Dramas 2024

A Shop for Killers ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 8 | Channel: Disney+

Cast: Lee Dong Wook & Kim Hye Jun
Plot: When Jung Ji An was a kid, her father killed her mother before committing suicide. She was raised by her uncle Jung Jin Man who runs a mysterious shopping mall. Ji An left for university years after, and came back to the mall after hearing about her uncle’s passing. She finds out what her uncle was really doing in his secret mall.

Review: I’ve been blown away by this drama! If you like action, then I definitely recommend A Shop for Killers. Lee Dong Wook endorses the role of a cold and silent uncle who has a dark past. He takes care of his niece after the murders of both her parents. I think that’s enough information to make the plot intriguing. Honestly, I really loved the uncle-niece relationship between Ji An and Jin Man. They care for each other, although they don’t never say it with words. Jeong Ji An proves to be a resourceful, clever and strong-willed young woman. She’s willing to fight back in order to understand what happened to her uncle and what his shopping mall is about. I don’t want to tell you too much, because the twists are really nice and I don’t want to spoil it for you. Just know that the flashbacks are perfectly incorporated to the story and give context to events in the present. Characters are well written and you understand their actions quite easily, even the bad ones. The first episode totally immersed me in the story, and trust me it starts off strong. As for the ending, I’m willing to bet my arm that there’s going to be a second season. Anyway, a lot of action, excellent characters, very good plot are the main ingredients of that tense 8-episode long drama.

Amidst a Snowstorm of Love ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: China | Year: 2024 | Episode: 30 | Channel: Tencent Video

Cast: Leo Wu Lei & Zhao Jin Mai
Plot: Amidst a snowstorm in Finland, former billiard player Lin Yi Yang meets Yin Guo, a professional nine-pool player, in a bar. He immediately falls in love with her and his entire world is turned upside down. From then on starts a slow-burnt romance between these two who can’t seem to stay apart.

Review: This drama is an extraordinary discovery of 2024! First off, I must warn you that is a slow-paced drama, so if it’s not your thing, you may not want to start it. However, if you hesitate, I absolutely recommend you give it a go and do not let the rhythm block you. The male lead is a real green flag, who only has eyes for his lover. He’s devoted, affectionate and also putting Yin Guo on a pedestal. She is also quite patient and understanding, as her presence is what makes Lin Yi Yang want to start playing billiard again. They have such good chemistry together and their romance really blooms little by little. I enjoyed every bits and pieces of their story in Finland and later on in China – by the way the drama is an amazing postcard for Finland which is a rather unexpected destination in Dramaland. Need to applaud also the wonderful OST “Love and Shine” that is full of hope and love. Finally, I have to admit that this drama made me discover a new sports (pool, snooker, billiard) of which I knew absolutely nothing. So, it feels good to also learn more about a discipline dramas almost never talk about. I 100% recommend you go watch this gem!

Branding in Seongsu ⭐⭐ (2/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 24 | Channel: U+mobileTV

Cast: Lomon, Kim Ji Eun, Yang Hye Ji & Kim Ho Young
Plot: So Eun Ho is a nonchalant man who unexpectedly gets hired as an intern in a marketing company. But he’s not the working type, which gets on Kang Na Eon’s nerves. She’s been working hard all her life to get the position she’s at. Both constantly clash until they share a kiss one day and exchange bodies. They now need to live in the other’s shoes.

Review: To be honest, I expected this drama to be way better than it actually was. Considering the cast (Lomon from All of Us are Dead and Kim Ji Eun from One Dollar Lawyer), I thought Branding in Seongsu would make a great drama. Unfortunately, the beginning of the story lost me. Like, it took me 4 episodes to understand that characters would switch bodies at some point. The intrigue then continued to confuse me even more, showing leads as friends, then lovers, then enemies, then back to lovers, etc… The villains popped out of nowhere to become good again without really getting an explanation for it. Apart from that, the romance was ok, but tainted by the lack of substance of the plot. The only reason that kept me going is the fact that the episodes are very short (24 minutes) and that it started to get better mid-drama. All in all, this drama ended as a disappointment.

Doctor Slump ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: JTBC

Cast: Park Hyung Sik & Park Shin Hye
Plot: Yeo Jung Woo has always been a top medical student and then became a successful plastic surgeon. One day, an accident occurs and his life is turned upside down. He meets his former rival Nam Ha Neul. She is an anesthesiologist whose entire life revolves around studying. But she wants to make a change. They comfort each other and start a relationship.

