JoyNews24, celebrating its 20th anniversary, conducted a poll to determine 2024’s “Worst Drama” among popular K-Dramas. Between September 30 and October 8, 200 industry insiders, including entertainment executives, broadcast staff, content creators, and entertainment reporters, cast their votes. This year’s results reveal sharp opinions on which series fell short, with the top picks separated by only a few votes.

Here’s a look at the dramas that faced the harshest critiques from industry experts in 2024.

Queen Woo: Top of the List for Worst Drama

Queen Woo ranked first in the “Worst Drama” category, receiving 39 votes. The TVing original series, set in ancient Goguryeo, follows Queen Woo (played by Jeon Jong Seo) as she maneuvers political conflicts to ensure a new king is appointed after the king’s sudden death. Despite being TVing’s first historical drama with a significant budget of 30 billion KRW (about 21.4 million USD), the show drew criticism.

The drama, rated 18+, received backlash for explicit scenes, nudity, and storyline concerns. Notable moments include scenes where nude court ladies attended King Gogukcheon (Ji Chang Wook) and a same-sex love scene between the high priestess Sabi (Oh Ha Ni) and Usun (Jung Yoo Mi). Many viewers felt the scenes prioritized sensationalism over narrative strength, leading to disappointment for those expecting a portrayal of a strong, independent queen.

Controversy also arose over historical accuracy, particularly regarding costumes, which some viewers felt resembled Chinese styles, raising concerns related to the Northeast Borderland History and Geography Project—a campaign that some view as an attempt to claim Korean figures within Chinese history. Responding to criticism, Director Jung Se Gyo clarified, “We conducted consultations with history professors on the costumes and had to create some elements due to limited historical records. For the hairstyles and costumes, we referred to murals from the Goguryeo period.” Screenwriter Lee Byung Hak added, “This drama has nothing to do with the Northeast Project.”

The Escape of the Seven: Resurrection

Coming in second, The Escape of the Seven: Resurrection received 37 votes. This sequel aimed to continue the revenge-driven plot of The Escape of the Seven, but industry insiders felt it missed the mark. The show not only failed to attract viewership but was also criticized for sensationalism without a clear narrative, with low ratings and little fan engagement.

Director Oh Joon Hyuk noted that while Season 1 focused on “original sins” and survival among the characters, Season 2 aimed to highlight “satisfying revenge and fierce retribution.” However, critics found the storyline too chaotic, and Um Ki Joon‘s portrayal of three different characters added to the confusion. The attempted shift of a villain to a hero role felt forced and unconvincing, further disappointing viewers.

Beauty and Mr. Romantic

In third place with 28 votes, Beauty and Mr. Romantic faced significant criticism. This KBS weekend drama follows Park Do Ra (Lim Soo Hyang), a top actress who hits rock bottom, and Rookie Producer (Ji Hyun Woo), who helps her rebuild her life. Despite strong casting, including Lim Soo Hyang’s KBS weekend drama debut, the drama’s plot and character portrayals drew negative responses.

The storyline saw Park Do Ra, a long-time family provider, driven to despair due to her mother’s gambling debts, leading her to consider suicide. Shockingly, her mother, Baek Mi Ja (Cha Hwa Yeon), forces her into a nude photoshoot to repay the debts. The plot spiraled further with characters like Gong Jin Dan (Go Yoon), a stalker falsely accusing Park Do Ra of using a sponsor. Implausible plot developments, including Park Do Ra’s full-body reconstructive surgery after a near-fatal accident and subsequent paralysis diagnosis, frustrated viewers who felt the story had become overly melodramatic.

Other Dramas That Made the List

Additional dramas also received criticism, although they garnered fewer votes. Here’s a list of those dramas:

• tvN’s Love Next Door: 13 votes
• Netflix’s Gyeongseong Creature Season 2: 9 votes
• Netflix’s Sweet Home Season 3: 8 votes
• Disney+’s Red Swan: 6 votes
• KBS’s Korea–Khitan War: 6 votes

Interestingly, 20 participants in the survey chose not to answer the “Worst Drama” question.

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