Best K-Dramas of 2025: Top Must-Watch Korean Dramas Ranked & Reviewed

The year 2025 has turned into one of the strongest years for Korean dramas. Viewers have seen record ratings, global buzz, and bold experiments in storytelling. Some dramas went viral for their cast. Others earned praise for their writing or unique style. A few even set records that may not be broken soon.

2025 has been a strong year for K-dramas. Audiences are seeing more variety than ever before. Dark thrillers and crime mysteries dominate screens, while lighter slice-of-life and workplace romances maintain steady popularity. Viewers seem drawn to stories that explore intense human emotions, social issues, and survival, rather than simple love stories.

What trends define this year?

Global streaming continues to shape the industry. Platforms like Netflix and SBS On demand give shows instant worldwide reach. Korean dramas are. Now the trend is simultaneously in dozens of countries. This has increased competition. Creators push harder to offer originality, complex plots, and high production value. The world watches closely, not just local viewers.

Another major trend is the return of A-list stars. Veteran actors like So Ji-sub and Jun Ji Hyun are taking roles that mix nostalgia with modern storytelling. Their presence boosts both local ratings and global recognition.

Younger stars like Ji-Hoon and Hwang Minhyun are also rising quickly, proving that fresh faces can carry heavy, intricate storylines. Together, these shifts show a K-drama landscape that is bold, diverse, and globally influential.

This ranking looks at numbers, fan reactions, and overall impact. Ratings matter, but global reach does too. A drama that trends worldwide often leaves a deeper mark than one that only performs locally.

At the same time, viewer reviews reveal what worked and what did not. That balance helps decide what truly counts as the “best.”

#1 Bon Appétit, Your Majesty

Historical Romance | tvN / Netflix

This series takes the top spot in 2025. Starring Lee Chae-min and YoonA, it blends fantasy and romance in a royal setting. The numbers prove its dominance. It reached a peak of 15.9% in Korea. Adding streaming, the number hit 17.6%.

It also entered tvN’s list of all-time top dramas, standing at tenth place. On Netflix, it ruled the Non-English TV category for weeks.

The appeal lies not only in ratings but also in cultural impact. Viewers praised the chemistry between the leads. Some critics called it formulaic, but the audience cared more about the charm than originality.

That tells something important about the drama market: familiarity, when done well, still sells.

Beyond the numbers, the drama tapped into a post-pandemic desire for lavish, escapist fantasy. The detailed culinary scenes became a viral sensation on TikTok and Instagram, creating a multi-sensory experience for viewers.

Perfect for fans of: Mr. Queen, The King’s Affection, and viewers who enjoy low-conflict, high-romance historicals.

Also Read: Dishes from ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’: Recipes, Historical Context & Period Adaptations

#2 Tempest

Political Thriller/Romance | Disney+

Cast: Jun Ji-hyun (Seo Moon-ju), Kang Dong-won (Baek San-ho), John Cho (Anderson Miller), Park Hae-joon

Plot: UN diplomat Moon-ju investigates an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate while being protected by mysterious special agent San-ho. Together, they uncover a conspiracy threatening the Korean peninsula.

Most-watched Korean original on Disney+ in 2025, ranking #2 globally on Disney+ and #3 among all TV shows. Achieved record-breaking viewership in Korea, Asia-Pacific, and worldwide. First five days. Critics praise the “magnetic performances” and “rare gem” chemistry between leads.

Read More: Tempest Episode 6-7 Recap & Review: Betrayal, Secrets, and Shattered Trust

#3 When Life Gives You Tangerines

Romance / Slice-of-Life | Netflix

IU and Park Bo-gum carried this gentle yet powerful series. It not only won in Korea but also made a splash internationally. On IMDb, it reached a 9.3 rating. That beats popular titles like Squid Game, Kingdom, and The Glory.

Even more impressive, twelve of its episodes scored above 9.0. The finale earned 9.8, which is almost unheard of for a K-drama.

It also pulled 34.8 million views on Netflix. For three straight weeks, it stayed at #1 globally. Fans described it as soft, emotional, and honest. At the same time, some viewers found it slow.

That split shows how slice-of-life dramas often divide opinion. For many, though, its calm tone made it stand out in a year filled with thrillers.

In a year of high-stakes plots, Tangerines became the definitive ‘healing drama.’ Its success underscores a significant audience segment seeking comfort and emotional authenticity over plot twists. The soundtrack, featuring acoustic melodies, also topped music charts for weeks.

Think of it as the K-drama equivalent of a warm blanket and a cup of tea – a deliberate and soothing experience.

