2024 was a very successful year for South Korean cinema, further solidifying the position of Korean dramas in the country’s entertainment industry. The audience was treated to an enticing program of dramas, from Marry my husband, Queen of tearsTO Lovely runner AND Good partner. Apart from these major successes, K-biz has also witnessed the disappointing performance of numerous projects both in terms of quality and production. Recently, on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, renowned magazine GioiaNews24 conducted a survey with the participation of 200 industry experts to select the 8 worst Korean drama series of the year.
1. Regina Woo
At the top of the list is the historical blockbuster Queen Woowith heartthrob Ji Chang Wook and “crazy girl” Jeon Jong Seo. Rated 19+, the series quickly faced backlash for its excessive use of steamy scenes, overshadowing what could have been a well-crafted, suspenseful plot more suited to a feature film. Virtually every few minutes, a character appears naked, adding no useful information or relevance to subsequent scenes. The abundance of intimate scenes between characters created a confusing and unnecessary show, leading this historical piece to be considered out of touch with cultural and social standards.
2. The escape of the seven: the resurrection
Immediately behind in second place is The escape of the seven: Resurrection. With an investment cost of 46 billion Won (about 850 billion VND), this big-budget project was expected to recreate the shockwave of Penthouse. However, the reality did not live up to the dream. Despite the failure of the first season, the producers continued with a sequel, only for audiences to be served an inconsistent and bland mix. The first season received a lot of hype on social media, but the second season was barely successful, as audiences grew tired of outlandish and illogical plot twists. The element ‘resurrection’, a signature of Penthousewas milked dry, leaving viewers completely exasperated.
3. Beauty and Mr. Romantic
Coming in third place is Beauty and Mr. Romantic. Despite ratings hovering between 15-20% and maximum viewership during its broadcast, this KBS project was still considered a forgettable failure due to its clichéd and empty plot. Initially billed as a romantic comedy, the plot was instead filled with confusing drama rather than the lighthearted and refreshing content viewers had hoped for. The controversy reached its peak when Park Do Ra (played by Im Soo Hyang) had to take nude photos to repay his mother’s gambling debt. Im Soo Hyang’s stunning visuals and stable performance were the only things that kept viewers watching.
4. The love next door
Perhaps the most surprising entry on the list is The love next door. Featuring a stellar cast, this healing drama made waves in the drama landscape, continuing tvN’s streak of success. However, some believed it received a low rating due to its threadbare love story, which begins with the female protagonist abandoning everything after feeling disillusioned with life, only for a rich and handsome male protagonist to appear in a “coincidence ” which could hardly be cheaper. The plot is so predictable that viewers could already guess it from the first episodes. The love next door it’s not a terrible drama; it just feels too familiar and one-dimensional.
5. Gyeongseong Creature 2
Fifth place is Creature Gyeongseong 2after the huge success of the first season last year. What dulled its impact this time was the director’s decision to leap forward in time to a modern setting. The original appeal of Creature Gyeongseong lay in its depiction of the struggles of those oppressed by colonialism, depicted in a unique and emotional way. The post-World War II era added a new element that kept the show from becoming stale. However, season 2’s shift to a forgettable sci-fi plot, combined with an over-reliance on CGI, diminished the quality, leading fans to lament its step backwards despite the talent of Han So Hee and Park Seo Joon.
6. Sweet Home 3
Very similar Creature Gyeongseong 2the third season of Sweet home it failed to meet expectations, with its quality declining sharply. Director Lee Eung Bok’s “brainchild” generated intense controversy on social media due to its disjointed and convoluted plot that deviated greatly from previous seasons. The relationships between the characters became intertwined and the show focused on unnecessary subplots. The CGI was another drawback, as the monsters looked even more unrealistic than in the first season, further adding to the disappointment. Lead actor Song Kang’s performance has been criticized for being stiff as a statue, and his good looks are the only saving grace.
7. Red Swan
Even before it aired, Red Swan has attracted a lot of attention, with a powerful cast, including Bi Rain and Kang Han Neul, and promising explosive scenes in the Korean corporate universe. However, the impact of Penthouse it feels too overwhelming, resulting in subsequent series falling short. Intended to explore the dark side of corporate elites full of drama and secrets, Red Swan failed to provide the necessary comedic elements. The plot was “bland as water,” it lacked a climax, and the high-society setting seemed anything but elitist. The chemistry between the lead couple was also weak and distant. Ultimately, Red Swan it felt like a ready-made product in the corporate genre and a disappointing return for Bi Rain and Kang Han Neul.
8. Korean Circumcision War
Rounding out the list is the 50 billion won epic Korean Circumcision War. Despite an impressive initial rating, the series gradually “revealed” itself with multiple flaws. The most disappointing thing was lead actor Kim Dong Jun’s performance. As an idol turned actor, his talent showed many limitations, including awkward dialogue and “wide-eyed” expressions that remained unchanged throughout the series. This lack of acting range made it difficult for viewers to stay engaged, with some moments being unintentionally comedic despite the show’s historical theme.
Source: K14
