10 Exciting Korean TV Series to Look Out For in 2025 on Disney+
We break down all the best announcements for K-content from the recent 2024 Disney Content Showcase held in Singapore.
The glitz and glamour of Disney’s APAC Content Showcase reached new heights as the entertainment giant unveiled its dazzling slate of Korean Disney+ Originals for 2025. Over two days of electrifying announcements, first looks, and appearances by Korea’s brightest stars, Disney+ reaffirmed its commitment to telling compelling stories from the APAC region.
From historical dramas to gripping mysteries and intense thrillers, the upcoming slate promises to captivate audiences worldwide. Here's everything you need to know about the Korean series set to dominate Disney+ next year:
1. Light Shop
Set to premiere on December 4, Light Shop stars Ju Ji-hoon (Kingdom) and Park Bo-young (Strong Woman Do Bong Soon) in an emotional journey through life, death, and memory. An adaptation of Kang Full’s acclaimed webtoon, the series follows six strangers who find themselves in a mysterious liminal space with no recollection of how they arrived. Drawn to an enigmatic shop at the end of a shadowy alley, they must confront their past traumas to find redemption.
2. Unmasked
Veteran actress Kim Hye-soo (Smugglers) teams up with Jung Sung-il (The Glory) and Joo Jong-hyuk (Frankly Speaking) in this investigative drama centered on a two-decade-old cold case. The series chronicles the efforts of a team of justice-seeking journalists to unravel the mysterious disappearance of a famous actor. Known for their fearless exposés, the journalists must navigate danger and deceit as they inch closer to uncovering the truth.
3. Knock-Off
Kim Soo-hyun (Queen of Tears) and Cho Bo-ah (Destined With You) lead this drama exploring the shadowy counterfeit trade during the aftermath of the 1997 Asian financial crisis. Sung-jun, a man left destitute by the economic collapse, turns to counterfeiting in a desperate attempt to rebuild his life. The drama series delves into the moral and personal costs of his rise in the illegal market with hints of romance
4. Nine Puzzles
Kim Da-mi (Our Beloved Summer) and Son Suk-ku (A Killer Paradox) headline this psychological thriller about a criminal profiler and a detective chasing a serial killer who toys with his pursuers. The story follows profiler Yoon Ena, whose traumatic past becomes a focal point as the killer engages her in a deadly game. Partnered with skeptical investigator Kim Hanseam, she must solve the puzzles before more lives are lost.
5. Hyper Knife
Park Eun-bin (Extraordinary Attorney Woo) stars in this medical drama as Seok, a visionary neurosurgeon whose obsession with perfection leads to her professional undoing. Stripped of her license and cast aside by her mentor played by Sul Kyung-gu (The Moon), Seok begins conducting back-alley surgeries. When her mentor reappears, the ensuing confrontation tests both her limits and the ethics of her profession.
6. Low Life
Ryu Seung-ryong of Moving fame and Yang Se-jong (Doona!) star in this treasure-hunting drama set in 1970s Korea. The series centers on an uncle-nephew duo tasked with recovering an ancient treasure from Korea’s coast. Competing against rival treasure hunters, they face the question of whether wealth is worth risking everything.
7. Tempest
This international thriller pairs Korean stars Jun Gianna (Kingdom) and Gang Dong-won (Peninsula) with Hollywood actors John Cho (Afraid) and Christopher Gorham. Tempest follows an international agent and a diplomat who team up to uncover the truth behind an attack threatening the Korean peninsula. With its blend of geopolitical intrigue and action, the series aims to appeal to both Korean and Western audiences.
8. The Manipulated
This action-packed drama brings together Ji Chang-wook (Gangnam B-side) and Doh Kyung-soo of K-pop group EXO in a story of betrayal and vengeance. The plot follows Taejung, a man wrongfully imprisoned for a heinous crime, who discovers that Yohan, a shadowy figure, orchestrated his downfall. Taejung’s relentless pursuit of retribution drives the narrative, promising intense action and psychological depth. Notably, this has also gathered quite the buzz as it will be D.O's first villain role in the acting space.
9. Made in Korea
Two powerhouse performers, Hyun Bin (Crash Landing On You) and Jung Woo-sung (Tell Me That You Love Me), lead this gripping crime drama set in the 1970s. Made in Korea follows Kitae, a man driven by greed and ambition, and Geonyoung, a prosecutor determined to bring him down. Their clash leads to an incident that will define their era. Directed by Woo Min-ho, the series will see these two big screen giants showdown!
10. The Murky Stream
Starring Rowoon (The King’s Affection), Shin Yeeun (He Is Psychometric), and Park Seoham (Semantic Error), this historical drama is a collaboration between director Choo Changmin (Masquerade) and writer Cheon Sungil (All Of Us Are Dead). Set during the Joseon Dynasty, The Murky Stream explores a world where lawlessness reigns and a once-pure river reflects the murkiness of its society. The series delves into the intertwined lives of three characters: Jang Siyul, a gangster concealing a dark past; Jung Chun, an idealistic officer; and Choi Eun, a beacon of wisdom.