In what’s now become standard procedure for K-content platforms, channel ENA and production company Studio Genie are the latest to join the ranks in releasing their upcoming drama lineup for the year. Although it’s only been a few years since they’ve started creating their own shows, there’s been quite a few gems that I wish had better viewership ratings and I’ve been rooting for ENA’s underdog journey to success.
Studio Genie’s 2024 dramas are as follows and I expect most will be releasing on ENA, though it doesn’t seem to be confirmed for all of the shows.
Drama: Crash
Release date: May 13
Need to know: Lee Min-ki, Kwak Sun-young, and Heo Sung-tae lead the traffic police squad in an action-comedy, vowing an oath to serve and protect the public from villainous drivers who need to learn how to mind their lane.
Drama: Your Honor
Release date: TBD
Need to know: Adapted from the Israeli TV series Kvodo which also has an American remake, the crime-thriller has judge Sohn Hyun-joo going head-to-head with mob boss Kim Myung-min. Resulting in a fierce struggle between fellow fathers, the former is desperate to protect his son by covering up a case, while the latter is out for payback on the culprit who murdered his son.
Drama: Parole Examiner Lee Han-shin
Release date: TBD
Need to know: Based on the winning entry in Studio Genie’s writing contest, the story follows our title’s hero Go Soo as he enters his career with the goal of revenge and wields his position’s power to enact justice. The crime series also stars Kwon Yuri, Baek Ji-won, and Lee Hak-joo.
Drama: Drunk Romance (previously In the Name of Alcohol)
Release date: TBD
Need to know: In an opposites-attract romance, our heroine is the rough and tough Kim Se-jung who was once on the special forces and now works sales at a liquor company. Fate then leads her for some love-sparking shenanigans with the super sensitive Lee Jong-won, a master brewer of local beer.
Drama: Starry Night (previously Namib)
Release date: TBD
Need to know: When talent agency CEO Go Hyun-jung is pushed out of her company, she’s also handed the troublesome trainee Ryeoun instead of a proper severance. In order to pay the bills and start over in her career, she’s then forced to take on a mentor role to help them both find success.
Drama: To My Hae-ri
Release date: TBD
Need to know: Starring Shin Hye-sun, Lee Jin-wook, and Kang Hoon, the healing romance follows our announcer heroine as she suffers from dissociative identity disorder after her younger sibling’s disappearance and break-up with her long-term boyfriend.
In addition to the list above, Studio Genie also announced that the following dramas (roughly translated) are in the works for 2025: