Upcoming 2025 MBC K-Drama List Sees “Controversial” Trend — Triggers Mixed Reactions
2024 has seen the rise of K-Dramas continue, with so many shows gaining attention, and fans are already excited about what 2025 will give, with teasers and announcements for future shows being shared.
Yet, a concerning trend among upcoming MBC shows has sparked mixed reactions.
Recently, a fan shared a schedule of the K-Dramas set to air on MBC in 2025 on Friday and Saturday, including one starring IU and Byeon Woo Seok.
2025 MBC Fri/Sat drama lineup#WhenThePhoneRings: 12 eps, ~Jan#MotelCalifornia: 12 eps, Jan~Feb
Undercover: 12 eps, Feb~Apr
Bunny: 12 eps, Apr~May
Labor Attorney: 10 eps, May~Jun
Moon: 12 eps, Jun~Aug
The Moon Flows: 12 eps, Aug~Sep
👑21st Century Prince's Wife: 12 eps, Sep~Oct pic.twitter.com/aaUVHaBZFc— ☂️ (@memorythatilost) December 11, 2024
When the tweet was shared, netizens quickly noticed how all of the series set to air were 10-12 episodes long, which while not uncommon, is shorter than the average 16 episode series that netizens are used to with K-Dramas.
16 ep kdramas truly running to extinction 😭 https://t.co/aWF6uNmcFp
— ⋆ (@selsmarss) December 11, 2024
You are laughing. We are currently witnessing the death of solid 16 episode kdramas and you are laughing??? https://t.co/fvf5O5n23R
— Luna (@promiscrinq) December 12, 2024
16 epsiode dramas are dying 😭 tbh, I just hope that kdramas writers can make a solid plotline without needing to fulfil a fixed number of epsiodes https://t.co/lsXQ1jknuA
— daph 🍉🐥🌸 #thejudgefromhell (@springchoyeon) December 12, 2024
In 2010 k dramas used to be 20, 24 or 25 episodes. Then the norm was 16 episodes and now we don't even get that ?????? This is cuz of Netflix whether directly or indirectly smh https://t.co/C1ct70O3xZ
— Lina (@Eren_kisser) December 12, 2024
Kdramas going from 24 eps to 16 eps And now 12-10 with less dramas released every year… It's so over https://t.co/nTFTS5dctg
— T⭒ (@OUJIHA0) December 12, 2024
Yet, some didn’t mind the change, adding that sometimes K-Dramas go on for too long, and the amount of time means that it can become boring and make the series less impactful.
It’s a nice change that the episodes are 12 or less now, I personally think 16 eps are a lot & a lot of drama with such amount of episodes ended up draggy, losing the plot & have unsatisfactory ending https://t.co/3nD2bbehBh
— ƒαrαн (@twinkyxstar) December 12, 2024
I think it’s good tbh no time for fillers eps, the story will usually be packed for short eps drama like this. Like I used to watch jdorama with 10-12eps & they’re perfect. Kdrama can go for 12eps, they will make it better imo
Cdrama might have problem if it gets shorten tho😅 https://t.co/wll3VdSdQx— woori (@freeworldkitty) December 12, 2024
As much as I appreciate not dragging the drama &ending it within reasonable eps. I m still a sucker for 16 or 20 eps of drama w a good storyline ofcs. I just wish this doesn't become a norm.
12eps sometimes feel too rushed. Also the duration per ep has also gone down these days! https://t.co/jxUSJVHqXT— 𝑴𝒊𝒎𝒊 (@tranquillmuggle) December 12, 2024
Will the change be seen across all K-Dramas and networks?