Looking for a New K-Drama to Watch in 2025? These Top Picks Will Have You Hooked from Episode One!

1. Into the Night

Starring Kim Soo-hyun and Jeon Yeo-bin, Into the Night is a sci-fi thriller that will intrigue you with its out-of-the-box idea. It's a story of an apocalyptic event that sends the world into chaos, and a group of survivors who are doing everything they can to survive at any cost. The first episode itself creates enough mystery and suspense to make you want to continue watching, and the tension only builds from there. Beware of shocking surprises, glimpses of sheer brilliance, and a riveting plot that'll keep you on the edge of your seat.

2. The Unseen Truth

This psychological thriller features Park Seo-joon and Kim Ji-won as two people whose paths cross after a crime takes place that leads everyone to question their own perception of reality. The Unseen Truth is the type of K-drama where every episode reveals a new layer of suspense, pulling you deeper into the mystery. With its fast-paced narrative and multi-dimensional characters, this drama will have you guessing long after the first credits begin to roll.

3. Echo of the Past

A historical drama with a twist, Echo of the Past stars Lee Min-ho and Song Hye-kyo. The drama takes place during a time of war and political unrest, but what sets it apart is that it deals with reincarnation. In a world where souls are reincarnated, the tale of two lovers who find each other across several lives is told. Since the first episode, Echo of the Past gets you hooked on its dense world-building, gorgeous visuals, and the intense emotional richness of the lead characters. It's an ideal blend of history, fantasy, and romance.

4. Falling Stars

For a weepy romance, Falling Stars with Ji Chang-wook and Han So-hee will become your new fixation. The show opens with a heart-wrenching reunion of two characters that tragedy drove apart. There is undeniable chemistry between them, and the first episode offers a look at the sad yet hopeful love that blossoms. The depth of the romantic tension and the unbridled emotion will draw you in, and the excellent acting will hold your attention throughout.

5. Wired for Love

Based in a future when technology has reached a stage where it is possible to manage human emotions, this science fiction romance features Ahn Hyo-seop and Park Shin-hye. Wired for Love traces the romance between two individuals who begin to challenge the ethics of a world in which machines are capable of controlling love. The pilot episode sets the stage for a thoughtful, emotional exploration of identity, love, and the danger of technology. If you like your sci-fi with a strong romantic bent, this is the one for you.

6. Shattered Souls

Shattered Souls puts you through the emotional wringer from the very first. Featuring leading actors Kim Soo-hyun and Jeon Yeo-bin, the show follows two individuals whose lives are forever changed by a tragic incident. In the process of dealing with their loss, they form an unlikely bond that will leave you on the edge of your seat. The first episode hits you hard with its emotional intensity, and thereafter, the drama only increases in complexity and depth, keeping you on the edge of your seat and clinging to each moment and dialogue.

7. Moonlight Sonata

If you enjoy tragic romance and drama, Moonlight Sonata is a great option. Starring Jung Hae-in and Kim Go-eun, the drama is about the love story of an aspiring musician and a woman who is attempting to find her passion in life. The pilot episode hooks you with its soothing music, stunning cinematography, and the leads' undeniable chemistry. It's the kind of drama that would make you believe in the healing power of music, love, and finding oneself.

8. The Edge of Fate

The Edge of Fate is a gripping legal thriller that stars Lee Jung-jae and Son Ye-jin. The show begins with a complex court case of powerful people, and the first episode immediately pulls you into a world of corruption, power, and justice. The snappy writing and rapid-fire plot developments will have you on the edge of your seat, and by the end of the first episode, you'll be eager to know what happens next. With excellent acting and a positively suspenseful storyline, this is a thriller enthusiast's must-watch.

9. Love's Labyrinth

In Love’s Labyrinth, stars Kim Woo-bin and Seo Hyun-jin find themselves playing characters caught in a whirlwind romance that’s complicated by secrets, lies, and deep personal struggles. From the opening scene, you’re drawn into their emotional world as they navigate a maze of feelings and conflicts. The first episode sets up a thrilling romance filled with uncertainty and passion, ensuring you’ll be hooked from the very first moment.

10. After the Rain

This poignant drama, starring Lee Seung-gi and IU, follows the lives of two people who find solace in each other after experiencing personal loss. The premiere episode is raw with emotion, as the characters try to start their lives anew after tragedy. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable, and the gentle unraveling of their relationship will leave you craving more. Prepare for lots of tears, but also for hope and healing moments.

11. Beneath the Surface

A romance-infused mystery thriller, Beneath the Surface follows two characters—played by Park Bo-gum and Kim Ji-won—who find themselves caught up in a series of events that force them to confront their pasts. Episode one begins with a high-energy investigation of a case with far-reaching implications, and the leads' chemistry is undeniable. It's a drama that serves up suspense along with heartwarming moments, and it has you hooked from the very first episode.

12. Invisible Love

Invisible Love is a fantasy-romance like no other featuring Song Kang and Jeon Yeo-bin. The drama starts with the unexplained disappearance of a character who can no longer be seen by anyone—except one. As the drama progresses, the two characters have to figure out the obstacles of a relationship that goes against the laws of reality. Episode one hooks you with the fantasy and emotional depth, and it is a show you will not want to miss.