At the major “Disney+ Open House” event held in Seoul on May 23, the Korean subsidiary of the Walt Disney Company unveiled its K-drama lineup planned for the end of the year. One thing is certain: the platform continues to invest heavily in Korean content.
Among the attendees were Choi Yeon Woo, Head of Local Content at Disney+, alongside Kim Won Guk, CEO of Hive Media Corp., and Yoo Jeong Hoon. They all highlighted the projects that will enrich the streaming giant’s Korean offerings.
The upcoming new releases should delight drama addicts. From espionage to political thrillers, revenge, and historical romance, Disney+ boasts a diverse and promising selection. Here are five K-dramas you absolutely can’t miss before the end of the year:
Jun Ji Hyun returns in force as Moon Ju, a renowned diplomat and former ambassador to the United States. She teams up with San Ho (Kang Dong-won), a mercenary as enigmatic as he is formidable, to foil a plot threatening the stability of the Korean peninsula.
Tempest – When Love Infiltrates the Secrets of Power
Starring Jun Ji Hyun (Gianna Jun), Kang Dong-won, and John Cho
The international cast is bolstered by the presence of John Cho, who plays a high-ranking American official. This spy thriller blends diplomatic tension with intense romance.
Why are we waiting for this? Jun Ji Hyun hasn’t been back on screen since Jirisan in 2021. Her connection with Kang Dong-won promises to be a real eye-opener.
Made in Korea – The Inside Story of a 1970s Korea in Full Swing
Starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woo Sung
Set in an era where corruption is rife in the upper echelons, Made in Korea depicts the confrontation between Baek Ki Tae (Hyun Bin), an ambitious businessman, and Jang Gun Young (Jung Woo Sung), an incorruptible prosecutor.
This dark drama by Woo Min Ho (Inside Men, Harbin) promises to be as intense as it is cinematic.
Why are we waiting for this? This is the first time Hyun Bin and Jung Woo Sung have co-starred. For that alone, it’s worth the watch.
Low Life – When a Treasure Hunt Turns Disaster
Starring Ryu Seung Ryong, Yang Se Jong, and Im Soo Jung
A broke and desperate uncle and nephew embark on a mad quest to retrieve a sunken treasure. But the road is fraught with pitfalls and enemies willing to do anything to get their hands on it.
Inspired by a hit webtoon based on a true story, this drama promises a delicious blend of tension, emotion, and dark humor.
Why are we waiting for this? Kang Yoon Sung, the director of The Outlaws, has crafted a thrilling and visually striking story.
The Murky Stream – A sageuk unlike any other
Starring Rowoon, Shin Ye Eun, and Park Seo Ham
In a turbulent period of the Joseon era, three destinies intersect: a thug with raw charisma (Rowoon), a righteous and courageous woman (Shin Ye Eun), and an idealistic young civil servant (Park Seo Ham). Together, they fight against a system riddled with corruption.
With this historical drama, Disney+ ventures into the sageuk genre for the first time, injecting a dose of modernity and dramatic tension.
Why are we waiting for this? Rowoon breaks away from his “perfect prince” image to take on the role of a mysterious antihero. A real risk.
The Manipulated – A Descent into Hell Orchestrated by a Former Friend
Starring Ji Chang Wook and Doh Kyung Soo (EXO’s D.O.)
Wrongly accused of murder, Tae Jung (Ji Chang Wook) discovers that the mastermind of the manipulation is none other than Yo Han (D.O.), a former friend. Between betrayal and revenge, this thriller delves into the depths of the human soul.
The script, written by the author of Taxi Driver, promises a breathtaking pace and a series of twists and turns.
Why are we looking forward to it? Ji Chang Wook plays a character adrift, while D.O. plays a chilling antagonist. An unexpected, but promising, duo.
These five dramas will be available internationally on Disney+ in the second half of 2025. At the same time, the platform is also preparing the highly anticipated return of Moving, whose second season is currently in production.
