Under the Queen's Umbrella

TIME magazine’s 2024 list of the “10 Best K-Dramas” features five dramas from CJ ENM, solidifying the company’s position at the forefront of global K-drama success

CJ ENM dramas have expanded beyond borders and are gaining international acclaim for their outstanding K-content.

In TIME’s list of “The 10 Best K-Dramas of 2024,” CJ ENM’s productions dominated the rankings, claiming the top two spots and securing five dramas in the top 10. The magazine highlighted Korean-style storytelling as a key strength of K-content, adding, “2024 in K-drama land was the year of the underdog, in which the best series were not often the flashiest shows.”

While most K-dramas recognized by the magazine were released on Netflix, this year’s list featured dramas from a diverse range of streaming platforms. A CJ ENM representative explained that the company’s strategy of distributing its content across various global streaming platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ and Rakuten Viki, has been effective in expanding the valuation of its intellectual properties (IPs) and driving global market growth.

The five CJ ENM dramas selected were released on the following streaming platforms: Rakuten Viki (No. 1, “Lovely Runner”), Disney+ (No. 2, “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born”), Paramount+ (No. 7, “Pyramid Game”) and Amazon Prime Video (No. 8, “Marry My Husband” / No. 9, “Death’s Game”).

“Lovely Runner,” written by Lee Si-eun and directed by Yoon Jong-ho and Kim Tae-yeop, has become the most talked-about drama of 2024. Produced by CJ ENM Studios and Bon Factory, the series was honored with the top spot on TIME magazine’s “The 10 Best K-Dramas of 2024.”

“It didn’t have the industry’s biggest budgets or its most high-profile stars. Instead, it had a good, well-executed story,” commented TIME magazine. The series has also gained recognition in Europe, ranking second in British pop culture outlet NME’s “The 10 Best K-Dramas of 2024” list, where reviewers highlighted how it “balanced out the clichés.” On Rakuten Viki, “Lovely Runner” has ranked first for six consecutive weeks in 109 countries, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Brazil and Mexico.

The second spot on TIME’s list of the best K-dramas of 2024 was awarded to “Jeongnyeon: The Star is Born,” directed by Jung Ji-in and written by Choi Hyo-bi. The drama was produced by Studio Dragon, STUDIO N, Management mmm and npio entertainment. As the first Korean drama to feature a female-led gukgeuk (traditional Korean theatrical art), the series has revived the forgotten charm of traditional Korean theater music, especially for those within the performing arts industry. According to a survey by the analytics company Gallup Korea, it was the most preferred program among Korean audiences in October. Additionally, online mentions of “gukgeuk” surged fivefold, increasing from around 600 in September to approximately 3,000 within just one month.

TVING’s original series “Pyramid Game,” by Park So-yeon and written by Choi Soo-yi, was created by Lee Jae-gyu and produced by Film Monster and CJ ENM Studios. The series, which aired on TVING, was listed as No. 7 on TIME magazine’s list of the best K-dramas of 2024. Earlier, NME described “Pyramid Game” as a “worthwhile thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat,” ranking No. 6 on their list of the best K-dramas of 2024. The series was also the only Korean production invited to Series Mania 2024, a prestigious international festival for television series in France held in March. There, it was praised for its unique and captivating world-building, standout performances from emerging actors and skilled directing.

“Marry My Husband,” written by Shin Yu-dam and directed by Park Won-guk and Han Jin-sun, was produced by Studio Dragon and DK E&M. It ranked No. 8 and made history by becoming the first K-drama to achieve the No. 1 spot in the daily TV show rankings on Amazon Prime Video. “Marry My Husband”, which was also named the No. 3 K-drama of 2024 by NME, achieved strong results not only in Asia, traditionally a stronghold for K-drama viewership, but also in the U.S. (No. 2), Canada (No. 3), France (No. 2) and the U.K. (No. 3). The series set a record by remaining in the global TV show weekly rankings’ TOP 10 for 27 consecutive weeks, even after its conclusion.

