Dojeon’s Top 5 K-Dramas of 2025: The Year in Review
- lewishooper1
- 8 hours ago
- 3 min read
From When Life Gives You Tangerines to Nine Puzzles. Here is the definitive list of the year's top hits and hidden gems that YOU cannot miss, according to the Dojeon Media team!
The beautiful story line and the in-depth emotional connection between IU and Park Bo-gum are why When Life Gives You Tangerines has earned the number one spot on our must-watch 2025 K-drama list!
This truly was a great production, one that beautifully chronicles the decades-spanning love story of Ae-sun and Gwan-sik on Jeju Island, set against the backdrop of post-war Korean history. The drama earned widespread critical praise for its sincere emotionalism, gorgeous cinematography, and the brilliant chemistry of its lead actors.
Nine Puzzles (2025)
Nine Puzzles was intense throughout, thanks to the high-stakes psychological tension that gripped viewers from start to finish. This complex mystery has deservedly secured the number two spot on our 2025 top K-dramas to watch list.
The drama features a powerhouse duo of Kim Da-mi and Son Suk-ku. Their electric tension as a profiler and a detective, respectively, was a major highlight as they dove deep to solve cold cases. The dark, stylized direction and its deeply engaging plot—which focused on the themes of trauma, memory, and perception—left K-drama fans and the Dojeon team wanting more! Will it return for a new season? We certainly hope so!
Not only did our writer Lewis Hooper star as an extra in this hit drama, but because of its high-stakes, life-or-death trauma, The Trauma Code has secured the number three spot on our list.
This series starred Ju Ji-hoon and followed his genius but unorthodox trauma surgeon as he shook up the unit with his decisive, adrenaline-fueled methods and ex-combat medic experience. The high-quality action and plot earned praise from K-drama fans, and the seamless blend of exhilarating medical urgency with sharp comedic timing is exactly why the Dojeon team loved it so much!
Our Unwritten Seoul (2025)
Our Unwritten Seoul takes the number four spot on our list, a drama that resonated deeply with viewers. This beautiful slice-of-life series captivated the audience as each episode aired by exploring themes of self-love, trauma, and familial love through the lens of twin sisters (both played by Park Bo-young) who swap lives. The storyline resonated powerfully with many viewers' own lives, which is a major factor in its success.
Karma (2025)
Last on our must-watch K-drama list of 2025 is Karma. This six-part crime thriller was highly rated, thanks to its action-packed format and consistently dark, complex narrative.
The Dojeon team loves a good crime drama, and this series dove deep to explore concepts of unavoidable retribution, which were based on the webtoon of ll-Fated Relationship.The plot masterfully intertwines the lives of six strangers—including characters played by Park Hae-soo and Shin Min-ah following a desperate act of murder and cover-up.
K-drama fans praised this drama for its strong storytelling and screenplay, alongside the relentless tension. Providing K-drama fans with a satisfyingly brutal story line, the Dojeon team really hopes that the show returns for a new series sometime soon!
Final thoughts
2025 saw a wide variety of K-drama genres which captured an ever-growing audience, one that is projected to increase further in the coming year. These dramas represent just some of the many that the Dojeon team loved the most, based on their compelling story lines and plots. We are excited to see which K-dramas are released next year!
Which K-drama has been your 2025 favorite? Comment below and let the team know!