Cover Looking forward to updating your favourite K-dramas in 2026? Watch out for the Hyun Bin-led ‘Made in Korea’ (Photo: IMDB)
Looking forward to updating your favourite K-dramas in 2026? Watch out for the Hyun Bin-led ‘Made in Korea’ (Photo: IMDB)
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The list of K-dramas in 2026 is growing. Here are nine shows to anticipate first
The hype meter for K-dramas is high as 2025 winds down. Streaming platforms and major networks are rolling out some of the most ambitious, star-studded projects in recent memory: fantasy romances, political thrillers, webtoon adaptations and high-concept genre mashups. With top-tier actors, global platforms and cinematic production values, K-dramas in 2026 are shaping up as a leap forward, not just another cycle. For fans tired of the same old tropes, the upcoming slate promises surprises, evolution and (hopefully) a lot of heartbreak without the clichés.
In case you missed it: 10 K-drama tropes that never fail to win hearts
1. ‘Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia’
Above Gripping medical noir meets star-studded power play—‘Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia’ is the 2026 drama fans are betting on to shake up the genre (Photo: @geewonii / Instagram)
Gripping medical noir meets star-studded power play—‘Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia’ is the 2026 drama fans are betting on to shake up the genre (Photo: @geewonii / Instagram)
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Doctor X is one of the most anticipated K-dramas in 2026. This medical-noir will star Kim Ji‑won as Gye Soo-jung, a brilliant surgeon who dares to challenge a corrupt hospital cartel. She’s joined by heavyweight actors Lee Jung‑eun, Son Hyun‑joo and rising star Kim Woo-seok, with a creative team from top studios behind the cameras. The show promises intense surgical drama, moral conflicts and high-stakes underworld intrigue, a dark twist on the medical genre that Korean TV rarely delivers.
2. ‘Perfect Crown’ / ‘21st Century Princess Consort’
Above A royal-mystery romance where IU and Byeon Woo-seok untangle love, power and a crown that could change everything (Photo: @dlwlrma / Instagram)
A royal-mystery romance where IU and Byeon Woo-seok untangle love, power and a crown that could change everything (Photo: @dlwlrma / Instagram)
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A contemporary monarchy romance starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok, Perfect Crown has been confirmed by MBC for its 2026 Friday–Saturday line-up. The story reimagines Korea as a constitutional monarchy, pitting a wealthy commoner heiress against a penniless royal prince in a love story laced with class divides, identity and modern fairy-tale aesthetics. Additional cast includes Noh Sang-hyun and Gong Seung-yeon, setting up what might be one of 2026’s buzziest love stories. With IU’s last major project (When Life Gives You Tangerines) being such a hit, this drama carries high romantic expectations.
3. ‘Portraits of Delusion’
Portraits of Delusion is a 2026 webtoon adaptation with a supernatural twist, starring Bae Suzy and Kim Seon-ho. Set in 1930s-era Gyeongseong, the story follows an artist commissioned to paint a mysterious woman—only to become entangled in eerie visions, hidden secrets and a slowly unravelling horror romance. With Disney+ backing and a dark, moody aesthetic, the show may deliver one of the most stylish fantasy-thrillers of the year.
4. ‘The Remarried Empress’
Above A lavish, politically charged romance where sovereignty, revenge and second chances collide (Photo: @illusomina / Instagram)
A lavish, politically charged romance where sovereignty, revenge and second chances collide (Photo: @illusomina / Instagram)
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The Remarried Empress is one of 2026’s most talked-about fantasy-royal dramas, combining political intrigue, romance and high-stakes betrayal. Reportedly one of Disney+’s most expensive Korean productions yet, it stars a powerhouse cast, including Shin Min-a, Lee Jong-suk, Ju Ji-hoon and Lee Se-young. With ambitious production, high drama and promise of lavish costume and set design, it’s poised to be a must-watch for fans of royal romances and epic sagas.
See more: When K-drama meets blockbuster: 11 Korean series that spent like Hollywood
5. ‘Made in Korea’ (Season 2)
Above The second season of political thriller ‘Made in Korea’ is slated for 2026 (Photo: IMDB)
The second season of political thriller ‘Made in Korea’ is slated for 2026 (Photo: IMDB)
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Set to premiere in December 2025, political thriller Made in Korea, starring Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung and Woo Do-hwan, has already been renewed for a second season, arriving in 2026. Set in 1970s Korea, it explores power, corruption and ambition, blending political intrigue with high-stakes drama. It’s a sharp departure from K-drama’s usual romance-driven fare.
6. ‘Human From Today’
Above This fantasy-rom-com follows a nine-tailed fox who becomes human after a mystical accident (Photo: @hye_yoon111 / Instagram)
This fantasy-rom-com follows a nine-tailed fox who becomes human after a mystical accident (Photo: @hye_yoon111 / Instagram)
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Starring Kim Hye-yoon and Lomon, Human From Today is a 2026 fantasy-rom-com where a legendary nine-tailed fox becomes human after a mystical accident with a soccer star. The series promises a combination of supernatural charm, romance and self-discovery. It’s ideal for viewers who love gentle fantasy with heart. It’s part of the growing trend of light, whimsical genre mixes in K-dramas, offering a dreamy bouquet for 2026’s lighter viewing mood.
7. ‘Brave New World’
Above Expect a mix of historical horror, body-possession drama and modern melodrama in ‘Brave New World’ (Photo: Instagram / @limjjy2)
Expect a mix of historical horror, body-possession drama and modern melodrama in ‘Brave New World’ (Photo: Instagram / @limjjy2)
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Scheduled for the first half of 2026 on SBS, Brave New World will feature Lim Ji-yeon and Heo Nam-jun. It tells the story of a struggling actress possessed by a notorious Joseon-era femme fatale. It’s a supernatural premise wrapped in modern romance. Expect a heady mix of historical horror, body-possession drama and modern melodrama: a daring genre blend that could surprise many lovers of K-dramas in 2026.
8. ‘Honour’
Above Legal-mystery drama ‘Honour’—adapted from a Swedish series—follows three female lawyers whose pasts resurface (Photo: IMDB)
Legal-mystery drama ‘Honour’—adapted from a Swedish series—follows three female lawyers whose pasts resurface (Photo: IMDB)
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Debuting in 2026 via ENA/Genie TV, Honour stars Lee Na-young, Jung Eun-chae and Lee Chung-ah. This legal-mystery drama—adapted from a Swedish series—follows three female lawyers whose pasts resurface as a massive scandal unfolds, promising sharp writing, emotional intensity and modern-woman perspectives rarely seen in courtroom K-dramas.
9. ‘To My Beloved Thief’
Above In this historical romance, a noblewoman-turned-bandit and the prince hunting her switch souls, igniting forbidden love (Photo: IMDB)
In this historical romance, a noblewoman-turned-bandit and the prince hunting her switch souls, igniting forbidden love (Photo: IMDB)
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To My Beloved Thief is an upcoming historical-rom-com on KBS2 (early 2026), centred on Eun-Jo (Nam Ji-hyun), a noble-born woman turned righteous thief, and a Joseon prince hunting her—until fate and identity-swapping twist their world upside down. With adventure, romance and comedic chaos in equal measure, this show promises a lighthearted but stylish return to Joseon-era buoyancy for viewers craving whimsy and swordplay.
Sasha Lim-Uy Mariposa is a lifestyle journalist who is known for her food writing. Based in Manila, she also covers entertainment and dining, as well as a broad range of topics. She was the former digital editor at Esquire Philippines and was the digital managing editor at Spot.ph, and now writes for the different Tatler Asia markets as a contributing writer for T-Labs.
