In the first half of 2024, the K-drama industry produced some of the top thrillers. These series have gripping storylines, electrifying action, and excellent acting by the main cast members.
The Ju Ji-Hoon-starrer Blood Free has become one of the most celebrated series this year. Lee Don-Wook’s A Shop for Killers is another popular thriller K-drama that gained prominence. The list includes Cha Eun-Woo’s Wonderful World and Chief Detective 1958, starring Lee Je-Hoon.
Blood Free
Blood Free is one of the most popular thriller K-dramas of 2024. It has the highest IMDb rating of 8.3 as a 2024 (first-half) thriller Korean series. The series premiered on April 10, 2024, on Disney Plus globally. It stars actor Ju Ji-Hoon as one of the central characters, Woo Chae-Woon. Besides him, the cast also includes Han Hyo-Joo, Lee Mu-Saeng, and Lee Hee-Jun, among others.
Blood Free revolves around the fascinating story of BF, a biotechnology company that has begun the artificially cultured meat era. The series focuses on the company’s CEO, Yun Ja-Yu, and her bodyguard, Woo Chae-Woon. The story unfolds when different individuals start to doubt the actions of the company’s CEO. Viewers can watch the K-drama online on Disney Plus.
A Shop for Killers
It is a highly riveting action-packed thriller K-drama released in the first half of 2024. It has gotten 8.1 IMDb rating. Starring renowned South Korean actor Lee Dong-Wook, the series debuted on Disney Plus on January 17, 2024. It has been adapted from The Killer’s Shopping Mall by Kang Ji-Young. In A Shop for Killers, Lee Dong-Wook portrays the central role of Jeong Jin-Man. Besides him, it also stars Jo Han-Sun, Kim Hye-Jun, Park Ji-Bin, Seo Hyun-Woo and more.
A Shop for Killers follows the story of a niece who is taken care of by her uncle after her parents’ deaths. The uncle runs a shopping mall. The drama’s plot unravels when the niece discovers astounding secrets after her uncle’s demise. The series is available to watch online on Disney Plus and Hulu in selected regions.
Chief Detective 1958
It is a compelling crime-action thriller K-drama series that debuted on MBC on April 19, 2024. It has a 7.9 rating on IMDb, making it one of the highest-rated thriller K-dramas of 2024 as of now. Chief Detective 1958 is a prequel to Chief Inspector, another notable K-drama. Kim Young-Shin is the writer of the drama, while Kim Seong-Hoon has helmed it. It stars Lee Je-Hoon, who plays the main role of Detective Park Young-Han. Apart from him, the cast also includes Lee Dong-Hwi, Seo Eun-Soo, and so on.
Chief Detective 1958 shows the story of a passionate and fierce detective from Hwangcheon named Park Young Han, who holds the highest rate of arrests of petty thieves. The series is currently available to stream online in selected regions on Hulu.
Wonderful World
Wonderful World is another hit K-drama starring beloved actor Cha Eun-Woo. It has received a 7.7 rating on IMDb, making it one of the top-rated thriller Korean dramas in the first half of 2024. Wonderful World debuted on March 1, 2024, on MBC TV. Besides Chan Eun-Woo, the drama also stars Kim Nam-Joo, Kim Kang-Woo, Lim Se-Mi, and more.
Wonderful World centers around the story of a famous writer and psychology professor, Eun Soo-Hyun. After the unfortunate death of her son, she begins to solve suspenseful cases of people who have suffered similar pain as her. The series is available online on Disney Plus and Hulu in selected regions.
Some other high-rated thriller K-dramas on IMDb include – The 8 Show, Pyramid Game, A Killer Paradox, and more.
