Go Yoon-jung’s “My Brilliant Life” might be shelved again, as it has been excluded from tvN’s 2025 lineup [Official Announcement].
[OSEN=Yoo Soo-yeon] tvN has unveiled an impressive lineup set to dominate 2025.
In the past year, tvN captured both viewer interest and ratings, offering audiences endless enjoyment. Shows like “Run Away with Seon-jae,” “Queen of Tears,” “Jeong-nyeon,” “Marry My Husband,” and “Mom’s Friend’s Son” ranked 1st to 5th in the 2024 TV drama discussion rankings, with “Queen of Tears” achieving a peak rating of 31%, reinforcing tvN’s reputation as a drama powerhouse. Variety shows also thrived, with “You Quiz on the Block,” “Seo Jin’s,” “Amazing Saturday,” and “Sister’s Direct Delivery” leading the K-variety scene and proving the appeal of tvN’s entertainment era.
Furthermore, tvN has been recognized for its brand power, ranking 1st for the TV channel category for two consecutive years in the “Broadcast Channel Brand Value Index (BPI)” survey. The BPI survey, which CJ ENM has conducted annually since 2012 in collaboration with external research firms, evaluates brand competitiveness based on consumer recognition, behavior, and quality-related metrics. The survey covers 11 categories, including channel recognition, preferred channels, sustained viewing, and program completeness, with a sample of 3,000 viewers aged 15 to 64 from metropolitan areas who watched over an hour of broadcast/OTT programs in a week.
In the 2024 BPI survey across 19 channels, including public broadcasters, tvN scored 47.2 points among the target demographic of men and women aged 20 to 49, beating MBC, SBS, KBS, and JTBC. Programs like “Queen of Tears,” “Run Away with Seon-jae,” and “You Quiz on the Block” received high evaluations from viewers, who associated tvN with images of freshness, fun, personal match, and addictive content.
As tvN wraps up 2024 and gears up for 2025, there’s significant interest in its upcoming lineup, which promises to expand content diversity with well-made productions.
**2025 tvN Drama Lineup**
# Global Stars Assemble
“Taepung Corporation” (written by Jang Hyun-suk, directed by Lee Na-jung, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Imaginas, Studio PIC, Tree Studio) is set during the 1997 IMF financial crisis. It tells the story of a young CEO’s growth journey and family struggles as they strive to preserve the SME “Taepung Corporation” left by the father amid the IMF crisis. The drama stars Lee Junho, known for “King the Land” and “The Red Sleeve,” and Keum Sae-rok, bringing anticipation with the skilled direction of Lee Na-jung of “See You in My 19th Life” and “Mine.”
**Divorce Insurance**
“Divorce Insurance” (written by Lee Tae-yoon, directed by Lee Won-seok and Choi Bo-kyung, planned by CJ ENM, produced by KT Studio Genie, MongJakSo, Studio Mondo) is a romantic office comedy featuring Lee Dong-wook, Lee Joo-bin, Lee Kwang-soo, and Lee Da-hee. It revolves around an insurance company’s innovative product development team launching a “divorce insurance” product, which quantifies divorce scenarios and sets insurance payouts, introducing a fresh perspective on divorce issues with global stars. It’s the TV debut of director Lee Won-seok of “Killing Romance” and co-directed by “GaeMi-ga Riding” director Choi Bo-kyung.
# Unique Well-crafted Stories
**Wongyeong**
The tvN X TVING original drama “Wongyeong” (written by Lee Young-mi, directed by Kim Sang-ho, produced by Studio Dragon, JS Pictures) centers on Queen Wongyeong, who dreamed of a new world and seized power with her husband, King Taejo Yi Bang-won. It unfolds the intense hidden tales between the king, queen, husband, and wife, adding intrigue by reinterpreting their political partnership. With historical drama newcomers Cha Joo-young and Lee Hyun-wook, the series is set to premiere its first two episodes on TVING at 2 PM on January 6th and air the first episode on tvN at 8:50 PM, maximizing viewership efficiency and satisfaction.
**Unknown Seoul**
“Unknown Seoul” (written by Lee Kang, directed by Park Shin-woo, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Monster Union, High Ground) is a romantic coming-of-age drama about twin sisters with distinct personalities who swap lives, trading lies for authentic love and life. Featuring versatile actors Park Bo-young and Park Jin-young, known for their emotional romance and intense thrillers, the drama marks Park Bo-young’s first dual role challenge. Director Park Shin-woo and writer Lee Kang, recognized for building dedicated fandoms through works like “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” and “Jealousy Incarnate,” collaborate on this new effort.
**Our Happy Home**
“Our Happy Home” (written by Choi E-rang, directed by Kim Chul-kyu, planned by Studio Dragon) tells the brutal story of the Kim family, who reignite their counterfeit money business to pay for medical expenses and get tangled with criminal organizations. With its unique setting and premise, the drama promises fresh entertainment, helmed by “The Marriage Story” writer Choi E-rang and renowned director Kim Chul-kyu, known for “Flower of Evil” and “Mother.”
