If you're a Netflix subscriber who has yet to dip your toe into the world of South Korean entertainment, you are in a small minority. According to the streaming giant, "over 80% of Netflix members around the world watch K-content" with Korean-language TV shows and movies joining Spanish and Japanese content as the most popular among U.S. audiences. 2024 was one of the biggest years for K-dramas and Korean reality shows on the platform, with shows like Queen of Tears, Parasyte: the Grey, Physical: 100 season 2, and Culinary Class Wars dominating the platform.
Even before Squid Game season 2 wrapped up Netflix's 2024 Korean slate last Christmas, fans began looking forward to the releases that will fill our watchlists in 2025. On February 4, Netflix revealed their entire slate of the year's upcoming Korean TV shows. 2025 will be dominated by new stories starring Hallyu's biggest stars, while several hit reality competitions are also set to return. Read on for our running list of the best K-dramas coming to Netflix in 2025.
Confirmed Release Date
'When the Phone Rings'
Premiere date: November 22, 2024
While this popular K-drama debuted in 2024, it won't reach its finale until early 2025—making this the perfect show to catch up on over your holiday vacation (once you finish Squid Game, of course). It stars Yoon Yoo-seok and Chae Soo-bin as a couple in a marriage of convenience whose relationship is thrown into flux when one of them is kidnapped.
'When the Stars Gossip'
Release date: January 4
This rom-com K-drama has a straightforward plot description: "An astronaut and a tourist meet and fall in love at a space station." Hallyu superstar Lee Min-ho plays the space tourist Gong Ryong, an OB/GYN dating the heir to Korea's richest corporation.When the Camellia Blooms' Gong Hyo-jin plays Eve Kim, the perfectionist commander who has to keep Gong alive.
'Single's Inferno' season 4
Release date: January 14
The fourth season of Single's Inferno marks a big moment for Netflix Korea's unscripted shows, as the first one to be renewed for four seasons. It'll see a new cast roughing it out on an abandoned island dubbed Inferno, flirting and competing in challenges in hopes of winning a Paradise date in a luxury hotel.
'Trauma Code: Heroes on Call'
Release date: January 24
Netflix's first original medical K-drama is an adaptation of the webcomic Severe Trauma Center: Golden Hour, produced by WEBTOON Entertainment’s Studio N. The comedy-thriller center on an ensemble cast led by Kingdom and Light Shop star Ju Ji-hoon. The show's description reads, "Genius surgeon Baek Kang-hyuk transforms a university hospital's budget-draining trauma team into a trauma center that saves lives."
'Melo Movie'
Release date: February 14
We'll be spending our Valentine's Day with this romance K-drama's all-star cast. Five years ago, movie buffs Ko Gyeom (Choi Woo-shik) and Kim Mu-bee (Park Bo-young) fell for each other, before Gyeom disappeared. Now, five years later, the pair reunite as movie critic Gyeon interviews director Mu-bee's about her new film...and becomes her next-door neighbor. Lee Jun-young and Jeon So-nee costar as exes who also reunite to work on a new movie.
'The Potato Lab'
Release date: March 1
Korean rom-coms love a theme: This upcoming drama follows a spud-crazy romance. The synopsis: "In The Potato Lab, Mi-kyung’s (Lee Sun-bin) potato-centric life is upended by Baek-ho (Extraordinary Attorney Woo's Kang Tae-oh), a cold pragmatist. A whirlwind healing romantic comedy unfolds, as twisty as a tornado potato."
'When Life Gives You Tangerines'
Release date: March 7
Six years after starring in Hotel del Luna, K-pop star/actress IU is finally returning to the K-drama world, in the latest series from My Mister director Kim Won-suk. Per Netflix, this weekly drama will take place on Jeju Island and "chronicle the adventures of Ae-sun (IU), 'the remarkable rebel,' and Gwan-sik, (Park Bo-gum), the 'unyielding iron,' including Gwan-sik’s long-standing crush on Ae-sun since they were young."
'Squid Game' season 3
Release date: June 27
Netflix has confirmed that Squid Game's final episodes will arrive on the streamer in 2025, bringing the story of Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and (hopefully) the sadistic Game to an end. It's anyone's guess how the series' creator Hwang Dong-hyuk will conclude one of Netflix's most-watched shows ever.
Confirmed by Netflix
'Aema'
Release date: TBA (expected Q3 2025)
In 1982, the movie Madame Aema made history as one of the box-office hits of that year, and as the most erotic Korean film of its time. This comedy series set in Chungmuro, the heart of the Korean film industry in the 1980s, will depict the fictionalized process of creating the film. Among the characters involved are Jeong Hui-ran (Lee Ha-nee), the acclaimed diva who's removed from the lead role due to studio disputes; Shin Joo-ae (Bong Hyo-rin), a nightclub dancer who's suddenly cast as the film's new star; and Kwak In-woo (Cho Hyun-chul), the timid rookie director about to make his directorial debut.
