Time magazine has named its most anticipated Korean dramas of 2026, pointing to a year defined by star-driven casting, genre diversity and increasingly international production ambitions across major streaming platforms. With romance, fantasy, political thrillers and high-budget returns all slated for release, 2026 is shaping up to be one of the strongest years yet for Korean scripted series.
Leading the list is Netflix’s Can This Love Be Translated?, premiering January 16 and filmed across multiple continents. Written by the Hong sisters, the romance follows a multilingual interpreter, played by Kim Seon-ho, who is fluent in languages but uneasy with emotion. Go Youn-jung co-stars as an actress who challenges his emotional fluency, with early buzz positioning the series as one of the year’s most heartfelt offerings.
Sharing the same debut date is No Tail To Tell, another Netflix romance with supernatural twists. Kim Hye-yoon plays a gumiho who has no desire to become human until a chaotic encounter with a narcissistic football star, portrayed by Lomon, inadvertently changes her fate. Its blend of mythology, modern comedy and romantic fantasy mirrors the global popularity of genre hybrids within Korean television.
Netflix is also home to Boyfriend on Demand, a modern rom-com in which BLACKPINK’s Jisoo stars as a webtoon producer unexpectedly drawn into digital-age dating through a subscription-based virtual partner service. Seo In-guk co-stars as a workplace rival-turned-love interest, positioning the title for strong fan interest.
Returning stories remain core to the 2026 slate. Yumi’s Cells Season 3 is expected in April, continuing the beloved webtoon adaptation with Kim Go-eun at the center and introducing new romantic dynamics. Meanwhile, Netflix’s Scandals, a retelling of Untold Scandal, is targeting a third-quarter release with Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook and Nana leading a Joseon-era tale of seduction and intrigue.
On Disney+ and Hulu, Perfect Crown pairs IU and Byeon Woo-seok in a weekly romantic drama set for April. The story blends chaebol modernity with an alternate-reality monarchy, fueling anticipation among fans of elevated romance. The platforms will also host The Remarried Empress in the second half of 2026, featuring Shin Min-a in a fantasy romance filmed across Europe and billed as one of Disney’s most expensive Korean productions to date.
Action and thriller titles remain prominent. The Wonderfools on Netflix takes a comic action approach to superpowers in 1999, while A Shop For Killers returns for Season 2 on Disney+/Hulu in late 2026. Made in Korea Season 2 continues its 1970s political thriller arc with Hyun Bin reprising his role, and Embers introduces a youth period thriller with espionage elements.
Rounding out Time’s list is All of Us Are Dead Season 2, expected in late 2026 pending production timelines and returning cast availability. The sequel follows one of Netflix’s most internationally successful Korean originals to date and carries significant franchise weight.
Taken together, Time’s selections reflect how Korean drama production has matured into a globally competitive ecosystem, balancing prestige historical storytelling with modern romance, serialized thrillers and big-budget franchise titles. With multiple platforms locked into ambitious 2026 release calendars, Korean dramas are positioned to remain central to the international streaming landscape in the year ahead.
