Kdramas really took the world by storm this year, and it’s been amazing to see so many people getting into them. But let’s be honest—most of the buzz has been around a handful of dramas on popular platforms. There are so many underrated kdramas that didn’t get the spotlight they deserve. You probably know all the big hits from 2024, but what about the ones that flew under the radar? Let me take you through some of these hidden gems—you might just find your next favorite binge.
To keep it simple, I have divided these 15 underrated kdramas of 2024 into three fun categories based on mood and genre. So, whether you are in the mood for a weekend binge, a story with a standout ensemble cast, or just need some feel-good romance, there’s something here for you. Let’s dive in.
15 Underrated Kdramas of 2024
- Gangnam B-Side
- Black Out
- Pyramid Game
- Connection
- Light Shop
- Flex X Cop
- Seoul Buster
- Family by Choice
- Good Partner
- High School Return of a Gangster
- My Man is Cupid
- My Sweet Mobster
- No Gain No Love
- A Good Day to Be a Dog
- Love in the Big City
Why go out when you can binge an entire season in your pajamas?
Genre: Thriller, Crime, Mystery
1. Gangnam B-Side
Starring: Ji Chang Wook, Jo Woo Jin, and Ha Yoon Kyung
Gangnam B-Side is a dark, action-packed thriller following an outlaw, a cop, a prosecutor who are trying to solve a series of disappearance of girls from Gangnam clubs. If you can't handle gore, action, and very dark themes stay far away from this drama. However, if you are good with the mature and dark themes, it is a good drama overall with good mystery and great actors. Ji Chang Wook in this drama unlike any character he has played previously (even in Worst of Evil he was an undercover cop) and he delivered an incredible performance. If you like intense and violent action thriller, definitely check it out.
2. Black Out
Starring: Byun Yo Han and Go Jun
Black Out has to be one the most underrated kdramas of 2024. The drama starts with Jeong U, a 19-year old boy, getting imprisoned for 11 years for the murder of two girls - his girlfriend and best friend. On the day of their murder Jeong U was black out drunk. He doesn't remember committing the murders. He also doesn't remember not committing the murders. After his sentence is fulfilled, he goes back to his hometown to find out if he is the real murderer or not.
Black Out is a perfect small town murder mystery where every one in the town is hiding something, but you have to give it at least 2 episode to start making sense. All actors did a marvelous job playing their roles - you will either love them or really hate them by the end of it. Yo Han is such a criminally underrated actor and I need him to be casted in more and more dramas. If you are looking for a crime drama to binge, highly recommend this drama.
3. Pyramid Game
Starring: Bona, Jang Da A, Ryu Da In, and Kang Na Eon
Pyramid Game is a 10-episode thriller that will keep you at the edge of your seat without a single boring moment. It follows a girl named Sooji who gets transferred to a school which plays a popularity game at the end of every month. The ranking of this game determines the entire social hierarchy of their school. The one who get no votes are the lowest of the lows and are bullied. After becoming the victim of the Pyramid Game Sooji decides to topple the entire game and be at the top.
These rookies can act!! It is a well-written survival-game drama with great characters, excellent OST, and incredible acting by rookies. Not to mention, it is all female cast. There is truly nothing else to say, if you like a drama that will keep you excited and give you a very satisfying end watch it.
4. Connection
Starring: Ji Sung and Jeon Mi Do
Ji Sung is in it. That's it. That's my pitch for you to watch connection. Of course this drama is full of incredible actors like Mi Do, Kyung Nam, and Kwon Yul, but name one drama where Ji Sung was not devouring his role? The man is incapable of not eating, he probably fasts before going to shoot and eats his role for meals - ok sorry enough eating metaphors. But you get what I mean right? Ji Sung is in this drama and it is worth watching.
Alright I will tell you a bit about it. Connection follows a narcotics detective who is kidnapped and drugged for a day with a new drug that has some serious withdrawals. The cop is now trying to solve this case while being addict himself, one of the dots connecting this case takes him to his high school friend group and it goes more and more complicated from there.
5. Light Shop
Starring: Joo Ji Hoon, Park Bo Young (and about 10 more actors in main role. The drama is full of star cast.)
Kang Full, the screenwriter of Moving, has written another brilliant drama. Light Shop is a very stunningly shot, incredibly acted, and masterfully written drama. The drama is character driven story about a group of people from various walks of life who have a past trauma and are unable to process it. One day they all get strangely pulled towards a mysterious light shop.
