'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wAARCAAGAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFQABAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX/xAAhEAACAQQCAgMAAAAAAAAAAAABAgMABAUREiEGBzJBcf/EABQBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAP/xAAZEQACAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABAgADIXH/2gAMAwEAAhEDEQA/AKnjOUv57qKW5unM7wrbM3y5kITtifonr8qhcekcRJcSvNkcgsrMS4Sd+IO+9bO9UpQKSWbsezAMn//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Every year brings a whole new wave of K-dramas, but 2025 felt very different. This was the year when fans got to watch and enjoy stories that push boundaries and made every fan curious about the finales and how the characters would meet their fates.
What's interesting is that 2025 didn't just give some of the best rom-coms or action thrillers, but almost every kind of drama, out of which many landed in hearts globally. While romantic shows felt more emotional and real, thriller stories ensured to heighten excitement over the plot twists.
Even fantasy and historical dramas raised the bar with richer world-building and stronger emotional cores. So, don't waste time and get straight to the list of some of the best shows of this year.
Disclaimer: This article reflects the author's opinion. Reader discretion is advised!
The 10 best K-dramas of 2025 ranked
The world of K-dramas is huge, and every time a new title drops, fans look forward to a story that feels fresh and engaging. And it's not just about rom-coms or action-thrillers, even psychological thrillers and mystery shows are expected to highlight something that will bring back viewers till the finale.
And in this list, I have ranked the 10 best K-dramas that were loved by viewers globally and had a memorable plot:
10) Tastefully Yours
Genre: Rom-com with a culinary theme
This K-drama is about a businessman, Beom-woo, who used to steal recepies from skilled chefs to add them to his five-star dining. And after that, he leaves the chef behind, giving them no credit or recognition.
Similarly, he tries to trick Yeon-joo, a female chef who lived in a quiet town but had some of the best recepies. Beom-woo met her with the same plan, but he never knew that Yeon-joo would change his life.
She didn't just cook food. She made love and added emotions to her food. And this is what brought Beom-woo back on his track, and he even decides to leave his luxurious life and competition behind to stay with her, and since Yeon-joo's restaurant also got three stars in Korea.
Where to watch: Tastefully Yours is available on Netflix.
Also Read: Dare You to Death release schedule: When do new episodes of the Thai BL series drop on Netflix?
9) Bitch X Rich Season 2
Genre: Psychological youth thrillers and mystery K-drama
When it comes to some of the best psychological youth thrillers and mystery K-dramas, Bitch X Rich Season 2 will cross many minds. It brings back the students of Cheongdam International High School, with Hye-in and Baek Je-na teaming up to solve the murder case from Season 1.
The new Season also brings Kim Min-kyu as Cha Ji-woo alongside Je-na. Together, they try to accomplish their missions, with Je-na trying to expose her stepmother and get her shares, while Ji-woo wants to expose his shady father.
On the other side, Hye-in tries to reveal who pushed Hae-in in Season 1, which later led to her death. The drama is packed with mysteries and plot twists no one saw coming.
Where to watch: Bitch X Rich Season 2 is on Viki.
8) Tempest
Genre: Political spy and action thriller
Tempest begins with Seo Mun-ju getting drawn into a dangerous conspiracy after a high-profile political assassination shakes the entire country. Her husband is killed, and she teams up with agent Baek San-ho to solve the case.
Together, they face shifting alliances, dangers of losing life, and discover more about shady figures in politics. The K-drama was well-received for the story and even the cast.
Where to watch: Tempest can be streamed on Disney+
7) Good Boy
Genre: Action, crime, and comedy
Good Boy features globally acclaimed star Park Bo-gum, Kim So-hyun, and others in the leading roles. The story is about former athletes who faced setbacks in the career and are later placed in a specialized police force to fight crime.
When these ex-atheletes joing the team, they find out that a seemingly normal customs officer is running an international illegal business. His criminal world goes beyond Korea as he's involved in drugs and other illegal business dealings.
The story keeps getting intense, but the team doesn't give up. Even when it looks like they've lost, Dong-ju pumps up motivation, and each teammate ensures to bring down Ju-yeong, the criminal.
Where to watch: You can enjoy Good Boy on Amazon Prime Video.
