Top 5 Most Loved K-Dramas Worldwide in 2025; See Full List

The 2025 Global Hallyu Survey has revealed the most-loved K-dramas worldwide. The survey was conducted by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange. It gathered responses from 26,400 people across 26 countries, including the U.S., U.K., Japan, India, and Brazil.

Squid Game tops the list as the most popular K-drama globally. It scored 9.7% in the survey. The dystopian thriller, starring Lee Jung-jae and Wi Ha-joon, first premiered in 2021. Its second season was released in December 2024, and the third season is set to premiere on June 27, 2025. The show’s intense storyline and social commentary keep it a global favorite.

Queen of Tears ranks second with 6.5%. This 2024 drama stars Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won. It tells the emotional story of a couple facing marital struggles and a terminal illness. The series quickly gained international popularity due to its strong performances and heartfelt narrative.

Crash Landing on You takes third place with 2.2%. Released in 2019, this romance drama features Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin. The story follows a South Korean heiress who accidentally lands in North Korea and falls in love with a soldier. Despite being years old, it remains a beloved classic.

True Beauty is fourth with 2.1%. This 2020 high school drama stars Cha Eun-woo and Moon Ga-young. It explores themes of beauty standards and self-acceptance. The show’s relatable storyline and charming cast continue to attract fans worldwide.

Lovely Runner rounds out the top five with 1.8%. This 2024 drama stars Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon. It combines romance and time travel, following a fan who goes back in time to save her favorite idol. The fresh concept and strong chemistry between leads helped it gain quick popularity.

The survey also highlights the growing trend of real-time viewing. International fans now watch K-dramas almost simultaneously with Korean audiences due to streaming platforms. This shift has increased the global reach of newer shows like Lovely Runner.

Other K-dramas in the top 10 include The Judge From Hell, The Glory, Love Next Door, Mr. Plankton, and Marry My Husband. The survey also lists popular K-movies like Parasite, Train to Busan, and Exhuma.

K-pop remains the most recognized aspect of Korean culture globally, with 17.8% of respondents naming it first. Korean food follows at 11.8%, while TV dramas rank third at 8.7%. BTS and BLACKPINK are the most popular K-pop acts.

The 2025 Global Hallyu Survey was conducted from November 29 to December 27, 2024. It covers Korean Wave content, including dramas, movies, music, and beauty. The findings help promote Korean culture worldwide through events like Hallyu expos.

“Crash landing on you, The Glory, Queen of Tears, which impressed me and honestly the others weren’t bad at all” – Jovan Mitrevski, Facebook comment.

“Very good !!! Very interesting !!! Very impressive !!! There are no other words I can say other than that, all the stories, the acting, the drama and the actors are absolutely perfect. I love this movie and I enjoy it a lot.. T…” – Bela, Facebook comment.

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