7 New Korean Dramas Airing in January 2025 with Full Synopsis

 The latest Korean dramas in January 2025 feature renowned actors and actresses like Gong Hyo-jin, Lee Min-ho, and Han Ji-min. They span various genres, including romance, comedy, historical, and medical drama. Some explore the intrigues of the Joseon Dynasty court. Titles premiering in January 2025 include "Love Scout", "When the Stars Gossip", "The Queen Who Crowns", "Motel California", "Unmasked", "Study Group", and "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call".

1. Love Scout (January 3rd, 2025)

Kang Ji-Yun (Han Ji-Min) is a successful and confident woman who leads a headhunting company, where she navigates the cutthroat world of recruiting with unwavering determination. Her career consumes her every waking moment, and she pours her heart and soul into ensuring the company's success. However, outside the office, she lacks confidence. The intricacies of everyday life, from managing personal tasks to carrying out daily responsibilities, elude her.

 

Luckily, his loyal secretary, Yu Eun-Ho (Lee Joon-Hyuk), stepped in to fill the void. Not only does he take care of her personal affairs, but he does so with a level of warmth, grace, and thoughtfulness that starkly contrasts his boss's focus on work. A single father, Joon-Hyuk is a master at balancing his demanding job with the subtle arts of parenting and running a household, making him a sturdy anchor in her chaotic world.

 2. When the Stars Gossip / Ask The Stars (January 4th, 2025)

Ask the Stars tells the story of an astronaut and a tourist who meet and fall in love on a space station.

Gong Ryong (Lee Min-Ho) is a respected gynecologist and future son-in-law of the powerful MZ Chaebol family. However, beneath his gentle exterior, he carries a secret mission one so sensitive that he cannot reveal it to anyone. To continue his mission, he invests a large amount of money to become a space tourist, traveling to the space station for a few days. There, he meets Eve Kim (Gong Hyo-Jin), a brilliant space scientist who has recently been assigned as the station's commander after receiving her first mission as a commander.

 

Eve (Kong Hyo-Jin) is a perfectionist, a stickler for rules, and demands flawless execution in an environment where every decision could mean life or death. The crew consists of a diverse mix of highly skilled individuals, including Kang Kang-Su (Oh Jung-Se), a fruit fly research scientist and the second son of a prominent global financial family. As Eve leads her team with precision, the tension between duty and the unknown increases, with Gong Ryong and Eve hiding more than they let on in the weightlessness of the space world.

 

Gong Ryong's girlfriend, Choi Go Eun (Han Ji Eun), is a woman with impressive qualities. As the sole heir to the MZ Group, she carries the responsibilities of his family legacy with confidence and grace. Her beauty was extraordinary, but her intelligence and abilities that stood out the most. Whether in business or personal life, Go Eun handles everything with ease, earning the admiration of those around her.

3. The Queen Who Crowns (January 6th, 2025)

Queen Wongyeong (Cha Joo-Young) was born into the powerful Min family during the Goryeo period, a lineage that had produced generations of influential government officials. From an early age, she was groomed for greatness, and her sharp intellect and ambition made her a prominent figure in the royal court. Known as Lady Min before her rise to the throne, she married Yi Bang-Won (Lee Hyun-Wook), who would later become King Taejong. At the time of their marriage, Yi Bang-Won was known as Prince Jeongan, the son of King Taejo and the Joseon Dynasty's founder.

Yi Bang-Won harbored deep ambitions to succeed his father as king, but King Taejo shocked him and the court by naming his second son, Yi Bang-Gwa, as the heir apparent. This decision deeply troubled both Lady Min and her husband, as they had expected to ascend to the throne. Determined to change their fate, Lady Min embraced her role as a kingmaker. With cunning and strategy, she supported Yi Bang-Won in his quest for power, ultimately helping him secure the throne as King Taejong, ushering in a new era and a new regime.

However, the transition to power was not without its complications. Once Yi Bang-Won became king, he took many concubines, which deeply upset Queen Wongyeong. The presence of these women created tension within their marriage, and as Taejong’s affections shifted, Queen Wongyeong found herself increasingly alienated. Her relationship with King Taejong grew strained as she struggled with the emotional and political repercussions of his new alliances.