'As You Stood By'
Release date: TBA (expected Q4 2025)
Parasyte: The Grey's Jeon So-nee and Squid Game's Lee You-mi star in this K-drama adaptation of Hideo Okuda’s novel Naomi to Kanako. Longtime friends Eun-su (Jeon) and Hui-su (Lee) suffered traumatic childhoods and grew up to be unhappy in their adult lives. One day, they decide to finally change their lives... by killing Hui-su's abusive husband (played by Jang Seung-Jo).
'Better Late than Single'
Release date: TBA (expected Q3 2025)
After the success of Single's Inferno, Netflix's newest reality dating show will help "eternal singles" find their chance at love. The makeover show will follow a group of adults who've never been in a relationship, as they "undergo an intensive inside-out transformation, [from] personal style and grooming to mindset and communication" while living together and going on dates.
'Can This Love Be Translated?'
Release date: TBA (expected Q4 2025)
Famed screenwriting duo the Hong sisters (Alchemy of Souls, Hotel del Luna) are behind this exciting rom-com, starring Moving's Go Youn-jung and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha's Kim Seon-ho. Per the description, "an unexpected romance blossoms between multilingual translator Ju Ho-jin and global celebrity Cha Mu-hee, as their professional relationship takes unpredictable and heartwarming turns."
'Cashero'
Release date: TBA (expected Q4 2025)
Based on the webtoon of the same name, this action K-drama takes place in a world where superpowers are tied to special circumstances. Average man Kang Sang-ung (King the Land's Lee Jun-ho) discovers that he has superpowers connected to the amount of money he possesses. With the help of his math-whiz girlfriend Kim Min-suk (A Shop for Killers' Kim Hye-jun), Sang-ung joins the Korean Coalition of Superheroes. Co-starring are Kim Byung-chul, as a lawyer whose powers come when he's drunk, and Kim Hyang-gi, whose telekinesis is powered by calories.
'Crime Scene Zero'
Release date: TBA (expected Q3 2025)
Following original series like Busted! and Agents of Mystery, Netflix has picked up the fifth season of the popular variety show Crime Scene. Follow a cast of celebrities as they play different roles in a murder scene, investigating each other to determine who's the criminal among them. This new season's cast includes fan-favorites from previous seasons: director Jang Jin, announcer Park Ji-yoon, comedian Jang Dong-min, Flower of Evil's Kim Ji-hoon, and IVE's An Yu-jin.
'Culinary Class Wars'
Release date: TBA (expected Q4 2025)
After its smash-hit debut, Culinary Class Wars will return for a second season, featuring beloved judges Paik Jong-won and Ahn Sung-jae. Season 1 of the cutthroat cooking competition pit 100 chefs against each other through intense and creative challenges, with the acclaimed "White Spoon" chefs going up against the underdog "Black Spoons." Per Netflix, season 2 will feature "even bigger showdowns, bolder tastes, and unrelenting tension."
'Dear Hongrang'
Release date: TBA (expected Q2 2025)
This historical K-drama, adapted from Jang Da-hye's novel Hong Rang: Swallowing Gold, will chronicle the bond between step-siblings Hongrang (Alchemy of Souls' Lee Jae-wook) and Jae-i (Destined With You's Jo Bo-ah). Over a decade after Hongrang disappeared at the age of eight, he returns home with no memory, and Jae-i becomes "torn between doubt and love for her enigmatic step-brother," per Netflix.
'The Devil's Plan' season 2
Release date: TBA (expected Q2 2025)
For viewers more interested in games of mental wit than physical strength, The Devil's Plan is set to return for a second season. The exciting first season brought together contestants from various fields to solve sophisticated mental games for the chance at a 250 million won (approximately $173,000) prize. Season 2's confirmed cast includes Single's Inferno host Kyukyun, EXchange/Transit Love alum Jung Hyun-gyu, legendary Go player Lee Se Dol, K-pop soloist Chuu, and Beef and The Umbrella Academy star Justin H. Min.
'The Echoes of Survivors: Inside Korea's Tragedies'
Release date: TBA (expected Q3 2025)
In March 2023, the docuseries In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal examined the disturbing stories of four Korean cult leaders. In December, one of the doc's subjects, Christian Gospel Mission (also known as JMS) leader Jeong Myeong-seok, was sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexual violence. This upcoming follow-up docuseries is the "second story" of In the Name of God, and "will feature the final story of JMS and the vivid voices of survivors from painful, tragic events in Korea.”
'Genie, Make a Wish'
Release date: TBA (expected Q4 2025)
Eight years after they first played love interests in Uncontrollably Fond, Bae Suzy and Kim Woo-bin reunite in this highly-anticipated fantasy rom-com from The Glory screenwriter Kim Eun-sook. The new drama (previously known as Everything Will Come True), will chronicle the adventures of Jinn (Kim), a genie who's awakened from his centuries-long sleep, and Ga-young (Bae), who's granted three wishes.
