This year has been a K-drama haven for many fans, with the arrival of numerous highly anticipated dramas, such as Parasyte: The Grey, A Shop for Killers, and Queen of Tears. Since the dramas combine different genres, most K-drama lovers have been pleased with the year’s roster so far, which includes many more intriguing entries to come.
While April 2024 has seen some anticipated releases, such as Lovely Runner, Blood Free, and Goodbye Earth, May 2024 looks just as promising, with a plethora of dramas set to be released. These range from traditional romance dramas to thrillers that appeal to a wide spectrum of audiences in South Korea and overseas. So, without further ado, here is a list of every Korean drama that will be released in May 2024.
The Atypical Family
Streaming on Netflix on May 4
Fans have always adored romance fantasy K-dramas, which typically blend supernatural elements with romance between the main characters. Some of the most well-known dramas that demonstrate this include Hotel Del Luna, Alchemy of Souls, and Goblin. The Atypical Family is an upcoming supernatural fantasy drama that also features a heartfelt romance story of two lost souls.
Starring Jang Ki Yong and Chun Woo Hee, the drama follows the lives of Bok Gwi Joo and Do Da He, with the former’s family having a history of inheriting supernatural powers and the latter being a normal girl. Despite possessing the ability to travel back in time, which only works when he’s happy, Bok Gwi Joo loses his supernatural powers when he begins to deal with depression. However, when he meets Do Da He, his life takes an unexpected turn as she may hold the key to his happiness and the continued existence of his family lineage. The Atypical Family will be released on Netflix on May 4.
Crash
Premiering on ENA and Streaming on Disney+ in Select Regions on May 6
Crash is one of the most distinctive K-dramas to arrive in 2024, with its premise and captivating cast serving as its defining features. The drama stars Lee Min Ki and Kwan Sun Young and follows the narrative of the Traffic Crime Investigation Team (TCI), which deals solely with automotive crimes such as insurance fraud and car accidents.
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When Cha Yeon Ho, a KAIST officer, is teamed with Min So Hee, an ace officer with a cold personality and warm judgmental skills, to investigate a series of unusual traffic crimes, the department witnesses a significant rise in respect, appreciation, and, more importantly, workload. Crash is a mystery comedy-drama focusing on coworkers’ relationships while spreading a positive message to the audience. The drama will premiere on ENA and be available for streaming on Disney+ in select regions beginning May 6.
The Midnight Romance in Hagwon
Streaming on TVING on May 11
Age-gap romances are often avoided in K-dramas due to the controversy that can go along with it, yet, in some cases, these dramas teach audiences more about pure love than most people realize. The Midnight Romance in Hagwon, starring Wi Ha Joon and Jung Ryeo Won, follows Lee Joon Ho as he returns to the academy where he studied after leaving a high-profile corporate career.
He has been in love with his Korean language instructor, Seo Hye Jin, since she helped him get into a prestigious university 10 years ago, and joined the same academy as a teacher in the hopes of confessing his feelings. The Midnight Romance in Hagwon will be a typical 16-episode drama airing weekly on TVING beginning May 11. It is unclear which streaming provider will acquire the rights to make it available to international audiences.
The 8 Show
Streaming on Netflix on May 17
Korean reality TV shows tend to feature unique ideas, as proven by Physical: 100 and The Devil’s Plan. If you’ve enjoyed any of these shows, you’ll love the new reality series The 8 Show. In the series, eight participants are chosen to spend 100 days in a studio surrounded by concrete walls. If they can remain for the entire period, they are allowed to split the prize money evenly, but everything inside costs 1000 times more, meaning whatever they buy in terms of necessities like food and water is deducted from the prize money.
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In this reality variety show, the contestants must be smart and cooperative with one another to avoid draining the winning prize while surviving until the last day. The 8 Show will consist of eight episodes, each lasting an hour, and will premiere on Netflix on May 17, 2024.
While the aforementioned dramas are among the most intriguing titles of May 2024, here is a list of the remaining Korean dramas to look forward to:
- Frankly Speaking (May 4)
- Dare to Love Me (May 13)
- Uncle Samsik (May 15)
- Not Very Powerful, but Attractive Homicide Squad (May 22)
- Connection (May 24)