TVING’s original series “Death’s Game,” directed and written by Ha Byung-hoon, produced by SLL, STUDIO N, SARAM ENTERTAINMENT and aired on TVING, was ranked No. 9 on TIME magazine’s list of the best K-dramas of 2024. In January, following the release of Part 2, it surged to No. 2 in the global ranking for Amazon Prime Video TV shows, according to FlixPatrol. In March, the series re-entered the TOP 10 on Amazon Prime Video in multiple regions.

This year, CJ ENM’s No.1 K-content channel tvN achieved its highest-ever prime-time viewership ratings in the first half of 2024 in Korea driven by a string of successful hits, based on viewers of ages 20-49 nationwide. Additionally, according to K-content competitiveness analysis agency FUNdex, tvN dramas also dominated the topical ratings in the drama category in the first half of the year.

Industry experts say CJ ENM has sparked a renaissance in TV dramas amid an era of media platform diversification. The company has also been recognized for successfully expanding the value of its content library, including distribution across broadcast channels and various global streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Japan’s U-Next.

CJ ENM’s top-performing dramas, including Queen of Tears and Lovely Runner, dominate NME’s 2024 K-Drama list, showcasing global success and leading the renaissance of K-content

Recently, CJ ENM dramas dominated the top three spots on NME’s “The 10 Best K-Dramas of 2024,” a prestigious list from the leading British pop culture outlet. Four dramas were included in the top 10, with three from its TV channel tvN and one original drama from its streaming platform TVING.

NME highlighted tvN’s sensational hit “Lovely Runner” and the much-discussed “Marry My Husband”, pointing to the strong dominance of romance in K-dramas in 2024.

“Queen of Tears” (written by Park Ji-eun, directed by Jang Young-woo and Kim Hee-won, produced by Studio Dragon, Culture Depot, Showrunners), which achieved a peak viewership rating of 31% and became the most popular drama of all time on tvN, was named the No.1 K-drama of 2024 by NME. Available worldwide on Netflix, “Queen of Tears” garnered 29.2 million cumulative views and 682.6 million hours of streaming in the first half of the year, setting record-breaking numbers for a K-drama on Netflix in 2024. NME attributed the drama’s widespread appeal and global popularity to its ability to attract a broad audience, noting, “The reach of Queen of Tears was so far and wide that even stars like A$AP Rocky and Rihanna were spotted enjoying the show.”

“Lovely Runner” (written by Lee Si-eun, directed by Yoon Jong-ho and Kim Tae-yup, produced by CJ ENM Studios and Bon Factory), which became a global sensation, was selected as the second-best K-drama of 2024 by NME. The outlet stated that the series “balanced out the clichés.” Lovely Runner” topped the rankings on the global streaming platform Rakuten Viki in 109 countries, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Brazil and Mexico, for six consecutive weeks. Additionally, Time Magazine previously recognized “Lovely Runner” as the best K-drama of the year.

“Marry My Husband” (written by Shin Yoo-dam, directed by Park Won-guk and Han Jin-sun, planned by Studio Dragon, and produced by DK E&M) was ranked No. 3 on NME’s list. The series achieved significant success globally, ranking No. 1 on Amazon Prime Video’s global daily TV show charts. It performed exceptionally well outside of Asia, a traditional stronghold for K-dramas, securing the No. 2 spot in the U.S. and France, No. 1 in Canada and No. 3 in the U.K. Even after the series ended, it set a record by staying in the global TV show weekly Top 10 rankings for 27 consecutive weeks.

TVING’s original series “Pyramid Game” (directed by Park So-yeon, written by Choi Soo-yi, created by Lee Jae-gyu, produced by Film Monster and CJ ENM Studios, aired on TVING) ranked 6th on NME’s list. Earlier in the year, NME had stated that “Pyramid Game” is a “worthwhile thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat.” The series was the only Korean production invited to “Series Mania,” a prestigious international festival dedicated to television series held in France in March. It also received critical acclaim for its unique and captivating world-building, stellar performances from emerging actors, and skilled directing.

