The K-drama industry is kicking off 2025 with a bang! Fan-favorite shows like Squid Game and All of Us Are Dead return with highly anticipated new seasons, while fresh titles featuring beloved stars are set to captivate audiences. From thrillers to heartwarming rom-coms, here are the must-watch K-dramas of the year.
1. When Life Gives You Tangerines
Starring IU and Reply 1988’s Park Bo-gum, this romantic drama follows Ae Soon and Gwen Sik as they meet under unexpected circumstances and discover the power of love and resilience. The cast also includes Moon So-ri (A Good Lawyer’s Wife), Kim Seon-ho (Start-Up), and Park Hae-joon (Fourth Place).
2. The Potato Lab
This quirky comedy follows eccentric scientists dedicated to potato research. Blending science, friendship, and romance, the series stars Kang Tae-oh (Extraordinary Attorney Woo), Lee Sun-bin (Boyhood), and Lee Hak-joo (My Dearest).
3. The Art of Negotiation
A high-stakes legal drama about a brilliant but unconventional lawyer who specializes in negotiation over litigation. As he tackles complex cases, he navigates moral dilemmas and complicated relationships.
4. Kick Kick Kick Kick
An office comedy about former entertainment stars Ji Jin-hee and Jo Young-sik, who start a content production agency. Their goal? To reach three million subscribers while facing hilarious challenges. Starring Lee Kyu-hyung (Prison Playbook) and Lee Min-jae (Crash Course in Romance).
5. Melo Movie
A heartfelt drama about young adults in their 30s navigating love, dreams, and hardships. Featuring Park Bo-young (Oh My Ghost), Choi Woo-shik (Our Beloved Summer), and Kim Jae-wook (Coffee Prince).
6. Newtopia
Based on the novel Influenza, this romantic fantasy follows ex-lovers Lee Jae-yoon and Kang Young-ju as they attempt to reunite—while surviving a zombie outbreak in a high-rise. Starring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, Park Jeong-min (Bleak Night), and Hong Seo-hee (Little Women).
7. My Dearest Nemesis
Adapted from a popular webtoon, this workplace romance follows Baek Su-jeong (Moon Ga-young, True Beauty) and chaebol heir Ban Ju-yeon (Choi Hyun-wook, Taxi Driver) as they realize they were once online gaming rivals 16 years ago.
8. When the Stars Gossip
Set in a space station, this rom-com stars Lee Min-ho as an obstetrician on a secret mission and Gong Hyo-jin as an elite space scientist. Their journey takes unexpected turns as they navigate love and survival beyond Earth.
9. Motel California
A small-town romance about Ji Kang-hee, who grew up in a motel and returns home after 12 years, rekindling a relationship with her first love, Chun Yeon-soo. Starring Na In-woo (Marry My Husband) and Lee Se-young (Dae Jang Geum).
10. Study Group
Yun Ga Min, a seemingly model student at a notorious high school, reveals his unexpected fighting skills when bullies target his study group. Starring Hwang Min-hyun (Alchemy of Souls).
11. The Queen Who Crowns
A historical drama set in the Goryeo period, following Queen Wongyeong as she orchestrates her husband’s rise to the throne. Starring Cha Joo-young (The Glory) and Lee Hyun-wook (Hell is Other People).
12. Love Scout
A workplace romance starring Lee Jun-hyuk (Vigilante) as Yoo Eun-ho, a secretary dedicated to CEO Kang Ji-yoon, played by Han Ji-min (Resurrection). As they work together, their relationship takes a romantic turn.
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- Slice-of-Life K-Dramas: Heartfelt Stories That Capture Real Life & Emotions
- Best Time Travel K-Dramas: Must-Watch Korean Dramas with Parallel Worlds & Time Travel Romance
- Webtoon Adaptation K-Dramas: 15 Best Dramas Based on Popular Webtoons
- Best Historical & Sageuk K-Dramas: Epic Stories That You Can’t Miss!
