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From romantic love stories to thrilling action films, Korean dramas in 2024 remain a highlight with revolutionary and innovative projects. These dramas attract viewers not only with their captivating storylines but also with their technical investment and professional performances from top actors.
"Queen of Tears" - The tearful queen storms the charts both domestically and internationally.
The crown is undeniably deserved by the Korean drama "Queen of Tears," with over 600 million hours watched on Netflix. The series also took the domestic market by storm, ending with a stellar rating of 23.45% – the first and only series to surpass 20% in 2024 to date. A terminal illness, a wealthy family, a reunion with a "cool wife"—familiar motifs, but creatively reimagined, along with a cast of uniquely developed characters, make "Queen of Tears" a classic yet timeless Korean rom-com.
The film is told in a non-linear fashion, interweaving events between the present and the past, through the perspective of the two main characters.
“Queen of Tears” is a fresh and transformative drama, at least compared to what we might expect from Korean dramas in general. It offers unpredictable plot twists and successfully develops Hyun Woo and Hae In, the truly unique lead actors.
Forbes magazine described the series as belonging to the dark comedy genre, constantly creating hilarious and absurd situations against the backdrop of the characters' tragedies.
"Exhuma" - The Exhumation of a Buried Grave, One of the Best Horror Films of All Time
“Exhuma” is a horror blockbuster released in early 2024, considered one of the best Korean horror films of all time, second only to “The Wailing” (2016). The film marks the return of director Jang Jae Hyun, who is known as the “master of the supernatural genre”.
"Exhuma" was well-received by audiences thanks to its compelling script, which incorporates many supernatural horror elements, a hallmark of South Korean cinema.
The film offers viewers much more to ponder and feel than just the familiar themes of grave digging and exorcism. The ancient tomb of the wealthy family that is unearthed is merely the "tip of the iceberg." After the grave-digging team resolves the issue of the wealthy family's ancestral burial site, they are surprised to discover a hidden, upright coffin beneath. Suspecting a double funeral and its connection to the family, the team decides to exhume the body and temporarily store it at a nearby temple. It is here that an evil spirit appears, officially beginning a dramatic story of mysteries related to history and the fate of the nation.
It must be said that Exhuma has a well-structured and solid script with six distinct chapters.
The film doesn't follow the "beaten path" of previous horror films, but instead impressively combines elements of mystery, spirituality, and human emotion. A series of historical, religious, and spiritual elements close to East Asian culture are subtly integrated into the film, combined with stunning visuals, sound, and outstanding performances from the main cast, helping "Exhuma" dominate the box office from its opening days.
"Lovely Runner" - Carrying him while running, love changes destiny.
This project is a fantasy-rom-com inspired by the webtoon The Best of Tomorrow (2017), written by Lee Si Eun. The story revolves around high school student Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon). After years of admiring Seon Jae (Byeon Woo Seok) from the boy band Eclipse, Im Sol is shocked to learn that the idol committed suicide at the age of 34. While on her way to confirm the news, she is involved in an accident that causes her timeline to reverse 15 years.
Upon returning to the past, Im Sol becomes Seon Jae's "umbrella." Conversely, Seon Jae has unrequited love for Im Sol, and even after being rejected, he continues to love and protect her.
Forbes magazine described Lovely Runner as an emotionally charged film about love and fate. Through time travel, the film depicts the growth and transformation of the main characters amidst life's events. From a girl whose life force was depleted, Im Sol is reborn when she receives comforting words from Seon Jae over the radio: "Thank you for continuing to live. That alone is enough to make those around you grateful. The weather is so beautiful. Even if it rains tomorrow, wait for the rain to stop and keep living."
Like many time-travel films, the movie features numerous parallel scenes, depicting the upheavals of a journey that alters the past and its impact on destiny.
"Mr. Plankton," the story of fleeting human lives.
Instead of following the conventional approach of releasing episodes one at a time to generate curiosity, Netflix decided to unveil all 10 episodes in their entirety, taking viewers on an emotional journey from sweet and romantic to heartbreaking moments in the final months of 2024.
The film is not only about the love between two people, but also a lesson about cherishing every moment, living life to the fullest, and not wasting time.
"Mr. Plankton" tells the story of Hae Jo (Woo Do Hwan), a young man striving to complete his "final assignment" of life. Born as a result of a tragic medical accident, Hae Jo considers himself a "plankton." Growing up without knowing his parents, he fends for himself. One day, he is shocked to discover he has a terminal illness and only has three months to live. Filled with resentment and frustration, he embarks on a journey across South Korea to find his true biological father. His reluctant companion on this adventure is Jae Mi (Lee Yo Mi), the woman he lost and the source of light illuminating the dark corners of his soul in his final months.
Through the story of Hae Jo and Jo Jae Mi, the drama clearly portrays that, no matter the circumstances, love can bring healing and is the strength that helps people overcome pain.
“Mr. Plankton” is a heartwarming yet poignant portrayal of love, loss, and the lives of an unlucky young man and an unfortunate young woman. These two individuals are like magnets, attracting all the suffering of the universe. From its title, “Plankton”—meaning ephemeral creatures—the film cleverly alludes to the lives of Hae Jo and Jae Mi. Both are insignificant figures in society, swept along by the currents of fate, trapped in one tragedy after another from which they cannot escape. But it is precisely their ordinariness, “a girl not even as good as a potato and a boy not even as good as a mushroom,” that inadvertently sows the seeds of hope for each other.
Beyond the surge in quantity, Korean films in 2024 also demonstrated a high standard of quality. Each work was not only a captivating story but also a sophisticated and creative work of art, offering unique experiences to audiences worldwide.
