K-drama fans are about to be treated to a big year for some of our favorite A-listers returning to the small screen for the first time in years in 2025.
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Hyun Bin
Seems like Yejin sent a support truck to Hyun Bin's filming site today 🥹🤍
— 🧸🥨 (@taepyvng) December 27, 2024
"Made in Korea"
Dear staff and actors, the end can be seen!
- Yeobo please come back already -
😭😭🤧🥹🤣💞💞💞 pic.twitter.com/1IWUg73SYN
Hyun Bin is making his return in "Made in Korea," a crime thriller that examines lab power and corruption in the country, a much-anticipated comeback for the actor since "Crash Landing on You" and his biggest milestone to date: getting married to Son Ye Jin in March and welcoming their first child together earlier this month.
T.O.P
Man made his return to acting after years of hiatus and gave us a character like Thanos who quickly became the locals fave. No one's doing it like T.O.P pic.twitter.com/CJka2aUTab
— GD Power | Stream Hsh 🍀 (@gdtopremacy) December 31, 2024
Big Bang's T.O.P is also attracting a lot of attention for his return.
Though he had some controversy in the past (like a 2017 drug scandal), he has a lot on his plate now as he has recently starred in "Squid Game" Season 2, as well as has a few new projects lined up after playing Thanos.
Read more: T.O.P on His 'Squid Game 2' Role: 'Mysterious and Unpredictable with a Couple of Loose Screws'
Soe Ye Ji
Seo Yeaji really survived a career ending scandal nothin touching her again, alot of pple won't have had the courage, will or chance to comeback after going through all that, but she dust it off and didn't let it ruin something she's so passionate about 'ACTING', SO PROUD OF HER pic.twitter.com/zB8oA8bh6O
— PJ (@Justtvibing) November 22, 2021
Soe Ye Ji, who was embroiled in scandals, has avoided the collapse of her career in an attempt at a controversial comeback.
Rounding up her downfall were allegations of being controlling, rude to her peers, and lying about her education.
After her 2022 return drama "Eve" was a failure, she opened another Instagram account and signed with Sublime Artist Agency in 2024.
In December 2024, she held her first fan meeting, and in 2025, she was rumored to join a new drama show.
Jun Ji Hyun
【2021】Jun Ji Hyun Is A Professional Top Ranger Who Encounters A Mysterious Incident In "Jirisan"
— 전지현 Jun Ji Hyun (@lovejunjihyun) October 15, 2021
tvN's upcoming weekend drama "Jirisan" released new stills of Jun Ji Hyun!#giannajun #junjihyun #jeonjihyun #jjh #チョンジヒョン #全智贤 #전지현 #Jirisan pic.twitter.com/4CVahgTLoM
In 2025, Jun Ji Hyun, the star who was last seen in 2021's "Jirisan," is said to be in negotiations for Yeon Sang Ho's highly anticipated new zombie feature, "Grove," following the success of "Train to Busan." This would mark her zombie return if confirmed.
She will also lead the Disney+ drama "Tempest," a spy romance thriller in which she plays Moon Ju, a one-time ambassador to the U.S. It is produced by the team behind the massive successes "Crash Landing on You" and "Vincenzo."
Read more: From Burberry to Louis Vuitton: Jun Ji Hyun Becomes the Luxurious Brand's New Ambassador– Fans React
Park Bo Gum
park bo gum as sa hye jun in record of youth (2020)🩵 pic.twitter.com/gBTZGCURtX
— s🩵 (@blueminpotato) August 12, 2024
Finally, after a long break of 4 years, Park Bo Gum returns again to work. Dubbed the "Crown Prince of the Nation" for his memorable roles, his final TV outing was in 2020 through the drama "Record of Youth," in which he charmed audiences as the aspiring model Sa Hye Jun, who dreams of becoming a star.
After the series, Bo Gum took a break to enlist for his mandatory military service, which he completed in 2022.
A combination of recharging and being particular about which project he takes next was the popular perspective behind his long hiatus.
He is returning with "When Life Gives You Tangerines," a 1950s-set romance drama in which he plays Guan Sik, who is deeply loyal to his love interest, Ae Soon, digging to the depths of his heart to find where it all belongs.
Described as an epic tale of youth, love, and hardship, the drama is based on Jeju island.
Another movie starring Bo Gum is "Good Boy," in which he plays an Olympic gold medalist boxer.
Stills of the show have already excited fans as they present Bo Gum's toned body and serious boxing moments.
Though its first season was originally scheduled for a late 2024 airing, production delays have moved the release to 2025.
IU
"IU is considered the "No. 1 role model" for former singer actors, so her way of activities is becoming an extraordinary "path of suspension" in both singing and acting.
— Vic_dlwlrma🐥 (@VicLJE) December 10, 2024
Starting with "When Life Gives You Tangerines" that will air in the first half of next year, "The Grand... pic.twitter.com/10mjn27Dac
In 2025, IU will finally be making her long-awaited return in "When Life Gives You Tangerines," working with Bo Gum. She also has a new project, Wife of a 21st Century Prince, in the pipeline (her first two shows in years).
It has been two years since IU last took on a drama role, her most memorable performance as Jang Man Wol in "Hotel Del Luna" (2019).
Taking a break from acting to pursue music, she was hit with a creative blockage but returned to making music in 2024. Well, now it's time for IU to shine on camera again.
Read more: American YouTuber Who Admits to Have Reported IU to the CIA Calls for More to Join the Cause
Ma Dong Seok
ma dong seok is such a cutie🥺🤍
— 🐬 (@rasamsunn1) April 11, 2024
Hope see him & wookie in "twelve" pic.twitter.com/ToCcDwp7oS
After taking over the film for a while, Ma Dong Seok is making his return to dramas after an 8-year break.
Well aware that his fans are clamoring for new material, he's returning to the small screen with not one but two new shows.
One is a series called "Twelve," a superhero action drama that's already igniting some buzz on the internet.
Dong Seok stars in this fantasy series as Taesan, the leader of 12 animal-turned-angels tout de protecteurs in the Korean Peninsula as evil spirits are on the rise.
He plays the tiger (strength, courage, certainty) that will continue to fight against chaos.
He is joined by a star-studded cast led by Park Hyung Shik, who plays Oh Gui, a long-slumbering demon who rises after thousands of years to go on a rampage.
Also, in the upcoming action fantasy drama "Hive," which is based on a webtoon, Dong Seok will star in a story about humanity fighting against the threat of giant mutated insects that are forcing humans to the brink of extinction.
Such a return is great news for Dong Seok, as he has not been to a drama set since 2016.
But his return isn't without controversy. He came first in an industry poll of 'difficult' stars to work in 2022 following claims of unprofessionalism, including his alleged absence from promotional events.
Although the rumors were dismissed by some fans of the show, the numerous reports may be one of the reasons that he was missing for so long. It remains unclear whether his attitude has changed.
For K-drama fans, 2025 is shaping up to be a stellar year, with several of our favorite actors returning to the screen in projects that have long been in the making.