K-dramas to Watch This Week June 16-22: Hunter With a Scalpel and I Am a Running Mate Lead Must-See Premieres

The third week of June 2025 promises to be an absolute treasure trove for Korean drama enthusiasts, delivering an electrifying mix of brand-new premieres and highly anticipated episode releases that will keep viewers glued to their screens. From the spine-chilling forensic thriller “Hunter With a Scalpel” starring the talented Kang Hoon to the heartwarming high school comedy “I Am a Running Mate” featuring Yoon Hyun Soo, this week’s lineup showcases the incredible diversity and storytelling prowess that has made K-dramas a global phenomenon.

Whether you’re craving the dark psychological depths of crime procedurals, the light-hearted charm of community comedies, or the nostalgic sweetness of youth dramas, June 16-22 offers something to satisfy every viewing preference. The week also brings crucial developments in ongoing series like Park Bo Gum’s “GOOD BOY,” Park Bo Young’s “Our Unwritten Seoul,” and the romantic finale of “Second Shot at Love,” ensuring that established storylines reach pivotal moments while new narratives begin their captivating journeys.

This carefully curated selection represents the current golden age of Korean television, where production values soar, storytelling reaches new heights, and streaming platforms compete to deliver the most compelling content to audiences worldwide.

Hunter With a Scalpel: A Forensic Thriller That Cuts Deep

Hunter With a Scalpel, starring Kang Hoon, Park Ju Hyun, and Park Yong Woo, presents a gripping crime thriller about a forensic pathologist who discovers her long-presumed dead father is still alive and committing murders. The series premieres on June 16 on Disney+ and U+ Mobile TV, marking one of the most anticipated crime dramas of the summer season. This dark psychological thriller delves into the complex relationship between justice, family loyalty, and the pursuit of truth, exploring how the past can resurface to haunt even the most dedicated professionals.

Kang Hoon’s portrayal of the central character promises to showcase his dramatic range as he navigates the moral complexities of a forensic expert whose personal life becomes entangled with professional duties. The show’s premise taps into universal themes of family secrets and the lengths people will go to protect those they love, even when faced with undeniable evidence of wrongdoing. Park Ju Hyun and Park Yong Woo round out the stellar cast, bringing their own gravitas to supporting roles that will undoubtedly add layers of complexity to the unfolding mystery.

The timing of this premiere couldn’t be more perfect, as audiences have shown an increasing appetite for sophisticated crime dramas that blend procedural elements with deep character development. The forensic pathologist angle provides a unique perspective on criminal investigations, allowing viewers to see justice pursued through scientific methodology while grappling with emotional turmoil. This combination of intellectual intrigue and emotional depth positions “Hunter With a Scalpel” as a potential breakout hit that could define the summer viewing season.

I Am a Running Mate: High School Politics and Personal Growth

I Am a Running Mate stars Yoon Hyun Soo, Hong Hwa Yeon, and Choi Woo Sung in a high school drama about a model student who runs for student council vice president to revamp his image after an incident earns him an embarrassing nickname. Premiering on June 19 on TVING, this coming-of-age story promises to blend political satire with teenage romance and personal discovery, creating a narrative that resonates with both young viewers and adults who remember their own high school struggles.

The show’s exploration of student government politics serves as a microcosm for larger societal issues, examining how reputation, image management, and authentic leadership intersect in the pressure-cooker environment of academic achievement. Yoon Hyun Soo’s character arc from embarrassed student to political candidate offers rich opportunities for both comedy and genuine character development, while the supporting cast provides the social dynamics that make high school dramas so compelling.

What sets “I Am a Running Mate” apart from typical teen dramas is its focus on rehabilitation and second chances, themes that speak to contemporary discussions about cancel culture, redemption, and the possibility of personal growth. The series appears to tackle these weighty topics with the light touch that Korean dramas excel at, balancing serious character development with the humor and heart that make these stories universally appealing. The show’s TVING platform positioning suggests a more mature approach to teen content, potentially attracting viewers across age demographics.

Salon de Holmes: Community Comedy With Heart

Salon de Holmes features Lee Si Young and Jung Young Joo in a comedy drama about four women in a residential apartment complex who team up to solve their community’s problems. Releasing on June 16 on ENA, this series represents the growing trend of ensemble comedies that focus on found family dynamics and community building. The show’s premise taps into the universal appeal of neighborhood mysteries while celebrating the power of women working together to create positive change in their environment.

The apartment complex setting provides an intimate backdrop for character development and relationship building, allowing the series to explore themes of friendship, mutual support, and civic engagement on a human scale. Lee Si Young’s involvement brings star power and proven comedic timing to the project, while Jung Young Joo adds her own unique energy to the ensemble cast. The detective element adds structure to the community-focused narrative, giving the characters concrete goals to pursue while developing their relationships.

This type of feel-good programming has found particular success in recent years as audiences seek comfort viewing that combines light entertainment with positive messages about human connection and community involvement. The series’ focus on problem-solving rather than creating drama positions it as perfect viewing for those seeking uplifting content that still maintains narrative engagement and character depth.

Ongoing Series Delivering Weekly Entertainment

Romantic Conclusions and New Beginnings

The week also brings significant developments in several ongoing series that have been captivating audiences with their evolving storylines. “Second Shot at Love” approaches its climactic finale with episodes 11 and 12, where viewers will witness the resolution of Gong Myung’s efforts to help Sooyoung overcome her alcohol addiction while potentially achieving their long-awaited romantic happy ending. This emotional journey, available on Viki on June 16 and 17, has been particularly praised for its sensitive handling of addiction recovery and second chances in love.

Meanwhile, “The Woman Who Swallowed the Sun” continues its intense narrative with episodes 6-10, focusing on a single mother’s determined quest for justice against a powerful chaebol family. This series, streaming on Kocowa from June 16-20, has garnered attention for its unflinching examination of social inequality and the lengths a parent will go to protect their child.

Star-Studded Productions Maintaining Momentum

“Our Movie,” featuring the exceptional talents of Jeon Yeo Been and Namkoong Min, presents episodes 3 and 4 that promise to deepen the romantic connection between a terminally ill actress and a director collaborating on a film project. Available on Wavve on June 20 and 21, with Korean viewers able to access it through Disney+, this series continues to explore themes of mortality, creativity, and finding love in unexpected circumstances.

“GOOD BOY” maintains its position as one of the week’s most anticipated ongoing series, with episodes 7 and 8 introducing a serious illness that threatens to derail Park Bo Gum’s character’s dreams of happiness with Kim So Hyun’s character. This development, viewable on Prime Video on June 21 and 22, adds another layer of complexity to an already emotionally rich narrative.

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