2025 has become a year of harsh reckoning for the K-drama industry.
Several high-profile TV projects have collapsed spectacularly, while Netflix-backed series continue to thrive raising a big question: Can K-dramas survive without Netflix?
A wave of stellar flops
Few expected the drama of Song Joong-ki’s return My youth Despite flopping, despite massive promotion, the series barely hit 1% ratings on JTBC, marking one of the network’s lowest-rated shows of the year. Critics called it “tasteless,” “obsolete,” AND “too slow for modern audiences“, while fans complained about the “healing” the genre has lost its appeal.
Likewise, Park Min-young Queen of trust released simultaneously on Prime Video failed to revive its rom-com glory days. Despite the global push, ratings reached 0% and international buzz also faded rapidly. Many reviewers said the drama “it only survived because of Park Min-young’s star power.”
Meanwhile, the ambitious Disney+ series Storm faced even harsher criticism, labeled “soulless disaster” with one of the most disappointing endings of the year. The backlash has fueled speculation that Disney+ may scale back its Korean operations altogether.
In fact, of the top 10 K-drama flops of early 2025, almost all of them aired on networks not connected to Netflix. Despite big budgets and famous casts, most have failed to capture audiences’ attention, proving that star names and glossy marketing are no longer enough.
Netflix-backed hits tell a different story
While traditional broadcasters have struggled, Netflix-based titles have soared.
When Life gives you tangerines starring Park Bo-gum became a global phenomenon, while Mercy for anyone it made top 10 trending lists in over 15 countries. Even dramas not officially labeled as “Netflix Originals” like Bon appetit, Your Majesty (SBS) e Queen Mantis (tvN) benefited from Netflix’s global licensing, which boosted their domestic ratings.
It is clear that in 2025 the networks that collaborate with Netflix are the ones that reap successes. Both tvN and SBS now top domestic ratings, thanks in part to co-production deals and simultaneous releases worldwide on the platform.
In contrast, networks that choose to exclusively broadcast programs or partner with smaller platforms struggle to stay relevant.
Why Netflix continues to win in Korea
Netflix’s dominance isn’t just about money, but also about reach and adaptability. With multilingual subtitles, simultaneous publishing in over 190 countries and enormous marketing strength, the platform turns every show into a global event.
Networks like tvN and SBS noticed this early and began collaborating strategically, while others hesitated and lagged behind.
Another key factor: freedom of content and gender diversity. Netflix dramas aren’t limited to romance or melodrama. They embrace darker and riskier themes: crime, survival, fantasy and psychological thrillers. Global hits like Sweet home, Squid gameAND Masked girl proved that even unconventional stories can resonate around the world.
In contrast, platforms like Prime Video and Disney+ still struggle to capture the “DNA of K-drama”. Disney’s focus on action-packed or political plots, while star-studded, doesn’t seem to match the emotional, genre-blending storytelling that Korean audiences love.
The end of the “Star Power = Ratings” era.
2025 has made one truth painfully clear: Big names can’t save weak scripts. Actors like Song Joong-ki and Park Min-young remain beloved, but audiences are increasingly drawn to compelling writing and fresh talent rather than recycled clichés.
In an era where viewers have hundreds of choices at their fingertips, the “famous actor = hit show” formula is obsolete. The future belongs to content that surprises, challenges and connects emotionally and not just visually.
Korean dramas would still exist without Netflix, but they might not thrive. The platform didn’t just expand its reach, it redefined what success means in the streaming age: global audience, viral impact and freedom of storytelling.
What once seemed likeNetflix is saving K-dramas” is no longer a metaphor. It is an undeniable reality that is shaping the future of the entire Korean entertainment industry.
Sources: Kenh14,tvN,SBS,Netflix,JTBC,Prime Video,Disney+
