’s successor, Yoon He-ra, from International Yoon, a powerful trading company, and Lee Woo-jin, a powerful politician’s son. When Kang-ha, a new student with a charming smile and a hidden secret, transfers to Jooshin High, he disrupts the elite world, shattering its perfect facade.
When? Hierarchy is available to watch on Netflix from 7 June 2024.
6. Light Shop
Starring Ju Ji-hoon and Park Bo-young, a drama that you’re going to be hearing a lot about this year is the webtoon adaptation, “Light Shop.” Directed by veteran actor Kim Hee-won and written by webtoon writer Kang Pool (a duo who last worked together on the hit drama series “Moving”), “Light Shop” is about a store at the end of a dark alley that sells lights—despite seeming normal from the outside, the store is often visited by dead spirits, each with their own story. Last year, this story was also adapted in China, into the movie “Love Life Light,” which received good reviews, leading to even more anticipation for the Korean version. With such a talented team behind the production, expectations are high for this upcoming drama to be a huge success both domestically and internationally.
When? Light Shop is expected to be released in the second half of 2024 on Disney+.
If you’re itching to start a new drama after reading this year’s line-up thus far, the next one is for you!
7. The 8 Show
If you loved “Squid Game” in 2021, then you need to check out the new Netflix thriller “The 8 Show.” Based on the hugely popular webtoons, “Money Game” and “Pie Game” by the famous artist and writer Bae Jin-soo, “The 8 Show” is about 8 people who are invited to go on a reality show called “Money Game”. During the filming of the game, they are forced to stay in an eight-story building and live in an empty studio with just cement walls—but if they can survive 100 days, then they can divide the huge winning price. However, everything that they need to buy (like food, water, etc.) costs 1000 times the price it would outside the game, which gets deducted from the winning prize. Directed by Han Jae-rim, who also directed hit K-dramas like “The King” and “Emergency Declaration,” “The 8 Show” is a sure-fire hit waiting to happen!
The 8 Show is currently streaming on Netflix.
With all the upcoming K-Dramas of 2024, from the highly anticipated return of “Squid Game” with its second season to new shows like “Hierarchy,” and “Hong Rang,” it looks like the binge-watching queues are going to be packed—K-Drama fans are spoilt for choice this year!