Review: First of all, it was a pleasure to see these 2 veteran actors – previously on The Heirs – reunited in this drama. Their friendship is palpable on screen which creates a good chemistry between them. When it comes to the plot, I think the stories are really relatable and moving. Jung Woo is going through a crisis in his life, as he suddenly loses everything he built in the blink of an eye; while Ha Neul has buried her pain and suffering for so long that it’s now eating her away. Though their ‘slump’ in life stems from different places, they ultimately converge towards one conclusion: They need to heal. And that’s where the romance becomes interesting. Each character brings comfort and support to the other, creating a good balance in the relationship. I also really appreciated their pettiness and hilarious behaviors – Park Hyung Sik is absolutely dramatic and I loved it! Characters all have a great and real evolution in the drama. They all learn something and grow. Even better, I think it’s one of the rare dramas that allow for everyone (including side characters) to have an actual ending. Finally, I need to say that I loved the secondary couple (Hong Ran & Dae Young), if not more than the leads. So, if you’re looking for a good in-between between comedy and romance with a touch of seriousness and melodrama, sparkled with some life lessons to give away, then this is the right drama for you.

Flexx Cop ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: SBS

Cast: Ahn Bo Hyun & Park Ji Hyun
Plot: Jin Yi Soo is a third-generation chaebol. He becomes a detective and uses his wealth and power to catch criminals. He works with Lee Gang Hyun who’s dedicated to her job, but has low social skills. Together, they partner up to solve cases.

Review: Ahn Bo Hyun – one of my favorite actors – as a rich cop is the reason that convinced me to watch this drama. The plot is good and got better over the episodes, though some were more entertaining than others to me. Sometimes, I was super focused, while some others I found myself totally disconnected from the story. However, the last episodes and the end really got me with captivating twists. The male lead, Yi Soo, is awesome and his synergy with the rest of the detective team was absolute genius; they really made me laugh hard. Overall, this is a good action drama with good camaraderie (reminded of Taxi Driver, Partners for Justice and The First Responders in terms of genres) and I’m more than happy that there will be a second season.

Like Flowers in Sand ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2023-2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: ENA

Cast: Jang Dong Yoon & Lee Joo Myung
Plot: Kim Baek Doo used to be a promising ssireum athlete, but he’s now thinking of retiring. One day, he meets his childhood friend Oh Yoo Kyung again and his life changes. She becomes the leader of the management sirreum team. 

Review: Against all odds, Like Flowers in Sand managed to convince me and immerse me in its story. Though I wouldn’t say it’s a drama for everybody, as it is rather slow-paced. But if you don’t mind that, then you’ll be good. I discovered ssireum, a South Korean sports I had heard of but never actually seen or learned about. Being a fan of South Korean culture, this was a deeper step into their traditions that I really appreciated. The male lead, Kim Baek Doo, is a kind character who unfortunately struggles to succeed and become a champion despite his potential. Like most sports dramas, Flowers in Sand focuses on the hardships an athlete encounters and how tough it can be to fulfill your dreams at times. However, it gives you hope and certainty that some flowers bloom later than others. I also really liked the fact that they added a ‘thriller’ vibe, as murders take place in the village. Both genres combined give way to an interesting intrigue. Finally, the friendship and romance depicted are super cute. Each character has a role to play, and we root for them all along. All in all I would recommend, but be sure you can handle slow dramas beforehand. Otherwise, you won’t survive it.

Marry My Husband ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: tvN

Cast: Park Min Young, Na In Woo, Lee Yi Kyung & Song Ha Yoon
Plot: Kang Ji Won is married to Park Min Hwan. He’s selfish, and in debt. One day, Ji Won learns she has cancer and that her husband is having an affair. During an argument, he kills her. She wakes up 10 years in the past, engaged to him, but decides to make him marry his mistress, while she falls for her colleague Yoo Ji Hyuk who has a secret. 

Review: Where to begin? If you haven’t watched this hit drama yet, well I recommend you do right now. The story is AMAZING! Marry My Husband is a perfect combination of a revenge plot and a fluffy romance. The main characters are well written, especially Ji Won. She goes from a weak, kind and manipulated woman who’s wronged by her closest people to a strong, fierce and determined lady who’s assertive and strong-headed. It’s absolutely pleasant to see her vengeance, but also her new love story with the greenest of flags. The male lead is supportive, helpful, patient and caring. Seeing these two together was honestly heartwarming. The villains were horrible – which I consider an asset in a drama, because they did their part. As for the side characters, they were cute and lovely, I was rooting for all of them with my entire heart. The plot was fast-paced and intense. Not a single minute was wasted and each served the overall story. As for the ending, it was PER-FECT! The drama managed to immerse me fully in its universe, so it’s a 10 out of 10.

