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From major hits like "The Haunted Palace" to hidden gems on TVING, here's a data-backed look at what South Korea watched—and skipped—in spring 2025.
The second quarter of 2025 was one of the most dynamic seasons for K-Dramas in recent years. Between April and June, over 30 new Korean drama series premiered across major broadcasters and domestic streaming platforms. From romantic fantasies and coming-of-age stories to thrillers and family sagas, the K-Drama industry is clearly evolving—both in how stories are told and where audiences are watching them.
In this article, we break down Q2’s most-watched dramas and analyze underperforming titles. Whether you're a K-Drama fan, industry insider, or entertainment journalist, here's everything you need to know about Korean drama trends in Q2 2025.
*Note: This article does not include weekend dramas.
Key Takeaway: Streaming is Winning, But Linear TV Isn’t Dead Yet
More viewers in South Korea are watching dramas through Over-The-Top (OTT) platforms. While weekday evening dramas on TV struggle to hit the 5% mark, several K-Dramas on streaming services achieved critical acclaim, strong word-of-mouth, and high user ratings. However, long-running daily and weekend dramas on public broadcasters like KBS and MBC still perform well, especially among older demographics.
This split signals a maturing market where different formats find success through different distribution channels.
Over 30 New K-Dramas Premiered in Q2 2025: What to Know
From April to June 2025, Korean drama fans had a lot to choose from. Major launches included:
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TVING: "Way Back Love", "Shark: The Storm", "I Am a Running Mate"
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Genie TV/ENA: "New Recruit 3", "Tastefully Yours", "Salon de Holmes"
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MBC: "Crushology 101", "Oh My Ghost Clients", "The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun"
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tvN: "Resident Playbook", "Second Shot at Love", "Our Unwritten Seoul"
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SBS: "The Haunted Palace", "Spring of Youth", "Our Movie'
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KBS: "Pump Up the Healthy Love", "The First Night with the Duke"
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The industry is also shifting toward shorter episode counts, with many new dramas ranging from 6 to 12 episodes. These formats are ideal for binge-watching and are better aligned with the fast-paced consumption habits of digital audiences.
Top-Rated K-Dramas in Q2 2025
SBS / JTBC / tvN / MBC
1. "The Haunted Palace" (SBS): Historical romantic fantasy with 11.0% finale ratings and strong cast appeal.
It emerged as one of the top-rated K-Dramas of the quarter. This fantasy period drama captivated viewers with its rich historical backdrop, supernatural twists, and emotional storytelling. The series maintained consistent nationwide ratings above 8%, with its finale peaking at 11.0%—a strong achievement for a primetime network show. The casting of Bona (WJSN) and Yook SungJae (BTOB) added to its wide appeal, drawing in fans of both historical dramas and fantasy romance. Its success underscores the enduring popularity of genre-blended historical K-Dramas among mainstream audiences.
2. "Heavenly Ever After" (JTBC): A heartfelt fantasy romance that led its cable time slot with 8.3% peak.
It brought a heartfelt romantic fantasy to life, telling the story of an elderly woman reuniting with the younger version of her late husband in the afterlife. The drama struck a chord with viewers, especially among cable audiences, reaching a peak nationwide rating of 8.345% and averaging 6.379%. It consistently led its time slot on pay TV. The emotionally layered script, combined with standout performances from veteran actress Kim HyeJa and Son SeokKoo, contributed to its strong reception. Its unique premise and mature themes made it a standout drama for viewers seeking deeper narratives.
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