Thanks to these hit shows, CJ ENM achieved its first-ever top ranking in the half-year primetime ratings since tvN’s inception. tvN dramas also dominated topical rankings in the first half of 2024, according to the K-content competitiveness analysis agency Good Data Corporation FUNdex. An analysis of 26 popular weekly shows across all K-dramas, including those on streaming platforms, revealed that tvN dramas ranked first a total of 21 times, with a topical ranking of over 80%. Industry experts say CJ ENM has ushered in a renaissance of TV dramas in the era of media platform diversification. The company was also recognized for successfully expanding the value of its content library, including distribution through broadcast channels and global streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Japan’s U-Next, which has drawn widespread recognition.

In a recent Good Data Corporation FUNdex report, tvN was consistently ranked No.1 in broadcasting rankings for weekly relevance in the drama sector from the first week of January to the third week of November, except for week seven. During week four, when both “Queen of Tears” and “Lovely Runner” were airing, tvN achieved a record-breaking topical ranking of 82%.

World’s No. 1 K-POP Awards Celebrated Genre’s Achievements in Artistry and Music for First Time in Los Angeles and Osaka, Japan

The 2024 MAMA AWARDS concluded in dazzling fashion, marking a historic celebration of K-pop's global impact with star-studded performances and unforgettable moments in Los Angeles and Japan. With sold-out shows at the Dolby Theatre and KYOCERA DOME OSAKA, the 25th anniversary event brought together around 93,000 fans on-site and captivated audiences from over 200 regions worldwide via livestreams.

The U.S. ceremony, hosted by acclaimed actor Park Bo Gum, featured unforgettable performances and a lineup of presenters, including Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman. Special collaborations wowed the crowd, such as Anderson .Paak’s performance with J.Y. Park and KATSEYE's stage alongside the Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders. The energy was palpable as artists like ILLIT, RIIZE, and YOUNG POSSE lit up the stage, setting the tone for what would follow in Japan.

Winners at the U.S. Ceremony included TWS, who took home BEST NEW MALE ARTIST and BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE MALE GROUP; J.Y. Park receiving the Inspiring Achievement Award; RIIZE earning the title of FAVORITE GLOBAL PERFORMER MALE; and ILLIT being crowned BEST NEW FEMALE ARTIST.

In Osaka, the 2024 MAMA AWARDS JAPAN delivered on its promise of iconic stages and breathtaking performances. G-DRAGON took the spotlight, delivering a mesmerizing solo performance and surprising fans with appearances by fellow BIGBANG members TAEYANG and DAESUNG, reuniting for an epic moment of nostalgia and artistry. Bruno Mars and BLACKPINK’s ROSÉ captivated audiences with their upbeat duet “APT.”, while the debut of izna’s first song, “IZNA,” ahead of their official launch on November 25 (KST), introduced the new powerhouse group formed through Mnet’s hit show I-LAND 2.

The signature stages—THEME STAGE, CINEMATIC STAGE, MEGA STAGE, and EXCLUSIVE STAGE— stood out as highlights of the event. TOMORROW X TOGETHER opened the THEME STAGE with a sci-fi-inspired performance, while ZEROBASEONE reimagined Romeo and Juliet on the CINEMATIC STAGE. (G)I-DLE commanded the MEGA STAGE with a massive dance crew, and BYEON WOO SEOK brought the EXCLUSIVE STAGE to life with a heartfelt rendition of “Sudden Shower.”

"Believing in the power of music under the theme 'Music Makes One,' this year's MAMA AWARDS strives to highlight the true value of K-pop," said Harry H.K. Shin, Head of Music Entertainment at CJ ENM. "With constant passion and creativity, the MAMA AWARDS will continue striving to create an award show that makes unforgettable moments for fans and artists and unites audiences across cultures." 

This year’s winners celebrated the best in K-pop, with SEVENTEEN taking top honors as “VISA ARTIST OF THE YEAR” and “VISA ALBUM OF THE YEAR” and aespa winning “VISA SONG OF THE YEAR” with its impactful presence. Newcomers TWS and ILLIT made history with their debut-year wins.

