110 industry experts have cast their votes in a tight race for the year’s “Best Drama Couple.” The coveted top spot went to IU and Park Bo Gum for their unforgettable roles in the Netflix healing drama, When Life Gives You Tangerines. The series also won “Best Drama of the Year” in the same poll. Here’s a breakdown of the couples who defined 2025.
1. IU and Park Bo Gum in ‘When Life Gives You Tangerines’ (44 Votes)
Taking the No.1 spot, IU and Park Bo Gum captivated audiences as the Ae Soon and Gwan Shik couple. The series earned critical acclaim for its profound depiction of their love, which spanned from their childhood days on Jeju Island to their lives as parents of three children.
IU was praised for her flawless performance as both the mother and her daughter. Park Bo Gum also stunned viewers with a fresh persona, transforming into the romantic Gwan Shik. As director Kim Won Seok noted, the character “had to be unconditionally good-natured,” and Park Bo Gum perfectly embodied that kind, steadfast devotion. Thanks to their sparkling chemistry, When Life Gives You Tangerines became the year’s most beloved drama.
2.Yoona and Lee Chae Min in ‘Bon Appétit, Your Majesty’ (33 Votes)
Coming in a strong second, Yoona and Lee Chae Min were the heart of Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, the undisputed ratings juggernaut of 2025. The show finished with an incredible 17.1% rating, making it the most-watched miniseries of the year.
At the center of this success was the “excellent” chemistry between the two leads. This was especially impressive given that Lee Chae Min joined the drama very late in the process due to a casting change. His ability to perfectly embody the character, combined with Yoona’s veteran skill as a “Rom-Com Queen,” made their on-screen love story a massive global hit.
3. Kim Go Eun and Park Ji Hyun in ‘You and Everything Else’ (6 Votes)
In third place is a powerful “womance” rather than a traditional couple. In You and Everything Else, the central narrative was the decades-spanning friendship between Eun Joong (Kim Go Eun) and Sang Yeon (Park Ji Hyun).
With their friendship driving the main plot, the chemistry between the two actresses was more crucial than ever. Kim Go Eun and Park Ji Hyun delivered flawless, natural performances. Viewers noted that every line felt completely real, allowing audiences to fully immerse themselves in their story.
4. The Best of the Rest: Other Honorees
Han Ji Min and Lee Jun Hyuk from Love Scout received 5 votes, while Jun Ji Hyun and Kang Dong Won from Tempest garnered 3 votes.
Several couples earned 2 votes each: Ju Ji Hoon and Choo Young Woo of The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, Yook Sung Jae and Kim Ji Yeon of The Haunter Palace, and Kim Woo Bin and Suzy of Genie, Make a Wish.
Other notable mentions with one vote each included Park Bo Gum and Kim So Hyun of Good Boy, Song Joong Ki and Chun Woo Hee of My Youth, and the unique pairing of Choo Young Woo and Yim Ji Yeon The Tale of Lady Ok.
>> IU and Byeon Woo Seok’s New Drama Sparks Buzz as Royal Academy Uniform Designs Leak Online
Source (1)
