Top 15 Most Popular Korean TV Series in 2025
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The Korean drama industry has delivered an exceptional year in 2025, bringing audiences compelling stories across multiple genres—from romance and thriller to medical dramas and action-packed adventures. Whether you're seeking heart-wrenching emotion, intense suspense, or lighthearted comedy, this list of the most popular K-dramas of 2025 has something for everyone.
1. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call
Leading the charge as 2025's most-watched K-drama is The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, an 8-episode medical thriller that became a cultural phenomenon on Netflix. The series stars Ju Ji-hun and features a genius surgeon navigating deadly games of survival and profound moral choices. With its explosive storytelling and emotionally complex protagonist, this thriller surpassed even Squid Game Season 2 in weekly rankings, cementing its status as the year's most popular series across nearly every country after its release.
2. Weak Hero Class 2
The highly anticipated sequel to Netflix's breakout hit arrived in April 2025 and immediately captured global audiences with its intense fight choreography and emotional depth. Weak Hero Class 2 follows Yeon Si-eun as he faces new enemies and higher stakes at a dangerous new school. While the season features beautifully executed action sequences and tighter cinematography than its predecessor, some viewers felt it sacrificed the raw emotional intimacy that made Season 1 unforgettable. Nevertheless, it remains an action-packed continuation that drew viewers worldwide.
3. When Life Gives You Tangerines
This sweeping period drama on Netflix has touched millions of hearts with its exploration of love, loss, family, and the passage of time. When Life Gives You Tangerines premiered in March 2025 and follows the intimate journey of a couple navigating life's hardships across generations. Starring Park Bo-gum, the 16-episode series showcases generational trauma, resilience, and the quiet sacrifice parents make for their children. With deeply moving scenes—including a haenyeo (female diver) village setting and emotionally complex character arcs—this drama has become a beloved favorite among fans seeking meaningful storytelling.
4. Tempest
This high-budget spy romance thriller premiered on Disney+ in September 2025 and immediately became one of the biggest K-dramas of the year. Tempest stars Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won in their highly anticipated television comeback, supported by a powerhouse creative team including director Kim Hee-won (Queen of Tears) and co-writer Chung Seo-kyung. The series follows diplomat Moon-ju as she uncovers a deadly conspiracy threatening the Korean Peninsula while protected by a mysterious mercenary. With extensive action sequences, international intrigue, and undeniable chemistry between the leads, this globe-trotting espionage drama quickly captured audiences worldwide.
5. Hyper Knife
Premiering on Disney+ in March 2025, Hyper Knife emerged as the streamer's most-viewed Korean premiere globally in 2025. This medical crime thriller stars Park Eun-bin in a complete reversal of her acclaimed role in Extraordinary Attorney Woo. Park delivers a phenomenal performance as disgraced neurosurgeon Jung Se-ok, who performs illegal surgeries while pursuing increasingly unethical medical breakthroughs. Reunited with her former mentor (Sul Kyung-gu), Se-ok embarks on a dangerous journey of revenge and medical obsession. The series' psychological depth and Park's range as an actress made it an instant hit.
6. Buried Hearts
Released on SBS in early 2025, Buried Hearts (also known as Treasure Island) is a dark revenge thriller featuring Park Hyung-sik in a role that showcased his impressive acting range. The series follows Seo Dong-ju, an ambitious executive who steals from his company, only to be attacked and left with amnesia by a powerful figure. With its high-stakes premise, noir sensibilities, and magnetic performances from Park Hyung-sik and Huh Joon-ho, the drama delivered twists and turns that kept audiences engaged throughout its 16-episode run.
7. Melo Movie
Released on Netflix on Valentine's Day 2025, Melo Movie is a romantic comedy that has resonated with audiences seeking feel-good storytelling. Starring Choi Woo-shik and Park Bo-young, the 10-episode series follows Ko Gyeom, a film critic with an infectious love of cinema, and Kim Mu-bee, a film director with a complicated past. The show balances humor, philosophy, and genuine romance, with Choi Woo-shik delivering a standout performance that has earned critical acclaim. Audiences praised its smart dialogue about films as an escape from reality and its celebration of finding love despite life's hardships.
