New Korean Dramas: May 2025
May is bringing dramas with a wide range of genres — romance, comedy, drama, action, mystery, fantasy and more! And so many of my favorite actors have shows lined up for the premiere this month. Here is a list of shows that are arriving in May. See if anything catches your eye!
Tastefully Yours
Premiere Date: May 12
Network: ENA, Netflix
Stars: Kang Ha Neul (When The Camellia Blooms), Go Min Shi (The Frog), Kim Shin Rok (Undercover High School), Yoo Soo Bin (The Deal)
Slot: Monday & Tuesday
Number Of Episodes: 10
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Synopsis: An arrogant heir and a low profile but stubborn chef, who have different backgrounds and philosophies about food, end up running a small restaurant together in Jeonju, where they grow and fall in love.
Thoughts: I’m really excited for this one, even if this kind of plot — the ‘enemies to lovers’ trope involving an arrogant rich guy and a sassy woman — has been done countless times. I really like Kang Ha Neul and I’m excited to see him in a rom-com.
Oh My Ghost Clients
Premiere Date: May 23
Network: MBC
Stars: Jung Kyung Ho (Crash Course In Romance), Sul In Ah (Twinkling Watermelon), Cha Hak Yeon (Castaway Diva)
Slot: Friday & Saturday
Number Of Episodes: 10
Genre: Fantasy, Comedy, Thriller
Synopsis: It’s about a labor attorney who unexpectedly gains the ability to see ghosts, which leads to his growth as a person as he starts to solve labor problems brought to him by ghosts.
Thoughts: This one sounds like a typical episodic drama involving ‘ghost of the week’ cases. But the cast definitely makes it something I’m looking forward to. Also, the writer has penned shows like highly acclaimed D.P.
Second Shot At Love
Premiere Date: May 12
Network: tvN
Stars: Gong Myung (Be Melodramatic), Sooyoung (Kpop group Girls’ Generation; Not Others)
Slot: Monday & Tuesday
Number Of Episodes: 12
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Synopsis: A self-proclaimed ‘reasonable drinker’ unexpectedly reunites with her first love, a man who despises alcohol, and decides to take on the challenge of quitting drinking.
Thoughts: This one looks cute and Sooyoung is always so winsome.
Our Unwritten Seoul / Unknown Seoul
Premiere Date: May 24
Network: tvN
Stars: Park Bo Young (Melo Movie), Jin Young (The Witch), Ryu Kyung Soo (The Bequeathed)
Slot: Saturday & Sunday
Number Of Episodes: 12
Genre: Romance
Synopsis: It’s about identical twin sisters who lead completely different lives. They end up switching their lives and embarking on a journey to discover real love and the true meaning of life.
Thoughts: I haven’t seen many kdramas with twins/ double roles. That way this drama sounds fresh. But the basic plot of identical twins swapping their lives is very common in general. Interestingly, Park Bo Young did play a double sort of role in Oh My Ghostess as she played two personalities, one real and the other when possessed by a ghost. Anyway, I’m keen on watching this drama because of her.
Nine Puzzles
Premiere Date: May 21
Network: Disney+
Stars: Kim Da Mi (Itaewon Class), Son Suk Koo (My Liberation Notes)
Slot: Wednesday
Number Of Episodes: 11
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Synopsis: A profiler was the only witness of a 10-year-old unsolved case. A detective still thinks she is the suspect. Both of them team up to solve a present day serial murder case that involves a mysterious puzzle piece.
Thoughts: The plot sounds intriguing, the cast is amazing and the writer has written dramas like Tunnel and Navillera. Color me excited!
Good Boy
Premiere Date: May 31
Network: JTBC
Stars: Park Bo Gum (When Life Gives You Tangerines), Kim So Hyun (My Lovely Liar), Oh Jung Se (When The Stars Gossip), Lee Sang Yi (No Gain No Love)
Slot: Saturday & Sunday
Number Of Episodes: 16
Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance
Synopsis: It’s about a group of former national athletes who become police officers through a special recruitment program. Thus begins their fight against the injustice using their skills as players.
Thoughts: It could have been a regular episodic investigation drama, but the additional detail of the group being former players definitely contributes in making it different. And this is another great cast to get excited for.
Dear Hongrang
Premiere Date: May 16
Network: Netflix
Stars: Lee Jae Wook (Alchemy Of Souls), Jo Bo Ah (Destined With You), Kim Jae Wook (Melo Movie), Uhm Ji Won (For Eagle Brothers), Park Byung Eun (Hyper Knife), Jung Ga Ram (The Interest Of Love)
Slot: All episodes released together
Number Of Episodes: 11
Genre: Historical, Romance, Mystery
Synopsis: In the Joseon era, when a long-missing heir returns with lost memories, love and suspicion entwine. Is he truly Hongrang, or a stranger disturbing hearts and family ties?
Thoughts: This kind of story has been done quite a few times in the past, in movies, books and TV shows. But it works if done well and this one is on Netflix, so easily available to watch. Also, the drama has a compelling cast.
Spring Of Youth
Premiere Date: May 6
Network: SBS
Stars: Park Ji Hoo (Little Women), Lee Seung Hyup (Lovely Runner), Ha Yoo Joon (Namib)
Slot: Wednesday
Number Of Episodes: 10
Genre: Romance, Youth, Music
Synopsis: A love triangle story set in a college, involving two guys and a girl who all have interest in music.
Thoughts: It looks youthful and cute, but not really my cup of tea.
Shark: The Storm
Premiere Date: May 15
Network: TVING
Stars: Kim Min Seok (Because This Is My First Life), Lee Hyun Wook (Song Of The Bandits)
Slot: Thursday
Number Of Episodes: 6
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama, Thriller
Synopsis: This is a sequel to TVING original movie Shark: The Beginning (2021). In the drama, Cha Woo Sol (Kim Min Seok), dedicates himself to becoming a professional mixed martial arts fighter after being released from prison. But he gets involved in a brutal fight for survival against a new and ruthless enemy.
Thoughts: I haven’t seen the original movie, so my interest level is low.
