By Karishma Shetty

Copyright gqindia

From heartwarming legal dramas to an epic time-travel romance, the OTT releases (K-dramas) of August 2025 were nothing short of non-stop entertainment. Last month kickstarted with Beyond the Bar, which managed to capture hearts and ratings, while the last week of August saw the hotly anticipated premiere of Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. Korean drama enthusiasts, scroll down to check out the best OTT releases of August 2025…
Best OTT releases (K-dramas) of August 2025: 8 binge-worthy Korean dramas to watch on Netflix & Viki
1. Beyond the Bar – Netflix
Beyond the Bar — this writer’s pick from OTT releases of August 2025 — is a legal romance K-drama that follows a confident rookie attorney at Yullim Law Firm and her journey to become a respected esquire. Navigating the challenges of the legal world, the novice lawyer learns under the trusted mentorship of her strict but exceptionally skilled and experienced attorney. Beyond the Bar stars Lee Jin Wook, Chaeyeon, Lee Hak Joo and Jeon Hye Bin.
2. Bon Appétit, Your Majesty – Netflix
Another must-watch pick from the OTT releases of August 2025 is Bon Appétit, Your Majesty (currently airing), a fantasy rom-com K-drama of our wildest dreams. A 21st-century award-winning chef mysteriously time travels to the Joseon era and encounters the tyrant king, who happens to be the ultimate gourmet. Trapped within the palace walls, the chef has to make use of her culinary prowess to not just survive, but maybe even rewrite history. Gradually, the despotic monarch’s palate and heart unravel with every fusion dish served by the chef. Bon Appétit, Your Majesty marks YoonA and Lee Chae Min’s first on-screen collaboration in a K-drama and also stars Kang Han Na and Choi Gwi Hwa.
3. Law and the City – Viki
Law and the City is a legal romance K-drama revolving around five associate lawyers (and friends) working in different law firms — located in the same building — at Seocho Judicial Town. The legal squad navigate challenges and celebrates triumphs of their competitive profession as well as their personal lives during daily meal gatherings. Law and the City stars Lee Jong Suk, Moon Ga Young, Kang You Seok, Ryu Hye Young and Im Sung Jae.
4. The Winning Try – Netflix
The Winning Try is a coming-of-age sports comedy drama that tells the inspiring underdog tale of the Hanyang High School rugby team. The bottom-ranking squad’s desire to win the National Sports Festival trophy is rekindled with the appearance of a former rugby star — fallen from grace due to a doping scandal — who returns to his alma mater as their new coach. The Winning Try stars Yoon Kye Sang, Im Se Mi and WEi’s Yohan.
5. Aema – Netflix
Aema is a historical comedy drama set in Chungmuro — the heart of South Korea’s burgeoning film industry — chronicling the production of Madame Aema (1982), the cult yet controversial erotic movie which took the nation by storm. The fierce realities of the “glamorous world” of movies are captured through the lens of two competitive actresses, a top star and a breakout rookie, and their shared struggles and triumphs. Aema stars Lee Ha Nee, Bang Hyo Rin, Jin Seon Kyu and Cho Hyun Chul.
6. My Troublesome Star – Viki
My Troublesome Star is a rom-com K-drama centred on a top actress who gets into an accident and mysteriously wakes up as an ordinary middle-aged woman. Dazed and confused, she is offered a hand by a detective, who has past ties with the celebrity. Navigating her new normal and a potential romance, the former actress stages a glorious comeback after losing 25 years’ worth of memories. My Troublesome Star stars Uhm Jung Hwa, Song Seung Heon, Lee El, Oh Dae Hwan, Jang Da Ah and Lee Min Jae.
7. Love, Take Two – Viki
Love, Take Two is a rom-com K-drama that follows a possessive single mother and her rebellious daughter, who move to a small town to kickstart a fresh chapter in their lives. There, the former reconnects with her first love, a single father, while their children get tangled in a potential romance. In a brand new environment, the mother-daughter duo meet familiar and new faces, learning profound life lessons that help strengthen their bond. Love, Take Two stars Yum Jung Ah, Park Hae Joon, Choi Yoon Ji and Kim Min Kyu.
8. My Girlfriend Is the Man! – Viki
My Girlfriend Is the Man! is a rom-com K-drama centred on an astronomy student who is head over heels for his gorgeous girlfriend. However, his life takes a chaotic turn when his GF suddenly transforms into a handsome man — due to her family genes — who ends up being another popular student’s crush. My Girlfriend Is the Man! stars Sanha, Arin, Yoo Jung Hoon and Chuu.