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K-Dramas have seen a significant boost in popularity over the years through shows like Squid Game (2021-2025).1 This dystopian, thriller, and horror series about individuals competing in a survival game for 45.6 billion won ($32,725,017 USD) was something completely different than other shows. Other popular dramas include Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022)2, Business Proposal (2022),3 and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)4.
K-Dramas are still popular today, and those released in 2025 have been named some of the best yet due to their compelling storylines, acting, and cinematography. Through their diverse genres, more individuals are starting to dip into the world of K-dramas, which adds to their overall popularity and helps them solidify their title as the must-watch dramas of 2025.
What Makes A K-Drama?
Before diving into the top five must-watch K-Dramas of 2025, let’s answer the question of what makes a K-Drama.
A K-Drama5 — short for Korean drama — is a television series that is created and produced in South Korea. In recent years, K-Dramas have been able to gain popularity not just in South Korea but globally as well. Streaming services have made it easier for global fans to tune into these television series.
K-Dramas are also known for their genres. Every K-Drama has its own genre and overall theme, and storyline, which helps each drama maintain individuality. Some of the most popular K-Drama genres are romance, action, comedy, thriller, and historical. These different genres also lead to people binge-watching new dramas when they come out.
Another unique aspect of K-Dramas is their OSTs or original soundtracks. OSTs for K-Dramas are often sung by popular Korean singers and even K-pop idols. Some of the most famous and popular K-drama OST’s include “Stay With Me,” by Chanyeol and Punch, from the K-Drama, Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016-2017)6, “Sweet Night,” by V from BTS for the drama, Itaewon Class (2020)7, and “Spring Snow,” by 10cm for the drama, Lovely Runner (2024-)8.
These several different aspects truly make K-Dramas what they are and are the main reason behind their boost in popularity over the years. If you are new to K-Dramas or are a regular viewer and are just looking for something new to watch, here are the top five must-watch K-Dramas of 2025.
Study Group (2025) — Action Comedy, Coming-Of-Age
Study Group (2025), directed by Lee Janghoon and Yoo Beomsang, and co-written by Eom Seonho and Oh Bohyun, is an action comedy, coming-of-age drama about a boy in high school who wants to study hard in order to achieve his biggest goal in life, which is to get into college.
This K-Drama is based on a webtoon that follows and tells the same story of character Yoon Gamin, who is played by Hwang Minhyun, a former member of K-pop boy groups NU’EST and Wanna One. He isn’t the best academically.
Gamin studies all the time, but when he takes his exams, his grades do not reflect that. One of his biggest goals is to be accepted into university, so he transfers to Yusung Technical High School, where he forms a study group to try and get his grades up. Study Group (2025) aired on TVING from January 23, 2025, until February 20, 2025, with a total of 10 episodes.
Actress Han Jieun plays Lee Hankyung, an interim teacher at Yusung Technical High School who also sponsors Gamin’s study group. The other members of Gamin’s study group are Kim Sehyun, who is played by Lee Jonghyun, Lee Jiwoo, played by Shin Suhyun, Choi Heewon, played by Yoon SangJeong, and Lee Jun, played by Gong Doyu.
Another notable character is Pi Hanwool, the main antagonist, who is played by actor Cha Woomin. Study Group (2025) received great reviews from many individuals and got many people out of a K-Drama slump. As of May 10, 2025, it was confirmed that Study Group (2025) will be getting a second season.
Undercover High School (2025) — Action Comedy, Spy Fiction
Undercover High School (2025), is an action comedy, spy fiction drama, written by Im Youngbin and directed by Choi Jungin. The drama stars Seo Kangjoon, who plays Jung Haeseong, a field agent for the National Intelligence Service. After being demoted due to an incident on a previous operation, Haeseong is forced to go undercover as a high school student at the prestigious Byeongmun High School to locate King Gojoong’s missing gold bars.
When Haeseong starts his mission at Byeongmun, he meets Oh Sua, his homeroom teacher, who is played by Jin Kijoo. Once Haeseong and Sua begin to know each other a little bit more, Sua begins to notice similarities between Haeseong and her first love.
Kim Shinrok plays the antagonist of the drama, Seo Myeongju, the chairwoman of Byeongmun High School. She is also the mother of Yena, who is played by former IZ*ONE member, Kim Minju. Undercover High School (2025) aired on MBC from February 21, 2025 to March 29, 2025 with a total of 12 episodes.
Undercover High School (2025) was the first drama Kangjoon starred in since he was discharged from the military in May 2023. This high-action comedy drama also found great reviews due to its diverse genres and secret twists.
Resident Playbook (2025) — Medical
Resident Playbook (2025) is a medical drama written by Kim Songhee and directed by Lee Minsoo. Resident Playbook (2025) portrays the lives and friendships of the professors and first-year OB/GYN residents at Jongno Yulje Medical Center.
Resident Playbook (2025) stars Go Younjung as Oh Yiyoung, the main female lead who must return to medical residency in order to pay off her father’s debt. The other first-year residents are Pyo Namkyung, played by Shin Siah, Um Jaeil, played by Kang Youseok, and Kim Sabi, played by Han Yeji.
All four of them have different personalities, which creates a great friendship amongst them all. Jung Joonwon plays Ku Dowon, a fourth-year OB/GYN chief resident, who also creates a special relationship with Yiyoung throughout the show.
