Action-Packed K-Drama Series on Disney+ Hotstar That Keep You Excited Throughout 2025

Wednesday, January 08, 2025

After a binge-fueled 2024 that saw breakout Korean series Moving, A Shop For Killers, The Worst of Evil, and The Tyrant, take home a wealth of awards, and that introduced audiences to other unmissable stories including Light Shop, Gangnam, B-Side, Red Swan and more, 2025 on Disney+ Hotstar promises audiences so much more. More action, more drama, more mystery and more betrayal, with an expansive slate of heart stopping Korean series led by top stars set to release throughout the year.

Following on from a series of exciting reveals and announcements at the 2024 Disney APAC Content Showcase, today’s sizzle gives global audiences a captivating new look at several of the upcoming Korean series set to be released on Disney+ Hotstar this year, including:

Unmasked (January 15): 

Starring the beloved Kim Hyesoo as well as Jung Sungil and Joo Jonghyuk, Unmasked follows an investigative news team whose days are numbered following the broadcast of a particularly contentious story. With time running out on their careers, the team are challenged to accomplish the impossible if they want to save their jobs – solve a twenty-year-old cold case involving a famous actor who disappeared without a trace. 

Hyper Knife (March 19): 

Featuring an unmissable acting masterclass by Korean stars Park Eunbin and Sul Kyunggu, Hyper Knife follows Seok, a visionary neurosurgeon who consistently pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in the operating room. Tortured by her need for perfection, Seok suddenly finds herself tossed aside and stripped of her license after crossing her mentor. Unwilling to let go of what made her great, Seok continues to carry out back-alley operations until her former mentor comes looking for help.

Knock-Off: 

Internationally revered Kim Soohyun makes his Disney+ Hotstar debut alongside Cho Boah in this dramatic series that dives into the murky world of counterfeit goods. Knock-Off follows Sungjun, a man whose life is ruined in the wake of the ’97 Asian Financial Crisis, as he tries to rebuild his life by rising to the top of the counterfeit market scene. 

Nine Puzzles: 

Featuring the Disney+ Hotstar debut of Kim Dami and the return of Big Bet’s Son Sukku, this dark criminal mystery follows Yoon Ena, a criminal profiler with a tragic past, as she’s thrown headfirst into a twisted game created by a serial killer. Determined to catch the killer before they strike again, Ena teams up with her biggest critic – fellow investigator Kim Hanseam - in a story that will have audiences guessing whodunit right to the very end. 

Low Life: 

Moving’s Ryu Seungryong stars alongside Yang Sejong and Lim Soojung in this upcoming series set in 1970s Korea. Low Life tells the story of an uncle and his nephew who are both willing to take on any job to make a bit of money. Struggling to make ends meet, the two are tasked with retrieving an ancient treasure, but with treasure hunters from across the country converging on the site, will the duo be able to beat the competition and attain the wealth they’ve always desired? 

Tempest: 

Set in modern-day Korea, Tempest follows Munju, a highly accomplished diplomat and former ambassador to the United Nations, and Sanho, an international special agent, as they race to uncover the truth behind an attack that threatens the future stability of the Korean peninsula. A Hollywood and Korean crossover series unlike any other, Tempest sees legendary Korean actors Jun Gianna and Gang Dongwon star alongside John Cho, Michael Gaston, Spencer Garrett, Christopher Gorham, Alicia Hannah-Kim, Jacob Bertrand and more. 

The Murky Stream: 

The first Korean period piece to debut on Disney+ Hotstar, The Murky Stream is set during the Joseon Dynasty in a lawless land. The series follows Jang Siyul, a man who’s hidden his past to become a local gangster; Jung Chun who dreams of becoming an honest military officer; and the wise and righteous Choi Eun. The series stars Rowoon, Shin Yeeun, Park Seoham, Park Jihwan. 

The Manipulated: 

Set to debut later this year, this upcoming action drama follows Taejung, a man wrongfully imprisoned for a heinous crime, who discovers that a mysterious figure named Yohan orchestrated his downfall. Fueled by vengeance, Taejung will set out to make Yohan pay in this series starring Ji Changwook, Doh Kyungsoo, Lee Kwangsoo and Jo Yoonsu. 

2025 K-Dramas at Disney+ Hotstar:

With all these and more unmissable Korean series set to be released alongside a wealth of world-class international series and global tentpole titles, there’s never been a more exciting time for audiences to sign up and enjoy Disney+ Hotstar!