April 2025 Premiering Korean Dramas: A Guide for Enthusiasts

From bittersweet fantasy romances to gripping thrillers and refreshing rom-coms, April 2025 brings an incredible wave of K-dramas to the screen. Whether you’re a loyal K-drama veteran or a curious newcomer, there’s something special for every type of viewer this month.

This curated guide breaks down the must-watch dramas debuting in April, highlighting their plots, stars, genres, and platforms to help you discover your next favorite series. From long-awaited sequels to fresh new storytelling, the April lineup is rich with variety, emotional depth, and cultural relevance. Don’t miss out—bookmark this calendar and prepare to binge.

Way Back Love (A Week Before I Die)

Premiering on April 3, 2025 via TVing, Way Back Love is a fantasy romance starring Gong Myung and Kim Min-ha, the latter known internationally for her role in Pachinko. Based on the novel Naega Jookki Iljooil Jeon, the story follows Jung Hee-wan, a woman on the edge of giving up, whose fate takes a turn when her deceased first love reappears and tells her she has one week left to live. Directed by Roh Deok (Very Ordinary Couple), this melodramatic tale of love, regrets, and fleeting time taps into a universally emotional premise that resonates with both Korean and global audiences.

Karma (Ill-Fated Relationship)

Karma, premiering on April 4, 2025 via Netflix, features powerhouse talents Park Hae-soo, Shin Min-a, and Lee Hee-joon. Adapted from the webtoon Akyeon, the thriller plunges viewers into the tangled lives of six individuals whose pasts and decisions bring dark consequences. Themes of desperation, moral conflict, and psychological trauma are layered through suspenseful storytelling and high-stakes drama. With its Netflix platform and globally recognized cast, Karma is poised to capture an international thriller-loving audience.

Crushology 101

Debuting April 4, 2025 on MBC, Crushology 101 is a romantic comedy set on a university campus. Roh Jeong-hui stars as Ban Hee-jin, a sculpture major navigating post-breakup life, who suddenly finds herself caught between several love interests. With characters like the dreamy design major and the charismatic elite student, this youth drama blends classic K-romance elements with Gen Z energy. Relatable, breezy, and charming, it’s perfect for viewers who love lighthearted storytelling and campus nostalgia.

Resident Playbook (Someday Wise Resident Life)

A spin-off of the beloved Hospital Playlist, Resident Playbook premieres on April 12, 2025 on tvN. With a fresh cast including Go Eun-jung, Shin Se-ah, Han Ye-ji, Kang Yoo-seok, and Jung Joon Won, this series explores the joys and struggles of first-year OB/GYN residents. Aimed at a younger demographic, the drama blends emotional depth with lighthearted camaraderie in the medical field. Fans of the original series will find comfort in the familiar setting, while new viewers can enjoy the slice-of-life tone and relatable coming-of-age arcs.

Heavenly Ever After

Heavenly Ever After brings a whimsical twist to the afterlife. Set to air on April 19, 2025 via JTBC, the series stars veteran actress Kim Hye-ja and Son Suk-kyu. After her death, 80-year-old Lee Hae-sook reunites with her younger-looking husband in heaven. The drama, directed by Kim Suk-yoon and written by Lee Nam-kyu, offers heartfelt reflections on eternal love, second chances, and the meaning of goodbye. With its unique concept and emotionally rich narrative, it’s likely to resonate with mature audiences and fantasy fans alike.

Catch Your Luck (Good Luck)

Catch Your Luck follows a greedy landlord whose pursuit of money puts his ethics and relationships to the test. Directed by Lee Hae-Woo and Park Man-Young, and written by Son Ji-Hye, this drama blends gritty realism with human redemption. While the channel is unconfirmed, the story’s introspective lens on wealth, regret, and change makes it a likely favorite among fans of character-driven storytelling.

New Recruit 3

New Recruit 3 returns on April 7, 2025 with a fresh season of military satire. Based on the beloved Studio JBBJ YouTube animation, the dark comedy follows Park Min-Seok’s journey toward becoming a corporal, while confronting familiar and new military absurdities. Starring Kim Min Ho, Lee Sang Jin, Kim Dong Jun, Kim Yo Han, and Oh Dae Hwan, and directed by Min Jin Gi, this series captures the humor and hidden dynamics of Korean army life. Fans of grounded comedy and military slice-of-life storytelling will find this both hilarious and sharply insightful.

The Haunted Palace (Return to the Palace)

Premiering April 18, 2025, The Haunted Palace (also titled Return to the Palace) stars Yook Sung-Jae, Bona, and Kim Ji-Hoon in a historical fantasy rich with supernatural suspense. An ancient Imoogi spirit possesses a royal official, unleashing chaos within the palace. As vengeful ghosts rise and hidden grudges surface, a reluctant shaman and a forward-thinking king must unite to uncover the truth. Directed by Yun Seong-Sik and written by Yoon Soo-Jung, this fusion of history, horror, and mysticism is perfect for fans of epic period dramas with a supernatural edge.

First Love

• Premiere Date: April 18, 2025
• Main Cast: Eun Chan, Jeong Ji Soo, Cha Jun Ho, Jane, Hwang Ji A, Bong Jae Hyun, Kim Seon Gyeong
• Genre: Musical Romance, Teen Drama
• Platform: Likely Korean Channel

First Love captures six unique love stories filled with the innocence, nervous excitement, and heartbreak of youth. Directed by Park Seon-Jae and No Jung-hoon, and written by Kim Yoo-Jeong and Ji Kang, the series combines musical elements and vibrant teen emotions. The anthology format allows for a diverse array of romantic experiences, appealing to fans of nostalgic, feel-good storytelling with a lyrical twist.

Pump Up the Healthy Love

Set to premiere on April 30, 2025, Pump Up the Healthy Love stars Lee Jun Young and Jung Eun Ji in a romantic comedy set in a bustling gym. He’s a health-obsessed gym manager; she’s a spontaneous travel planner. When their paths cross, it challenges everything they believe about order, wellness, and love. Written by Kim Ji Soo and directed by Park Joon Soo and Choi Yeon Soo, this drama blends fitness, heart, and humor for an uplifting viewing experience. It’s a classic opposites-attract love story with modern flair, perfect for fans of cozy and charming K-dramas.

Weak Hero Class 2

Anticipated to arrive in late April 2025, Weak Hero Class 2 follows Yeon Si-eun—played by Park Ji Hoon—as he transfers to Eunjang High School after enduring school violence. There, he faces even darker challenges, new enemies, and hard-won friendships. With Ryeo Un joining the cast, this sequel continues the gritty tone of the original, diving into systemic bullying and trauma recovery. Though the exact release date is unconfirmed, and it’s only potentially premiering on Netflix, anticipation is high among fans of the original action drama. Weak Hero has become a powerful voice in the conversation around youth mental health and violence, making this sequel even more impactful.

Whether you’re in the mood for emotional healing, supernatural thrills, or lighthearted romance, April 2025 is delivering one of the strongest K-drama lineups of the year. With globally recognized actors, inventive plots, and a blend of tradition and innovation, this month offers stories that will move your heart—and probably keep you up all night clicking “next episode.”

Tags: Kdrama2025, KdramaPremiere, FantasyRomance, KdramaNetflix, MedicalDrama, YouthDrama, RomComKdrama, KdramaThriller, HistoricalFantasy, KdramaLineup