8. My Dearest Nemesis
This clever workplace romance on tvN premiered in February 2025 and quickly became a fan favorite for its unique premise and chemistry between leads. My Dearest Nemesis follows two former online gaming rivals—now colleagues at a department store—who don't initially recognize each other. Moon Ga-young plays Su Jeong, an ambitious planner, while Choi Hyun-wook plays Ju Yeon, the new boss who was her gaming crush from 16 years ago. The drama's blend of humor, workplace dynamics, and slow-burn romance has made it stand out among 2025's romantic comedies.
9. Study Group
Premiering on TVING in January 2025, Study Group redefined the high school drama genre by focusing on friendship and action rather than romance. Based on a popular webtoon, the series follows Yoon Ga-min, who forms a study group at a notorious technical high school where survival often trumps academics. With meticulously choreographed fight scenes, genuine character relationships, and a refreshing absence of typical romance subplots, Study Group offers a unique take on adolescence and the power of perseverance and camaraderie.
10. Motel California
This raw and emotionally grounded drama aired on MBC TV from January to February 2025. Motel California stars Lee Se-young as Kang-hee, a woman born and raised in a rural motel who returns to her hometown after 12 years of running away. The series fearlessly addresses multiple forms of discrimination and trauma, following Kang-hee as she confronts her past and reunites with her first love. With powerful performances and a refreshingly honest approach to social issues, the drama found particular resonance with international audiences.
11. Love Scout
Airing on SBS from January to February 2025, Love Scout (also known as "My Perfect Secretary") delivered consistent viewership ratings throughout its 12-episode run. The series stars Han Ji-min as a confident CEO of a headhunting company and Lee Joon-hyuk as her considerate secretary who becomes more than just her right hand. Blending workplace comedy with romantic tension, the drama showcased how two people from different walks of life can find love and balance. The series achieved strong audience engagement with ratings peaking at 12% by its finale.
12. Dear Hongrang
Released on Netflix in May 2025, Dear Hongrang is a mystery melodrama sageuk that captivated audiences with its intricate plot and period drama aesthetics. Starring Lee Jae-wook and Jo Bo-ah, the series follows Jae-yi as she investigates the mysterious return of her half-brother after 12 years of disappearance. With suspenseful narrative twists and lush cinematography, the drama combines historical elements with contemporary mystery storytelling, keeping viewers guessing throughout its run.
13. The Potato Lab
This charming romantic comedy arrived on Netflix in March 2025 and delivers exactly what its unique premise promises. The Potato Lab is set at a potato research facility in a mountain valley, where potato researcher Kim Mi Gyeong (Lee Sun Bin) clashes with the newly appointed director So Baek Ho (Kang Tae Oh). What begins as workplace rivalry evolves into a delightful romance between two adults who are slightly "screwed up." The 12-episode series offers humor, heart, and a refreshingly eccentric setting for Korean drama romance.
14. When the Stars Gossip
The most expensive Korean drama ever produced, When the Stars Gossip premiered on tvN in January 2025 and transported audiences into space. Starring Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Min Ho, this ambitious space-set romance follows an astronaut and a space tourist with a secret mission. The drama's impressive zero-gravity effects and space station setting were worth the production investment, though some viewers found the plot occasionally over-the-top and the romance slow to develop. Nonetheless, its spectacular visuals and ambitious scope made it impossible to ignore.
15. Trigger
Released on Netflix in July 2025, Trigger is a stylish action thriller that imagines a Korea flooded with illegal firearms. Starring Kim Nam-gil as a principled police officer and Kim Young-kwang as a cunning arms dealer, the series explores the clash between righteousness and survival in a gun-filled dystopian future. With slick cinematography and intense action sequences, this thriller offers a darker, more violent edge to Korean content, making it appealing to viewers seeking serious genre entertainment.
Why 2025 Was a Banner Year for Korean Dramas
The diversity of stories in 2025's most popular K-dramas reflects the industry's maturation and willingness to experiment with genres, budgets, and storytelling approaches. From massive productions like When the Stars Gossip and Tempest to intimate character studies like When Life Gives You Tangerines, Korean television delivered content that resonated globally. The consistent success of these series across Netflix, Disney+, and traditional television networks demonstrates that audiences worldwide are hungry for Korean stories that combine stunning production values with genuine emotional depth.
Whether you missed any of these during 2025, or you're looking to catch up on the year's best content, this list represents the cream of the crop for Korean television in 2025. Each series offers something unique, ensuring there's truly something for every taste and mood.