**The Tyrant’s Chef**
“The Tyrant’s Chef” (written by HapJak, directed by Jang Tae-yoo, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Film Grid, Jung Universe) is a fantasy survival romance about a time-traveling French chef who meets a tyrant king known for his culinary appreciation. Directed by Jang Tae-yoo, celebrated for “Blooming Night Flower” and “My Love From the Star.”
# Trendsetting Romance
**Potato Lab**
“Potato Lab” (written by Kim Ho-soo, directed by Kang Il-soo, planned by CJ ENM Studios, produced by Chorokbaem Media) is a healing comic romance set in a potato research lab, featuring Lee Sun-bin and Kang Tae-oh. Directed by Kang Il-soo, known for “Rookie Historian Goo Hae-ryung,” and written by Kim Ho-soo, it promises to deliver laughter and inspiration.
**That Guy Is Black Dragon**
“That Guy Is Black Dragon” (written by Kim Su-yeon, directed by Lee Soo-hyun, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by Studio N) is based on a popular Naver webtoon. It presents the “Unseal” romance of team leader Baek Soo-jung and executive vice president Ban Joo-yeon, haunted by their past. Directed by Lee Soo-hyun and featuring Moon Ga-young, Choi Hyun-wook, Lim Se-mi, and Kwak Si-yang, the series promises lively chemistry and new synergies.
**Please Abstain from Drinking**
“Please Abstain from Drinking” (written by Myung Soo-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun, directed by Jang Yoo-jung, planned by Studio Dragon, produced by How Pictures) is a sober mental defense romance about a seemingly ordinary drinker who reunites with an unforgettable health center doctor and tries to quit drinking. Featuring Choi Soo-young and Gong Myung, it marks the first narrative advocating sobriety. The drama is written by Myung Soo-hyun, Jun Ji-hyun, authors of “The Undateables” series, directed by Jang Yoo-jung, known for “Mr. Handy” and “Honest Candidate.”
**Cowboy and Fairy**
“Cowboy and Fairy” (written by Yang Ji-hoon, directed by Kim Yong-wan, planned and produced by Studio Dragon, Dexter Pictures, IO Contents Group) is based on a popular Naver webtoon. It tells the story of a high school girl shaman saving her first love in a supernatural romance. Rising stars Cho Yi-hyun and Choo Young-woo promise a fresh portrayal of first love and chilling yet touching ghost stories.
tvN will introduce a mid-week drama lineup in the second half of 2025 to offer more variety and enjoyment. Fans are eager to see other dramas that will air in 2025 beyond the announced lineup.
**2025 tvN Variety Lineup**
# Endless Entertainment
tvN is committed to delivering endless fun to viewers in the new year. In January, a spinoff of “Where Beans Grow, Beans Come Out, and Where Red Beans Grow, Red Beans Come Out” (“Beanbean Rice”) will be released, featuring Lee Kwang-soo and Do Kyung-soo running a cafeteria. The third season of “Planet of Entertainment” featuring MZ generation icons like Lee Eun-ji, Mimi, Lee Young-ji, and Ahn Yu-jin, alongside Na Young-seok PD, is expected in the first half of 2025.
The second season of “Sisters’ Direct Delivery,” a reality show offering pure entertainment and seasonal meals in seaside villages, will return. Also, “Genius Entrepreneur: Baek’s World Cuisine,” starring renowned F&B expert Baek Jong-won, will have its third season.
# New Excitement
Innovative projects will continue in tvN entertainment. The Sunday variety show “Handsome Guys on Sunday,” directed by Ryu Ho-jin and Yoon In-hoe, with Cha Tae-hyun, Kim Dong-hyun, Lee Yi-kyung, Shin Seung-ho, and Oh Sang-wook, embarks on cultural heritage and material explorations, promising humor and knowledge.
On December 6th, “Finnish Roommates,” featuring city boys Lee Je-hoon, Lee Dong-hwi, Kwak Dong-yeon, and Cha Eun-woo living in a Finnish village without electricity, water, or wifi, will premiere.
Chef Edward Lee’s new program, exploring irresistible culinary dopamine with his daughter Aden across Korea, will launch in February next year. It explores Korean culture, ingredients, and cuisine. Additionally, a travel knowledge variety series exploring Europe’s economy, culture, language, and food will debut. Directed by Yang Jung-woo, along with polymath experts Yo Jong-shin and Dr. Kim Sang-wook, the show will travel the Mediterranean.
Moreover, a new project featuring Yoo Jae-suk and director Jung Chul-min, known for their chemistry in “Apartment 404” and “Sixth Sense,” is in the works.