Top 5 Worst Korean Dramas of the First Half of 2024
In the first half of 2024, many Korean dramas were highly anticipated to become blockbusters before their release, but ended up being flops.
Survival War: Resurrection
“Survival War” was expected to follow in the footsteps of the blockbuster “The Penthouse,” but this time SBS faced disappointment. After a lackluster first season, the second season continued to disappoint viewers with many illogical plot points and numerous plot twists that left viewers overwhelmed and abandoning the show halfway through. “Survival War: Resurrection” concluded with a dismal rating of only about 4.1%, starkly contrasting its enormous production cost (around 34.0 million USD) and being labeled the “shame” of the network.
The Impossible Heir
Initially, “The Impossible Heir” attracted viewers’ attention due to the presence of two young actors, Lee Jae Wook and Lee Jun Young, and its intriguing storyline about the ambitious journey of young people. However, once aired, the wooden and stiff acting of the female lead, Hong Su Zu, and the way her character was written, sparked mixed reactions. Many viewers felt that the female lead was the “black hole” of the show, especially when compared to the stellar performance of the supporting actress, Cho Hee Jin.
A Kiss in Seongsu
This drama marked the return of handsome actor Lomon after the hit “All of Us Are Dead,” but it seemed to be a step back in his rising career. The plot, where the two main characters accidentally swap bodies and go from hating to loving each other, was overly familiar on the small screen and lacked any breakthroughs. Furthermore, the weak acting of the female lead, Kim Ji Eun, also contributed to the drama’s failure.
The Enchanting Monarch
The drama tells the love story of King Joseon Lee In (Jo Jung Seok) and Kang Hee Soo (Shin Se Kyung). Many opinions stated that the drama was difficult to watch, with tedious political conflict details and a lack of interaction among characters. The most annoying aspect was Shin Se Kyung’s stiff acting, with her portrayal of a male character while still heavily made-up. The only bright spot was Jo Jung Seok’s performance, but even he couldn’t save the drama.
Hierarchy
“Hierarchy” was expected to be a Netflix hit with its storyline about the power struggles among wealthy students. The participation of a young main cast, including Roh Jeong Eui, Lee Chae Min, Kim Jae Won, Ji Hye Won, and Lee Won Jung, also intrigued viewers. However, as the drama progressed, viewers grew impatient because it crammed too many plot points, touching on various aspects such as Lee Chae Min’s revenge and the cute romance of Roh Jeong Eui and Kim Jae Won, none of which were adequately resolved. Additionally, the explicit scenes between the female teacher and male student Lee Won Jung were shocking for being too sensitive. Despite the production team’s extensive promotion, the drama only received viewers’ disappointment.
