November 2025 K-Drama Binge Guide: Revenge Taxis, Psychopathic Stars, and Everything In Between

November 2025 is about to become the most binge-worthy month of the year for K-drama fans. With an exceptional lineup featuring everything from psychological thrillers to historical fantasies, romantic comedies to dark revenge tales, this month delivers content that caters to every viewing preference. Powerhouse actors like Kim Yoo-jung, Lee Je-hoon, Ji Chang-wook, Lee Jae-wook, and Kim Se-jeong are returning to the small screen with compelling new stories. Whether you’re Team Romance or Team Thriller, your November watchlist is about to overflow.

November 2025 K-Drama Complete Release Schedule

Last Summer: When the Past Refuses to Stay Buried

Premiere: November 1, 2025 (Saturdays & Sundays)
Where to Watch: KBS2
Stars: Lee Jae-wook, Choi Sung-eun, Kim Gun-woo, Kwon Ah-reum

Kicking off the month is Last Summer, an emotional melodrama that explores how unresolved secrets can poison the present. The story follows childhood friends Baek Do-ha, an architect, and Song Ha-kyung, a civil servant, who are forced to confront a devastating secret from two years ago involving Do-ha’s twin brother, Baek Do-yeong.

Their complicated relationship becomes even messier when a legal battle erupts over their shared childhood home. Set against the backdrop of the architecture industry, the drama delves into themes of grief, identity crisis, first love, forgiveness, and second chances. Lee Jae-wook, fresh off his success in Alchemy of Souls, brings depth to the role of a man haunted by his past while trying to build his future.

For fans who appreciate emotionally layered storytelling like Our Beloved Summer or Twenty-Five Twenty-One, this promises to be a tearjerker that explores how the people we grow up with shape who we become.

Nice to Not Meet You: A-List Problems

Premiere: November 3, 2025
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video, tvN
Stars: Lee Jung-jae

Following his international breakthrough with Squid Game, Lee Jung-jae returns to lighter fare with Nice to Not Meet You. The romantic comedy follows Lim Hyun-jun, a massively successful A-list actor who’s desperately tired of being typecast as a detective in every project. He dreams of landing a serious melodrama role that will showcase his range.

His life takes an unexpected turn when he crosses paths with Wi Jeong-sin, an award-winning political journalist who’s been abruptly demoted to the entertainment news desk. The clash between an actor seeking artistic credibility and a serious journalist forced into celebrity coverage sets up plenty of comedic potential while exploring themes about ambition, identity, and what we’re willing to sacrifice for our careers.

This meta-narrative about the entertainment industry itself should resonate with anyone who’s felt trapped by others’ expectations. For more on K-drama’s trend toward industry-insider stories, check our entertainment trends analysis.

The Manipulated: Digital Revenge Thriller

Premiere: November 5, 2025 (First 4 episodes; new episodes Wednesdays)
Where to Watch: Disney+ Hotstar
Stars: Ji Chang-wook, D.O. (Doh Kyung-soo)

The Manipulated is a remake of the 2017 film Fabricated City, which also starred Ji Chang-wook. This updated version follows Tae-joong, an ordinary food delivery driver whose entire life is destroyed when he’s framed for a heinous crime he didn’t commit. Wrongfully imprisoned and stripped of his dignity, Tae-joong discovers that Yo-han—played by EXO’s D.O.—orchestrated the elaborate conspiracy.

What makes this particularly timely is its exploration of digital manipulation in our technology-saturated world. How easily can someone’s entire existence be fabricated through digital evidence? Ji Chang-wook brings his signature intensity to a man fighting to clear his name and exact revenge, while D.O. steps into villain territory, showcasing a darker side fans haven’t seen from the typically lovable idol-actor.

The action thriller promises elaborate fight sequences, cyber warfare, and psychological cat-and-mouse games. According to Disney+’s Korean content strategy, they’re investing heavily in high-octane Korean thrillers, and The Manipulated exemplifies this commitment.

Moon River: Historical Fantasy Romance

Premiere: November 7, 2025
Where to Watch: MBC TV
Stars: Kim Se-jeong, Kang Tae-oh

Set in the Joseon era, Moon River tells the story of Crown Prince Yi-gang, who loses his ability to smile after the death of his crown princess. Consumed by grief and a burning desire for revenge, his life takes an unexpected turn when he meets Park Dal-i, a merchant who bears a striking resemblance to his late wife.

This historical fantasy explores themes of reincarnation, destiny, and whether love can transcend death. Kim Se-jeong, known for her versatility in both comedy (Business Proposal) and drama (The Uncanny Counter), takes on a dual role that will test her range. Kang Tae-oh, fresh from military service, returns with a complex character navigating grief, duty, and an impossible second chance at love.

The Joseon-era setting provides gorgeous cinematography and elaborate period costumes, while the fantasy elements add magical realism that distinguishes it from straightforward historical dramas. For fans who loved Alchemy of Souls or Mr. Queen, this blends historical authenticity with fantastical possibilities.

As You Stood By: Friendship Turns Deadly

Premiere: November 7, 2025
Where to Watch: Netflix (Global)
Stars: Ahn Eun-jin, Im Ji-yeon

Based on Hideo Okuda’s novel Naomi and Kanako and directed by Lee Jung-rim, As You Stood By is a dark crime thriller that premiered at the Busan International Film Festival before its Netflix release. The story focuses on two childhood friends: Eun-su, a VIP department store employee, and Hui-su, a former writer trapped in a violent marriage.

