There are a number of upcoming Kdramas in 2024 to be excited for – with top performers to exceptional writers and directors. Here are my top four:
When the Stars Gossip
Global star, Lee Min-ho is back in a Kdrama, this time as space tourist/gynecologist, Gong Ryong. Kong Hyo-jin (Queen of the Kdrama Romcoms) is American/Korean astronaut Eve Kim, and the talented, Oh Jung-se (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay) plays Kang Kang-soo. When the Stars Gossip is written by Seo Sook-hyang and directed by Park Shin-woo.
It’s hard to imagine anything better than a Lee Min-ho drama directed by It’s Okay to Not Be Okay director Park Shin-woo. But wait! When the Stars Gossip is set in space! Sounds like the perfect merging of two of my favorite things: Kdramas and Outerspace. Oh, and did I mention it’s also a romantic comedy? Bonus! The budget for this series is substantial and filming has reportedly ended. No release date has been announced, so I hope this means the production team is taking their time to get the special effects right. Running at reportedly 20 episodes, I plan to savor every one. Crossing my fingers it will air on a streaming service in the US when it first comes out.
Queen of Tears
Hold on to your seats, writer Park Ji-eun (Crash Landing on You, Legend of the Blue Sea, My Love from the Star) is back! This time with a drama starring two of hallylu’s biggest names: Kim Soo-hyun (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, One Ordinary Day) and Kim Ji-won (Descendants of the Sun, Arthdal Chronicles). That alone is enough to get me excited for this drama that is currently filming. Kim Soo-hyun (king of the tears) and Kim Ji-won (queen of the pout) will portray a married couple facing adversity. This drama is bound to be a suspenseful, funny, emotional love story with beautiful cinematography and music. The premier has been pushed back to 2024 but I know it will be worth the wait.
Mr. Plankton
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay screenwriter, Jo Young and Her Private Life director, Hong Jong-chan have teamed up for what is sure to be a delightful, heartrending, funny, romantic comedy. Mr. Plankton is about a man who is a wanderer because he lacks love.
I literally jumped for joy at the news that Woo Do-hwan (Bloodhounds, The King: Eternal Monarch) will play the lead role. As I’ve noted before, this young man can act (and fight, shoot, ride a horse, make swordplay look like child’s play). He brings his all to every role he’s in. I look forward to Jo Young writing a character played with the acting depth of Woo Do-hwan. Add to that the beautiful and talented actress Lee Yoo-mi – plus Oh Jung-se again (what a busy guy!), and this should be one of the biggest Kdramas in 2024! Good news for American audiences – it’s coming to Netflix!
The Trunk
Hugely popular actor Gong Yoo (Guardian: The Lonely and Great God, The Train to Busan) is set to star in a new Netflix drama, The Trunk, fourth on my list of upcoming Kdramas in 2024 to get excited for. Actress Seo Hyun-jin (Dr. Romantic) will play the female lead. Kim Gyu-tae, director of Our Blues, and writer Park Eun-young (Hwaran: The Poet Warrior Youth) plan to bring the story of an unconventional married couple to the screen. Gong Yoo’s character is a reclusive music producer who ends up in a contractual marriage with Seo Hyun-jin’s character, an employee of the matchmaking company that provides these marriages. Not much else is known for now, but given the talent behind it, it should be amazing!
With all of the upcoming Kdramas in 2024 to be excited for, I can hardly wait! 2024 is going to be a great Kdrama year!
