K dramas have had a phenomenal year in 2025 earning a growing global fanbase and topping global streaming platforms. As the year comes to an end, it is the perfect time to look back at some of the best K-dramas that defined this year.
1.When Life Gives You Tangerines
IMDb rating : 9.1
Highly regarded as one of the best K-dramas of 2025, the series reached audiences beyond the usual K-drama viewership. It is an intergenerational story that resonates with people across different ages and backgrounds. Starring IU and Park Bo-gum, it was widely praised for its realistic portrayal of the love story of the main characters, Ae-sun and Gwan-sik. Moreover, the haenyeo culture, parent-child relationships, first love, and heartbreak were handled with remarkable sensitivity in this heartfelt drama. The stellar performances and cinematography further elevated the show, securing its reputation as one of the best K-dramas ever and not just of 2025.
2. Weak Hero Class 2
IMDb rating : 8.4
The second season of the hit show Weak Hero Class (2022) picks up where the previous season left off. Set in high school, the season continues the journey of Yeon Si-eun, portrayed by Park Ji-hoon, who carries the show. The drama is marked by brilliant fight choreography and cinematography that set it apart from other dramas. New characters such as Jun-tae (Choi Min-yeong), Hu-min (Ryeo-un), and Hyeon-tak (Lee Min-jae) fit seamlessly into the world. This season delves further into Si-eun’s grief and guilt. The performances are strong throughout, with the portrayal of Lee Jun-young as Geum Seong-je being particularly noteworthy. While the pacing feels rushed at times, the season still manages to captivate audiences, maintaining a gripping focus throughout.
3. Bon Appetit Your Majesty
IMDb rating : 8
The K-drama is a time-travel rom-com where a 21st-century chef is transported to the Joseon dynasty during a solar eclipse. It is a lighthearted show where, as the name suggests, food is a main character. The story follows Ji-yeong, played by Yoona, who has to cook for a 16th-century tyrant, Yi Heon, to stay alive. Amidst this, an unlikely love story blooms. The central conflict of the drama is between Ji-yeong’s modern values coming into conflict with Yi Heon’s traditional views. Each episode is named after a recipe in the book and features many mouthwatering dishes, making it a must-watch for food lovers. The show was known for its great chemistry between the leads, becoming a fan favourite this year.
4. Squid Game 3
IMDb rating : 7.9
The global hit Squid Game wrapped up with season 3, giving it a fitting yet emotional closure to the story. The final season is darker and more brutal than the previous ones. Ji-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, makes one last attempt to stop the games by re-entering them himself. The stakes are higher than ever as Kim Jun-hee’s (Jo Yu-ri) newborn baby is drawn into the games. The series concluded with a harsh critique of capitalism and an ending that is far from happy. Despite this, the show has become one of the most-watched series in Netflix’s history.
5. Resident Playbook
IMDb rating : 8
The spin-off of the K- Drama ‘Hospital Playlist‘ follows Oh Yi-young and three other first-year residents in the OB-GYN department at Yulje Medical Center. The exhaustion, confusion and the failures of first years were captured perfectly in the drama. Like the original, it focuses on simple stories and everyday moments in the hospital centred around friendship. The cast demonstrates strong chemistry and delivers compelling performances with cameos from characters of Hospital Playlist that make it even more exciting for fans.
6. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call
IMDb rating : 8.4
This medical drama follows Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk played by Ju Ji-hoon, a highly skilled trauma surgeon who joins a trauma centre in South Korea. The series is well-paced and balances stressful medical emergencies with simple, everyday humour. The interactions between the cast, including Choo Young Woo and Ha Young, feel natural and their chemistry is commendable. Highly acclaimed by critics and viewers alike, it is one of the best shows of 2025. It is also set in the same universe as Hospital Playlist.
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