tvN Unveils 2025 Drama Lineup: Can It Deliver Another Year of Hits like “Queen of Tears” and “Lovely Runner”?
tvN is gearing up to replicate the success of its stellar 2024 lineup, which included “Queen of Tears,” “Lovely Runner,” “Jeong Nyeon,” “Marry My Husband,” and “Love Next Door.” These shows dominated the top five spots on the 2024 TV drama buzz rankings, with “Queen of Tears” achieving a record-breaking 31% viewership rating, solidifying tvN’s reputation as a powerhouse in drama production.
tvN also retained its top position in the “Broadcast Channel Brand Power Index (BPI)” for the second consecutive year. This index, designed by CJ ENM in collaboration with external research firms, evaluates brand competitiveness based on consumer perceptions, quality, and behaviors. In the 2024 survey, tvN scored 47.2 points among viewers aged 20 to 49, outperforming MBC, SBS, KBS, and JTBC.
2025 Drama Highlights
When the Stars Gossip
When the Stars Gossip (premiering January 4) is Korea’s first “space office” drama, set on a zero-gravity space station. It follows Eve, a boss, and Gong Ryong, a mysterious guest on a secret mission. Starring Lee Min-ho, Gong Hyo-jin, and Oh Jung-se, the drama explores human connections through complex relationships, directed by Park Shin-woo and written by Seo Sook-hyang.
Seochodong
Seochodong is a legal drama set in Seocho-dong, following associate lawyers from different firms. Starring Lee Jong-suk, Moon Ga-young, and others, it explores their bond over lunch breaks in a competitive setting. With a script inspired by the writer’s legal background and a distinctive visual style, the series blends lighthearted moments with intense struggles. It is scheduled to premiere in the second half of 2025.
Typhoon Sergeant
Typhoon Sergeant is set during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, following a young CEO’s efforts to protect his father’s business, Typhoon Corporation, amid the IMF crisis. The drama also highlights the struggles of his family. Starring Lee Junho and Geum Sae-rok, the series is directed by Lee Na-jeong, generating high anticipation.
Divorce Insurance
Divorce Insurance is an office romantic comedy about a team at an insurance company who develop a product that monetizes divorce. Starring Lee Dong-wook, Lee Joo-bin, Lee Kwang-soo, and Lee Da-hee, the drama explores this unique concept with a star-studded cast. Directed by Lee Won-seok and Choi Bo-kyung, with a script by Lee Tae-yoon, it is highly anticipated.
The Queen Who Crowns
The tvN X TVING original drama “The Queen Who Crowns” follows Queen Won Gyeong, who rose to power with her husband, King Taejong Lee Bang-won, and reimagines their relationship from her perspective as political partners. Starring Cha Joo-young and Lee Hyun-uk, the drama introduces a fresh take on historical figures. The first two episodes will be pre-released on TVING on January 6 at 2 PM, with the first episode airing on tvN at 8:50 PM to reach both TV and OTT audiences.
Unknown Seoul
“Unknown Seoul” is a romantic coming-of-age drama about twin sisters who swap lives through a lie while searching for true love. Starring Park Bo-young, who will take on her first dual role, and Park Jin-young, the series promises unique chemistry. Directed by Park Shin-woo (known for “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay”), with a script by Lee Kang (“Youth of May”), the drama blends emotional melodrama with intense thrillers.
My Happy Home
My Happy Home follows the Kim family, who restart a counterfeit money business to cover medical expenses, only to get entangled with criminal organizations. The drama promises fresh, exciting content with its unique premise. Choi I-rang, known for “Welcome to Wedding Hell,” writes the script, and Kim Cheol-gyu, known for “Flower of Evil” and “Mother,” directs.
The Tyrant’s Chef
The Tyrant’s Chef follows a French chef who time-travels and meets a tyrannical king, also a gourmet, sparking a fantasy survival romance across 500 years. Directed by Jang Tae-yu, known for “Knight Flower” and “My Love from the Star”, the series promises an exciting and thrilling narrative. It is scheduled to premiere in the second half of 2025.
The Potato Lab
The Potato Lab is a healing comic romance set in a mountain valley, where characters experience laughter and tears over potatoes. Starring Lee Sun-bin and Kang Tae-oh, the drama promises both humor and emotional depth. Directed by Kang Il-su and written by Kim Ho-su, the series is generating anticipation. It is scheduled to premiere on March 1, 2025.
My Dearest Nemesis
“My Dearest Nemesis” is a romance drama based on a popular Naver webtoon. It follows Baek Su-jeong, a team leader with a dark past, and Ban Joo-yeon, a chaebol heir with a black dragon in her heart. Starring Moon Ga-young, Choi Hyun-wook, Lim Se-mi, and Kwak Si-yang, the drama promises strong chemistry and fresh acting synergy. It is scheduled to premiere on February 17, 2025.
Resident Playbook
A spin-off of “Hospital Playlist”, this drama explores the lives and friendships of OB-GYN residents at Jongno Yulje Hospital. Originally set to air in 2024 but postponed due to a prolonged medical crisis, it stars rising stars Go Youn-jung, Shin Si-ah and others. It is scheduled to premiere in April 2025.
Please Quit Drinking
“Please Quit Drinking” is a romance about a woman trying to quit drinking after reuniting with a health center doctor who has a stronger alcohol addiction than she does. The series, which promotes alcohol cessation, stars Sooyoung Choi and Gong Myung, showcasing their charming chemistry. Written by Myung Soo-hyun and Jeon Ji-hyun (known for “Ugly Miss Young-ae”), and directed by Jang Yoo-jung (“Finding Mr. Destiny”). It is scheduled to premiere in May 2025.
The Fairy and the Cowherd
“The Fairy and the Cowherd” is a fantasy romance drama based on the popular Naver webtoon of the same name. It tells the story of a high school girl who is a shaman and sets out to save her first love. Starring rising stars Jo Yi-hyun and Chu Young-woo, the drama combines a fresh first love romance with eerie yet touching stories of ghosts, promising a unique and engaging experience. It is scheduled to premiere in June 2025.
With this diverse slate, tvN is poised to captivate audiences once again in 2025.
Source: Daum
