Top 7 Romance K-Dramas to Watch in 2024

With dramas such as "Lovely Runner" and "Queen of Tears" spearheading South Korea's television industry to international levels, there is no doubt that 2024 has seen one of the greatest K-drama eras of all time. As the year comes to its halfway mark, we can now look back at the previous six months of masterpieces made, with numerous records broken, national ratings demolished, and previous K-dramas dethroned. The dominant K-drama genre that has taken over millions of viewers' hearts?

Romance. Here are the top 7 romance K-dramas in 2024 that you should watch today!

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Lovely Runner

After the "Queen of Tears"' (which we will get onto later!) release, "Lovely Runner" quickly skyrocketed to the top of the South Korean charts, with Ryu Sun-Jae and Im Sol becoming the most popular K-drama couple of 2024. Their nationwide ratings surpassed both "Queen of Tears" and "Crash Landing Onto You", becoming tvN's highest-rated K-drama ever. "Lovely Runner" follows Im Sol, who attempts to save her celebrity crush, Ryu Sun-Jae, from inevitable death. As they transverse between time, oscillating between 2008 and 2023, both fall in love and create one of the greatest, most intricate romance storylines in the history of Korean dramas.

Image Credit: TV10 from Wikimedia Commons

The Midnight Studio

"The Midnight Studio" is a lesser-known romance K-drama, overshadowed by giants such as "Lovely Runner" and "Queen of Tears," but it is perhaps one of the most heartwarming and captivating dramas in 2024. Starring Kwon Nara and Joo Won, "The Midnight Studio" follows Seo Ki-Joo, who runs a studio for taking pictures of the dead. As the team of photographers works to bring closure to their ghost clients, the leads' relationship develops beautifully, and the storyline escalates into a powerful climax. Although some viewers may avoid this K-drama due to its slightly darker background, you will be wholly invested from the first click as the characters blossom from antagonistic into three-dimensional and living. "The Midnight Studio" is a one-of-a-kind K-drama that is beautifully played.

Image Credit: TV10 from Wikimedia Commons

Queen of Tears

If anyone mentions "romance K-dramas in 2024", "Queen of Tears" is bound to be mentioned. With the highest-paid actor in Korea, Kim Soo-Hyun, and the star of one of the most famous military/romance K-dramas in the history of South Korea, Kim Ji-Won, "Queen of Tears" was one of the most-hyped K-dramas of 2024 and exceeded all expectations.

As the leads struggle through their rocky marriage, the two miraculously begin to find love again, fighting against all odds to stay with each other. With everything from love triangles to terminal illnesses to romantic scenes that will keep you smiling all the way through, "Queen of Tears" has everything you need to relax and binge for 16 hours straight.

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Doctor Slump

When two high school classmates, now doctors, who used to hate each other, reunite, love begins to bloom between them. A perfect blend of romantic comedy and drama, "Doctor Slump" features Park Hyung-Sik and Park Shin-Hye navigating the life of a burnt-out doctor and kindling love. With amazing on-screen chemistry and the actors playing their roles spectacularly, "Doctor Slump" will have you deeply invested in the storyline, the development of the characters, and their romance. As one of the most heartwarming romance K-dramas in 2024, "Doctor Slump" is a must-watch for any K-drama fan.

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Captivating the King

"Captivating the King" is a romance K-drama that some may shy away from due to its historical nature. However, the romance that develops in the storyline is one of the most intricate and exciting plots you'll ever watch. Acted by Jo Jung-Suk, who you may find familiar with from his leading role in 'Hospital Playlist,' Lee In is a king who finds himself politically and physically in danger due to his weak nature and powerful position. Kang Hee-So (acted by Shin Se-Kyung) attempts to seduce him and gain power, but in a strange twist of events, he falls in love with him. "Captivating the King" is thrilling and beautifully portrayed.

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Marry My Husband

Park Min-Young, the star of "What's Wrong with Secretary Kim?" and "Her Private Life," returns once again as the female lead in "Marry My Husband." When she finds out that her husband and her best friend are having an affair and is then murdered by them, Kang Ji-Won (Park Min-Young) returns to the past, seeking to change the future and take revenge. As the plotline complicates further due to multiple characters getting involved and an intricate love story unfolding, "Marry My Husband" has all the right elements to keep you hooked and watching all the way through.

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Branding in Seongsu

"Branding in Seongsu" initially seems like a superficial enemies-to-lovers K-drama, but as you dive deeper into the episodes, things start to complicate rapidly. When an intern and a manager, both incredibly antagonistic toward each other, accidentally kiss, they find they are living in each other's bodies. To complicate things further, a serial stalker brings in a thriller aspect, and a hectic work life comes in the form of angry co-workers. "Branding in Seongsu," starring Park Solomon and Kim Ji-Eun, will have you binging on all 24 episodes from beginning to end.

From "Lovely Runner" to "Queen of Tears," all the way down to "Marry My Husband," 2024 has been the heyday of K-dramas. With the likes of "Gyeongseong Creature: Season 2" and "Squid Game: Season 2" releasing by the end of this year, millions of K-drama fans around the world can be certain that there will be much more to expect and watch as the year continues. Stay tuned for more updates!