Resident Playbook (2025) first aired on TVN on April 12, 2025, and finished airing on May 18, 2025, with 12 episodes in total. Resident Playbook (2025) is also a spin-off series from the very popular medical drama, Hospital Playlist (2020) and Hospital Playlist 2 (2021). Several characters from Hospital Playlist and Hospital Playlist 2 have made cameos on episodes of Resident Playbook (2025).
Resident Playbook (2025) has been added to the list of medical K-Dramas, making a name for itself for its heartfelt storyline and acting. This drama does a great job of depicting the different lifestyles of the residents and lets viewers understand their lives better.
Melo Movie (2025) — Romantic Comedy
Melo Movie (2025) is a Netflix romantic comedy written by Lee Naeun and directed by Oh Chunghwan. The drama stars Choi Woosik, who plays the main male lead, Ko Gyeom, and Park Boyoung, who plays the main female lead, Kim Mubee.
Melo Movie (2025) also stars Lee Junyoung and Jeon Sonee, who play Hong Sijun, a songwriter, and Son Jua, a screenwriter. This drama follows the trials and tribulations of the relationships between Gyeom and Mubee, as well as Sijun and Jua. The drama also unveils the traumas each character has experienced in their lives.
Gyeom is an extra actor, but he also has dreams of becoming a movie critic. He meets and becomes obsessed with Mubee, who also works in the movie industry, because her name reminds him of “movie.” The two have completely different personalities, with Gyeom being energetic and Mubee being quiet and calm.
Melo Movie (2025) aired on Netflix on February 14, 2025, with 10 episodes. Melo Movie (2025)’s storyline is quite similar to other K-Dramas from the past, but the versatile acting from each character separates it from the others.
Weak Hero Class 2 (2025) — Action, Thriller, Coming-Of-Age
Weak Hero Class 2 (2025) is an action, thriller, coming-of-age K-Drama, written and directed by Yoo Soomin. Weak Hero Class 2 (2025) is the second season in the Weak Hero Class franchise and is also an adaptation of the webtoon of the same name.
Main character, Yeon Sieun, played by actor and former Wanna One member, Park Jihoon, transfers to Eunjang High School, where he befriends Park Humin, played by Ryeoun, Seo Juntae, played by Choi Minyoung, and Go Hyuntak, played by Lee Minjae.
Once Sieun transfers, he must face Union, a violent, delinquent group that includes members Na Baekjin, played by Bae Nara, and Geum Seongje, played by Lee Junyoung.
Weak Hero Class 2 (2025) aired on Netflix on April 25, 2025, with a total of 8 episodes. You must watch the first season to understand the drama’s lore, with many people making connections between the two seasons. The drama became the most-watched non-English speaking show9 on Netflix after it first aired.
The Future Of K-Dramas
With K-Dramas gaining more popularity every day, not just in South Korea, but globally as well, we are continuing to see different trends in dramas. Nowadays, adaptations of webtoons into K-Dramas have become very popular. Many K-pop idols are beginning their acting careers, which is another trend we have seen within the last couple of years in the K-drama industry.
Some other K-Dramas you should be on the lookout for that are set to air in the month of May are Spring of Youth (2025), a K-pop idol teen romance starring Ha Yoojoon and Park Jihu, Dear Hongrang (2025), a historical, mystery drama starring Lee Jaewook and Jo Boah, ONE: High School Heroes (2025), an action drama starring Lee Jungha and Kim Dowan, and Our Unwritten Seoul (2025), a romantic drama starring Park Boyoung and Jinyoung.
These are just some of the many K-Dramas that are set to air in the next couple of months. With diverse genres and engaging storytelling, this list is perfect for you, whether you’re looking to start a new show or even spark a K-drama obsession.
Footnotes
- “Squid Game (TV Series 2021–2025) ⭐ 8.0 | Action, Drama, Mystery.” IMDb, 17 Sept. 2021. ↩︎
- “Extraordinary Attorney Woo (TV Series 2022) ⭐ 8.6 | Drama.” IMDb, 29 June 2022. ↩︎
- “Business Proposal (TV Series 2022) ⭐ 8.1 | Comedy, Drama, Romance.” IMDb, 1 Mar. 2022. ↩︎
- “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (TV Series 2021) ⭐ 8.3 | Comedy, Drama, Romance.” IMDb, 28 Aug. 2021. ↩︎
- Toyryla, Laura. “K-Drama – The Ultimate Guide to Best Korean Dramas, Genres, and Must-Watch Shows.” 90 Day Korean. 26 March 2025. ↩︎
- “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (TV Series 2016–2017) ⭐ 8.6 | Comedy, Drama, Fantasy.” IMDb, 2 Dec. 2016. ↩︎
- “Itaewon Class (TV Series 2020) ⭐ 8.1 | Drama, Romance.” IMDb, 31 Jan. 2020. ↩︎
- “Lovely Runner (TV Series 2024– ) ⭐ 8.6 | Comedy, Fantasy, Music.” IMDb, 8 Apr. 2024. ↩︎
- Pleșa, Alexandra. “Weak Hero Season 3: Cast, Rumours & Release Date.” Ourculturemag. 8 May 2025. ↩︎