#4 The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call

Medical Drama | Netflix

Ju Ji-hoon starred in this hospital-based series. It rose to #1 on Netflix’s non-English global chart within ten days. It gained 11.9 million views quickly and topped charts in 17 countries. In Korea, the buzz was huge—about 2.5 times more than Squid Game 2. That says a lot about the hunger for strong medical stories.

The show’s IMDb score sits at 8.4. That is not as high as some others, but the engagement levels are massive. It balanced action, hospital cases, and character drama. Critics, however, noted it leaned on clichés at times. Still, its reach proves viewers wanted a reliable, high-stakes medical story in 2025.

#5 Queen Mantis

Queen Mantis is about darkness. This drama marked the comeback of Go Hyun-jung, one of Korea’s strongest actresses. She plays Jung Yi-shin, a serial killer who only targets abusers of women and children. For 23 years, she has been in prison. Now, she is asked to help police track a copycat.

But she refuses to work with just anyone. She chooses her estranged son Soo-yeol, played by Jang Dong-yoon. That choice sets up one of the most unsettling dynamics of the year. The show is not just about catching killers. It is about the broken bond between mother and son.

The story leans heavily on psychology. Yi-shin does not talk much, but when she does, the words chill. Her line, “Do you dislike the smell of blood? I love it. It’s the scent you brought into this world with you,” captures her twisted control. Every scene with her feels heavy, like the air is suffocating.

The drama pulled 7.5% viewership in Korea. On Netflix Korea, it stayed in the Top 10 for weeks. That shows steady attention, not just a burst at the start. Much of the praise went to Go Hyun-jung’s transformation. She acted without makeup or filters, stripping herself down to embody the killer fully. It was raw, ugly, and terrifying.

Still, there is room for skepticism. Adaptations from foreign shows often stumble. Some critics pointed out that Queen Mantis sometimes relied too much on shock. Others felt the pacing slowed in the middle episodes. But even with those flaws, the drama left a mark.

Read More: Queen Mantis Episode 7 Recap: The Killer Has Been Revealed

#6 Weak Hero Class 1

Action/School | Netflix

Cast: Park Ji-hoon (Yeon Si-eun), Choi Hyun-wook (Oh Beom-seok), Hong Kyung (Ahn Su-ho)
Plot: Weak but intelligent student Si-eun navigates brutal school violence, forming unlikely alliances to survive in a system that fails to protect the vulnerable.

Netflix’s global release strategy paid off with 122.9 million hours and 22.3 million views. Maintained 96% Rotten Tomatoes audience score and boosted the entire franchise’s popularity worldwide.

#7 Study Group

Study Group became the biggest surprise of 2025. It stars Hwang Minhyun, who plays a quiet student stuck between books and fists. The drama balances school struggles with heavy action. It feels both absurd and relatable at the same time. Students want to study. But they also have to fight back against bullies who never stop.

The show’s mix of humor, pain, and chaos made it stand out. It is not a usual school drama filled with light romance or soft endings. It has bruises, broken desks, and real grit. Yet it never feels hopeless. That balance worked for global audiences.

The numbers speak clearly. The drama scored 9.8/10 on Viki. It ranked in the Top 2 in 74 countries and made the Top 5 in 147 countries. That is rare for any school drama. It even became the #1 reason for new paid subscribers on TVING. Critics called it “the most pleasant underdog rebellion in K-drama.”  Students pushed against the system. Viewers loved watching them fight for more than just grades.

Its success suggests something about what fans want in 2025. They are looking for stories where survival feels as important as dreams. They want underdogs who fight back, & they also want action that still keeps humor alive.

#8 First Lady

Political Drama/Revenge | MBN/Viki

Cast: Eugene (Cha Soo-yeon), Ji Hyun-woo (Hyun Min-chul), Lee Min-young (Shin Hae-rin)
Plot: A political kingmaker’s world crumbles when her president-elect husband demands divorce 67 days before inauguration, sparking an unprecedented battle between power and personal vendettas.

Premiered with 2.2% ratings, peaking at 2.5% – strong performance for MBN. Currently #2 on Netflix Korea TV shows. The “shocking divorce ending” generated significant viewer buzz and social media discussion

Read More: Here’s Where to Find ‘First Lady’ K-Drama Now: Power, Secrets, and the Cost of Winning

#9 Weak Hero Class 2

Weak Hero Class 2 arrived with huge expectations. The first season had already created a loyal fan base. Park Ji-hoon’s return was the big question. Could the sequel carry the same fire? The answer turned out to be yes—and even more.

Within just three days, the drama hit #1 on Netflix’s global non-English series chart. It gained 6.1 million views in that short span. Fans also gave it a 91% score on Rotten Tomatoes. That says a lot about how people felt watching it.

