K-drama fans, get ready! The 2024 slate of webtoon-based K-dramas is packed with thrilling storylines, breathtaking romances, and edge-of-your-seat mysteries. The webtoon-to-K-drama pipeline continues to produce some of the most exciting shows in the industry, blending incredible visual storytelling with beloved narratives from the world of digital comics.
From time-traveling love stories to suspense-filled murder mysteries, here’s a roundup of the top 7 K-dramas you need to add to your binge list this year.
1. Lovely Runner
Network: tvN
Starring Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon, Lovely Runner is a heartfelt love story about the power of second chances. Ryu Sun Jae (Byeon Woo Seok), a struggling singer, unknowingly becomes a beacon of hope for a bedridden fan, Im Sol (Kim Hye Yoon), through a radio show. As fate would have it, Sun Jae dies tragically, but Sol travels back in time to uncover shocking truths about their pasts. Will she be able to change the future and save the man who already loved her from the beginning? Lovely Runner is a tear-jerking romance that weaves time travel with deep emotions.
2. A Killer Paradox
Network: Netflix
In this gripping crime-thriller, Choi Woo Shik stars as Lee Tang, a man who accidentally kills a stranger, only to discover the victim was a serial killer. Soon, Lee Tang finds himself embroiled in a series of vigilante murders, targeting criminals he believes deserve to die. As his conscience fades and his dark side emerges, the burning question remains—will Lee Tang ever face justice? Based on a popular webtoon, A Killer Paradox is a mind-bending psychological thriller that keeps viewers questioning morality and fate.
3. Marry My Husband
Network: JTBC
Park Min Young takes the lead as Kang Ji Won, a woman betrayed by her husband Min Hwan (Lee Yi Kyung) and best friend Soo Min (Song Ha Yoon). After suffering emotional abuse and near-death experiences at their hands, Ji Won is given a second chance at life when she travels back in time. With revenge on her mind, she plots to make her unfaithful husband marry her deceitful friend. But will her stoic yet caring boss Yoo Ji Hyeok (Na In Woo) win her heart in the process? Marry My Husband serves up delicious drama and a poignant tale of resilience.
4. The 8 Show
Network: KBS
Adapted from the webtoons Money Game and Pie Game, The 8 Show throws its contestants into an extreme survival game where only the last one standing wins. The show combines psychological drama with intense competition, and the stakes couldn’t be higher. As alliances form and dissolve, and the tension mounts, the question isn’t just about winning but about who will make it out alive.
5. Love Song for Illusion
Network: MBC
This historical fantasy drama stars Park Ji Hoon as Crown Prince Sajo Hyun, a royal with a dangerous secret—his alter ego, Ak Hee, who harbors dark obsessions. When Yeon Wol (Hong Ye Ji), an assassin with a vendetta, is forced to become his concubine, their fates are entwined in a thrilling mix of love, power, and betrayal. With stunning visuals and complex characters, Love Song for Illusion delivers romance with a dramatic edge.
6. Perfect Family
Network: SBS
Perfect Family unravels the dark secrets behind what appears to be a picture-perfect family. Park Ju Hyun plays Choi Sun Hee, a model student whose life is upended when she becomes linked to a murder case. As her adoptive parents (Kim Byung Chul and Yoon Se Ah) struggle to keep their family together, hidden truths surface, forcing them to confront each other in shocking ways. This mystery-thriller, based on a webtoon, will keep you guessing until the very end.
7. Cinderella at 2AM
Network: tvN
In Cinderella at 2AM, Shin Hyun Been portrays Ha Yun Seo, a corporate team leader who unknowingly dates the heir to a massive conglomerate, Seo Ju Won (Moon Sang Min). What starts as a sweet romance quickly spirals into a battle for acceptance when Ju Won’s powerful mother tries to end their relationship. As Yun Seo grapples with the pressures of dating a chaebol, Ju Won’s determination to win her back becomes the heart of this modern-day Cinderella story.
These seven webtoon-based K-dramas of 2024 are set to take viewers on unforgettable journeys filled with drama, intrigue, and romance. Whether you’re into heart-pounding thrillers, time-bending love stories, or classic rich boy-poor girl tropes, there’s something here for every K-drama fan. Ready to binge?