R.C 2025 has come to an end, leaving us with one certainty: Korean content creators did not hit the brakes. Riding the endless “boom” of K-content, audiences this year were spoiled (and a bit overwhelmed) with an ambitious slate of series ranging from global streaming giants to cable channels and traditional terrestrial networks.
But who really won the cultural battle this year? Was it Netflix’s money or the tradition of open TV? Here we break down the titles that defined the conversations of 2025, from global viral hits to local gems that kept Korea glued to the TV.
1. Streaming Dominance in the Best K-dramas 2025: Netflix and the Heavy Hitters
When it came to “buzz” and visibility, streaming platforms, led primarily by Netflix, took the lead in the Best K-dramas 2025. Three titles in particular dominated online chatter and performance rankings.
The Explosive Start with “The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call” The year started strong in January with this medical drama that balanced heroism with authentic surgical intensity. Starring Ju Ji-hoon as genius surgeon Kang-hyuk, the series gained traction by mixing heavy human stories with an almost fantastical depiction of a “hero doctor,” adding moments of relief to the tension.
- The Achievement: It skyrocketed to No. 1 on Netflix’s Global Non-English TV ranking just 10 days after its release.
The Cultural Touchstone: “When Life Gives You Tangerines” If Trauma Code set the tone, this series delivered one of the biggest hits of the year. Anchored by the Hallyu sensation pairing of IU and Park Bo-gum, the series was the cultural event of the first half of 2025. Set against the backdrop of modern Korean history from the 1950s onwards, the plot traced intimate family dynamics and individual human stories.
- Personal Note: Personally, this was my favorite of the year, and I confess I watched it more than once with a tub of ice cream by my side to cry in peace—yes, the ice cream helps—but let’s get back to the facts.
- The Impact: Despite its narrative being deeply centered on Korea, it resonated across ages and borders, remaining in the Global Top 10 for eight consecutive weeks.
The Bittersweet Finale of “Squid Game” (Season 3) The franchise extended its global reach, logging 370 million viewing hours in its first week and ranking No. 1 in 93 countries. However, this dominance came with a mixed reception. Critics and audiences alike pointed to repetitive game structures and predictable character arcs that lacked the novelty of previous seasons.
2. The War of the Other Platforms: Disney+, Tving, and Coupang
Not everything was rosy in the streaming world. While Netflix celebrated, its competitors saw mixed results within the Best K-dramas 2025.
The 50 Billion Won Case of Disney+ The platform launched “Tempest”, a spy thriller starring two A-list stars: Jun Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won. With a massive budget of 50 billion won (approx. $34 million), the series managed to rank second globally among the service’s originals—a great international achievement that earns it a spot among the Best K-dramas of 2025. However, domestically (in Korea), it struggled to maintain momentum, facing stiff competition and discussion that faded quickly after the premiere.
Tving’s International Feat with “Dear X” While local platforms often struggle to export their content outside of Korea, Tving achieved an exception to the rule with “Dear X”. This project, led by Kim Yoo-jung and based on a webtoon, not only brought in a record number of new domestic subscriptions but achieved what few Korean services can do: succeed overseas. The series was a resounding success on HBO Max rankings in Asia, on Disney+ Japan, and Viki in the rest of the world, proving that a local production can compete in the global major leagues and definitely be one of the Best K-dramas 2025.
The Fall of Coupang Play Often seen as Netflix’s closest domestic rival, Coupang Play struggled to recapture the momentum of its previous hits. Its three ambitious projects of the year—“Heroes Next Door”, “Confidence Queen”, and “Newtopia”—failed to generate the expected traction compared to global giants, and these K-dramas passed almost unnoticed.
3. Terrestrial TV: SBS Leads, MBC Falls Behind in best K-dramas 2025
In the terrestrial TV arena, reaching double-digit ratings (10% or more) remains the key benchmark for success, and this year several of the Best K-dramas 2025 achieved that goal.
SBS: The Standout of the Year The network emerged as the winner, delivering dramas that paired strong viewership with sustained public interest.
- “Love Scout”: Exploring the professional and romantic dynamic between CEO Ji-yoon (Han Ji-min) and her capable secretary Eun-ho (Lee Joon-hyuk), it maintained steady “buzz” and reached a peak nationwide rating of 12%.
- “Taxi Driver” (Season 3): SBS closed the year strong with its popular IP. It debuted with 9.5% on November 21 and reached a peak of 12.3% for its eighth episode on December 13.
KBS and its Weekend Monsters Although it is a genre that typically generates less media buzz, KBS weekend dramas continued to deliver massive traditional ratings.
- “For Eagle Brothers”: Soared to a remarkable peak of 21.9%.
- “Our Golden Days”: Its successor has continued the momentum, posting a peak of 18.1% so far.
MBC’s Slump The network fell behind in the race of the best K-dramas 2025, largely failing to produce series that could break the double-digit rating barrier. However, it still gifted us productions that did catch international attention, such as “Undercover High School”, “Oh My Ghost Clients”, and “Moon River”.
