Best K-Dramas of 2025: Highest IMDb-rated shows that left a lasting impact

The year 2025 stood out as a landmark period for Korean television, with K-dramas pushing boundaries in storytelling, scale, and emotional depth. 

From quiet, introspective romances to large-scale thrillers and social dramas, these series not only dominated conversations but also earned strong IMDb ratings and massive global viewership across streaming platforms like Netflix and Disney+.

Below is a curated look at the most acclaimed K-dramas of 2025, along with their IMDb ratings and where to stream them.

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When Life Gives You Tangerines

IMDb rating: 9.1
Streaming platform: Netflix

Few series in 2025 matched the emotional richness of When Life Gives You Tangerines. Spanning nearly 70 years in just 16 episodes, the show follows Oh Ae-sun, played by IU and later Moon So-ri, and her husband Yang Gwan-sik, portrayed by Park Bo-gum and Park Hae-joon.

Written by Lim Sang-choon, the series is a moving tribute to womanhood, endurance, and quiet rebellion. Praised for its screenplay, performances, music, and cinematography, it became one of the most celebrated K-dramas of the year and won multiple honours at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards.

Weak Hero Class 2

IMDb rating: 8.4
Streaming platform: Netflix

Based on the popular webtoon Weak Hero, Weak Hero Class 2 expanded its focus beyond school bullying to explore gang violence, economic desperation, and teenage survival. Park Ji-hoon returned as Yeon Si-eun, delivering another intense performance.

Viewers praised the show’s sharp writing, gritty action, and emotional honesty. The cameo appearance by Choi Hyun-wook further strengthened the narrative continuity from season one.

The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call

IMDb rating: 8.4
Streaming platform: Netflix

In The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Ju Ji-hoon starred as Baek Kang-hyuk, a brilliant trauma surgeon fighting to revive a neglected emergency care unit.

Blending medical drama with action and emotional storytelling, the series tackled systemic injustice within healthcare institutions. Its gripping narrative and strong performances made it both a commercial and critical success.

Squid Game Season 3

IMDb rating: 8.0
Streaming platform: Netflix

The final chapter of the global phenomenon arrived with Squid Game, following Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, as he re-enters the deadly games in a final attempt to stop them.

Season 3 deepened its social commentary through characters like the Front Man, portrayed by Lee Byung-hun, and became one of Netflix’s most-watched releases ever, clocking record-breaking watch hours within days of its release.

Dynamite Kiss

IMDb rating: 8.1
Streaming platform: Netflix

A refreshing return to workplace romance, Dynamite Kiss blended mature characters, emotional honesty, and sharp humour. Often compared to classics like What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim, the series appealed strongly to fans craving grown-up romantic storytelling.

Bon Appétit, Your Majesty

IMDb rating: 8.0
Streaming platform: Netflix

With the tagline “One Chef. One Tyrant. One Royal Mess,” Bon Appétit, Your Majesty followed a modern chef, played by Yoona, who is transported to a Joseon-era palace ruled by King Yi Heon (Lee Jun-ho).

The playful blend of food, time travel, and romance turned the tvN original into a domestic and international favourite, with strong finale ratings and extensive fan engagement.

The Manipulated

IMDb rating: 7.9
Streaming platform: Disney+

Directed by Park Shin-woo and Kim Chang-ju, The Manipulated featured Ji Chang-wook as Tae-joong, a man falsely convicted of murder.

The series stood out for its intense action sequences and Doh Kyung-soo’s chilling portrayal of a manipulative antagonist. It topped Disney+ global charts soon after release.

Dear Hongrang

IMDb rating: 7.6
Streaming platform: Netflix

Set in Joseon-era Korea, Dear Hongrang marked Lee Jae-wook’s return to sageuk with a darker tone. The story followed a boy who disappears, only to return 12 years later as a man with no memory—raising unsettling questions about identity, belief, and truth.

Praised for its direction, cinematography, and atmospheric storytelling, the Netflix series wove shamanistic lore with psychological tension, earning strong critical acclaim.

As You Stood By

IMDb rating: 7.5
Streaming platform: Netflix

Adapted from Hideo Okuda’s novel Naomi and Kanako, As You Stood By starred Lee You-mi as a woman trapped in an abusive marriage.

The series delivered a sharp critique of bystander cruelty, exposing how silence and indifference enable violence to persist.

Also Read: Top 10 most popular Indian web series of 2025, according to IMDb: Must-watch shows before the year ends

Melo Movie

IMDb rating: 7.2
Streaming platform: Netflix

Written by Lee Na-eun, Melo Movie explored love, isolation, and creative burnout through deeply human characters.

Starring Choi Woo-shik and Park Bo-young, the series blended romance with introspection, resonating strongly with viewers who prefer emotionally grounded storytelling.