PEAKLIFE

By Kratika Agarwal

As 2023 wrapped up, fantastic K-dramas like ‘My Demon’ and ‘Gyeongseong Creature’ left fans thrilled. Adored globally for their captivating stories and heartwarming romances, K-dramas have created a massive fan base. Now, stepping into 2024, anticipation runs high for what the new year holds. A lineup of exciting dramas awaits, with much excitement surrounding the return of favourites such as ‘Squid Game 2’ and ‘Everything Will Come True’. Brace yourself for another year filled with delightful K-drama picks, where compelling narratives and enchanting characters continue to captivate audiences worldwide.

1. Squid Game 2

The sequel, guided by mastermind Hwang Dong Hyuk, crafts a distinct fictional narrative stemming from the cliffhanger from season 1. Returning are familiar faces Lee Jung Jae, Wi Ha Joon, and Lee Byung Hun, joined by new talents like Im Siwan and Kang Ha Neul. Survivor Seong Gi-hun (Lee) notices a new enlistee for the perilous game, sparking his temptation to return. Season 2’s details remain unknown, heightening anticipation for Gi-hun’s awaited comeback in this gripping continuation.

2. Mr. Plankton

Scheduled for a 2024 release, Mr. Plankton, a newly announced K-drama from 2023, remains a work in progress. While details are scant, fans are excited about its cast and its theme of societal outcasts. Hae-jo (Woo Do-hwan), akin to plankton, is an unloved outcast due to his unknown father. A life-altering revelation prompts him to embark on a quest for his roots. Simultaneously, Jo Jae-mi (Lee Yoo-i), desiring a large family, faces resistance from the Eo family patriarchs as she prepares to wed their son. However, a twist unfolds when, on the wedding day, Jae-mi disappears, joining Hae-jo on an unexpected journey.

3. Everything Will Come True

Fate plays matchmaker and grants wishes in ‘Everything Will Come True’, the long-awaited reunion of Kim Woo Bin and Bae Suzy. After stealing hearts (and tears) in ‘Uncontrollably Fond’, they’re back, this time with a magical twist. Suzy plays a woman who frees a genie (Woo Bin) from his lamp, sparking a whimsical romance under the pen of ‘The Glory’ and ‘Goblin’ writer Kim Eun Sook. Prepare for laughter, sparks, and maybe even a happy ending this time!

4. A Shop for Killers

Instead of second helpings, K-dramas are serving spinoffs! Get ready for ‘A Shop For Killers’, a chilling twist on the 2022 hit ‘A Killer’s Shopping List’. Young Ji-an, haunted by family tragedy, inherits her uncle’s seemingly ordinary mall… only to discover its dark secrets. Was he just running a business, or something more sinister? Prepare for thrills and chills as Ji-an unravels the truth, one suspicious customer at a time. Buckle up for a gripping spinoff that promises to keep you guessing until the very end!

5. Doctor Slump

In the romantic-comedy ‘Doctor Slump’, we follow the journey of Yeo Jung-woo (Park Hyung-sik), a brilliant medical student turned renowned plastic surgeon. After a mysterious medical incident shatters his success, he hits rock bottom. At this juncture, he crosses paths with his former rival and classmate, Nam Ha-neul (Park Shin-hye), now working as an anaesthesiologist. Despite Ha-neul’s lifelong acclaim for intelligence, she realises her happiness is confined to work and study. As the two doctors reconnect, finding solace in each other, a budding romance emerges, offering a delightful twist to their lives and careers.

6. Love Song for Illusion

Adapted from the Naver webtoon with the same title, the historical-fantasy drama ‘Love Song for Illusion’ narrates the story of Yeon Wol (Hong Ye-ji). Witnessing the tragic massacre of her family by the royal government in her childhood, she embarks on a quest for revenge. Infiltrating the palace years later, her plan to assassinate the king takes an unexpected turn when she falls into a trap, awakening the next day with amnesia.Fate twists as she is appointed as a concubine to Crown Prince Hyun (Park Ji-hoon), who harbours a secret alter ego named Ak-hee. Cursed to endure extreme pain upon touch, their passionate love story unfolds amidst the shadows of Yeon Wol’s painful past, resurfacing to challenge their newfound happiness.

7. Sweet Home Season 3

Prepare for the ultimate showdown! Season 3 of the popular K-drama, featuring Song Kang, Go Min Si, and Jinyoung, is set to captivate audiences with an early summer release. Get ready for the thrilling climax to the zombie-filled narrative that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Following the Season 2 announcement, news of Season 3’s renewal emerged, scheduled for a Spring 2024 premiere. Having battled mysterious creatures in the first two seasons, Cha Hyun-soo and the Green Home survivors confront a new peril. The series’ conclusive season will reveal if they can endure in a world overrun by monsters.

8. Marry My Husband

Embarking on the new year, Park Min-young, famed for ‘What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?’, takes on the role of Kang Ji-won. Ji-won, an office worker, marries her colleague Min-hwan (Lee Yi-kyung), only to face a tragic demise when she uncovers his affair with her best friend and becomes his victim. Miraculously, Ji-won awakens in the past, a decade earlier, and endeavours to exact revenge on Min-hwan. Amidst the complex web of emotions, her colleague Yoo Ji-hyeok (Na In-woo from ‘River Where the Moon Rises’) also finds himself drawn to her, adding another layer to this intricate tale of love and retribution.

9. Death’s Game Part 2

TVING’s ‘Death’s Game’ teases an action-packed glimpse into Part 2 of the series! Adapted from the webtoon of the same name, the show follows Choi Yi Jae (Seo In Guk), granted multiple chances at life by Death (Park So Dam). Part 2 unfolds with Choi Yee-jae (Seo In-guk) enduring the consequences of his self-inflicted demise, facing Death’s wrath. The narrative intensifies as Yee-jae continues to witness others’ untimely deaths, providing a gripping continuation to this intriguing webtoon adaptation.

10. All of Us Are Dead (Part 2)

Greenlit! The highly praised zombie post-apocalyptic K-drama that took Netflix by storm has officially secured its spot for a second season, even though production is still underway. In an interview, Lee Jae Kyoo, the director of ‘All of Us Are Dead’, revealed intentionally leaving room in the series for a potential continuation. The eagerly anticipated second season is set to grace the OTT space in 2024. According to the creators, while the first season depicted humanity’s struggle for survival, the upcoming season aims to delve into the survival narrative of the zombies themselves.

11. Gyeongseong Creature Part 2

Prepare for a riveting ride as Netflix’s high-budget colonial action-horror series unfolds in its final three episodes. Jang Tae-sang (Park Seo-joon), a pawnbroker, and Yoon Chae-ok (Han So-hee), a seeker, confront a mysterious creature crafted by the Japanese Imperial Army. The sequel, ‘Gyeongseong Creature: Part 2’, promises to unravel lingering mysteries. The release picks up where Part 1 left off, immersing viewers in the gritty Seoul of 1945 under colonial rule. Brace yourself for a historical thrill.

12. Queen of Tears

In the realm of family business empires, Ji-won portrays Hong Hae-in, the heiress to Queens Group. Tied by marriage to Soo-hyun’s character, Baek Hyun-woo, a high-ranking official in the same conglomerate, their once-tranquil union faces an unforeseen crisis. The central question is: can Hyun-woo and Hae-in be able to weather this turbulent storm and come out stronger as a pair, or will these obstacles prove too great and jeopardise the stability of their relationship? Brace yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions and relational dynamics as this K-drama unfolds, delving into the resilience of love amidst corporate intrigue and personal trials, questioning the endurance of bonds in the face of adversity.