2025 was a roller coaster for Korean entertainment — packed with highs and lows. Even amid the turbulence, K-content pushed forward, laying the groundwork for its next leap. While Korean films slowed at the box office in the age of OTT, original series exploded beyond Korea and amplified K-culture worldwide. K-pop and K-stars also expanded their global influence, commanding attention across continents.
As the year wrapped with major controversies but also undeniable wins powered by content, here's K-snapp's 2025 roundup. <Editor's Note>
Looking back, the film industry saw both clear-cut hits and signs of transition. Korean projects grew their reach far beyond home turf, and films celebrating the style and flavor of Korea sparked near-syndrome-level buzz worldwide. Domestic theater attendance lagged, but outside the multiplex, K-movies proved their strength all year long.
Still, 2025 brought heartbreak as revered icons who shaped the industry for decades passed away. From the year's biggest film keywords to the indelible legacies of its godfathers, we retrace the moments that defined the year.
◆ K-culture evolves: Ten-million-ticket blockbusters fade, animation takes over
2025 undeniably belonged to the Netflix animated feature K-POP: Demon Hunters.
The premise — girl group Huntrix battling male group Saja Voice, formed by grim reapers, to protect the world from evil spirits — captivated global viewers. It won the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Animated Film, while its theme song 'Golden' topped the Billboard chart at No. 1. The film kept the momentum, nabbing nominations including Cinematic and Box Office Achievement among three categories. Most notably, right after release it broke records to become the most-watched animated film in history, marking a major evolutionary moment for K-culture.
After K-POP: Demon Hunters dominated the summer, animation fever swept cinemas. Japanese theatrical releases like Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle Arc and Chainsaw Man – The Movie: Reze Arc scored back-to-back hits and seized the spotlight. Most recently, Disney+'s Zootopia 2 carried the animation boom forward, fueling a fresh wave at the box office.
Just a few years ago, terms like "ten-million actor" and "ten-million movie" felt synonymous with Korean cinema. But since COVID-19 and the OTT shift, some theaters have even shuttered. With this shift, many argue the industry is entering a strategic phase to pivot toward broader K-culture rather than only K-movies. All eyes are now on whether animation — which surged to the center of the zeitgeist — can sustain its hot streak into 2026.
◆ Did master auteurs Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon-ho deliver 100%?
2025 saw a wave of new releases from so-called master directors. Park Chan-wook teamed up with stars Lee Byung-hun, Son Ye-jin, and Lee Sung-min for No Other Choice. Bong Joon-ho followed the success of Parasite with a Hollywood collaboration, unveiling Mickey 17. Yet both titles underwhelmed domestically: No Other Choice drew just 2.94 million moviegoers, while Mickey 17 brought in only 3.01 million. Despite being hyped everywhere as "new works by master auteurs," both wrapped with modest local totals.
While the domestic response was muted, their global presence stood out. In particular, No Other Choice kept racking up accolades at the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, the 58th Sitges Film Festival, and the 28th SCAD Savannah Film Festival, and it made the shortlist for Best International Feature Film at the upcoming 98th Academy Awards in March.
This stark split between home and abroad has film fans asking a provocative question as they reflect on 2025: "Did the two masters really deliver 100%?" Some say, "Given how sluggish theatrical releases are lately, that level of domestic interest is decent — and the overseas acclaim is a massive win."
◆ Even the 'godfather' Lee Soon-jae ascends to the sky — stars we sadly lost in 2025
The passing of the late Lee Soon-jae continues to weigh heavily on film fans.
Known as the "oldest active actor," Lee passed away on November 25 at the age of 91. Debuting in 1960 as part of KBS's first cohort of actors, he evolved into a beloved household name through countless roles. Sitcoms like Unstoppable High Kick and High Kick Through the Roof showcased his warmth, and even in his later years he never let go of his passion for the stage, appearing in productions such as King Lear, Waiting for Godot.
Jeon Yoo-sung, considered Korea's first-generation comedian, also passed away in October at 76. Veteran actress Kim Ji-mee, often called "Korea's Elizabeth Taylor," died in the United States on the 7th at 85, and trot singer Song Dae-kwan passed in February at 79.
As the industry mourned these towering figures, colleagues across generations paid tribute in their own ways. With burning hearts and cool professionalism, the masters who spent a lifetime meeting audiences leave behind legacies that shine even brighter as the year comes to a close.