The most disappointing K-Dramas of 2025, as revealed by a new industry survey, have left fans in total shock.
Per Koreaboo, for the fifth consecutive year, JoyNews24 conducted an annual insider poll among 110 entertainment professionals, including producers, reporters, and agency officials, on which dramas fell below their expectations this year. People voted for several high-profile projects as the "worst K-dramas" of 2025, despite their massive budgets and star-studded casts.
First in the ranking was "Twelve," an Eastern-style fantasy drama that starred and was produced by Ma Dong Seok. The production, which features a story about the twelve deities of the zodiac, reportedly topped ₩20 billion KRW, or over $13.8 million USD. Despite casting popular actors Seo In Guk and Park Hyung Sik, it drew criticism over what was described by people in the industry as "weak plot setup" and "poor character building."
A respondent cited by Koreaboo summarized the sentiment among professionals, saying the show "had an exciting premise, but the execution was unconvincing and the CGI disappointing." The drama's viewership ratings reportedly fell from 8.1% at its premiere to just over 2% by its finale.
Second place went to "When the Stars Gossip," a long-awaited tvN drama starring Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin. Ultimately, with five years of production time and a budget of ₩50 billion KRW, around $34.5 million USD, the space drama failed to capture viewers' interest due to complaints about an "illogical plot" and "awkward CGI effects." It wrapped up at the nationwide rate of just 2.6%.
In third place was Netflix's "Squid Game 3." Production investment reached ₩100 billion KRW, or about $69 million USD, so expectations were high. Controversies continued to mar the season, plus what insiders called "a disjointed narrative and an unsatisfying ending."
Other titles on the list, according to News Nate, included "Tempest," "Crushology 101," and "Kick Kick Kick Kick," while "Gyeongseong Creature 2" and "Confidence Queen" were ranked in the top ten.
One viewer reaction shared on News Nate sums up public sentiment: "Even big names can't save a weak story. It's not about money, it's about creativity."
Analysts point out that, in spite of the criticism, the results reflect a higher audience expectation brought on by the global rise of Korean dramas, wherein even the tiniest misstep receives sharp scrutiny.
