2025 was a middling yr for Korean Dramas.

Some began out with promise however fizzled out as they went alongside, others declared damp squibs from the beginning whereas nonetheless others lacked that ‘It’ issue that makes their ilk so distinctive and addictive within the first place.

Nonetheless, some exhibits saved us hooked from begin to end on the power of their storytelling or scorching chemistry between the leads.

Sukanya Verma picks a few of Netflix’s high Ok-Dramas of 2025.

 

When Life Provides You Tangerines

The easy journey of two Jeju island inhabitants — a spunky lady and docile boy and their rock-solid relationship throughout a lifetime as they navigate love, marriage, parenthood and ageing over the course of a number of ups and downs really feel amazingly genuine at each step.

Its moments of laughter in addition to heartbreak unravel a rainbow of feelings even because the cinematically staged drama repeatedly highlights a girl’s power and a person’s sensitivity because the true pillars of a household outfitted to beat each problem.

 

Examine Group

Primarily based on a webtoon of the identical title, Examine Group‘s vastly entertaining premise includes a nerdy but academically struggling teen’s makes an attempt to kind a research group in a famously violent highschool by utilizing his nifty combating expertise to maintain the bullies at bay.

The zany tone of the collection, its enjoyable friendships and humorous confrontations in addition to the tremendous cool motion sequences makes Examine Group a breeze to look at.

It is no shock there is a second season within the works.

 

Weak Hero Class 2

After a formidable first season about high-school bullies and bromances, does Weak Hero Class 2 make for a worthy follow-up?

Although it lacks the well-defined complexity of its predecessor, the troubles plaguing younger, struggling minds and the extreme world of violence they’re pressured to embrace, packs in sufficient spectacle and spark, when a brand new batch of buddies and foes emerge, to miss what the sequel has to supply.

The visually arresting climatic showdown alone is well worth the value of admission, er, subscription.

 

Bon Appetit, Your Majesty

Ever puzzled what MasterChef within the Joseon period would appear to be? Bon Appetit, Your Majesty entertains the thought in abundance on this feast of present whose rom-com vitality and historic liberties make for a delicious watch.

A ingenious Korean-French culinary knowledgeable chef time-travels approach into the previous and lands on the royal palace the place she bumps right into a gourmand gifted prince juggling between his innate conceit and tender foodie.

Their inevitable romance over the course of scrumptious meals and harmful enemies coveting his throne makes this one hell of yum trip.

 

Hurricane Household

Triumph of spirit tales are tailored for awe and inspiration and Hurricane Household‘s riches-to-rags-to-riches story pays wealthy ode to that theme.

Set in opposition to the backdrop of South Korea’s 1997 monetary disaster, it seems to be at how a reluctant heir of a once-booming enterprise resurrects a struggling buying and selling firm, his deceased father’s left behind, by collaborating along with his resourceful colleagues regardless of his apparent inexperience, a pesky rival and piling difficulties.

What’s fascinating is how his regular optimism and die arduous spirit assist him uncover the chief he all the time was however couldn’t see.

 

Pricey Hongrang

Pricey Hongrang‘s hanbok costume Ok-drama is an train in beautiful melancholy and provocative thriller bearing on the topics of incest and abuse.

Each depth and darkness envelops its intrigue and allure because it units out to inform the character of energy, ambition, need and discrimination in ways in which’s as startling as it’s devastating.

Other than its lush manufacturing and haunting music, Pricey Hongrang‘s elegant ferocity lingers lengthy after the tip credit have rolled.

All of it begins when a stranger claiming to be the long-lost son of a noble clan threatens the established order of ruthless lords and dependable substitutes and a shabbily-treated half-sister averse to accepting him as her blood.

 

Dynamite Kiss

A rich chaebol hunk meets a jobless slob from a humble backdrop on a scenic island the place they faux to be lovers solely to seek out themselves wildly attracted following a magical kiss.

In true blue Cinderella fashion, she leaves him hanging excessive and dry solely to fulfill him once more and study he is the boss of the corporate she lied to get a job in. What’s her fib? That she’s married and a mother.

There’s a lot method within the ensuing friction and confusion however Dynamite Kiss has a ball residing as much as the crackling camaraderie of the leads and the morality tussle their forbidden liaison invitations. And so does its ear-to-ear grinning viewer.

Pictures curated by Satish Bodas/Rediff