After delivering the goods with shows like Mr. Plankton and Lovely Runner in 2024, the Korean entertainment industry is all set with its upcoming line-up of K-drama shows for 2025. From When the Stars Gossip to Knock-Off, Squid Game season 3 and Cashero, these upcoming Korean dramas, with their interesting plots and charismatic lead pairs, are certain to tug at your heartstrings in 2025.
At the forefront is the Lee Min-ho starrer Netflix space romance When the Stars Gossip. One of the most anticipated upcoming K-drama titles to release in 2025, the show is helmed by Park Shin-woo and follows the chance encounter of a space tourist (played by Lee) and an astronaut (played by Gong Hyo-jin) on a space station.
According to K-media outlet WowKorea, with an impressive production budget of over USD 35 million, this upcoming series set to release in 2025 is one of the most expensive K-dramas to come out of South Korea.
Meanwhile, K-superstars Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung are all set to go head-to-head in one of Disney Plus’ most anticipated upcoming K-dramas of 2025, Made in Korea. According to the OTT, the duo will eventually “find themselves involved in an era-defining incident that will forever change their futures.” Helmed by Harbin director Woo Min-ho, the show marks Hyun Bin’s small-screen comeback after a hiatus of five years. The actor was last seen in the highest-rated tvN show Crash Landing on You opposite Son Ye-jin.
Another most anticipated upcoming K-drama of 2025 is the dark comedy crime drama Knock-Off. A Disney Plus original, the show stars Kim Soo-hyun and Jo Bo-ah in leading roles. Set in the backdrop of the Asian Financial Crisis, Knock-Off will explore the shady world of counterfeit goods and is deemed by the OTT giant as “dramatic, dangerous and crime-ridden”.
These most anticipated upcoming K-drama titles of 2025 will keep you hooked
Jump To / Table of Contents
- 1 When the Stars Gossip – 4 January
- 2 Return To The Palace – 3 March
- 3 Potato Research Center – 24 March
- 4 Cashero – TBA
- 5 All of Us Are Dead Season 2 - TBA
- 6 All The Love You Wish For – TBA
- 7 Mercy for None – TBA
- 8 Knock-Off – TBA
- 9 When Life Gives You Tangerines – TBA
- 10 Squid Game season 3 – TBA
- 11 Show Business – TBA
- 12 Made In Korea – TBA
- 13 Seochodong – TBA
- 14 A Tryant's Chef – TBA
- 15 Sculpture City – TBA
- 16 Unknown Seoul – TBA
- 17 Wife of a 21st Century Prince - TBA
When the Stars Gossip – 4 January
Directed by: Park Shin-woo
Cast: Lee Min-ho, Gong Hyo-jin
Episodes: 16
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: Tourist Gong Ryong (Lee) comes across Korean-American astronaut Eve Kim (Gong) while visiting a space station and is instantly smitten by her. Will Eve reciprocate Gong’s feelings?
(Image credit: Netflix Korea | 넷플릭스 코리아/@netflixkr via Instagram)
Return To The Palace – 3 March
Directed by: Yoon Seong-sik
Cast: Yook Sung-jae, Bona
Episodes: 16
Streaming platform: SBS TV
Synopsis: Yun Gab (Yook) is a concubine’s son who rises to become the royal inspector at Gyujanggak, the royal library in the Joseon Dynasty. When he is possessed by the malevolent spirit Imugi, shaman Yeo Ri (Bona) comes to his rescue.
Potato Research Center – 24 March
Directed by: Kim Ho-soo
Cast: Lee Sun-bin, Kang Tae-oh
Episodes: 12
Streaming platform: tvN
Synopsis: Kim Mi-kyung (Lee) has been a potato researcher for 12 years. Soon, she gets hired at the prestigious Potato Research Institute. So Baek-ho (Kang) is the new director of the institute. When the duo is assigned to work on a secret project, Mi-kyung and Baek-ho grow closer and develop feelings for each other. Will their blooming love come in between their work?
Cashero – TBA
Directed by: Lee Chang-min
Cast: Lee Jun-ho, Kim Hye-joon, Kim Hyang-gi
Episodes: TBA
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: The more cash public servant turned rookie superhero, Kang Sang-woong (Lee) gets, the stronger he becomes. Meanwhile, superhero Bang Eun-mi’s (Hyang-gi) powers activate based on her caloric intake. As this quirky duo crosses paths, their lives alter forever.
