‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ and Other Stories: Must-Watch Upcoming K-Dramas for 2025

Kakao Entertainment continues to expand its archive of stellar K-content. Here are the upcoming K-dramas in its offerings for this year, including popular webtoon adaptations in the context of its IP crossover initiatives, dramas starring heavyweights, and originals with fresh, interesting narratives.

When Life Gives You Tangerines

The ensuing events about a rebellious Ae-sun (IU) and an uncompromising Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum) are told in this slice-of-life romance drama set on the bustling island of Jeju. It subsequently follows their heartfelt relationship over the years. The series will be available on Netflix beginning March 7.

Crushology 101

Roh Jeong-eui, Lee Chae-min, and Cho Jun-young star in the April series, based on the popular webtoon 바니와 오빠들 (Bani and Brothers). It features college girl Bani, whose first relationship fails, resulting in a breakup, and she resolves not to pursue another romance. But chaos ensues when Bani meets these gorgeous men, fluttering her heart.

Nine Puzzles

In this upcoming mystery thriller, scheduled for the first half of this year, Kim Da-mi has Yun I-na, a profiler who in the past had witnessed an unsolved murder case in which Son Suk-ku’s detective Kim Han-saem suspects her. However, as the plot advances, they team up to solve the case and what’s behind more murders tied to a cryptic riddle.

Karma

Karma, planned for release in the second quarter of this year, is based on the same-named webtoon—a gripping crime thriller about six individuals who are jinxed when fate connects their lives in ways they cannot escape, featuring Park Hae-soo, Shin Min-a, Lee Hee-joon, Kim Sung-kyun, Lee Kwang-soo, and Gong Seung-yeon.

Two Women

Two friends, Ryu Eun-jung (Kim Go-eun) and Cheon Sang-yeon (Park Ji-hyun), are bonded by a sort of love-hate relationship that leaves them intertwined as they cross paths at different points of their respective lives. A poignant tale of life and its many layers, Two Women is scheduled to premiere in the third quarter.

The Mantis: Original Sin

A woman has served a lengthy prison sentence for serial killing in this Korean mystery-thriller-police procedural series—led by Ko Hyun-jung and Jang Dong-yoon—and it centers on the 2017 French thriller miniseries La Mante. The dramatic twist arrives when it becomes apparent that another criminal is on a killing spree replicating her crime.

Wife of a 21st Century

Production of this romance drama is apparently about to begin, with an expected release date this year. The plot revolves around Prince Yian (Byeon Woo-Seok), the king’s second son, who’s a prince only by status but nothing he can own, and Seong Hee-Ju (IU), a rich woman with everything but high status. Things begin to look different, when they get involved with each other in light of what transpires subsequently.

Eunsoo Good Day

This crime suspense story has Kang Eun-soo (Lee Young-ae), a simple housewife who, under compulsion, gets into drug trafficking to pay for her sick husband’s treatment, and Lee Kyung (Kim Young-kwang), a teacher boasting an impressive profile. But that’s his facade; at night, he distributes drugs. One day, when a mysterious bag surfaces, it causes the two of them to forge a dangerous alliance.