6 Highest-Rated Korean Dramas in Hallyu 2025, Which Ones Have You Watched?

Kapanlagi.com - Hallyu Wave or the Korean cultural phenomenon continues to create a significant impact in the entertainment world. Since its emergence in the late 1990s, Hallyu has spread across the globe, influencing the global entertainment industry, particularly in the sectors of drama, music, and film. Recently, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Korea, along with the Korea International Cultural Exchange Promotion Agency, announced the results of a survey regarding the most popular Korean dramas outside of Korea for the year 2025.

This survey revealed that Korean dramas continue to be a favorite in countries outside of Korea, with more and more spreading to various parts of the world. The rankings of the most talked-about dramas in this survey come from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, and even the Philippines and Hong Kong. With over 2,100 samples involved, this survey provides a clear picture of the trends that are continually evolving in the Korean drama industry.

The six Korean dramas that ranked the highest are SQUID GAME, QUEEN OF TEARS, CRASH LANDING ON YOU, TRUE BEAUTY, LOVELY RUNNER, and LOVE NEXT DOOR. This is the list of dramas that have achieved extraordinary popularity outside of Korea based on the latest survey conducted on April 7, 2025.

1. Squid Game: The Most Popular Korean Drama with the Highest Rating

Korean Drama Hallyu Rankings 2025 (credit:instagram.com/netflixkr)

The Korean drama SQUID GAME took the top spot with a 9.7% rating in the survey. Considered one of the biggest phenomena in entertainment history, SQUID GAME has captured global attention with its gripping story and strong characters. The presence of the streaming platform Netflix, which facilitates distribution, has allowed this drama to reach a wider audience around the world.

In addition to its thrilling storyline, SQUID GAME has also received much praise for its depiction of social injustice and economic disparity. The drama set a record as one of the most-watched programs on Netflix worldwide, further solidifying its popularity among Hallyu fans.

2. Queen of Tears: Korean Drama that Gained Global Attention

Korean Drama Hallyu Rankings 2025 (credit:instagram.com/tvn_drama)

Following in the footsteps of SQUID GAME, the Korean drama QUEEN OF TEARS ranks second in the survey with 6.5%. Although it has just been released, this drama has already captured the attention of many international viewers thanks to its engaging theme and emotionally charged storyline. The plot, which combines comedy and tragedy, successfully touches the hearts of the audience, making it one of the most talked-about dramas.

QUEEN OF TEARS features well-known stars and high production quality, further solidifying its position on the list of the most popular Hallyu dramas. This is another example of how the Korean entertainment industry is capable of producing captivating works not only in Korea but also in the global market.

3. Crash Landing on You: A Drama that Boosted the Popularity of Korean Celebrities

Korean Drama Hallyu Ranking 2025 (credit:instagram.com/tvn_drama)

CRASH LANDING ON YOU, with 2.2% in the survey, remains one of the most memorable dramas in the Hallyu world. It tells the love story between a South Korean woman and a North Korean soldier, and the drama became extremely popular due to its unique and emotional storyline. The great success in Korea was also met with extraordinary enthusiasm in Asian and Western countries.

This drama introduced international audiences to Korean stars who have now become global icons, such as Hyun Bin and Son Ye Jin. Additionally, the success of CRASH LANDING ON YOU also had a positive impact on the tourism industry in Korea, with many fans interested in visiting the filming locations in Korea.

4. True Beauty: A Global Teen Romance Phenomenon

Ranking of Hallyu Korean Dramas 2025 (credit:instagram.com/tvn_drama)

The drama TRUE BEAUTY managed to secure the fourth position in the survey with 2.1%. Based on a popular webtoon, this drama tells the story of a teenage girl who hides her true face with make-up, and her love journey with two handsome men. The story, which raises themes of beauty, self-identity, and social acceptance, is very relevant to many viewers around the world.

The main cast of TRUE BEAUTY, namely Moon Ga Young, Cha Eun Woo, and Hwang In Yeob, also received significant attention from international Hallyu fans, further emphasizing the popularity of this drama. The success of True Beauty demonstrates the importance of the influence of Korean dramas on cultural trends among the younger generation.

5. Lovely Runner: A New Drama with an Interesting Sports Touch

Hallyu Korean Drama Rankings 2025 (credit:instagram.com/tvn_drama)

LOVELY RUNNER has managed to capture attention with its refreshing sports theme. Although not as big as other dramas on this list, LOVELY RUNNER, which garnered 1.8% in the survey, offers a light yet engaging story for fans of the sports genre. This drama tells the journey of an athlete striving to achieve their dreams despite facing various obstacles.

Viewers looking for a story about struggle and spirit in the world of sports will find LOVELY RUNNER to be an enjoyable choice. Its success in making it to the Hallyu list indicates a significant interest in the sports genre among international audiences.

6. Love Next Door: A Romantic Story That Captivates the Heart

Korean Drama Hallyu Rankings 2025 (credit:instagram.com/tvn_drama)

LOVE NEXT DOOR recorded 1.5% in the survey and ranks among the popular Hallyu dramas. This drama presents a light and humorous romantic story, with themes of everyday life that are very relatable. Although it did not record very large numbers, LOVE NEXT DOOR still gained attention thanks to its sweet story and lovable characters.

With a storyline that emphasizes themes of love and honest relationships, this drama is a choice for fans of romantic dramas. Its growing popularity among international viewers indicates that Korean dramas with light and emotional themes always manage to attract attention.

Come on, read articles about other Korean drama recommendations on Kapanlagi.com. If not now, when, KapanLagi?

(kpl/vna)