4. Cable TV: tvN’s Playground and JTBC’s Gems
Cable, especially in the second half of the year, remained tvN’s domain, although JTBC also scored important points.
The Dominance of “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” (tvN) This was one of the most prominent titles of the year. The period rom-com proved especially dominant by surpassing a peak rating of 17%, an impressive figure considering it was streaming simultaneously on Netflix and Tving. It was also a global hit, ranking in Netflix’s non-English TV charts for two consecutive weeks.
The Quiet Rise of “Our Unwritten Seoul” (tvN) Starring Park Bo-young, this series took a different path. It opened around 3% but climbed to a nationwide peak of 9.4%. Its third-place finish in Netflix’s global rankings marked it as another of the year’s defining titles.
JTBC: Criticism vs. Reality
- “Heavenly Ever After”: Anchored by veterans Kim Hye-ja and Son Suk-ku, it reached a peak of 8.3%, though it faced criticism for an uneven plot.
- “The Dream Life of Mr. Kim”: Later in the year, this series starring Ryu Seung-ryong (playing an everyman facing unemployment and office politics) struck a chord with viewers. With its realistic and relatable storytelling, it topped the Netflix Korea TV list and achieved peak ratings of 7.6%.
🧐 FAQs: Curiosities and Random Facts about the Best K-Dramas 2025
To give you some conversation starters for your Hallyu friends, here are the year’s fun facts.
1. Which K-drama had the highest rating of 2025? If we count only miniseries from cable and public TV, the crown goes to “For Eagle Brothers” (KBS), a weekend drama that reached a monstrous 21.9%. Although they don’t sound as loud internationally, in Korea, KBS family dramas remain the true kings of the television set.
2. What happened with “Tempest” and why do they say it “failed” in Korea? It wasn’t a total failure, but for costing 50 billion won (approx. $34 million) and having two of the country’s biggest stars (Jun Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won), this K-drama was expected to dominate the cultural conversation. However, the competition was brutal, and the Korean audience sometimes prefers intimate stories over action blockbusters. Internationally, however, it definitely holds a spot among the Best K-dramas of 2025.
3. Who was the breakout actor of 2025? Without a doubt, Lee Chae-min. He went from being a supporting actor and MC to starring in the massive hit “Bon Appetit, Your Majesty” and then jumping to be the main villain in the Netflix blockbuster “Cashero”. His rise this year was meteoric.
4. Why did “Squid Game 3” get mixed reviews? It is the sequel syndrome. Many critics and fans felt that the novelty was lost and that the character arcs were predictable compared to the freshness of the first season. Still, no one wanted to miss the finale of the saga.
5. Which Korean streaming platform surprised this year? Tving. While other local platforms struggled, Tving achieved real international success with “Dear X”. The webtoon adaptation not only brought in new subscribers but worked very well abroad through partnerships with global platforms.
6. Was there a recurring theme in the K-dramas of 2025? Yes, the “Everyday Heroes.” From the doctor in Trauma Code, through the unemployed office worker in The Dream Life of Mr. Kim (with Ryu Seung-ryong), to the poor superhero in Cashero. 2025 was the year of realistic characters fighting to survive day-to-day life, moving a bit away from the perfect billionaires of yesteryear.
7. Which action drama brought Seo Kang-joon back in 2025? It is “Undercover High School” (aired Feb-March). It was an action comedy where Seo Kang-joon played an undercover NIS agent who must pose as a high school student to find lost gold bars belonging to Emperor Gojong. He was joined by Jin Ki-joo and Kim Shin-rok.
8. What was the fantasy comedy “Oh My Ghost Clients” about? Also known as Labor Attorney Noh Moo-jin (May-June 2025), this series brought a supernatural twist to legal dramas. Jung Kyung-ho played a cynical labor attorney who starts seeing ghosts and is forced to solve the labor issues of the deceased so they can rest in peace. He starred alongside Seol In-ah.
9. What was MBC’s historical fantasy drama at the end of 2025? To close the year (Nov-Dec), MBC bet on “Moon River”. It is a fantasy romance sageuk where Kang Tae-oh (in his post-military return) and Kim Se-jeong play a Crown Prince and a commoner who mysteriously switch bodies, unleashing chaos in the palace.
BTS World Tour 2026, the World Turns Purple: A Historic 79-Date Tour That Will Break All Records
War Heroes, Runaways, and Monks: The Chefs of Culinary Class Wars 2 and the Incredible Stories You Didn’t Know
Iconic Hallyu Moments Turning 10 Years Old in 2026
We…
Zero Tolerance: “Culinary Class Wars 2” Producers to Take Legal Action Against Malicious Comments
Korea in Winter: Guide to Light Festivals You Can’t Miss (2026 Edition)
정말 흥미로운 목록이네요! 2025년에는 어떤 드라마가 가장 빛났는지 궁금합니다.