It is a supernatural and psychological thriller with the best cinematography I have seen all year. It is a visual masterpiece paired with a thought-provoking story that sucks its audience in, like the characters get sucked into the light shop. Every shot and every color has a meaning in this drama. That’s all I’ll say—if any of this intrigued you and you enjoy dark stories, give the first episode a try and decide for yourself.
Also read: 10 Best Kdramas of 2024
Krati Joshi
For when you just want to hang out with a fun crew and enjoy the ride.
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Drama
6. Flex X Cop
Starring: Ahn Bo Hyun, Park Ji Hyun, Kang Sang Jun, and Kim Shin Bi
Flex X Cop is an engaging drama with a very likeable main character. It follows Jin Yi Soo, a chaebol who has everything at his disposal. After he gets involved in a criminal case, he is forced to join the police force to save his family image. Though he joined the police for show, he soon starts loving his job and genuinely try to make a difference. The leads also have excellent chemistry and a good slow burn romance (which is always a pro). Each episode throws us into a new investigation with a good blend of serious crime genre with laugh-out-loud moments. One minute you're on the edge of your seat as they chase down a suspect, and the next you're cackling as Yi-soo tries to bribe his way out of a sticky situation. It's this perfect mix of action, comedy, and drama that keeps you coming back for more.
7. Seoul Busters
Starring: Kim Dong Wook, Park Ji Hwan, Seo Hyun Woo, and Park Se Wan
Seoul Busters is not only the funniest drama in this list of 15 underrated kdramas of 2024, it is also the funniest kdrama of the year. Even though it is a crime genre it doesn't take itself seriously, and doesn't let anyone take it seriously. The comedy of this drama reminded me a lot of Brooklyn Nine-Nine. I don't think I have laughed out loud in a show like this except maybe Laughter in Waikiki. If you are looking for a good time, turn off your critic lens and watch Seoul Busters. Highly recommend.
8. Family by Choice
Starring: Hwang in Yeop, Jung Chae Yeon, and Bae Hyeon Seong
Now, I know the fans of the cdrama Go Ahead must be very underwhelmed by this one, but that does not mean that Family by Choice was bad. It just didn't get enough episode to show emotions as deeply as the original version (Go Ahead: 46 episodes, Family by Choice: 16 episodes). So if you have watched and loved the Go Ahead, either skip Family by Choice or keep an open mind before starting this kdrama.
Family by Choice is a very charming drama exploring the bond of five people who become each other's family after circumstances bring them together. The drama explore the concept of family, parenting, friendship, and love. All main leads did a bang on job portraying their struggles and love for one another. I found it a very sweet and pleasant watch from start to end. Watch it if you enjoy a light drama with hint of romance and lots of friendship.
9. Good Partner
Starring: Jang Na Ra and Nam Ji Hyun
Another standout female-led drama in this list. Good Partner is a legal drama about two divorce lawyers—a seasoned star lawyer facing her own divorce and an idealistic rookie starting her career. Together, they tackle a variety of cases while navigating their personal struggles, including the veteran lawyer’s complex divorce.
Set against the backdrop of Korea’s rising divorce rates, Good Partner tackles a timely and meaningful subject with sensitivity and depth. Overall, it’s a solid legal drama with great acting, a well-written script that keeps you engaged, strong character development, and incredible chemistry between the two female leads.
10. High School Return of a Gangster
Starring: Yoon Chan Young, Bong Jae Hyun, and Lee Seo Jin
High School Return of a Gangster tells the story of Kim Deuk-Pal, a 47-year-old gangster who dreams of attending university despite never having completed formal education. When he saves Song Yi-Heon, a 19-year-old high school student, from a suicide attempt caused by relentless bullying, his spirit mysteriously ends up in the young student’s body.
The drama follows Kim Deuk-Pal as he navigates the challenges of high school life, takes on bullies, and brings his unique brand of justice to the classroom. With a perfect blend of action, drama, and comedy, this 8-episode drama delivers a fresh, entertaining experience from start to finish.
Because sometimes you just need to turn off your brain and let your heart do the thinking.
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Fluff
11. My Man is Cupid
Starring: Jang Dong Yoon and Nana
My Man is Cupid most definitely went under the radar of most people and I don't know why. It was a perfectly good watch. The kdrama follows a cupid whos wings got burned in punishment. He is in his last phase of redemption when he meets Baek Ryun. Baek Ryun is a beautiful woman who can make any man fall for but she is very unlucky in love and any man she dates ends up getting hurt and injured. So no matter how many men fall for her she can never find love.