About the show: It is based on the webtoon of the same name, written by Lee Hoon and illustrated by No Hye-ok.
(Image credit: Netflix via X)
All of Us Are Dead Season 2 - TBA
Directed by: Lee Jae-kyu
Cast: Cho Yi-hyun, Park Ji-hu, Lomon, Yoon Chan-young
Episodes: TBA
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: The end of the first instalment saw multiple infected individuals, including Nam-ra (Cho), learning to preserve their humanity while gaining heightened senses and strength. Season two will unravel Nam-ra’s new journey as a hybrid.
About the show: All of Us Are Dead is based on the Naver webtoon of the same name, created by Joo Dong-geun.
All The Love You Wish For – TBA
Directed by: Lee Byeong-hun
Cast: Bae Suzy, Kim Woo-bin
Episodes: 12
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: An overly emotional Genie (Kim) meets the cold-hearted Ga-young (Bae) and grants her three wishes when the latter releases the genie from a lamp. However, she is unaware that when her wishes are granted, they can either bring her good luck or act as a punishment for her sins.
(Image credit: Netflix Korea | 넷플릭스 코리아/@netflixkr via Instagram)
Read more: All The Love You Wish For: Everything we know about the Bae Suzy K-drama
Mercy for None – TBA
Directed by: Choi Sung-eun
Cast: So Ji-sub, Ahn Kil-kang, Lee Joon-hyuk
Episodes: 8
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: Nam Ki-joon (So) leaves the crime world when he sees his brother Nam Ki-seok (Lee) take over a rival gang. Years later, when Ki-seok is mysteriously ambushed and killed, Ki-joon returns to avenge his brother’s death.
About the show: This murder mystery K-drama is based on the webtoon Gwangjang, written by Oh Se-hyung and illustrated by Kim Kyun-tae.
Knock-Off – TBA
Directed by: Park Hyun-suk
Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Jo Bo-ah, Yoo Jae-myung
Episodes: 9
Streaming platform: Disney Plus
Synopsis: Kim Sung-jun (Kim) was leading a peaceful life until the ’97 Asian financial crisis. Desperate to rebuild what he once had, Sung-jun finds himself drawn into the knock-off goods trade, quickly climbing up to the top of the counterfeit market scene.
(Image credit: Internal)
When Life Gives You Tangerines – TBA
Directed by: Kim Won-suk
Cast: IU, Park Bo-gum, Moon So-ri
Episodes: 16
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: Rebellious Ae Sun (IU) and quiet but reliable Gwan Sik (Park) were born and raised on South Korea’s beautiful Jeju Island. As the duo grow older, they reminisce the bright stories of their parents’ youthful days all the while falling for each other.
About the show: According to Netflix, the show’s Korean title pays homage to the Jeju dialect and translates to “thank you for your hard work”, lending cultural authenticity to the narrative.
(Image credit: Netflix Korea | 넷플릭스 코리아/@netflixkr via Instagram)
Squid Game season 3 – TBA
Directed by: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Cast: Lee Jung-jae, Gong Yoo
Episodes: TBA
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: While season 2 will follow the journey of surviving champion Gi-hun’s (Lee) revenge against those who tormented him and killed his loved ones during the competition, the plot of season 3 is kept under wraps by the makers.
(Image credit: Netflix Tudum)
Show Business – TBA
Directed by: Lee Yoon-jung
Cast: Song Hye-kyo, Gong Yoo, Lee Ha-nee
Episodes: TBA
Streaming platform: TBA
Synopsis: In post-war Korea, the rapid growth of the entertainment industry changes the lives of multiple ordinary people. What happens when these ordinary individuals become huge stars and take centre stage?
(Image credit: 공유 gongyoo official/@gongyoo_official; Song hyekyo/@kyo1122 via Instagram)
Made In Korea – TBA
Directed by: Woo Min-ho
Cast: Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, Seo Eun-soo
Episodes: 6
Streaming platform: Disney Plus
Synopsis: In 1970s Korea, Baek Ki-tae (Hyun) is consumed with a desire for wealth and power. Making things difficult for him is Jang Gun-yeong (Jung), a rebellious prosecutor determined to stop Ki-tae.