'Karma'
Release date: TBA (expected Q2 2025)
Squid Game season 1 star Park Hae-soo and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha's Shin Min-a lead this crime thriller K-drama based on the Kakao webtoon of the same name. Per the description, the show will follow "six people caught in an unbreakable karmic loop, each bound by reckless choices that spiral out of control." Rounding out the main cast are A Killer Paradox's Lee Hee-jun, D.P.'s Kim Sung-kyun, Running Man alum Lee Kwang-soo, and The First Responders' Gong Seung-yeon.
'Kian’s Bizarre B&B'
Release date: TBA (expected Q2 2025)
Webtoon (or manhwa) writer and TV personality Kian84 will lead this new variety show, where he "sets up and runs an extraordinary guesthouse on the island of Ulleungdo called KIAN Bizarre B&B, which offers a unique experience for young visitors." According to the description, "the guesthouse operates in a realm between healing and hilarity," as it welcomes a diverse selection of guests, including BTS member Jin and actress Ji Ye-eun.
'Mercy for None'
Release date: TBA (expected Q2 2025)
So Ji-sub stars in this highly-anticipated noir crime thriller as a former gangster who re-emerges seeking vengeance. 11 years ago, Gi-jun (So) "severed his own Achilles tendon to leave the world of organized crime." He now lives a peaceful life, while his younger brother Gi-seok (Lee Jun-hyuk) stayed in the game and became a kingpin. Now, Gi-jun returns to "investigate and avenge" Gi-seok's mysterious death. Also starring in the show's ensemble cast are Huh Joon-ho, An Kil-kang, Tiger Lee, Gong Myoung, Choo Young-woo, and more.
'Physical 100: Asia'
Release date: TBA (expected Q4 2025)
For its third season, the intense strength competition Physical: 100 will expand its scope beyond Korea, recruiting athletes throughout Asia in its latest "search for the perfect physique." Fans will have to wait a bit longer for new episodes, but Netflix has already revealed one of season 3's contestants: champion boxer and former Philippines senator Manny Pacquiao.
'The Price of Confession'
Release date: TBA (expected Q4 2025)
This upcoming mystery-thriller K-drama boasts an all-star cast, including Kill Boksoon's Jeon Do-yeon, Goblin's Kim Go-eun, Squid Game's Park Hae-soo, and Extreme Job's Jin Seon-kyu. Jeon plays Ahn Yoon-soo, a woman accused of her husband’s murder, who encounters a mysterious prison inmate (Kim) and "strikes a dangerous deal," according to the show's description.
'Resident Playbook'
Release date: TBA (expected April 2025)
Three years after Hospital Playlist's final episode, the long-awaited spinoff Resident Playbook is finally set to air. Per the description, the new medical drama "follows the lives and friendships of OB-GYN residents at Jongno Yulje Medical Center, a branch of the iconic Yulje Hospital." Moving's Go Youn-jung leads the cast, which includes Shin Shi-ah, Han Ye-ji, Kang You-seok, and Jung Jun-won.
'Tastefully Yours'
Release date: TBA (expected Q2 2025)
Squid Game's Kang Ha-neul and Sweet Home's Go Min-si lead this upcoming rom-com that may rival Culinary Class Wars as the best food-related show of the year. Per the description, "In an attempt to inherit a food corporation, Han Beom-woo (Kang), a chaebol heir turned “recipe hunter,” meets Mo Yeon-joo (Go), a stubborn chef who runs a one-table restaurant in the small city of Jeonju, South Korea. Their fierce kitchen encounters unfold into a shimmering romance."
'Trigger'
Release date: TBA (expected Q3 2025)
Korea is known for its strict gun regulation, but this thriller K-drama follows "two men [who] pick up their guns for different reasons" amid a fictional surge in illegal firearms. Lee Do (Kim Nam-gil) is "a military sniper turned police detective, investigating a series of incidents to hunt down the source behind these illegal firearms." Meanwhile, Moon Baek (Kim Young-kwang), "a methodical strategist behind his carefree manner, is the center of the arms broker business."
'Weak Hero Class 2'
Release date: TBA (expected Q2 2025)
Weak Hero Class 1 was one of the best thriller dramas of 2022, following high school student Yeon Si-eun (Park Ji-hoon) as he struggled against brutal school violence. Now, Netflix is set to distribute the show's second season, in which Si-eun will challenge a new set of bullies after he's transferred to a new school. Season 2 will also star Crash Landing on You's Yoo Soo-bin, Twinkling Watermelon's Ryeoun, and XO Kitty's Choi Min-yeong.
'You and Everything Else'
Release date: TBA (expected Q3 2025)
This highly-anticipated K-drama (also known as Two Women or Eun Jung and Sang Yeon) will follow "the journey of two friends who have an enduring, complicated love-hate relationship," per Netflix. Former childhood besties Ryu Eun-jung (Goblin's Kim Go-eun) and Cheon Sang-yeon (Reborn Rich's Park Ji-hyun) reunite at 42 years old as they face a profound challenge: Sang-yeon's battle with cancer. The Glory's Kim Gun-woo also stars.
