New K-dramas in August 2025

Fans of veteran actresses are in for a treat as top stars Lee Bo-young, Yum Jung-ah, Uhm Jung-hwa and Lee Ha-nee headline k-dramas this August. From comedies to heartwarming romances, here are new titles to look out for.

August 1: Mary Kills People

Lee Bo-young (Agency) is Woo So-jung, a doctor who, together with former plastic surgeon Choi Dae-hyun (Kang Ki-young, Queen of Divorce). illegally provides terminally-ill patients with assisted suicide services. Hot on their tracks is Jo Hyun-woo (Lee Min-ki, Behind Your Touch), a detective who himself has a incurable brain cancer. This medical black comedy is the Korean remake of the acclaimed 2017 Canadian series of the same name, Mary Kills People.

12 episodes. Where to Watch: Viki, Fridays and Saturdays

August 2: Beyond the Bar

Beyond the Bar introduces us to promising rookie attorney Kang Hyo-min (Jung Chae-yeon, Family by Choice) as she learns the ropes of the legal profession. Guiding her is Yoon Seok-hoon (Lee Jin-uk, Squid Game 2&3), a cold, skilled, and demanding partner at top law firm Yullim. This 12-episode JTBC drama co-stars Lee Hak-joo (The Potato Lab) and Jeon Hye-bin (Revolutionary Sisters).

12 episodes. Where to Watch: Netflix, Saturdays and Sundays

August 2: My Lovely Journey

Based on the best-selling Japanese novel "Oka no Ue no Kenjin Tabiya Okaeri," this healing drama centers on Kang Yeo-reum (Gong Seung-yeon), a former k-pop idol who now works as a travel reporter. Working for CEO Oh Sang-shik (Yoo Jun-sang) of Ogu Entertainment, she discovers valuable life lessons as she travels around.

10 episodes. Where to Watch: Viki, Saturdays and Sundays

August 4: Love, Take Two

From the director of hit rom-coms Hometown Cha Cha Cha, Crash Course in Romance, and Love Next door comes another heartwarming exploration of familial, neighborly, and romantic love. Yum Jung-ah (The Defects) is Lee Ji-an, a single mother and construction site manager who moves to a rural village with her rebellious medical student daughter Hyo-ri (Choi Yoon-ji, Love Next Door). There, Ji-an reconnects with her first love Ru Jeong-seok (Park Hae-joon, When Life Gives You Tangerines), who is now an architect and single father to flower farmer Bo-hyeon (Kim Min-kyu, Bitch and Rich 2).

12 episodes. Where to Watch: Viu / Viki, Mondays and Tuesdays

August 9: Our Golden Days

KBS2's newest 50-episode weekend family drama explores the idea of a person's "golden era" through several generations. The cast of Our Golden Days is led by Jung Il-woo (Good Job), Jung In-sun (DNA Lover), Yoon Hyun-min (True to Love), and Korea's "national father" Chun Ho-jin (Heavenly Ever After).

August 18: My Troublesome Star

Im Se-ra was a popular celebrity known as "The Nation's First Love." But she mysteriously vanishes for 25 years, and wakes up without any memories. Living as the ordinary Bong Cheong-ja (Uhm Jung-hwa, Doctor Cha), she enlists the help of handsome detective Dokgo Chul (Song Seung-heon, Black Night).

12 episodes. Where to Watch: Viki, Mondays and Tuesdays

August 22: Aema

This Netflix exclusive takes us behind-the-scenes of the fictional Madame Aema, Korea's first erotic film. Starring Lee Ha-nee (Knight Flower) as movie star Jeong Hee-ran, rookie Bang Hyo-rin as rookie actress Shin Ju-ae, and film star Jin Sunk-kyu as producer Gu Joong-ho, this comedy takes us into the corrupt and male-dominated world of Chungmuro (Korean Hollywood) in the 1980's.

6 episodes. Where to Watch: All episodes drop on Netflix on August 22, 4PM KST

August 23: Bon Appétit, Your Majesty

Lim Yoona (King the Land) and Lee Chae-min (Crushology 101) star in this timeslip romance based on a popular webtoon of the same name. Award-winning French chef Yeon Ji-young (Lim Yoona) magically travels 500 years back in time to the reign of the tyrannic king Lee Heon (Lee Chae-min). Will her cooking skills please the discriminating tastes of the young despot and even win over his heart?

August 23: Twelve

The gates of hell are open and it's up to twelve guardians to save the world. If you've been dying to see Park Hyung-sik in his hot villain era, rejoice! Park stars as demon O-gwi, who seeks the power of the soul stones to rule over earth. Stopping him are angels played by Ma Dong-seok, Seo In-guk, Lee Joo-bin, Kang Mi-na, Sung and Dong-il, whose characters are inspired by the 12 zodiac animals of the east.

8 episodes. Where to Watch: Disney+