To consolidate his power and strengthen his position, King Taejong began to take measures to keep Queen Wongyeong and her influential Min family in check. His moves were calculated, as he sought to ensure his authority was undisputed. The once close and united partnership between Lady Min and King Taejong now faced growing divisions, as the cost of power and ambition began to erode the foundations of their relationship. Amidst this turbulent struggle, Queen Wongyeong’s influence as both a wife and a political force continued to shape the course of history, even as her personal life crumbled under the weight of her husband's pursuit of dominance.

4. Motel California (January 10th, 2025)

 

Ji Kang-Hee (Lee Se-Young) spent her childhood at Motel California, a small, rustic motel her father managed in a quiet rural village. Her family was different from the others in the town—her mother was of mixed race, a detail that made Ji Kang-Hee the subject of hushed whispers and gossip among the villagers. As a result, Ji Kang-Hee grew up with the burden of feeling like an outsider, carrying a deep emotional scar from the constant judgment of those around her.

Despite the challenges, she found solace in her childhood friendship with Chun Yeon-Soo (Na In-Woo), the boy who would become her first love. Their bond was pure, but as she turned 20, Ji Kang-Hee decided to leave her small hometown behind and seek a new life in Seoul.

Twelve years later, Ji Kang-Hee has become a successful interior designer, standing at the peak of her career. Yet, something draws her back to the place she thought she had left behind. She returns to her hometown, hoping to confront the past and find peace with her roots. In the village she once tried to escape, she crosses paths with Chun Yeon-Soo once more.

Now Chun Yeon-Soo become a veterinarian in the village, his life entangled with the community that has long admired him. The only woman he has ever loved is Ji Kang-Hee, but he has kept his feelings locked away, especially since rumors have spread about him marrying a fellow veterinarian. These rumors, fueled by the eager farmers who want to pair him with their daughters, have put him in an uncomfortable position. Rather than confronting the gossip, he has chosen to remain silent, avoiding the attention and complications that come with it.

When Ji Kang-Hee returns to the village, the memories of their past flood back, and the bond they once shared begins to rekindle. But as they reconnect, both must face the emotional wounds that have lingered over the years. Ji Kang-Hee struggles with the hurt from her past, while Chun Yeon-Soo must navigate the complexities of his feelings for her, as well as the pressure from the village. Together, they must confront the choices they made and the love they left behind while grappling with the reality of who they have become over the years.

5. Unmasked (January 15th, 2025)

Oh So-Ryong (Kim Hye-Soo) is a fearless and sharp-witted journalist who serves as the chief of Trigger, a high-profile investigative reporting program dedicated to uncovering the truth behind cases that the police and prosecutors have failed to solve. Her team delves into the darkest corners of society, unraveling the hidden criminal activities and exposing the wrongdoers that lurk beneath the surface. With each new investigation, Trigger unearths chilling secrets and brings to light the villains who have escaped justice, using their reporting as a tool to hold the powerful accountable. Oh So-Ryong's dedication to her work is unwavering, driven by a deep sense of justice and the belief that the truth must always prevail, no matter how dangerous the journey may be.

The program's work is often grueling and fraught with risks, as they challenge corrupt systems and powerful individuals who would rather keep their secrets buried. But Oh So-Ryong, with her relentless pursuit of the truth, stands at the helm of the team, always pushing forward, no matter the obstacles. She is not just a journalist; she is a force to be reckoned with, respected by her team and feared by those who seek to conceal their crimes.

As the team continues to tackle increasingly complex cases, PD Han Do (Jung Sung-Il) joins the Trigger team, bringing his own expertise and fresh perspective to the program. Han Do is a skilled and ambitious producer, eager to uncover stories that others would dare not touch. His arrival marks a pivotal moment for the team, as he brings new energy and innovative ideas to their investigations. Though initially uncertain about his place within such a high-stakes environment, Han Do quickly learns the ropes, becoming an integral part of Trigger. Together with Oh So-Ryong and the rest of the team, Han Do dives into the world of crime and corruption, where each investigation brings them closer to the truth but also further into the danger that surrounds it.

