Netflix has unveiled its most ambitious Korean drama slate to date, confirming 17 new original titles set for global release throughout 2026. The lineup features a mix of historical epics, modern romances, period dramas, light comedy, fantasy and action, underscoring the streamer’s continued investment in Korean storytelling and its growing international audience.
Headlining the slate is The Scandal, a Joseon-era romance starring Son Ye-jin and Ji Chang-wook and inspired by a classic tale of intrigue and seduction. With a third-quarter 2026 release window, the project has already gained attention for its prestige casting and elevated production values.
Also arriving in early 2026 is Boyfriend on Demand, a contemporary romantic comedy fronted by BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and Seo In-guk. The series follows Seo Mi-rae, a webtoon producer whose orderly routine is disrupted when she engages a virtual subscription dating service that leads to unexpected emotional complications.
Period drama Tantara remains one of the slate’s most anticipated titles. Set within Korea’s entertainment industry from the 1960s through the 1980s, the series stars Gong Yoo and Song Hye-kyo and blends nostalgia, personal ambition and friendship across decades of cultural change.
Alongside those marquee projects, several genre diversifiers are slated for 2026. The Wonderfools introduces a comic action twist as ordinary citizens in 1999 develop unpredictable superpowers, while Sold Out on You brings a workplace romance with comedic energy and modern charm. Additional romantic titles, including Our Sticky Love and Take Charge of My Heart, further broaden the rom-com segment of the slate.
Rounding out the lineup are Pavane, Notes From the Last Row, Mousetrap and several other original series spanning mystery, thriller, character drama and fantasy. The breadth of themes reflects an increasingly layered K-drama ecosystem in which Netflix is positioning itself as a central export platform.
Industry analysts note that the 2026 slate mirrors the streamer’s global strategy: pairing established stars with distinctive storytelling hooks and consistently rolling out titles across the calendar to sustain international engagement. Multiple dramas are slated to premiere in the first quarter of 2026, with others staggered through spring, summer and late-year windows to maintain momentum.
With a record number of new Korean originals, marquee talent and genre variety, Netflix’s 2026 K-drama slate signals one of its most aggressive years yet for Korean content and places the platform in direct competition with Disney+, Hulu, and local Korean streamers for international viewers.
