JoyNews24 recently surveyed 200 entertainment insiders to determine the best and worst dramas, variety shows, films, and performers of 2024. Every year, the most fiercely contested category remains “Worst Drama.” This year, just two votes separated the top contenders.
Topping the list was Queen Woo, which was named “Worst Drama” by 39 voters. This TVING original series follows Queen Woo (Jeon Jong Seo) as she navigates the political chaos that ensues after the sudden death of the king. Set in the Goguryeo era, the high-budget historical thriller, produced with a 30 billion KRW (approx. 22.5 million USD) budget, marked TVING’s first foray into historical dramas.
While the series intrigued many with its unfamiliar historical setting and an empowered lead character, it was ultimately marred by controversy. The drama’s sex scenes were deemed excessive, including unnecessary nudity and suggestive content that critics argued detracted from the show’s appeal. One example involved concubines appearing nude in a scene where they care for the injured king (Ji Chang Wook). Another controversial scene featured a same-sex relationship between Sabi (Oh Hani) and Woo Soon (Jung Yu Mi).
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Additionally, Queen Woo faced accusations of historical inaccuracies, particularly around costume designs that leaned towards Chinese influences.
Coming in second place was SBS’s The Escape of the Seven: Resurrection, which received 37 votes. Critics described the show as “lacking substance and relying on shock value,” resulting in low ratings and limited public interest. Despite its high-profile cast, the series fell short in viewership. It was further impacted by the sudden exit of its main director, Joo Dong Min, and the scandal surrounding Hwang Jung Eum’s divorce.
KBS’s ambitious family drama Beauty and Mr. Romantic took the third spot with 28 votes. Despite its weekend slot and a family-friendly target audience, viewers were put off by its over-the-top plot and characters that some deemed “bizarre.”
The storyline follows Park Dora (Im Soo Hyang), a top actress struggling with her family’s finances due to her mother’s mounting debts and fake news. In a controversial arc, her mother, Baek Mi Ja (Cha Hwa Yeon), forces her into a nude photo shoot, while a possessive ex, Gong Jin Dan (Go Yoon), falsely accuses her of being a “sponsored” actress. The exaggerated storyline was poorly received, and viewer frustration continued until the drama’s finale.
Notably, 20 voters abstained from choosing a “Worst Drama.” Other titles that received mention included tvN’s Love Next Door (13 votes), Netflix’s Sweet Home 3 (8 votes), Netflix’s Gyeongseong Creature 2 (9 votes), Disney Plus’s Red Swan, and KBS’s Korea–Khitan War, each with 6 votes.
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