“Queen of Tears”: The Most Buzzworthy Korean Drama of 2024, Highlighting the Rise of a New Syndrome Beyond Popularity and Success

Top Korean Dramas of 2024: A Breakdown of Audience Buzz

The annual Drama Buzz Report, released by Good Data Corporation on December 16th, has revealed insightful rankings of Korean television dramas based on audience engagement. Leading the pack this year is “Queen of Tears” , a compelling narrative centered on the trials and tribulations of a married couple celebrating three years together. With a remarkable score of 96,154 points from its 15th and 16th episodes, it has secured the title of the most talked-about drama of the year.

Highlight Moments from “Queen of Tears”

Among the most discussed scenes from this series is the poignant moment where Baek Hyun-woo, portrayed by Kim Soo-hyun, demonstrates his deep love and commitment by sacrificing everything for Hong Hae-in, played by Kim Ji-won. This emotional depth has resonated strongly with audiences, contributing significantly to its high ranking.

Other Top Contenders

Following closely behind is tvN’s “Lovely Runner” , which has captured viewers’ hearts with the storyline of fan Im Sol (Kim Hye-yoon) and her idol Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok). With episodes 9 and 10 earning 95,789 points, this series is set in the vibrant world of fandom and romance.

Ranking third is another tvN production, “Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born” . This drama features a particularly harrowing scene from episodes 7 and 8 that aired in late October, where actress Yoon Jeong-nyeon (excellently portrayed by Kim Tae-ri) suffers severe physical stress during her relentless pursuit of success, earning a notable score of 42,457 points. Her portrayal of this struggle has deeply touched the audience, evoking empathy and tears.

In fourth place is “Love Next Door” , showcasing a tender moment where Bae Seok-ryu (Jung So-min) candidly shares her past battles with stomach cancer during episodes 9 and 10, leading to an emotional exchange with her friend Choi Seung-hyo (Jung Hae-in). This heartfelt development garnered 33,645 points, solidifying its emotional stakes as a favorite among fans.

Finally, securing fifth place is the SBS drama “Good Partner” , featuring a talented ensemble cast that includes Jang Na-ra, Nam Ji-hyun, and Kim Jun-han, with a total score of 30,165 points. Each of these dramas has contributed uniquely to the rich tapestry of storytelling seen on Korean television this year.

Understanding the Buzz Rankings

The rankings were derived from an analysis of dramas aired between January 1st and December 8th. The buzz scores were calculated by aggregating online discussions from news websites, blogs, YouTube channels, Twitter, and various social networking services (SNS). Instead of merely tallying post counts, the report emphasized the quality of engagement, applying weight to the depth and frequency of discussions surrounding each drama. Notably, productions from OTT platforms and variety shows were not factored into this analysis.

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