In recent years, South Korean TV series have been expanding their scope and depth, challenging genres and offering new forms of storytelling. 2025 has been no exception, and to date, it has given us some of the best K-dramas of over the past few decades, ranging from intense revenge stories to timeless romances to thought-provoking social thrillers.
These shows don’t only offer a window into South Korean culture, they also reflect themes of universal relevance. According to Netflix, 80% of its users watch content in Korean, so it’s now official: K-dramas have made their way into the mainstream of global consumption.
Below, we present the eight Korean titles that have transcended borders and topped the charts of the most-watched series of 2025. These television productions are top-notch, star great actors, and deserve immediate attention.
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call
Directed by: Lee Do-yoon
Genre: Medical, Comedy
Starring: Ju Ji-hoon, Choo Young-woo, Ha Young, Yoon Kyung-ho, Jung Jae-kwang
The Trauma Code: Heroes On Call (중증외상센터) premiered in January 2025 and garnered a large audience during its first weekend, when nearly 12 million users watched it.
Created by Lee Yong-suk and Kim Seon-soo, the medical comedy-drama follows the prominent and revolutionary trauma surgeon Baek Kang-hyuk (Ju Ji-hoon) as he joins Hankook National University Hospital.
The plot revolves around Baek taking over the trauma center and causing a stir among management, medical students, and his new disciples with his unorthodox and often outlandish treatment methods. Dr. Baek embodies the archetype of the tough protagonist, and actor Ju Ji-hoon plays the role with absolute precision.
This K-drama, which tops the ratings charts, offers multiple reasons to watch it. It consists of eight fast-paced, hour-long episodes. Renowned actor Ju Ji-hoon, from Kingdom, plays the lead role, and the production is based on the acclaimed web novel Trauma Center: Golden Hour, by Hansanleega and Hongbichira.
Stream The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call on Netflix.
When Life Gives You Tangerines
Directed by: Kim Won-seok
Genre: Romance, Slice-of-life
Starring: IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri, Park Hae-joon
In the first half of 2025, the series When Life Gives You Tangerines (폭싹 속았수다) garnered 35 million hours of viewing time on Netflix. Although it lacks the blood and anxiety of the blockbuster Squid Game, this is a truly special and captivating romance.
Starring renowned K-pop artist IU and prominent actor Park Bo -Gum, When Life Gives You Tangerines has all the necessary elements of a great romantic classic. Over 16 episodes, the multigenerational drama tells the story of Ae-sun (IU) and Gwan-sik (Park Bo -Gum) from the moment they meet until they settle down together on Jeju Island. The story, narrated by their daughter, recounts their struggles and triumphs over six decades, as they navigate political unrest, economic changes, and personal disappointments.
Written by acclaimed When The Camellia Blooms screenwriter Lim Sang-choon and directed by Kim Won-seok, whose previous works include Arthdal Chronicles and My Mister, the series has been praised for its direction and storytelling, earning it numerous awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards.
Stream When Life Gives You Tangerines on Netflix.
Good Boy
Directed by: Shim Na-yeon
Genre: Action comedy, Crime, Romance
Starring: Park Bo-gum, Kim So-hyun, Oh Jung-se, Lee Sang-yi, Heo Sung-tae, Tae Won-seok
Good Boy (굿보이) focuses on a group of former Olympic medalists — Dong-ju, the boxer; Jong-hyeon, the fencer; Han-na, the clay pigeon shooting champion; and Jae-hong, the discus king — who, after their sporting careers, decide to join the police force through a special recruitment program. The series follows their journey as they use their unique skills to fight crime and injustice.
At the center of this action comedy is Yoon Dong-ju (Park Bo-gum), a gold medalist in boxing whose unwavering idealism and sincerity quickly earn him the nickname “Good Boy.” Over the course of 16 episodes, Dong-ju and his friends have to deal with a professional learning curve and a series of detractors within the police institution.
Written by Lee Dae-il, the series has been well received by critics, who have particularly praised its direction, production values, original soundtrack, and Park’s convincing performance as an action hero.
Stream Good Boy on Prime Video.
Squid Game – Season 3
Directed by: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Genre: Dystopian survival thriller
Starring: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-wook, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-shim, Jo Yu-ri
Since the first season of Squid Game (오징어 게임), became a global phenomenon in the fall of 2021, its loyal viewers eagerly awaited each new installment, and finally, in 2025, the conclusion of the dystopian story aired.
Netflix’s Squid Game follows the protagonist Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who is invited to participate in a tournament with a cash prize. Upon being transported to a mysterious location, he realizes that he is with other people who, like him, have enormous personal debts and are competing in deadly games for a grand prize.