The drama did more than stand alone. It pulled Weak Hero Class 1 back into global charts. The first season climbed to #8 again, showing the strength of the franchise. That kind of staying power is rare. It means the story still speaks to people.

What made the second season work was its deeper dive into loyalty and loss. The fights were brutal. The friendships felt even more fragile. The drama asked what it means to be strong when strength itself only brings more scars. That question gave it weight beyond its punches.

#10 Mercy for None

| Crime / Action | Netflix

Mercy for None marked So Ji-sub’s return to action after more than a decade. He plays Nam Gi-jun, a former gang enforcer who has lived in exile for 11 years. His life changes when his younger brother Gi-seok is murdered in a parking garage. The show follows Gi-jun as he re-enters Seoul’s criminal world to take revenge.

Two rival groups dominate the city. The Bongsan Group, led by Gu Bong-san. The Juwoon Group, led by Lee Joo-woon. Gi-jun becomes a lone force between them, armed with only a baseball bat and his rage. Gong Myung plays Gu Jun-mo, an ambitious heir. Huh Joon-ho plays Joo-woon with menace.

The drama drew global attention. It achieved 16.9 million views and ranked in the Top 10 across 44 countries. Reviews, however, were mixed. Critics called it “hyper-masculine” and gave it a 2.5/5 average. Still, So Ji-sub earned praise. His eyes carried grief, and his fight scenes carried weight. That combination turned him into the core of the series.

The show worked best when focusing on Gi-jun’s scars, both physical and emotional. But the reliance on action clichés sometimes dulled the impact. Audiences who love gang revenge dramas found it gripping.

Others felt it leaned too heavily on violence. Even with flaws, Mercy for None proved that So Ji-sub’s screen power has not faded.

Honorable Mentions: More 2025 K-Dramas You Can’t Miss

Beyond the top 10, several other K-dramas made significant waves in 2025, showcasing the incredible diversity and quality of Korean television:

Good Boy, starring Park Bo-gum, marked his successful return to television with a blend of action, comedy, and heartfelt moments as a former boxer turned police recruit working alongside Kim So-hyun’s psychologist character.

Karma became a Netflix breakout hit with its non-linear storytelling, following six interconnected characters making morally ambiguous choices, creating a suspenseful and mind-bending thriller.

Tastefully Yours captured audiences with the romance between Kang Ha-neul’s food corporation heir running a top restaurant and Go Min-si’s chef operating a humble one-table establishment.

Most Anticipated K-Dramas for the Rest of 2025

The final quarter of 2025 promises an exciting lineup of highly anticipated series featuring major stars and compelling storylines:

Genie, Make a Wish

October 3, 2025 | Netflix
Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy reunite after nine years in this fantasy rom-com about a centuries-old genie who awakens to grant wishes to an emotionally reserved script translator, with screenwriter Kim Eun-sook promising sparkling dialogue and magical romance.

Read More: Where To Watch ‘Genie, Make a Wish’ Netflix K-Drama? Full Streaming Info

Cashero

Q4 2025 | Netflix
Based on the popular webtoon, this superhero action-comedy features Lee Jun-ho as an ordinary man who discovers his superpowers are tied to the amount of money he possesses, joined by Kim Hye-jun, Kim Byung-chul, and Kim Hyang-gi in this unique take on the superhero genre.

Moon River

October 31, 2025 | MBC
This captivating sageuk fantasy stars Kang Tae-oh as Crown Prince Lee Kang and Kim Se-jeong as market girl Park Dal-yi, who mysteriously swap souls in the royal palace of Joseon, creating a rich mix of romance, intrigue, and stunning period visuals.

These upcoming releases demonstrate 2025’s continued commitment to diverse storytelling, from fantasy romance and family drama to superhero action and historical fantasy, ensuring K-drama fans have compelling content to anticipate through the year’s end.

Read More: Where To Watch ‘Moon River’ K-Drama? Soul Swap Story in Joseon

How We Ranked the Best K-Dramas of 2025

• Viewership Data: A combination of domestic TV ratings (Nielsen Korea) and global streaming data (Netflix, Disney+, etc.).

• Critical Reception: Aggregated scores from platforms like IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Korean review sites.

• Cultural Impact & Buzz: Measured by social media trends, news coverage, and sustained presence on charts.

• Editorial Judgment: Our team’s analysis of storytelling, performance, and innovation.

Read More: Where To Watch Mercy For None?

Disclaimer: This ranking reflects the performance of K-dramas through September 2025. As more dramas are scheduled to release in the final quarter of 2025, including highly anticipated titles, this ranking may change significantly by year’s end. Keep an eye on our website for updated rankings as the year progresses.

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