This drama had an engaging plot. Both leads cannot love one another but they can't help but fall for each other. There is also a serial killer plot...which...I know it is like in every second drama but trust me this time it added to the drama and didn't came out of nowhere. So overall, if you are looking for something different but reminds you of the kdramas that you used to love, give this one a try. It is not mindblowing but it is still worth a watch.
12. My Sweet Mobster
Starring: Uhm Tae Goo and Han Sun Hwa
My Sweet Mobster will definitely help you turn off your brain and just have a good time. It literally is the drama that a teen on Wattpad would come up with – not in a bad way. It is funny, cute, and very very sweet. Obviously not a drama you watch if you like very strong storyline with incredible writing and mindblowing writing, but it is the drama that will make you happy and at the end of the day isnt that what we want? My sweet mobster is a drama that follows a literal mafia boss who lives with his gang and then one day a girl starts living in with them and the rest of the drama can be described with he is a feared man but he only becomes sweet for her.
13. No Gain No Love
Starring: Shin Min Ah, Kim Young Dae, Lee Sang Yi, and Han Ji Hyun
If you didn't know South Korea was struggling with low marriage and fertility rates, Kdramas of 2024 will be enough indicator of the issue. No Gain No Love literally starts with a woman, Hae Young, finding out that the hidden criteria to get promoted at her job is to get married. Her promotion, and the fact that people receive a lot of cash on the wedding reception, she decides to get married, to gain the promotion and the cash. She only needs a stand-in husband. There was once a Buddha, now there is Ji Uk. He is so selfless he says yes to fake marry Hae Young (a woman he does not like at all) for no reason.
There is also a very cute side love story between writer who writes spicy CEO romance web novel and a CEO. (Side Note:They also made a two episode spin-off off of this couple Spice up Our Love where the writer enters her CEO romance novel). In conclusion, don't expect perfection from No Gain No Love, it is as ridiculous as it sounds. Just watch it for a good time and you will have it.
14. A Good Day to Be a Dog
Starring: Cha Eun Woo, Park Gyu Young, and Lee Hyun Woo
Ok, here me out! There is a reason a Good Day to be a Dog is in this 15 underrated drama of 2024 list and it is the fact that it was entertaining. Sometimes we need to watch dramas where there is no logic, just mindless entertainment–it's this one. It was a normal romantic comedy about a woman who is cursed to turn into a dog every night if she kissed someone. The only way she can stop this curse is to kiss the same person again but as a dog. Unfortunately for her, the man she kissed is scared shitless of dog. Obviously, if you find this ridiculous, skip it. But if you chuckled reading this, maybe watch the first episode? Also, Cha Eun Woo is in it and he is a high school teacher. I watched to just look at his handsome face and it was worth it.
15. Love in the Big City
Starring: Nam Yoon Su and Jin Ho Eun
Love in the Big City is not for homophobes. This is a youth drama following a man going through life: having fun with friends, dating various men having, casual relationships, situationships and serious relationships, and understanding the true meaning of love. It is a character-driven 8-episode drama with great acting and excellent camerawork. It is the kind of drama that will make you get attached to its characters. Nam Yoon Su did an incredible job in this role, despite all the hate he received from the homophobic audience, I am glad he didn't back away from the project. This is not a perfect drama though, it had a few plot points that were useless or used as plot point but otherwise, it is a great watch with stunning cinematography.
Love in the Big City is not for homophobes. This youth drama follows a man navigating life: having fun with friends, dating various men, experiencing casual relationships, situationships, and serious relationships, and understanding the true meaning of love. It is a character-driven, 8-episode drama with excellent acting and remarkable camerawork.
It is the kind of drama that pulls you into its world and makes you deeply care for its characters. Nam Yoon Su delivered an incredible performance in his role. Despite the hate he received from homophobic audiences, I am glad he didn’t back away from the project. Although it is not a perfect drama (some plot points were unnecessary and underdeveloped) it is still a compelling and visually stunning drama that’s well worth watching.
Conclusion
Thank you for reading. If I have convinced you to check out even one of these 15 underrated Kdramas of 2024, consider subscribing for more recommendations. Exciting content is coming your way in 2025.
Have you watched any of these shows? What are your thoughts? Do you have any underrated gems to recommend? Let’s chat in the comments and keep the kdrama love going.