The third season explores the decisions Gi-hun makes in the midst of overwhelming despair. Meanwhile, the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) coldly plots his moves, and the surviving players discover that their decisions have increasingly serious consequences with each round of the games.
For those unfamiliar with the show, Squid Game is undoubtedly the most influential Korean drama of all time. The series broke records for Netflix, becoming the first Korean drama to win an Emmy, a SAG Award, and a Golden Globe. It is also worth noting that it is the first Korean series to be franchised, with a spin-off game show, a video game, and a possible remake directed by David Fincher.
Stream Squid Game on Netflix.
Mercy for None
Directed by: Choi Sung-eun
Genre: Action, Noir, Revenge drama
Starring: So Ji-sub, Huh Joon-ho, Ahn Gil-kang, Lee Beom-soo, Gong Myung, Choo Young-woo, Jo Han-chul
Based on a webtoon called Mercy For None: Plaza Wars, Netflix’s seven-episode noir series follows the revenge campaign of Nam Gi-jun (So Ji-sub), a former key member of Seoul’s criminal underworld. The plot thickens when his younger brother, Nam Ki-seok (Lee Jun-hyuk), is ambushed and killed, and Nam Gi-jun comes out of retirement to hunt down those responsible and find out who killed him and why.
However, determining who is behind Gi-seok’s murder is not so simple. Gi-seok had been caught up in the delicate web of power and deception that holds Seoul’s two main gangs in place: the Juwoon Group and the Bongsan Group.
Mercy For None (광장) takes unexpected and entertaining twists and turns as betrayals, secret plans, and the consequences of revenge come to light. So Ji-seob masterfully plays a broken man thirsty for revenge.
While some sequences require suspension of disbelief, this is a raw thriller, full of action and unexpected surprises that satisfies the desire to see hundreds of gangsters blown up by a very sad man. Bloody and brutal, Mercy For None is not for the faint of heart.
Stream Mercy For None on Netflix.
Tastefully Yours
Directed by: Park Dan-hee
Genre: Romantic comedy
Starring: Kang Ha-neul, Go Min-si, Kim Shin-rok, Yoo Su-bin
Tastefully Yours (당신의 맛) tells the story of Han Beom-woo (Kim Ha-neul), the privileged heir to Korea’s leading food conglomerate, who runs a high-end restaurant in Seoul. He is indifferent to the actual taste of the dishes he serves. But, driven by the desire to outshine his older brother in the race for the family succession, he travels across the country in search of unique culinary secrets.
Along the way, as fate would have it, he meets Mo Yeon-joo (Go Min-si), a passionate chef who runs a one-table restaurant dedicated to homemade food. Over the course of 16 episodes, we see how the couple begins to run a small restaurant, amid culinary rivalries and playful banter.
Stream Tastefully Yours on Netflix.
Beyond the Bar
Directed by: Kim Jae-hong
Genre: Workplace, Legal drama
Starring: Lee Jin-wook, Jung Chae-yeon, Lee Hak-joo, Jeon Hye-bin
At first glance, Beyond the Bar (에스콰이어: 변호사를 꿈꾸는 변호사들) seems lighthearted and fun, with certain similarities to Extraordinary Attorney Woo. However, the series quickly reveals itself to be a story full of twists and turns in which the protagonist, Hyo-min Kang (Chae-yeon Jung), must use all her wits to solve some of the most complicated cases at the law firm where she works, Yullim, one of the most prestigious in the country.
She carries out this task in collaboration with Seok-hoon Yun (Jin-wook Lee), an experienced lawyer who will assist the rookie in her transition to becoming a relentless litigator.
Beyond the Bar is a cleverly delightful project, showcasing South Korean screenwriters’ ability to play with common tropes and subvert them. It features a chameleon-like cast and a good selection of court cases.
Stream Beyond the Bar on Netflix.
The Scandal of Chunhwa
Directed by: Lee Kwang-young
Genre: Historical romance
Starring: Go Ara, Chang Ryul, Kang Chan-hee
Directed by Lee Kwang-young (Call It Love), and written by Seo Eun-jung, The Scandal of Chunhwa (춘화연애담) has attracted a lot of attention for its great premise, which tips the balance in favor of historical romances.
In it, Princess Hwa-ri (Go A-ra) is determined to choose her own husband and not allow palace intrigues to take over her life. Since members of the royal family often marry political allies rather than their true loves, the princess causes chaos with her decisions at court. Meanwhile, she also organizes a secret contest behind the scenes, with the intention of finding her husband, which adds rebellion and fun to her story.
If you like rebellious heroines in historical dramas, The Scandal of Chunhwa is the perfect choice. It brings fun to the genre, lots of witty banter, some much-needed palace intrigue, and an empowered heroine who listens to her heart.
Stream The Scandal of Chunhwa on Prime Video.