When Hui-su’s abusive husband Jin Pyo seriously hurts her, Eun-su makes a fateful decision—to help her friend plot his murder. But their plan immediately goes wrong, dragging them into a deeper, more dangerous spiral where every attempt to fix the situation only makes things worse.

This thriller explores how far friendship can push us, the moral compromises we make to protect those we love, and how one wrong decision can cascade into catastrophe. The performances by Ahn Eun-jin (Hospital Playlist) and Im Ji-yeon (The Glory) promise emotional depth alongside the suspenseful twists.

According to Netflix’s Korean content announcement, they’re prioritizing psychological thrillers that explore moral ambiguity, making As You Stood By a perfect fit for their strategy.

No Next Life: Comedy with Heart

Premiere: November 10, 2025
Where to Watch: TV Chosun, Netflix (International)
Stars: Kim Hee-sun, Han Hye-jin

No Next Life offers a heartfelt slice-of-life comedy that explores second chances and finding purpose at any age. The drama follows characters confronting the reality that this is their one and only life—there’s no “next time” to get it right.

Kim Hee-sun, a veteran actress who’s successfully transitioned between various genres throughout her career, leads this ensemble cast exploring themes of regret, redemption, and the courage to change your life trajectory even when it feels too late. The comedy elements balance the heavier existential themes, creating a feel-good drama that resonates with viewers of any age grappling with life’s “what ifs.”

For those seeking lighter fare that still has emotional depth—think Our Blues or Dear My Friends—this promises to deliver both laughs and meaningful reflection on what makes life worth living.

Dynamite Kiss: Workplace Romance

Premiere: November 12, 2025
Where to Watch: SBS TV

This romantic workplace comedy brings the classic “opposites attract” formula to a contemporary office setting. While cast details remain under wraps, the premise promises the kind of lighthearted romantic tension that made shows like What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim and Business Proposal so addictive.

The workplace comedy subgenre has become a K-drama staple, offering relatable scenarios about navigating professional boundaries, office politics, and the complications of mixing business with pleasure. Expect witty banter, second-hand embarrassment, and the slow-burn romance that keeps viewers coming back week after week.

Taxi Driver 3: Justice Delivers Again

Premiere: November 21, 2025
Where to Watch: SBS, Viu
Stars: Lee Je-hoon, Pyo Ye-jin
Based on: Webtoon “The Deluxe Taxi” by Carlos and Keukeu Jae Jin

The highly anticipated third season of Taxi Driver continues the story of the Rainbow Taxi team, led by the charismatic Kim Do-gi (Lee Je-hoon). This vigilante group delivers justice to victims failed by the legal system, tackling cases the authorities won’t or can’t handle.

Season 3 promises more intense cases, deeper emotional exploration, and internal challenges that test the team’s unity and moral compass. As they face increasingly powerful adversaries, the show continues exploring the series’ core themes: revenge versus justice, the cost of vigilantism, and whether the ends justify the means.

The first two seasons built a devoted fanbase with their satisfying takedowns of villains and cathartic justice for victims. According to SBS Drama’s official announcement, Season 3 will feature even more elaborate revenge schemes while deepening character development for the entire Rainbow Taxi crew.

For our complete breakdown of the Taxi Driver universe, visit our K-drama franchise guide.

Dear X: Beauty Masks a Beast

Premiere: November TBA
Where to Watch: TVING (Korea), HBO Max (International)
Stars: Kim Yoo-jung, Kim Young-dae
Based on: Webtoon “Dear X” by Ban Ji-un

Saving perhaps the most anticipated for last, Dear X marks Kim Yoo-jung’s dramatic departure from her recent role in My Demon. She steps into the chilling role of Baek Ah-jin, a top actress beloved for her beauty and seemingly kind nature. But behind this charming facade lies a calculating sociopath who manipulates everyone around her to achieve success.

As her carefully constructed perfect life begins to crumble, two people from her past become entangled in her downfall: Yun Jun-seo, her lifelong confidant, and Kim Jae-o, a man tied to her painful past. The drama explores ambition, trauma, and the destructive nature of fame, with rival actress Im Re-na adding additional tension to their already complicated relationships.

Kim Yoo-jung playing a psychopath represents a bold career move for an actress known primarily for her wholesome and romantic roles. The webtoon adaptation promises dark psychological exploration of what creates monsters—are they born or made? What happens when someone with no empathy enters an industry built on manipulation and image management?

This psychological thriller has been generating massive buzz, with fans eager to see Kim Yoo-jung’s transformation into a character so unlike anything she’s played before. For analysis of her career evolution, check our K-drama actress spotlights.

Why November 2025 Matters for K-Drama

This exceptional lineup demonstrates the genre diversity and production quality that have made K-dramas a global phenomenon. From the vengeful action of Taxi Driver 3 to the psychological depths of Dear X, from the historical fantasy of Moon River to the contemporary workplace comedy of Dynamite Kiss, November offers something for every viewer preference.

The return of established franchises like Taxi Driver alongside bold new adaptations like Dear X shows an industry confident in both proven formulas and risky experiments. Major streaming platforms—Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max—are all investing heavily in Korean content, resulting in higher production values and more ambitious storytelling.

According to Variety’s analysis of the Korean content market, international streaming investment has transformed K-drama production, allowing creators to take bigger creative risks while reaching global audiences simultaneously.

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