Get Ready For Screen-Time Binging!
Welcome, screen-surfers. So you’re bored and don’t know what to watch. Well, fret not – I’m the same. So I’ve put together a quick list (still ongoing as the year’s still not over) of Korean shows to watch in 2025.
Because let’s be real, while we’ve been blessed with an avalanche of incredible K-dramas to watch in recent years, there’s always that question: Is it really ‘that’ good? I mean, to be honest, I’ve watched quite a bit of titles, but never got past the first few episodes.
So here’s my take on the new K-drama releases that are already generating significant buzz. Whether do they live up to the hype? Or best to just completely avoid them altogether. Here’s my current list of what’s worth watching – only the shows that I honestly liked, anticipated the next episode, and quite literally finished the entire season.
[ This section will be progressively updated with more information throughout 2025! ]
New World
Genre: Variety Show
My Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ (5/5 – MUST watch)
Streaming: Netflix
My Review:
– Definitely MUST watch! It takes a whole different spin of the usual Korean variety show genre. Firstly, it’s not scripted. Well, the premise and plot is, but the participant’s reactions are 100% genuine and amazingly fun to watch!
Bottomline:
– Wife and I eagerly awaited each new episode. Laughed until cry at the funny plot twists, incredible reactions and unbelievable scenarios they were faced with. It’s definitely worth watching. We finished it and eagerly await the next season!
Heavenly Ever After
Genre: Heartwarming Drama
My Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ (5/5 – MUST watch)
Streaming: Netflix
My Review:
– This drama masterfully blends heartwarming romance with laugh-out-loud wit, all while serving up unexpected twists. It’s an absolute must-watch that will leave you both teary-eyed and genuinely smiling, proving ‘happily-ever-after’s are still possible, even in K-drama land!
Bottomline:
– Every episode was incredible. There were many small side stories that contributed to the main plot. And each small stories made us into cry babies – especially the wifey. Dealing with losses, acceptance, and learning how to self-love, this series has it all. It felt very personal and will definitely bring tears (of melancholic joy) to your eyes.
Chef & My Fridge
Genre: Cooking Variety Show
My Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ (5/5 – MUST watch)
Streaming: Netflix
My Review:
– Okay, this show’s been around since 2014, and wife and I have been following it since the very beginning. Sadly, the Netflix version doesn’t have the earlier seasons, but hey, it’s still good if you’re new to this show.
Bottomline:
– We were delighted to learn that Chef & My Fridge made a comeback (thanks, NetFlix!), and it was directly AFTER the finale conclusion of Culinary Wars! And they’ve guest invited the top chefs from there to compete in the ever-nail-biting 15 minute cook-off challenge! Best part is that it’s still ongoing until December this year!
Culinary Wars
Genre: Cooking Variety Show
My Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ (5/5 – MUST watch)
Streaming: Netflix
My Review:
– 100 A-level chefs around South Korea battle it out in this amazing cook-off competition. Sort of like Master Chef, but Korean. And 100 chefs. Only the last few remaining ones get to battle it out with the ‘legendary’ S-class level chefs. Who will reign victorious?
Bottomline:
– Wife and I watch a lot of cooking variety shows; Hell’s Kitchen, Master Chef, etc. etc. But we hated the presumptuous and self-righteousness of many of the show’s judges. This show, however, had the legendary Uncle Paik as one of the head judges. And if he’s in the show? It’s bound to be good. Anyway, the show’s premise follows a bit of the Chef & My Fridge‘s final bout challenge – where the chefs are tested on adaptiveness, creativity, and crisis management. Great watch!
Oh My Ghost Clients
Genre: Supernatural, Law
My Rating: ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ ⋆ (4/5 – pretty ok)
Streaming: Netflix
My Review:
– From the title, I guessed it’s another spin-off “Oh My Ghost” series. The director and production team is the same, but the plot and characters are different. Basically it’s a labor attorney, helping poor workers resolve their injustice and move on. Supernatural? Check. Detective/Law investigation? Check. Comedy? Definitely.
Bottomline:
– Definitely not top of my list, but still better than most dramas out there. Honestly speaking, if there are better shows to watch, I’d sideline this one. Kind of like riding on a kiddie rollercoaster – intriguing and fun. But that’s pretty much about it.
