New Korean Dramas: January 2025
Happy New Year everyone! A brand new year with its set of brand new dramas! I’m looking forward to many shows this year — the ones already announced and I’m sure many will join the list. As for January, there are quite a few Korean dramas that are getting me hyped! So let’s dive right into the details:
When The Stars Gossip
Premiere Date: January 4
Network: tvN, Netflix
Stars: Lee Min Ho (Pachinko), Gong Hyo Jin (When The Camellia Blooms), Han Ji Eun (Be Melodramatic), Oh Jung Se (It’s Okay To Not Be Okay)
Slot: Saturday & Sunday
Number Of Episodes: 16
Genre: Romance, Comedy, Sci-Fi
Synopsis: A love story between an astronaut and a obstetrician-gynecologist who is a tourist at the space station where they meet.
Thoughts: That cast + writer of shows like Pasta, Miss Korea and Jealousy Incarnate + a rom-com set in a space station (rather than it being about thrills or mystery or science) = my major excitement for this show.
Motel California
Premiere Date: January 10
Network: MBC
Stars: Lee Se Young (What Comes After Love), Na In Woo (Marry My Husband), Choi Min Soo (Numbers)
Slot: Friday & Saturday
Number Of Episodes: 12
Genre: Romance, Drama
Synopsis: A woman who was born and raised in a rural motel called Motel California leaves her hometown to find success and happiness. When she returns after 12 years, she reconnects with her first love and childhood friend.
Thoughts: The plot sounds so much like Welcome To Samdal-ri and a bit like When The Weather Is Fine. And the ‘exes to lovers’ trope was used in Lee Se Young’s last drama What Comes After Love. I’m not too excited about the plot but I like the leads, so I’m gonna give this one a try.
Love Scout
Premiere Date: January 3
Network: SBS
Stars: Lee Joon Hyuk (Dong Jae, The Good Or The Bastard), Han Ji Min (Behind Your Touch), Kim Do Hoon (Moving), Kim Yoon Hye (Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born)
Slot: Friday & Saturday
Number Of Episodes: 12
Genre: Romance, Drama
Synopsis: Love story between the CEO of a successful headhunter company who is terrific at her work but clueless in everything else and her highly competent secretary who is also a single father.
Thoughts: It’s a classic boss-secretary romance story but this time the female lead is the CEO and the male lead is the secretary. I like this role reversal. But my main attraction is Lee Joon Hyuk in a romance. I’m ready to swoon!
Study Group
Premiere Date: January 23
Network: TVING
Stars: Hwang Min Hyun (My Lovely Liar), Han Ji Eun (Be Melodramatic)
Slot: Thursday
Number Of Episodes: 10
Genre: Comedy, School, Action
Synopsis: It’s about a student who dreams of excelling academically but his scores are always low. Though he is skilled in fighting. He then forms a study group in order to improve his grades.
Thoughts: This one looks funny and cute! It’s based on a webcomic.
Unmasked
Premiere Date: January 15
Network: Disney+
Stars: Kim Hye Soo (Signal), Jung Sung Il (The Glory), Joo Jong Hyuk (Frankly Speaking)
Slot: Wednesday
Number Of Episodes: 12
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Comedy
Synopsis: It follows a team of investigative journalists who investigate cases that the police and prosecutors are unable to solve.
Thoughts: I’m always interested in reading investigative journalism stories so this drama surely piques my interest in terms of its plot. Also, acting powerhouse Kim Hye Soo is headlining it, so that’s a huge plus.
The Queen Who Crowns
Premiere Date: January 6
Network: tvN
Stars: Cha Joo Young (The Glory), Lee Hyun Wook (Song Of The Bandits), Lee Yi Dam (Daily Dose Of Sunshine), Lee Shi Ah (365: Repeat the Year)
Slot: Monday & Tuesday
Number Of Episodes: 12
Genre: Historical, Drama
Synopsis: It’s about a queen who dreams of a new world in the early days of the Joseon dynasty and helps her husband ascend to the throne. After he becomes the king, their relationship starts to deteriorate.
Thoughts: This looks intense. But sageuks (historical Kdramas) have never been on top of my priority list of dramas.
The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call
Premiere Date: January 24
Network: Netflix
Stars: Joo Ji Hoon (Love Your Enemy), Choo Young Woo (Oasis), Ha Young (Face Me), Yoon Kyung Ho (Doubt), Jung Jae Kwang (Connection)
Slot: All episodes released together
Number Of Episodes: 8
Genre: Drama, Medical
Synopsis: A genius surgeon joins the struggling severe trauma team at a hospital. With his exceptional skills, confidence and unorthodox methods, he restores it to its former glory.
Thoughts: Joo Ji Hoon really has non-stop drama premieres one after the other! LOL. I’m not complaining though! This show seems like a medical version of 2024’s The Auditors. I’m willing to give it a try.
