Korean Dramas Releasing in April 2024

With more streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+ adapting novels and webtoons into series, Korean dramas are seeing more frequent premieres. While the medium was formerly famous for romance stories, it is currently witnessing an increase in other genres, such as thrillers, action, and horror. This is good since K-dramas are more than simply swoon-worthy chemistry between the lead characters or comfy humor.

There are numerous underrated thriller Korean dramas, like Mouse, The Signal, and Voice, which are often overshadowed by romance dramas. Streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and Viki have been adding a growing number of K-dramas lately, mostly on a weekly basis. In March 2024, for example, we saw Wonderful World, Queen of Tears, and Chicken Nugget, but the next month includes quite a few anticipated titles. With that in mind, here is every Korean drama coming out in April 2024.

Parasyte: The Grey

Streaming on Netflix on Apr. 5

Parasyte: The Maxim is one of the best-written manga of all time. In 2014, the manga inspired a Japanese live-action film, which turned out to be a decent sci-fi flick. After a decade, Parasyte: The Grey, a new Korean drama, is attempting a second live-action adaption of Iwaaki Hitoshi’s successful manga.

From the creators of Train to Busan, the drama tells the story of parasites that fall from space and take over human bodies in order to survive. When a parasite fails to steal Jung Soo In’s brain, it seizes control over her hand, and life has never been the same since, forcing her to fight other parasites and find new ways to survive. Stream Parasyte: The Grey on Netflix on Apr. 5.

Lovely Runner

Streaming on Viki on Apr. 8

No matter how diverse K-dramas are, many fan favorites are romantic dramas. Lovely Runner is an upcoming Korean romance drama starring Byeon Woo Seok and Kim Hye Yoon. Ryu Seon Jae is a well-known celebrity in the entertainment industry, but his stardom has left him depressed, ultimately leading to his early demise.

Im Sol, who has romantic feelings towards Seon Jae, is heartbroken, but when a miraculous incident transports her 15 years back in time, she resolves to change the course of Seon Jae’s life to save him from suffering the same tragic fate. It appears to be another time-travel K-drama with an emphasis on romance and the challenges that the idols face, but hopefully, the series will bring something new. Lovely Runner is streaming on Viki on Apr. 8.

Blood Free

Streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on Apr. 10

K-dramas are notorious for delving into innovative sci-fi narratives, and Blood Free is no exception. The story is set in a futuristic world where humans can no longer find animal meat, and BF, a company established by Yoon Ja Yoo (Han Hyo Joo), dominates the market for cultured meat. With the ambition of bringing humans back to the top of the food chain, she has set her sights on capturing the global market.

Despite her unwavering competence, she will face many hurdles along the road. However, when she hires a soldier-turned-bodyguard, Woo Chae-Woon (Ju Ji Hoon), she comes closer to her ambition as the two tackle the imminent challenges together. Blood Free, consisting of 10 episodes, will premiere on Disney+ and Hulu on Apr. 10.

Chief Detective 1958

Streaming on Disney+ on Apr. 19

It is rare for K-dramas to be a remake of older soap operas, but this series is based on a hugely successful show from over 50 years ago. Chief Detective 1958 will be unlike anything you’ve seen before because it is based on the Korean soap opera Chief Inspector, which aired 880 episodes from 1971 to 1989.

However, watching the series before this drama is not required as it serves as a prequel telling the story of Chief Inspector Park before his time on the original series. The show will be standalone, and any connections between the two won’t be essential to understanding the story. The series stars Lee Je Hoon, Lee Dong Hwi, Choi Woo Sung, Yoon Hyun Soo, and Seo Eun Soo. Chief Detective 1958 will premiere on Apr. 19 on MBC, streaming on Disney+ Hotstar, with episodes airing weekly until May 18.

Goodbye Earth

Streaming on Netflix on Apr. 26

Movies and TV shows that feature the end of the world have long-enticed audiences. Goodbye Earth, an upcoming K-drama, will paint a vivid picture of how the world would turn if a similar incident occurred. In a fictional world, an asteroid capable of destroying an entire planet is on course to strike Earth in precisely 200 days, and people around the world are eventually made aware of the situation.

The plot revolves around Jin Se Kyung (Ahn Eun Jin) and Ha Yoon Sang (Yoo Ah In), a couple in a long-distance relationship. While the former is a middle-school teacher in South Korea, the latter works as a researcher at an institute in the United States. As both get together to spend their final days doing what they love, we see the decisions of others, including a Catholic priest named Woo Sung Jae (Jeon Sung Woo), who flees the church, and Kang In Ah, an army commander who strives to help those in need despite the world’s end approaching. Goodbye Earth will be released on Netflix on Apr. 26, 2024.