Pyramid Game ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 10 | Channel: TVING

Cast: Bona, Ryu Da In, Jang Da Ah, Shin Seul Ki & Kang Na Eon
Plot: Sung Soo Ji transfers to a new high school in Seoul. One her first day, she has to participate in the Pyramid Game where students vote for each other. The person with the lowest vote gets bullied for a month by the rest of the class. Soo Ji is voted out and bullied. Meanwhile, she tries to put an end to the game.

Review: This drama was spectacular! First, I need to take about the plot because it’s really what makes you want to press the ‘Next episode’ button. The drama is so well-written with a fast and suspenseful narrative. It feels like watching a chess game where Soo Ji and Ha Rin are the Queens fighting for dominion. Each episode brings about a new interesting thread of the story that, once pulled, can change the entire dynamic in the classroom. Alliances between students also play a crucial role, but they are only possible because of Soo Ji’s charismatic aura or Ha Rin’s threatening presence. Second, characters are amazing. My preference naturally goes to Sung Soo Ji, but she’s not your typical heroine. She has her faults and that’s exactly what makes her appreciable. Others, like Ja Eun, Do Ah and Ye Rim will surprise you too. Third, the friendships and relationships between bullied students depicted in the drama are credible and relatable. Who knows how one would react if one were forced to play the Pyramid Game? All of these girls show a different aspect of human nature, which makes the story even better. Finally, I can’t finish this review without mentioning the villain: Jang Da Ah. I think she delivered a good performance for a rookie actress with no experience, and made her character believable until the end. All in all, if you’re still doubting whether to watch this drama or not, don’t anymore. Pyramid Game is an excellent pick with 10 eps of only 50 minutes full of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. So, will you play it?

Queen of Tears ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 16 | Channel: tvN

Cast: Kim Soo Hyun & Kim Ji Won
Plot: Baek Hyun Woo works as the legal director of Queens Group. He comes from a poor background, but managed to climb the social ladder. He gets married to Hong Hae In who’s the arrogant heiress of Queens Group. But what seemed to be the marriage of the century turns into a crisis.

Review: If you’re wondering if the drama deserves the hype, let me give you a straight answer. Yes, it ABSOLUTELY does! The plot is really well-written, with good connections between characters and timelines. Relationships are heartwarming and touching. Whether it’d be the tumultuous love story of the leads or the middle-school romance of Hae In’s aunt, all characters have their fair share of romance and above all, spotlight. And we love that! The drama immersed me completely in its universe and the lives of these families, Yongdu-Ri village, Queens Group. There’s not a single character to throw away, even the villains do their job with perfection. As for the story itself, it perfectly combines comedy, romance, melodrama and even action. An excellent mix of genres that gives a great pace to the show. Finally, the acting performance is top-notch. Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun are more than credible as a married couple going through a crisis. My only criticism – which is not a real one – is that episode last an hour and a half. But that’s nothing when the story is that good. 100% recommended. Do not miss this drama.

Wedding Impossible ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Country: Korea | Year: 2024 | Episode: 12 | Channel: tvN

Cast: Jun Jong Seo, Moon Sang Min, Kim Do Wan & Bae Yoon Kyung
Plot: Na Ah Jeong is an actress. She’s friends with Lee Do Han, the son of a rich family. He has to marry, but holds a secret that prevents him to. So, he asks Ah Jeong to play his fake wife. Trouble arises when Do Han’s younger brother, Lee Ji Han, starts intervening and brings Yoon Chae Won in the picture. 

Review: In the category of fluffy rom-com not too tough or long to watch, you clearly have Wedding Impossible. I think the plot is pretty straightforward, and though I knew it was going to be messy right from the start, the relationships kept me involved in the story. The leads were absolutely cute; they fell in love in the blink of an eye at a certain point (unrealistic for sure, but that’s not what you should be looking for with this drama). Characters were rather stereotypical (the grandfather, the jealous grandchildren, the friends and family, even the Do Han was a bit annoying at times), but I really loved that they didn’t turn the second female lead Chae Won into an insufferable person. She was just classy and elegant all along, and that only, makes the drama stand apart. The flow of the drama reminded me a bit of A Business Proposal. It’s just the same vibe that I appreciate so much. So, if you’re looking for a cute not-so-complicated romance, go for it!