Top Trending K-Dramas on Netflix in 2024: A Fan’s Delight

With over 1.2 billion viewing hours from ten titles alone, K-dramas on Netflix continue to impress wildly. Below, we’ve compiled the list of the most-watched K-dramas on Netflix in 2024.

So far, 2024 has been another busy year for K-dramas on Netflix, and just from the originals alone, the first half of the year has amassed almost 1.5 billion viewing hours for K-dramas. But unlike 2023, we expect the second half of the year to be even stronger thanks to the upcoming release of Squid Game season 2.

1. Queen of Tears (K-Dramas on Netflix in 2024)

Netflix Views: 43 Million | Hours Viewed: 653.9 Million | Weeks Spent in Top 10: 15

The stand-out performer by a considerable margin, fans couldn’t stop eating up all of what Queen of Tears had to offer weekly. With incredible performances from Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won, the series featured in the global top ten for 15 weeks straight. In South Korea, it reached a rating high of 24.850%, becoming the third highest-rated cable drama in South Korean history. The only drama we can see topping Queen of Tears in 2024 is the upcoming release of Squid Game season 2.

2. Parasyte: The Grey (K-Dramas on Netflix in 2024)

Netflix Views: 21.8 Million | Hours Viewed: 109.1 Million | Weeks Spent in Top 10: 4

A spin-off of Hitoshi Iwaaki’s beloved body-horror manga, Yeon Sang-ho’s vision opened up a whole new chapter for the Parasyte franchise and one that fans are eager to continue with even more content. With a respectable 21.8 million views, there’s a great chance that a second season is on the cards in the Parasyte: The Grey’s future.

3. Doctor Slump (K-Dramas on Netflix in 2024)

Netflix Views: 18.6 Million | Hours Viewed: 154.3 Million | Weeks Spent in Top 10: 9

Romantic comedies are a staple part of a K-drama fan’s diet, and medical dramas are often some of the most popular. Highly praised for the chemistry between the two lead actors, Doctor Slump performed considerably well on Netflix. By hours viewed, Doctor Slump is the 2nd most-watched K-drama on Netflix this year.

4. Hierarchy (K-Dramas on Netflix in 2024)

Netflix Views: 9.8 Million | Hours Viewed: 74.6 Million | Weeks Spent in Top 10: 3

Still in the global top ten, Hierarchy soared up the list within a few short weeks to become the fourth most-watched K-drama this year, and the series could climb ever higher still. The popularity of Hierarchy shouldn’t come as a surprise, as K-dramas centered on the social elite perform well. However, what surprised fans was Hierarchy’s status as a limited series. Thanks to its popularity, and given how the series ended, we suspect the K-drama will soon join the small club of Originals that moved beyond being a limited series.

5. A Killer Paradox (K-Dramas on Netflix in 2024)

Netflix Views: 11.9 Million| Hours Viewed: 85.3 Million | Weeks Spent in Top 10: 4

A thrilling K-drama series that saw great performances from Choi Woo Shik and Son Suk Ku as their characters engaged in an entertaining and bloody game of cat and mouse. We, and many other fans, still hope to see a renewal for the series.

6. The 8 Show (K-Dramas on Netflix in 2024)

Netflix Views: 11.7 Million | Hours Viewed: 80.7 Million | Weeks Spent in Top 10: 5

Given the premise of The 8 Show, we were under the belief that the drama could have been a viral sensation on Netflix. The ensemble cast was fantastic, and we were especially impressed with the performances of Ryu Jun Yeol, Chun Woo Hee, and Lee Joo Young. The 8 Show is more than worth a watch for subscribers. Sadly, it doesn’t look like Netflix will be pursuing more of the K-drama beyond season 1.

7. The Atypical Family (K-Dramas on Netflix in 2024)

Netflix Views: 10.7 Million | Hours Viewed: 87.1 Million | Weeks Spent in Top 10: 6

Given its Saturday/Sunday timeslot, we would have expected The Atypical Family to perform better in Korea than on Netflix. However, subscribers took to the series exceptionally well, with many falling in love with the story and the performances of Jang Ki Yong and Chun Woo Hee.

8. My Name is Loh Kiwan (K-Dramas on Netflix in 2024)

Netflix Views: 9.7 Million | Hours Viewed: 21.4 Million | Weeks Spent in Top 10: 3

Considering that only two Korean films have landed on Netflix in 2024, we’re delighted that My Name is Loh Kiwan made it into the top ten list. Thanks to Kim Hee Jin’s excellent direction, Song Joon Ki and Choi Sun Eun’s performances took the audience on an incredible emotional roller coaster.

9. Gyeongseong Creature (K-Dramas on Netflix in 2024)

Netflix Views: 7 Million | Hours Viewed: 69.2 Million | Weeks Spent in Top 10: 4

Realistically, Gyeongseong Creature should be much higher on the list. However, we’ve only used the viewing figures for the drama from its time in the global top ten in 2024. If the 2023 figures for part 1 were included, an additional 9.1 million views would have moved the drama from 9th to 4th on this list. Fans are excited for the release of season 2 later this year.

10. The Bequeathed (K-Dramas on Netflix in 2024)

Netflix Views: 6.8 Million | Hours Viewed: 32.1 Million | Weeks Spent in Top 10: 3

Written by Yeon Sang-ho but directed by Min Hong-nam, The Bequeathed wasn’t as successful as we had hoped. However, what was impressive is that the series was still able to amass 6.8 million views against its 32.1 million hours watched, which suggests to us that the majority of those who tuned in to watch stayed till the end! Sadly, as a limited series, there won’t be more of The Bequeathed on Netflix.

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Conclusion

2024 has undoubtedly been a monumental year for K-dramas on Netflix. With millions of viewers tuning in and billions of hours watched, these dramas have captivated audiences worldwide. Whether it’s the intense thrill of A Killer Paradox, the emotional roller coaster of My Name is Loh Kiwan, or the cultural phenomenon of Queen of Tears, there’s a K-drama for everyone. As we eagerly await the second half of the year, it’s clear that the K-drama wave on Netflix is far from over. What’s your favorite K-drama on Netflix in 2024 so far? Let us know in the comments below!

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