Netizens disagree with the 'worst K-dramas of 2021' list chosen by industry insiders

On November 3, Joy News 24 released a survey of the worst K-dramas of 2021, leaving fans divided. The survey was taken by 200 industry insiders, from employees of entertainment companies and content producers to entertainment reporters. Some dramas that made it to the list and fans vehemently disagree with are Yumi’s Cells, The Devil Judge, Lost and Undercover.

However, their disagreement majorly lies with the second half, while fans' taste for the top 5 worst K-dramas remains almost similar to that of the industry experts.

Industry professionals select worst K-dramas of 2021: The Penthouse, Joseon Exorcist, and more included

Regardless of the star-studded cast, industry insiders who took the survey of Joy News 24 were brutally honest in voting for dramas that didn’t rise to any expectations. While some fans agree with the dramas at the top of the list, others disagree with the bottom half.

The Devil Judge, Destruction, Yum’s Cell, My Roommate Is a Gumiho, She Would Never Know, and Doom At Your Service each received one vote, taking a seat in ninth position on the list.

K-dramas Hush, Undercover, You Are My Spring, and Kingdom: Ashin of the North earned two votes each, sitting in eighth position.

Nevertheless, and Imitation received four votes each. Meanwhile, the sixth position surprised many as it had Hometown Cha Cha Cha, Hospital Playlist 2, along with Dark Hole and LUCA with five votes each. The fifth ranking went to Young Lady and Gentleman and Sisyphus: The Myth, earning seven votes each.

Coming in at fourth place is Love (ft. Marriage and Divorce). It received 10 votes out of 200, despite being among the highest-rated shows on cable TV. Ryu Jun Yeol and Jeon Do Yeon’s Lost took the third rank, as 17 people chose the show to be the worst K-drama of 2021.

The "makjang" Penthouse: War in Life scored second on the list, receiving 43 votes. After an incredible two-season run, the writers tangled up the story in the third season, making everything fall out of place. Fans even joke that it might be the only K-drama to enter both the best and worst K-drama list.

The insiders chose the first place on the worst K-dramas of 2021 to be Joseon Exorcist; the supernatural "sageuk" drama was canceled midway due to the heavy history-distortion criticisms.

However, fans do not agree with some of the choices. They can’t fathom how Yumi’s Cells, a cute romantic drama, earned a spot on the list. Even the artful cinematography and detailed storytelling with twists and strong female characters, The Devil Judge, on the list confuses them.

About the author

Afreen has been a K-Pop Content Specialist at Sportskeeda since 2021. She holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, along with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication. Afreen has over 4+ years of working in various positions including being an entertainment content writer with Pinkvilla’s K-pop division Hallyutalk and CineDope, and as a copywriter at Flying Cursor.

As per Afreen, she loves her work because she gets to write about the things she is obsessed with. Her thorough research and following the two-genuine-source rule of journalism helps her produce the most accurate content, along with helping her be up-to-date with the industry.

Afreen has had the privilege to interview The Rose's frontrunner, WOOSUNG, and LIONESSES, K-pop's first openly LGBTQ+ group. She is a big fan of SEVENTEEN, Stray Kids, BTS, and The Rose for their hard work, sincerity, and the comic relief their shows provide.

When she is off her shift, Afreen explores the streets of Nottingham in the UK, cooks, and listens to new music.

Know More