(Image credit: 디즈니+ 코리아/@disneypluskr via Instagram)
Seochodong – TBA
[NEWS]
イ・ジョンソク、『瑞草洞』出勤準備完了！#イジョンソク #LeeJongSuk #이종석 #韓国ドラマ #ソチョドン #서초동https://t.co/gOdREkjA3l pic.twitter.com/JUwVAvDajr— イ・ジョンソク JAPAN OFFICIAL FANCLUB (@jongsukjapan) November 29, 2024
Directed by: Park Seung-woo
Cast: Lee Jong-suk, Moon Ga-young, Kang You-suk
Episodes: 16
Streaming platform: tvN
Synopsis: Lawyers Ahn Joo-hyeong (Lee) and Kang Hui-ji (Moon) work at Seochodong judicial town. The duo are also a part of the town’s popular five-member team, Associate Lawyers Avengers. What happens when unavoidable circumstances turn their stable and comfortable work life upside down?
A Tryant's Chef – TBA
Directed by: Jang Tae-yoo
Cast: Park Sung-hoon, YoonA
Episodes: TBA
Streaming platform: tvN
Synopsis: A modern-day chef (YoonA) time travels to the past at the peak of her career. There, she meets a king, nicknamed the worst tyrant (Park). What happens when she learns that her king is an ultimate gourmet and wishes to appoint her as his culinarian?
About the show: It is based on the web novel Surviving as Yeonsan-gun’s Chef by Park Kook-jae.
(Image credit: 임윤아 Lim Yoona Official/@limyoona__official; 박스아범 박성훈@boxabum via Instagram)
Sculpture City – TBA
Directed by: Park Shin-woo and Kim Chang-ju
Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Doh Kyung-soo, Jo Yoon-soo
Episodes: 10
Streaming platform: Disney Plus
Synopsis: Park Tae-jung (Ji) is a simple man living an ordinary life. An Yo-han (Doh) is a designer who secretly fabricates people’s lives to create real-life hell. When Yo-han ruins Tae-jung’s life, the latter stops at nothing on his quest to take revenge and punish Yo-han.
(Image credit: EXO/@weareoneEXO via X; 지창욱/@jichangwook via Instagram)
Unknown Seoul – TBA
Directed by: Park Shin-woo
Cast: Park Bo-young, Park Jin-young, Ryu Kyung-soo
Episodes: 12
Streaming platform: tvN
Synopsis: Yoo Mi-ji (Bo-young) is a former field athlete leading a free-spirited life. In contrast, her twin Yoo Mi-rae (also Bo-young) has been studious since childhood and now works at a public corporation. What happens when the twin sisters fall for the same man, lawyer Lee Ho-soo (Jin-young)?
Wife of a 21st Century Prince - TBA
Directed by: TBA
Cast: IU, Byeon Woo-seok
Episodes: TBA
Streaming platform: MBC
Synopsis: Sung Hee-joo (IU) is a conglomerate heiress who maintains a commoner status. However, when being a commoner becomes an obstacle in her life, she gets involved with the charming 21st-century prince Lee Ahn (Byeon). Will their relationship of convenience eventually bring the duo closer?
(Image credit: 이지금 IU/@dlwlrma;변우석 Woo Seok Byeon/@byeonwooseok via Instagram)
(Hero image credit: Lee Min Ho/@ActorLeeMinHo via X; Featured image credit: © TvN drama via IMDb)
Frequently Asked Questions
Some of the Netflix K-dramas releasing in 2025 are 'When the Stars Gossip', 'Cashero', 'All of Us Are Dead' season 2, 'All The Love You Wish For', 'Mercy for None' and 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'.
According to sources, 'All of Us Are Dead' season 2 is slated to release in the second half of 2025.
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Written by
Sushmita Mahanta
Digital Writer (Growth) - Entertainment
Sushmita is a writer with a passion for crafting engaging and informative stories. An avid fan of K-pop and K-dramas, Sushmita mostly writes about Korean culture and entertainment. When not writing, you can find Sushmita dancing, reading, collecting books, learning about fashion, art, motion pictures, and appreciating BTS.
