Netflix's original series 'When Life Gives You Tangerines' has been selected as the "Best Drama of 2025" in a survey conducted by entertainment business media outlet Joy News 24 in celebration of its 21st anniversary. The results reflect the choices of industry professionals.
The survey, conducted from October 13 to 19, polled 110 experts, including entertainment company and broadcast station officials, content creators, and entertainment reporters.
'When Life Gives You Tangerines' received overwhelming support, earning 48 votes (approximately 43.6% of respondents), decisively outpacing its competitors and earning recognition for both its popularity and artistic quality.
The drama is a massive project with a production budget of 60 billion KRW (approx. 41.6 million USD). Set in 1950s Jeju Island, it tells the emotional coming-of-age story of two young people navigating the challenges of their era across the four seasons.
Ae Soon (played by IU), a literature-loving yet rebellious girl, and her steadfast companion, the devoted Kwan Sik (played by Park Bo Gum), grow together while relying on each other amid harsh realities. Their youthful journey through a turbulent era conveys warmth and hope, leaving a lasting impression on viewers.
The series also topped a nationwide survey conducted by Gallup Korea in May, where 1,004 adults were asked about their favorite broadcast programs.
tvN's 'Bon Appétit, Your Majesty' came in second place with 18 votes, praised for its high-quality direction and captivating storyline. The series premiered with a 4.9% nationwide rating (Nielsen Korea) and steadily rose, reaching a peak of 17.1% in its finale - the highest rating among tvN dramas in 2025 and the top mini-series rating of the year.
The fantasy romantic comedy follows Michelin three-star chef Yeon Ji Young (played by YoonA), who travels back to the Joseon era and faces King Lee Heon (played by Lee Chae Min), known as both a supreme gourmet and ruthless tyrant, in a high-stakes culinary survival challenge. Its blend of historical drama, gastronomy, and romance captured viewers' attention.
Third place went to Netflix's medical drama 'The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call,' released in January, which received 10 votes. Praised for its realistic depiction of medical scenarios and strong storytelling, the series continued the dominance of genre dramas.
The story follows genius trauma surgeon Baek Kang Hyuk (played by Ju Ji Hoon) as he joins the Korean National Hospital trauma team, transforming it from a neglected department into a lifesaving unit while confronting systemic flaws, internal power struggles, and life-or-death emergencies. Despite its tense narrative, the drama emphasizes human dignity and dedication.
Netflix's 'You and Everything Else' (9 votes) and tvN's 'Our Unwritten Seoul' (7 votes) rounded out the top five. 'You and Everything Else' explores the intertwined lives of two women who alternated between admiration, jealousy, and love from their teenage years into their forties, while 'Our Unwritten Seoul' depicts twin sisters swapping lives through deception in a heartwarming romantic coming-of-age story.
MBC's 'Doubt,' starring Han Suk Kyu, received three votes for its rich acting and polished storytelling. Highly anticipated global hits 'Squid Game' season 2 and 3 each earned two votes, as did other dramas, including 'Light Shop,' Go Hyun Jung's comeback series 'Queen Mantis,' and 'Resident Playbook,' among others.
In the Korean film category, Park Chan Wook's new release, 'No Other Choice', received 23 votes, claiming the title of the year's best film. The story follows office worker Man Su (played by Lee Byung Hun), who, after losing his job despite a once-satisfying life, prepares for a personal battle to secure re-employment and protect his wife Mi Ri (played by Son Ye Jin) and children. Park Chan Wook called the film his "project of a lifetime," which has approached 3 million viewers.
Second place in the film category went to 'Harbin,' directed by Woo Min Ho and starring Hyun Bin, with 16 votes. 'My Daughter Is a Zombie' received 14 votes for third place. Other notable films included 'Yadang: The Snitch' (10 votes) and 'Love in the Big City' (8 votes).
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