K-drama Reviews & Recommendations

 Top 10 Must-Watch K-Dramas of the year 2025

K-Dramas continue to captivate audiences worldwide with their compelling storylines, outstanding performances, and high production quality. Whether you love romance, thrillers, or fantasy, this year has delivered some unforgettable dramas. Here are the Top 10 Must-Watch K-Dramas of 2025 that should be on your watchlist!

1. The Potato Lab

Genre: Romantic comedy

Directed by Kang Il-soo, and starring Lee Sun-bin and Kang Tae-oh.

Synopsis: The series is about Mi-kyung, who is obsessed with potatoes and is swept away by the principled Baek-ho like a tornado potato

Why You Should Watch: Offers a unique and charming Korean drama experience with a refreshing romance, strong female lead, engaging characters, and beautiful cinematography

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2. When Life Gives You Tangerines

Genre: Romance, slice-of-life, and period dramas 

Written by Lim Sang-choon, directed by Kim Won-seok, and starring IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, and Park Hae-joon

Synopsis: On the beautiful island of Jeju, a free-spirited girl and a determined boy grow up together, their friendship slowly turning into something more. Through life’s ups and downs, they face challenges that test their love and dreams. But no matter the distance or hardships, their bond remains strong, proving that true love can stand the test of time.

Why You Should Watch: The acting is beyond phenomenal, the cinematography is breathtaking, and the emotions feel so raw and real that you forget you're watching fiction

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3. The Art of Negotiation

Genre: Business, Co-workers' Relationship, Workplace Setting, Office

Starring: Lee Je-hoon, Kim Dae-myung, Sung Dong-il, Jang Hyun-sung, Oh Man-seok, Ahn Hyun-ho, and Cha Kang-yoon

Synopsis: The Art of Negotiation shows how master negotiators thrive in the face of chaos and uncertainty

Why You Should Watch: "The Art of Negotiation" is a K-drama that explores the high-stakes world of mergers and acquisitions, offering a compelling look at the strategies and tactics used in corporate negotiations, featuring a legendary negotiator and his team

4. Kick Kick Kick Kick 

Genre: Sitcom Office comedy

Television series co-written by Jung Soo-hyun, Nam Eun-kyung, and Jung Hae-young, directed by Koo Seong-jun, and starring Ji Jin-hee, Lee Kyu-hyung, Baek Ji-won, and Lee Min-jae.

Synopsis: Ji Jin-hee and Jo Young-sik, who are former stars in the entertainment industry decided to establish a new content production company, 

Why You Should Watch: If you enjoy stories about the entertainment industry, comedic office dynamics, and likable characters, this drama might be worth watching. 

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5. Melo Movie

Genre: Romantic comedy

Written by Lee Na-eun [ko], directed by Oh Chung-hwan, and starring Choi Woo-shik, Park Bo-young, Lee Jun-young, and Jeon So-nee.

Synopsis: A tired and cynical film critic crosses paths with an aspiring director they haven’t seen in years. Something mysterious once tore them apart, and now, their reunion stirs up old memories and emotions. As they spend time together, they must finally face the past they tried to forget.

Why You Should Watch: "Melo Movie" is a K-drama that explores love, loss, and the complexities of relationships, particularly within the context of cinema, offering a slow-burn, mature, and emotionally resonant experience, perfect for those who appreciate character-driven stories. 

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6. Newtopia

Genre: Horror, comedy, romance, and melodrama

Starring: Park Jeong-min and Jisoo

Synopsis: A soldier, Jae-yoon, and his girlfriend, Young-joo, face a zombie outbreak in Seoul after a breakup, forcing them to fight for survival and reunite amidst the chaos. 

Why You Should Watch: "Newtopia" is a unique series that blends comedy, zombie elements, and romance, offering a fresh and fun experience, with strong performance from Jisoo and Park Jeong-Min, and a unique fragmented gore-sitcoms-like style. 

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7. My Dearest Nemesis

Genre: Romance, workplace drama

 Written by Kim Soo-yeon, directed by Lee So-hyun, and starring Moon Ga-young, Choi Hyun-wook, Im Se-mi, and Kwak Si-yang.

Synopsis: "My Dearest Nemesis" follows Baek Su-jeong, a skilled planner at Yongsung Department Store, who encounters her new boss, Ban Ju-yeon, a chaebol heir, who turns out to be her embarrassing "first love" from an online game 16 years ago, leading to workplace hijinks and a potential romance. 

Why You Should Watch: With its clever storytelling, well-paced romance, and engaging character arcs, My Dear Nemesis stands out as one of the best K-dramas of recent times. If you haven't watched it yet, it's definitely worth adding to your watchlist!

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8. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call

Genre: Romance, medical drama

Written by Choi Tae-kang, directed by Lee Do-yoon, and starring Ju Ji-hoon, Choo Young-woo, Ha Young, Yoon Kyung-ho, and Jung Jae-kwang.

Synopsis: "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" follows a brilliant but enigmatic trauma surgeon, Baek Kang-hyuk, who joins a struggling university hospital to rebuild its trauma team and save lives, facing both medical challenges and bureaucratic obstacles. 

Why You Should Watch: "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" is a compelling medical drama that blends intense medical scenarios, hospital politics, and humor, offering a fresh take on the genre, and it's a must-watch for fans of character-driven stories and medical dramas. 

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9. My Youth

Genre: Romance 

Starring: Song Joong-ki and Chun Woo-hee 

Synopsis: Sunwoo Hae was a popular child actor, who shined in his youth. Due to the greed of the adults around him, he lost his shining light. He barely made it through the turmoil and now lives peacefully as a novelist and florist. Suddenly, Seong Je Yeon appears in front of him. Sunwoo Hae and Seong Je Yeon were each other's first love and they helped each other get through the darkest times of their lives. They reunite after 10 years. The appearance of Je Yeon also reminds him of his past.

Why You Should Watch: "My Youth," starring Song Joong Ki and Chun Woo Hee, is a romantic drama about two people who reconnect after a decade, exploring themes of rediscovery and personal growth

10. Plaza wars

Genre: Crime and revenge. 

Starring: So Ji Sub, Huh Joon Ho, and Ahn Kil Kang, and is set to debut in Q2 2025. 

Synopsis: Nam Gi Jun was once a key member of the Bongsan Gang, led by Koo Bong San. He fought through bloody turf wars, helping the gang rise to power. But everything changed when his younger brother, Nam Gi Seok, joined their rival gang, Joowoon, under Lee Ju Un. To protect his brother, Nam Gi Jun made a brutal choice - he left Bongsan for good, severing his left Achilles tendon as proof that he would never return.

Why You Should Watch: If you enjoy intense crime dramas with action, revenge, and complex characters, this series might be a good fit. 

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Final Thoughts

This year’s K-Dramas have given us a mix of heartwarming love stories, intense thrillers, and mesmerizing fantasy worlds. Whether you're new to K-Dramas or a longtime fan, these dramas are definitely worth watching!

Which K-Drama from this list is your favorite? Let us know in the comments!