By Karishma Shetty
We’ve reached the halfway mark of 2025, and the first six months have been a great time to be a K-drama fan. From Park Bo Gum starrers When Life Gives You Tangerines and Good Boy to Park Hyun Sik’s Buried Hearts, the one thing in common with the standout shows of the year is that they don’t stick to a particular genre and are rather eclectic in storytelling and the emotions they draw out of viewers.
*Spoilers Alert* In this week’s I’ve watched over 100 K-dramas piece, I reveal my favourite K-dramas of 2025. These handpicked Korean dramas made me laugh, cry and eagerly wait for the weekly episodic drop. Hint: They feature Hallyu stars such as Park Bo Gum, IU, Kim Seon Ho and Park Hyung Sik…
I’ve watched over 100 K-dramas, and here are my 10 favourite Korean dramas of 2025, so far — starring Park Bo Gum, IU, Kim Seon Ho, Park Hyung Sik & more
1. Our Movie
Our Movie might just be a few episodes old, but the romance melodrama has already become my entire personality. Starring the dynamic pairing of Namkoong Min and Jeon Yeo Been, Our Movie reels you in from the very first episode with its ensemble performance and cinema aesthetics, and you’re invested even if you’re well aware of the bittersweet ending coming our way. If you’re into shows such as My Liberation Notes, then Our Movie is most definitely your cup of coffee, like it’s mine.
2. Weak Hero Class 2
Don’t watch Weak Hero Class 2 before watching Weak Hero Class 1; otherwise you’ll miss the enriching viewing experience of being acquainted with the OG characters. While not as emotionally stirring as the first instalment, the Park Ji Hoon starrer’s sequel is plenty of fun, thanks to the intriguing new characters added to the mix. Particularly, it’s the enthralling fight scenes that had me worried for the cast’s safety; that’s how realistic the action thriller K-drama all felt!
3. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call was a show I started watching on a whim, and I’m glad I did, because it’s been a long time since I laughed as heartily as I had — scared my mother at one point, too! As a fan of medical dramas, the trauma cases had me on the edge of my seat, but the K-drama never felt too heavy, thanks to the hilarious chemistry between the brilliant Ju Ji Hoon, Choo Young Woo and Ha Young. You know a show is good when you wish there were more episodes…
4. When Life Gives You Tangerines
When Life Gives You Tangerines — deservedly won the Baeksang Award for Best Drama — is an “emotion” in itself that needs to be watched at least once in your lifetime. IU and Park Bo Gum’s slice-of-life romance K-drama will make you ugly cry from the get-go, make you want to hug your parents tight, and all the while you’ll be marvelling at the brilliant cast’s magnetic performances. This writer was also particularly fond of Kim Seon Ho’s memorable cameo, which didn’t feel like a cameo at all!
5. Heavenly Ever After
Heavenly Ever After is one of those Korean dramas that makes you stop and ponder life and death, and everything between those two entities that shape us humans. What I absolutely loved about this spiritual fantasy rom-com show is the endearing lead couple, played by the terrific duo of Kim Hye Ja and Son Suk Ku.
6. Nine Puzzles
Son Suk Ku has been delivering non-stop hit projects and Nine Puzzles is no exception. Also starring the shapeshifter Kim Da Mi, the mystery thriller about a “nine puzzles” serial killer will keep you guessing the 5W’s and 1H until the very last episode. It’s also the slow-burning dynamic between Kim Da Mi and Son Suk Ku that’s the soul of this crazy, intense series.
7. Good Boy
Park Bo Gum has had a stellar 2025, first with When Life Gives You Tangerines and now with the ongoing Good Boy. The latter, an action comedy K-drama, is non-stop entertainment from its very first episode and sees Park Bo Gum in a whole different light. From Lee Sang Yi’s bromance with Park Bo Gum to Oh Jung Se’s deadly antagonist stint, Good Boy is a blockbuster experience on the small screen.
8. Buried Hearts
Park Hyung Sik was born to be the ultimate leading man, and Buried Hearts finally gives him the centre stage to flaunt his undeniable charisma. The romance revenge drama is high-stakes tension for the lead character from Episode 1 as he tackles bad guys — the always fantastic Huh Joon Ho being the evil mastermind — and betrayals, a forbidden romance, and even losing loved ones.
9. Resident Playbook
As a Hospital Playlist fan who is yearning for a Season 3, Resident Playbook is both an homage to the OG instalment and a revitalised story with endearing characters you’d also want to root for. Go Youn Jung’s medical comedy drama gives you warm, fuzzy feelings while also tackling some gripping OB-GYN cases. And the HP cameos never felt unwarranted; rather, they fit the plot points seamlessly without ever overstaying their welcome. Now, I’m yearning for Resident Playbook 3, too!
10. Love Scout
There’s just something about a mature romance that makes K-dramas like Love Scout a rom-com gem. Maybe it’s the fact that these shows skip the unnecessary “conflict” duration and instead, the lead couple actually talk and work it out like how it is in reality. In Love Scout, like in Heavenly Ever After, Han Ji Min is a crackling lead while Lee Jun Hyuk plays the ultimate green forest that I’d love to date IRL.
Honourable Mentions: My Dearest Nemesis & Melo Movie