As they work side by side, Oh So-Ryong and Han Do develop a complex, dynamic relationship—one built on mutual respect but also tested by the challenges of their work. They both share a passion for uncovering the truth, but their methods and approaches often clash. As Trigger exposes more hidden crimes and confronts increasingly powerful adversaries, the stakes grow higher, and the line between justice and danger blurs. The team's journey becomes not just about uncovering the darkest secrets of society, but also about the toll that the pursuit of truth can take on the individuals who dare to chase it.

6. Study Group (January 23rd, 2025)

Yoon Ga-Min (Minhyun) is a student at one of the most infamous vocational high schools, a place known for its troubled students and chaotic atmosphere. On the outside, Ga-Min fits the image of a model student: he wears glasses, has a neat appearance, and possesses an innocent, almost angelic demeanor. Despite his outwardly perfect look, he struggles academically, consistently finding himself at the bottom of his class. His grades are a constant source of frustration, and no matter how hard he tries, the textbooks and lectures never seem to come easily to him.

But where Ga-Min lacks in academic prowess, he more than makes up for it with his physical strength and exceptional fighting skills. His ability to stand up for himself and others has earned him a reputation in the school—one that is often more feared than respected. Despite the rough exterior, Ga-Min has a good heart and wants to better his situation. In a bid to improve his grades, he forms a study group with a few fellow students, hoping that collaboration will help them all overcome their academic struggles.

Though the study group is initially composed of students with various challenges and backgrounds, Ga-Min becomes the unlikely leader. Whenever trouble strikes, whether bullying or schoolyard drama, Ga-Min steps in with his fighting skills to protect his friends, ensuring that his group stays intact and motivated. His determination to help his peers, even at the cost of his own safety, shows that beneath the tough exterior lies a deeply loyal and caring individual. As the study group grows stronger and their bonds deepen, Ga-Min learns that sometimes, the lessons outside the classroom—about friendship, loyalty, and perseverance—are just as important as the ones in the books.

Lee Han Kyeong (Han Ji-Eun), Yun Ga Min's teacher, dreams of seeing the school improve. She tutored Yun Ga Min during her university days and reunited with him when she was appointed as a temporary teacher, holding a secret.

7. The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call (January 4th, 2025)

Baek Kang-Hyuk (Ju Ji-Hoon) is a brilliant and fearless trauma surgeon, renowned for his expertise in conflict zones around the world. Having faced the most harrowing and dangerous situations, his confidence in his abilities is unmatched. With a bulldozer-like personality, Baek is unyielding when he believes he is in the right, charging ahead with his own brand of determination. His journey brings him to a prestigious university hospital, where he takes charge of the severe trauma team, a department that is as vital as it is financially burdensome.

The severe trauma team is a double-edged sword for the hospital. While they save countless lives in critical conditions, their efforts place immense strain on the hospital’s finances, pushing it further into the red. Baek Kang-Hyuk’s leadership is put to the test, as he balances the immense pressure of his role with the challenge of maintaining the team’s effectiveness despite the hospital's growing financial concerns.

The team itself is a diverse group of talented individuals. Yang Jae-Won (Choo Yeong-Woo), a former member of the proctological surgery department, is recruited by Baek Kang-Hyuk after being impressed by his unconventional approach. Yang, who becomes Baek’s first pupil, quickly adapts to the grueling pace and high stakes of trauma surgery under his mentor’s watchful eye. Nurse Cheon Jang-Mi (Ha-Young) and anesthesiologist resident Park Kyung-Won (Jeong Jae-Kwang) round out the team, each bringing their own specialized skills to the table.

Under Baek Kang-Hyuk's leadership, the once lackluster severe trauma team transforms from a theoretical concept into a highly effective, action-oriented unit that saves lives on the front lines of the hospital. Through his unwavering commitment and tireless work ethic, Baek turns the team into a powerhouse of trauma care, making an undeniable impact on both the lives they save and the future of the hospital itself.

Despite the external pressures, Baek Kang-Hyuk’s relentless drive to save lives pushes him to challenge the status quo, forging bonds with his team that extends beyond the operating table. His journey is not just one of medical success, but also one of personal growth, as he navigates the complexities of leadership, mentorship, and the sacrifices required to make a true difference in the world of trauma surgery.

Sources:

Asianwiki

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