8 Highest-Rated K-Dramas Released in 2025 to Binge on Holiday, Ranked by IMDb

As the year comes to a close, it's time to take stock. 2025 has been a great year for high-quality Korean dramas, from touching family sagas to gripping revenge thrillers.

We've chosen only the best so you can avoid getting lost in the numerous releases and enjoy worthy dramas during the Christmas holidays.

8. 'Undercover High School', 2025

IMDb Score: 7.7/10

Jeong Hae-seong is one of the National Intelligence Service's top agents. However, after a failed mission, his superiors demanded his dismissal. If he is fired, the entire department will be disbanded.

His only chance to prevent that is to participate in the search for Emperor Gojong's treasure, which is hidden somewhere in an elite private school in Seoul. Hae-seong must enroll as a student and discover its exact location.

Complicating matters further, his teacher is Su-a, who notices that the new student bears a suspicious resemblance to someone very important from her past.

7. 'The Manipulated', 2025

IMDb Score: 7.9/10

Tae-jung is a delivery boy. He dreams of opening his own café one day, but for now, he works hard and takes care of his younger brother. One day, however, everything changes – Tae-jung is accused of rape and murder.

The evidence is fabricated but seems plausible. Few believe he is innocent, and he is sentenced to life in prison.

Gradually, Tae-jung discovers that he has become the victim of a certain man – a very influential figure who enjoys manipulating the lives of others for his own amusement.

6. 'The Winning Try', 2025

IMDb Score: 7.9/10

It's 2022, in the final of the Asian Rugby Cup, Team Korea is competing against Japan for the championship. All eyes are onJu Ga-ram, the pride of Korean rugby. But just when victory seems certain, Ga-ram is accused of doping.

He's been kicked off the team and the people who idolized him yesterday now hate him. In order to keep his job and restore his reputation, Ga-ram takes a position as a rugby coach at the school he once attended.

The team is weak and the players are disjointed, each with their own quirks. However, Ga-ram's creative approach will inspire the young athletes and lead them to victory.

5. 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty', 2025

IMDb Score: 8.0/10

Yeon Ji-yeong, a Korean woman, is a professional chef. She competed in France's premier culinary competition and won. This victory earned her a position as head chef at a renowned, three-Michelin-starred restaurant.

While returning to Korea by plane, she witnesses a rare solar eclipse. The eclipse causes turbulence, transporting Yeon back in time to the Joseon dynasty.

Emperor Yi Heon, known in history as a tyrant, sits on the throne. He is also a true gourmet. Impressed by Yeon's skills, he appoints her as the royal chef.

4. 'Resident Playbook', 2025

IMDb Score: 8.0/10

This drama is a spin-off of the popular series Hospital Playlist. While the original series featured seasoned specialists, this one follows the lives of new residents.

Oh Yi-young has graduated from medical school, yet she doesn't work, believing that medicine is not for her. However, when the bank sets a condition that she either provide proof of employment or face inspectors, she's forced to return to the hospital.

Yi-young is now a resident in the obstetrics and gynecology department. There, she reconnects with old acquaintances and meets new colleagues.

3. 'Dear X', 2025

IMDb Score: 8.0/10

Baek Ah-jin was born into a dysfunctional family. Her mother drank and beat her, and her father turned a blind eye. Everything changed when her mother, reportedly drunk, tripped on the stairs and died.

Ah-jin's father took her to live with his mistress, a wealthy woman, and her son. Ah-jin grew up to become a famous actress with an impeccable reputation. However, few people know that behind her pretty appearance is a skilled manipulator.

It turns out she's been doing this since childhood to resolve problems with her stepmother, father, teachers, and classmates.

2. 'Study Group', 2025

IMDb Score: 8.3/10

Yoon Ga-min is a diligent student who is willing to spend all night poring over his notebooks. But it's all in vain – no matter how much he studies, he still ranks at the bottom of his class.

After overhearing his classmates discussing Yusung Technical High School, which supposedly offers preparatory courses for university applicants, Ga-min transfers there. However, it turns out that this school is a haven for delinquents, underachievers, and troubled teenagers.

Even there, Ga-min's grades leave much to be desired. However, he isn't one to give up – Ga-min organizes a study group to prepare for exams.

1. 'When Life Gives You Tangerines', 2025

IMDb Score: 9.1/10

The drama begins in 1951 on Jeju Island. Young Ae-sun lives there with her mother, a pearl diver. Her income is meager, leaving the family poor.

Ae-sun dreams of marrying a wealthy man, moving to Seoul, and becoming a famous poet. So far, however, her only suitor is Gwan-sik, the son of a fisherman. The young couple grew up together and hoped for a bright future.

However, life doesn't always go as planned. Many tragic and sad moments await them, as well as happy and bright ones.