Renowned British pop culture magazine NME has revealed its list of “Top 10 Korean Dramas of 2024”, with CJ ENM-produced dramas dominating the top three spots.
3rd place: “Marrying my husband”
Taking third place is “Marry my husband“,” a drama that broke records as the first Korean series to top Amazon Prime Video’s global daily TV charts. His success has extended beyond Asia, captivating audiences in North America and Europe. The series ranked 2nd in the United States, 1st in Canada, 2nd in France and 3rd in the United Kingdom. Even after the finale, it maintained a place in the global top 10 for 27 consecutive weeks, proving its enduring popularity.
2nd place: “Lovely Runner”
Coming second is “Lovely runner,“ a 2024 hit that garnered the most buzz among dramas broadcast this year. Distributed globally on Rakuten Viki, it topped the charts in 109 countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Brazil, and Mexico, for six consecutive weeks. It was also named the best K-drama of the year by Time magazine. NME praised the drama for its perfect balance of familiar clichés and fresh narrative.
1st place: “Queen of Tears”
First place belongs to tvN “Queen of Tears”, a collaboration between acclaimed writer Park Ji-eun and directors Jang Young-woo and Kim Hee-won. The series set a record for tvN’s highest ratings with 31% and garnered an impressive 292 million views and 682.6 million watch hours on Netflix in the first half of 2024. NME noted the global influence of drama, mentioning that stars like A$AP Rocky and Rihanna have also been spotted watching it.
Other notable mentions
• 4th Place: “The Frog” (A heartbreaking mystery in the woods)
• 5th Place: “The Atypical Family” (A refreshing twist on the hero genre)
• 6th place: “Pyramid Game” (The only Korean drama invited to French festival ‘Series Mania’)
• 7th place: “A shop for assassins” (Dark comedy at its best)
• 8th place: “A killer paradox” (A complex thriller)
• 9th place: “A virtuous business” (A satirical look at corporate life)
• 10th place: “What comes after love” (A touching exploration of life after love)
CJ ENM’s stellar year
CJ ENM, the powerhouse behind many of these dramas, has had a banner year. For the first time since tvN was founded, the network achieved the highest primetime ratings in the first half of the year. Show how “Queen of Tears” AND “Lovely runner” they dominated with an 82% buzz share during airing periods, reflecting their immense popularity.
This list not only highlights the global influence of Korean dramas, but also celebrates their rich storytelling and ability to resonate with audiences around the world. As we look ahead to 2025, expectations are high for what K-dramas will offer next.
Source: Wikitree