The full list of winners includes:

2024 MAMA AWARDS US WINNERS

- BEST NEW MALE ARTIST (Presenter: Dustin Hoffman): TWS

- FAVORITE GLOBAL PERFORMER MALE (Presenter: Lance Bass): RIIZE

- BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE MALE GROUP (Presenter: Lee Isaac Chung): TWS

- BEST NEW FEMALE GROUP (Presenter: Da'Vine Joy Randolph): ILLIT

- INSPIRING ACHIEVEMENT (Presenter: Anderson .Paak): J.Y. Park

2024 MAMA AWARDS JAPAN: CHAPTER 1 WINNERS

- VISA FANS' CHOICE OF THE YEAR: Jimin

- FANS' CHOICE MALE TOP 10:

  ENHYPEN

  Jimin

  Jung Kook

  NCT DREAM

  RM

  SEVENTEEN

  Stray Kids

  TOMORROW X TOGETHER

  V

  ZEROBASEONE

- FANS' CHOICE FEMALE TOP 10:

  aespa

  BABYMONSTER

  (G)I-DLE

  IU

  IVE

  JENNIE

  Lee Young Ji

  NewJeans

  TWICE

  UNIS

- WORLDWIDE KCONERS' CHOICE: ZEROBASEONE

- FAVORITE DANCE PERFORMANCE GROUP: BOYNEXTDOOR

- FAVORITE MALE GROUP: TREASURE

- FAVORITE GLOBAL PERFORMER FEMALE: IVE

- FAVORITE NEW ASIAN ARTIST: ME:I

- FAVORITE RISING ARTIST: MEOVV

- GLOBAL SENSATION: ROSÉ, Bruno Mars

- OLIVE YOUNG K-BEAUTY STAR IN MUSIC: Lee Young Ji

- Ponta Pass GLOBAL FAVORITE ARTIST: TOMORROW X TOGETHER

- CJ GLOBAL PERFORMANCE: IVE

2024 MAMA AWARDS JAPAN: CHAPTER 2 WINNERS

- VISA ARTIST OF THE YEAR: SEVENTEEN

- VISA SONG OF THE YEAR: aespa - Supernova

- VISA ALBUM OF THE YEAR: SEVENTEEN

- BEST MALE GROUP: SEVENTEEN

- BEST FEMALE GROUP: aespa

- BEST MALE ARTIST: Jung Kook

- BEST FEMALE ARTIST: IU

- BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE MALE SOLO: Jung Kook - Standing Next to You

- BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE FEMALE SOLO: JENNIE - You & Me

- BEST DANCE PERFORMANCE FEMALE GROUP: aespa

- BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE SOLO: BIBI - Bam Yang Gang

- BEST VOCAL PERFORMANCE GROUP: (G)I-DLE - Fate

- BEST BAND PERFORMANCE: OWER - T.B.H

- BEST RAP & HIP HOP PERFORMANCE: ZICO - SPOT! (feat. JENNIE)

- BEST COLLABORATION: ZICO - SPOT! (feat. JENNIE)

- BEST OST: Crush - Love You With All My Heart

- BEST MUSIC VIDEO: aespa - Armageddon

- BEST CHOREOGRAPHY: aespa - Supernova

- MUSIC VISIONARY OF THE YEAR: G-DRAGON

- FAVORITE ASIAN ARTIST: INI

- FAVORITE GLOBAL TRENDING MUSIC: BYEON WOO SEOK

- VISA SUPER STAGE: SEVENTEEN

- CJ GLOBAL PERFORMANCE: ZEROBASEONE

The 2024 MAMA AWARDS, presented by Visa, proved to be a landmark event in its 25-year legacy, uniting fans and artists across continents in a spectacular celebration of music and creativity. As the curtain falls on this milestone year, the MAMA AWARDS reaffirm their position as the world’s No.1 K-POP Awards show, paving the way for even greater achievements in the years to come.