6) Dynamite Kiss
Genre: Rom-com and workplace romance
Dynamite Kiss is the latest K-drama of 2025 that has been reaching global fans. Unlike typical shows, this one begins right with a kiss between the main leads that feels magical. The plot follows Go Da-rim, who has only seen struggles and setbacks in her life.
At the same time, there's Ji-hyeok, who is a successful businessman. And when he meets Da-rim, they feel a connection that's unavoidable. Later, Da-rim gets a job by lying and finds out that the team leader is none other than Ji-hyeok.
These two clash, face comedic moments and even heartbreak. The show is about to end with just two episodes left, and fans are wondering if Ji-hyeok and Da-rim will have a happy ending.
Where to watch: Dynamite Kiss is available on Netflix.
5) Head Over Heels
Genre: Fantasy rom-com with supernatural elements
Head Over Heels is the K-drama that focuses on Seong-ah, the young shaman who has been helping people since she was a child. She was born with the ability and when she sees Bong-su, Seong-ah realizes that he's the boy she likes.
It's love at first sight, but Bong-su turns out to be a cursed boy. He's surrounded by evil spirits who get more powerful every time Bong-su feels sad or helpless. He remains cold with others and is deeply scarred.
Despite all of this, Seong-ah and her best friend decide to help him. She performs rituals on him and it brings a lot of fangers in their lives. Seong-ah even gets trapped inside another world after curing Bong-su and finally returns in the end.
Where to watch: Stream Head Over Heels on Prime Video.
4) Dear X
Genre: Dark, psychological melodrama and thriller
The K-drama Dear X follows Baek Ah-jin, who has experienced only trauma and abuse since childhood. Even her parents didn't show mercy to her, and at one point in her life, Ah-jin saw her mother die and didn't do anything to save her.
She lived with her father, who abused he,r until Ah-jin planned his death. She transforms into a really skilled manipulator and always ensures to settle the score with anyone who tries to bring her down.
She had Yoon Jun-seo and Kim Jae-oh on her side, who also happened to be her secret lovers with tragic childhood experiences. Later, Ah-jin becomes a top actress and marries an obsessive man to save herself from a downfall.
Her life gets messy when Ah-jin is publicly exposed by Jun-seo. He even plans an accident to kill himself and Ah-jin to stop her from ruining the lives of people around her, but Ah-jin survives while Jun-seo dies.
Where to watch: Dear X is available on Viki.
3) When Life Gives You Tangerines
Genre: Slice-of-life romance
Another memorable and hit K-drama of 2025 is When Life Gives You Tangerines, with Park Bo-gum and IU in the leading roles. The story is set on Jeju Island and follows the love story of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik.
The two have known each other since childhood and have had an emotional past. The show reveals their struggles, family tensions, growth, and how true love actually feels.
Where to watch: When Life Gives You Tangerines is on Netflix.
2) S Line
Genre: Dark crime-thriller with fantasy and mystery elements
S Line is a K-drama that made headlines over its unique plot. It centers around a girl who was born with the ability to see red lines on everyone's head, which revealed how many times they shared a bed with others.
Later, a pair of glasses circulates. It was first discovered by Seon-a, who uses it against people who hurt her. She has an uncle who works as a detective, who later sets out on a mission to find out who pushed Seon-a from a rooftop.
The glasses in this mystery K-drama continue to complicate and ruin the lives of people as they reveal the truth about their intimacies. In the end, the shocking twist is revealed when the detcive find out the person behind those S lines.
Where to watch: S Line is available to stream on Prime Video.
1) Bon Appétit, Your Majesty
Genre: Fantasy historical K-drama with time-travel elements
And finally, we have Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, the K-drama that made every fan discuss the plot and cliffhangers at the end of each episode. It features Yoona and Lee Chae-min in the main roles of Chef Yeon Ji-young, who comes from the future, and King Lee-heon of the Joseon era.
When Ji-young ends up back in time, her culinary skills surprise everyone. The King prepares a book with each recipe she makes, and they gradually fall in love.
However, before they reunite in the future, Lee-heon and Ji-young face notablechallnges and heartbreaks. The story has almost everything: fun, fantasy, time-travel, and culinary elements. Not a single episode feels boring, and this is why it is one of 2025's most acclaimed Korean dramas.
Where to watch: You can stream Bon Appétit, Your Majesty on Netflix.
Trending
Also Read: Shine on Me release schedule: When do new episodes of the C-drama drop?
Continue exploring SoapCentral for regular updates on TV shows.
Reply
