Highest Rated Korean Dramas of 2025 (So Far) – These Stories Hit Hard and Stay With You

If you’ve been asking, “What should I watch next?” — we’ve got you. 2025 has already delivered some of the most emotionally powerful, stylish, and flat-out addictive K-dramas we’ve seen in years.

From soft romances to jaw-dropping thrillers, here are 12 of the highest-rated Korean dramas of 2025 that viewers around the world can’t stop talking about.

12. Silent Letter

This moody romance stars Kim Da-mi as a woman who begins receiving handwritten letters from someone claiming to be her late fiancé. Set in a rainy seaside town, the drama mixes mystery with romance, slowly peeling back the layers of grief and love. Yoo Yeon-seok plays the man who might be the sender — or something more. Quiet and haunting, this one hits you right in the heart.

11. The Painter’s Dream

Set in the 1960s, this historical drama tells the story of a gifted painter (Im Si-wan) who lives with synesthesia — he sees sounds as colors. His world changes when he meets a free-spirited writer (Shin Hye-sun) who challenges everything he thought he knew about life and art. Gorgeously shot and filled with poetic moments, this one became a surprise critical hit.

10. Replay My Heart

Time-travel drama with a twist. A struggling musician (Park Hyung-sik) finds an old cassette tape that sends him back to 2005 — the year he lost his first love. Now older but living in his younger body, he’s torn between rewriting the past and protecting the future. The romance is emotional, the music unforgettable, and the storytelling full of nostalgic warmth.

9. Code Black: Seoul

One of 2025’s most intense dramas. Set in a chaotic emergency ward in the middle of Seoul, this medical thriller follows an elite trauma surgeon (Jang Hyuk) who’s pulled back into the ER after a scandal. Each episode is packed with tension, ethics, and gripping patient stories. A top-tier drama for fans of gritty realism and fast-paced storytelling.

8. A Song in the Fog

This unique mini-series became a massive hit through word-of-mouth. Set in a remote mountain village, it follows a music teacher (Kim Se-jeong) sent to help a school that’s nearly abandoned. There, she meets a man (Choi Woo-shik) who hasn’t spoken in years. Slowly, the two form a bond through music. It’s gentle, emotional, and full of healing.

7. Grave of Mercy

A historical thriller that goes all in on tension and betrayal. Set during the late Goryeo dynasty, a noblewoman (Kim So-hyun) is accused of treason and forced into exile — but returns under a secret identity to uncover who framed her. With palace intrigue, revenge, and sweeping romance, this drama is a feast for anyone who loves high-stakes storytelling.

6. Something About Seoul

This modern ensemble drama captured the lives of six strangers living in one apartment building. Each episode weaves their stories together — from a struggling actor to a widowed grandmother to a runaway teen. With Park Eun-bin, Nam Joo-hyuk, and Lee Joon-gi among the cast, Something About Seoul was praised for its realistic writing and emotional range.

5. The Last Healer

Blending supernatural elements with historical drama, The Last Healer follows a doctor in the Joseon era (played by Kim Nam-gil) who can see the cause of death before it happens. He uses this mysterious gift to try and save the royal family — but when his power begins to fade, he must face his greatest test yet. Suspenseful, heartbreaking, and beautifully produced.

4. Kiss Me Again, Stranger

A bold romance about second chances and broken memories. Han So-hee stars as a woman who loses her memory after a car accident — and meets a man (Seo In-guk) who claims they were once lovers. But is he telling the truth? Or is something darker going on? The chemistry is off the charts, and the emotional stakes stay high throughout.

3. The Phoenix Has Fallen

A high-budget action drama with political twists. When a young president’s life is threatened by a coup, his bodyguard (Lee Do-hyun) becomes his only hope. It’s a non-stop ride of betrayal, suspense, and loyalty — with a heartbreaking romance that builds across the chaos. One of the year’s most talked-about hits.

2. Tale of the Forgotten Star

A fantasy drama that mixes mythology, romance, and modern life. A college astronomy student (Kim Yoo-jung) meets a mysterious man (Song Kang) who claims to be a fallen star. As strange events begin around her, she’s pulled into a centuries-old celestial war. The drama won viewers over with its stunning visuals and otherworldly storytelling.

1. When Life Gives You Tangerines

Still topping charts months after release. This slow-burning love story set on Jeju Island is rich with emotion and unforgettable scenes. IU and Park Bo-gum deliver career-best performances in a story that spans decades — showing us how love, loss, and quiet devotion shape a life. It’s been called a masterpiece for a reason.