From the highly-anticipated third and final season of Netflix‘s industry-defining Squid Game series, to the sequels for thought-provoking breakout shows like Taiwan‘s The World Between Us and Indonesia‘s Santri Pilihan Bunda, here are the shows out of Asia to look out for in 2025. Add your own thoughts and suggestions in the comments below.
‘Squid Game’ Season 3 (Netflix)
Korea
Even before the second season of Netflix’s most successful series premiered on December 26, the streamer announced that a third and final season of the Korean series is already in the works and will release in 2025. The second season of the drama sees Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), who was Player 456 in the first season, searching for the people behind the brutal survival game, three years after winning the ₩45.6 billion prize bounty. Who knows what Season 3 might entail. Though reviews have been mixed, another run so close behind is an exciting prospect.
‘Alice In Borderland‘ Season 3 (Netflix)
Japan
Another Netflix series revolving around a winner-takes-all game, Alice in Borderland will return for another season in 2025. The Japanese series follows the story of Arisu (played by Kento Yamazaki) after he is transported to a parallel universe in which he has to play and win games to remain alive, meeting Usagi (played by Tao Tsuchiya) along the way. The series is based on Haro Aso’s original manga, highlight how the medium remains a key driver of TV and film adaptations out of Japan.
‘Santri Pilihan Bunda’ Season 2 (Vidio)
Indonesia
The first season of romantic drama Santri Pilihan Bunda became Asian streamer Vidio’s top-performing title in 2024, starring Naura Ayu and Fadi Alaydrus as an arranged marriage couple. Based on a Wattpad story by Salsyabila Falensia Agustian that notched 54 million reads, Santri Pilihan Bunda won audiences over through its nuanced depiction of the crossroads between conservative and progressive views, and between the perspectives of the younger and older generations in Indonesia. The platform announced that the series will return for a second season in 2025.
‘Made In Korea‘ (Disney+)
Korea
Featuring two of Korea’s top stars, Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, Disney+’s upcoming crime thriller Made in Korea is set in the turbulent 1970s. The series follows Kitae (played by Hyun Bin), a man consumed with a desire for wealth and power, and Geonyoung (played by Jung), a stalwart prosecutor that stands in his way. Constantly at loggerheads, the pair find themselves involved in an era-defining incident that will forever change their futures. Hyun Bin has starred in top drama hits like Crash Landing On You and Confidential Assignment, while Jung has anchored critically-acclaimed films like 12.12: The Day and Hunt. Surely ingredients for another scripted hit out of Korea.
‘Romantics Anonymous’ (Netflix)
Japan
A Japanese remake of the 2010 French-Belgian rom-com Les Émotifs Anonymes, this Netflix series will star a mix of Japanese and Korean talent, including Shun Oguri (Godzilla vs. Kong), Han Hyo-Joo (Moving), Yuri Nakamura (After the Storm) and singer-actor Jin Akanishi. Sho Tsukikawa, who’s also known for numerous romantic films, attached to direct, while Yong Film — the Korean producer behind Believer 2, The Call, 20th Century Girl and My Name is Loh Kiwan — has developed the project as its first Japanese series. It’s one of Netflix’s main priorities out of Japan in 2025.
‘The World Between Us 2‘ (Public Television Service, Asia Play, Koko)
Taiwan
Almost six years after the critical success of 2019’s The World Between Us, a sequel to the hit Taiwanese series will premiere as a co-production between Taiwan’s Public Television Service Foundation (PTS), the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA), AsiaPlay Taiwan Digital Entertainment and Koko Entertainment. The first season followed the aftermath of a mass shooting at a movie theater, telling the stories of the lives that become intertwined after the tragedy, including the killer’s family, victims and media. Season two will span two decades and involve two families, with Vic Chou, Hsueh Shih-ling, Yang Kuei-mei, Liu Tzu-chuan and Ryan Pai in the cast.
‘Zero Day’ (TBC)
Taiwan
This one will make headlines. The series’ 18-minute teaser drew more than two million views after being released on Youtube, stirring a tide of emotional response. The story begins with the China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) landing in Taiwan after a presidential election, where a political power vacuum leaves Taiwanese society vulnerable. You can see why it provoked reaction from both Taiwan and China. Partly funded by the Taiwanese government as part of the cultural ministry’s ‘1 plus 4-T-content’ plan, it stars Japanese actor Issei Takahashi, Hong Kong-Taiwanese veteran Chapman To, Lien Yu-han, Kaiser Chuang and Ko I-chen in the 10-episode series. No-one streamer has yet acquired the show, perhaps expected given the political nature underpinning the production.
‘Knock Off‘ (Disney+)
Korea
Another Disney+ Korea series, Knock Off is set to star Kim Soo-hyun (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, Queen of Tears) and Jo Bo-ah (Tale of the Nine Tailed, pictured). The black comedy sees Kim play the role of Kim Sung-joon, a man who loses his job during the 1997 financial crisis and ends up becoming a leader in the world of counterfeit goods. It’s among the latest Korean projects from the House of Mouse, which released more than 10 titles in 2024.
‘Call Me Bae‘ Season 2 (Prime Video)
India
Call Me Bae launched in September and immediately became Prime Video India’s top title, leading to a snap renewal from the Amazon streamer. The Hindi-language show stars Ananya Pandey as a former spoiled girl from an elite family who becomes street-smart reporter who mixes being broke with breaking news. Credited with creating meaningful conversations around wealth and happiness, the self-aware comedy from Dharmatic Entertainment had been watched in 85% of India’s pin codes less than two weeks after its debut. It also trended as a Top 10 title in 50 Prime Video territories, from the UK to New Zealand.
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