TOP NON-KOREAN DRAMAS FROM THE FIRST HALF OF 2025
- Caitlin Connolly
- Jul 23
- 6 min read
We are back this week to do the second part of this series. A couple of weeks ago. I posted my TOP KDRAMAS FROM THE FIRST HALF OF 2025 to the blog and podcast. If you have not read that yet, you can check it out here. Just like with my Top Kdramas from the First Half of 2025, I had to do some special maneuvering with this list. This list will definitely be changing by the end of the year. So, if you don't see a favorite of yours, it probably means I have not watched it yet OR I watched it, but it wasn't a favorite of mine. Most likely, I have not watched it.
This is a list of EVERYTHING ELSE that was not Kdramas that I would recommend you watch that I watched in the first 6 months of 2025. When I say EVERYTHING ELSE - I mean EVERYTHING ELSE. We got dramas from all the other Asian countries, but we also have Variety shows, Reality TV shows and Anime on this list. Everything I completed in the first half of 2025 (January to June). It will not include anything I have completed so far this month (July) because this month is in the 2nd half of 2025. This list is also in NO PARTICULAR ORDER and NOT RANKED!
We know FULL WELL how 2025 is going for me. SPOILER ALERT - it is not going well for me. This list was hard for me to make because I have not watched a lot of dramas in 2025. Which is why there is so much else included in this list outside of just other Asian countries dramas. So, this list will be on the shorter side because there is just not a lot to choose from. It has been SLIM PICKINGS over here! I FOR SURE am missing out on dramas on this list most likely because I have not watched them. So, if you liked dramas from other Asian Countries in 2025, please let me know your favorites so, I can check them out. I already know there are dramas I will be adding to this list that I will complete this month (July) for my end of the year list.
ALRIGHT HERE ARE SOME OF MY FAVORITE DRAMAS (AND OTHER THINGS) I HAVE WATCHED IN THE FIRST HALF OF 2025!
COUNTRY: Japan
EPISODES: 12 (NETFLIX)
This was a rewatch for me. I love this crime Jdrama. It still holds up today (bias review). If you love crime dramas, please put this one on your list to check out. The cinematography is beautiful. I love the time travel aspect of the plot. Acting was great! TW for child abuse, child death. - it is a hard subject matter to watch. I did a versus review for this drama and the anime on the podcast so, you can go check that out to hear a more in-depth review of this drama and anime.
RATING: 9/10
COUNTRY: Japan
EPISODES: 10 (NETFLIX)
IF YOU HAVE NOT WATCHED OFFLINE LOVE - YOU NEED TOO! IF YOU LIVE LOVE REALITY SHOWS, ADD THIS TO YOUR LIST! I just loved this. It was adorable, sweet & the perfect show to binge. I got very invested in certain people & potential couples. I downrated it because I soured on one guy after something he did & sometimes I did not like the host panel. Also, not all of my favs had happy endings. The panel who gave commentary weren't my favorites but that is ok. I loved that it took place in another country. I hope we get another season of this. Nearly a perfect show for me if it wasn't for the one guy.
RATING: 9.5/10
COUNTRY: China
EPISODES: 35 (VIKI)
I finally got around to watching this classic and it did not disappoint. I liked this more than I thought I would. Yes, it’s age shows. It had a few issues. I loved the complex relationships & characters. I loved the progression of the story. I can see why this is a classic. I did a review episode over on the Tea & Soju podcast with the Drama trio, so, you can go check that out right now.
RATING: 9/10
COUNTRY: China
EPISODES: 60 (VIKI)
I liked this cdrama more than I thought I would. I loved the main couple’s dynamic. I thought the leads acted very well. I loved the micro expressions from the male lead. I thought the drama turned some tropes on their head which was nice. I did not care for some side couples & characters. The villains could have been better. it has too many episodes. I did a more in-depth review of this cdrama on my own podcast with some guests if you want to check that out.
RATING: 8.5/10
COUNTRY: China
EPISODES: 56 (VIKI)
This is a rewatch for me. I love this cdrama and enjoyed this rewatch. I did still like the 2nd half more than the 1st half due to more angst. I LOVED the main couple as always. I had a lot of fun revisiting them. Acting is superb. I did a review for this over on the Tea and Soju Podcast if you want to listen to that.
RATING: 8.5/10
COUNTRY: Japan
EPISODES: 12 (Crunchyroll)
This Anime was a pleasant surprise. If you like an anime which is a mix of Sherlock Holmes & House - you would like this. Some cases were a bit predictable. I loved the found family but also wanted to know more. I would watch a season 2. If you like crime dramas and are looking to get into anime, I would say this would be a good one to start with.
RATING: 9/10
COUNTRY: Japan
EPISODES: 13 (Crunchyroll)
Season 2 was as good as Season 1. I loved seeing the male lead get stronger. The fight scenes got more intense. The animation was insane. I hated that there were so many cliffhangers because it was agony watching this week to week. I wanted more info on some of side characters. IT IS STILL ONE OF MY FAVS THOUGH! Now that the live adaption has been announced, I really encourage everyone to go and check out both season of the anime to get more background on the story and characters. You will not be disappointed.
RATING: 9/10
COUNTRY: Japan
EPISODES: 12 (Crunchyroll)
I went into the anime with no expectations. I loved the found family. The story was very emotional. The visuals were beautiful to watch. I wish that we got 1 more episode at the end to get more time with the main couple together. This anime was unexpected for me & a delight. This was a very pleasant surprise for me in 2025.
RATING: 9/10
And there you have it - my list for my TOP NON-KOREAN DRAMAS (AND OTHER THINGS) FROM THE FIRST HALF OF 2025!
This will DEFINITELY change by the end of 2025. I already know of a couple of non-Korean dramas I am currently watching that will probably make this list at the end of year. I am excited to see how this list changes by the end of 2025.
What were some your favorite non-Korean dramas of the first half of 2025?
Did some of your favorite non-Korean dramas make my list?
Any recommendations to add to my list to watch in the second half of 2025?
WE NOW ALSO HAVE A DISCORD SO TALK TO US ON THERE AS WELL!
NOSLEEP4DRAMAS now has a podcast as well.
You can listen to the podcast on Spotify and Apple Podcasts right now.
NOSLEEP4DRAMAS now has a YouTube Channel as well.
You can go to YouTube and search NoSleep4Dramas/NoSleep4Dramas Podcast and it should come up.
I JUST OPENED A KO-FI PAGE FOR THE BLOG!
Donating is optional.
Anything is appreciated.
All donations will go back into the blog
ONE OF THE PERKS IS YOU CAN DONATE WITH A REQUEST FOR A DRAMA THAT I WILL WATCH AND THEN WRITE A FINAL REVIEW ON FOR THE BLOG!
Comments