Top 10 Best Korean Dramas of 2025 (According to Korean Media)
- Our Unwritten Seoul
- You and Everything Else
- When Life Gives You Tangerines
- Aema
- The Art of Negotiation
- The Dream Life of Mr. Kim
- Way Back Love
- The Price of Confession
- Friendly Rivalry
- Hyper Knife
TOP 10: Hyper Knife
Disney+’s medical thriller Hyper Knife is created by writer Kim Sun-hee (God’s Quiz: Reboot) and director Kim Jung-hyun (Crazy Love). The series stars Park Eun-bin, who rose to new heights after Extraordinary Attorney Woo, alongside national film icon Sul Kyung-gu.
The story follows former genius doctor Jung Se-ok, once highly respected, who reunites with her mentor Choi Deok-hee—the man who pushed her into the abyss. What unfolds is an intense clash and growth story between two extraordinary geniuses.
Unlike conventional medical K-dramas, Hyper Knife centers on the twisted love-hate relationship between two murderous geniuses bound as teacher and student. The plot is wild yet irresistibly addictive, delivering nonstop highlights in every episode. Park Eun-bin and Sul Kyung-gu unleash astonishingly unhinged performances, and simply watching the two act opposite each other is thrilling. Most impressively, the drama avoids a weak ending and instead reaches its peak at the finale. Fans of thrillers should not miss this.
TOP 9: Friendly Rivalry
Friendly Rivalry is a surprise breakout hit of 2025 and a 19+ GL Korean drama. Directed and written by Kim Tae-hee (Misaeng: Prequel), with scripts by Min Ye-ji (Late Autumn, Dream), the series stars Lee Hyeri, Jung Soo-bin, Kang Hye-won, and Oh Woori.
Set in a brutally competitive academic environment, the story explores dangerous relationships formed between teenage girls amid survival-level entrance exam pressure.
With only 30 minutes per episode, the pacing is tight and highly addictive. Lee Hyeri sheds her past acting controversies with a bold transformation into a villainous role and takes on an explicit same-sex romance, creating explosive chemistry with Jung Soo-bin. Despite a slightly rushed ending, the drama remains a fan-favorite masterpiece that viewers find impossible to move on from.
TOP 8: The Price of Confession
Netflix’s year-end flagship thriller The Price of Confession brings together two powerhouse actresses, Jeon Do-yeon and Kim Go-eun, directed by Lee Jung-hyo (Crash Landing on You). The cast also includes Park Hae-soo (Squid Game) and Jin Sun-kyu.
The story follows Yoon-soo, a woman suspected of murdering her husband, and Mo-eun, a mysterious figure known as “the witch,” as they become entangled in a dangerous deal. Packed with constant twists and overwhelming suspense, the drama is relentlessly binge-worthy. Kim Go-eun’s chilling performance even overshadows Jeon Do-yeon, earning the series recognition as one of Netflix’s best Korean mystery dramas in recent years.
TOP 7: Way Back Love
Directed by Kim Hye-young (Be Melodramatic), Way Back Love is a youth fantasy romance about searching for life’s meaning and love. Kim Min-ha (Pachinko) and Gong Myung lead this quietly powerful drama.
Though not widely popular upon release, it earned strong critical praise. The series balances warmth and sorrow, comedy and heartbreak, across just six beautifully paced episodes. The chemistry between the leads is natural and moving, making it one of 2025’s hidden gems—rightfully recognized by Cine21.
TOP 6: The Dream Life of Mr. Kim
This high-praise slice-of-life drama follows Kim Nak-soo, a middle-aged man who spent 25 years at a corporation and loses everything he once cherished. Starring Ryu Seung-ryong (Moving) and Myung Se-bin (Doctor Cha), and directed by Cho Hyun-chul (Not a Hero), the series explores identity, insecurity, and rebirth.
Though not hugely popular overseas, it became a dark-horse favorite in Korea. The story grows stronger over time, delivering painfully realistic reflections of middle-aged life while balancing depth, humor, and emotional catharsis.
TOP 5: The Art of Negotiation
Directed by Ahn Pan-seok (One Spring Night), The Art of Negotiation marks a shift from romance to office drama. Starring Lee Je-hoon (Taxi Driver), the series offers a realistic, understated portrayal of workplace politics.
While the opening episodes may feel slow, patience pays off as the drama gradually reveals its depth. Shot with cinematic quality and supported by strong ensemble performances, it’s a must-watch for fans of grounded storytelling.
TOP 4: Aema
Netflix’s period comedy Aema Is Showing stars Baeksang winner Lee Ha-nee alongside Bang Hyo-rin, Jin Sun-kyu, and Jo Hyun-chul. Set in 1980s Chungmuro, the story follows the struggles of actresses involved in the making of the controversial drama Aema.
Though understated upon release, the drama offers a sharp reflection on Korean film history and women’s autonomy, desire, resistance, and solidarity—making it a quietly powerful must-watch.
TOP 3: When Life Gives You Tangerines
Created by Signal director Kim Won-seok and When the Camellia Blooms writer Lim Sang-choon, this sweeping drama follows Oh Ae-sun and Yang Gwan-sik from the 1950s onward, told through the four seasons of their lives.
Heartbreaking yet humorous, the series portrays three generations of women with emotional depth. With a Douban score of 9.5, it stands as the highest-rated Korean drama of 2025.
TOP 2: You and Everything Else
Directed by Jo Young-min (Do You Like Brahms?), this emotional drama explores a lifelong bond between two women bound by love, envy, admiration, and resentment.
Often compared to Soulmate and My Brilliant Friend, the series delivers nuanced storytelling and powerful performances. Kim Go-eun and Park Ji-hyun shine in an emotionally layered narrative that rewards careful viewing.
TOP 1: Our Unwritten Seoul
The top drama of 2025, Our Unwritten Seoul, is written by Lee Kang (Youth of May) and directed by Park Shin-woo (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay). The story follows twin sisters who swap lives to find true love and meaning.
With cinematic visuals, poetic storytelling, and a deeply healing tone, the drama captivates from the very first episode. Every storyline concludes beautifully, earning widespread acclaim from both viewers and Cine21. It rightfully claims the crown as the best Korean drama of 2025.
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