Netflix is preparing to roll out a packed slate of original Korean dramas in 2026, leaning on star-driven casting, genre range and character-centered storytelling to maintain its global momentum in K-content. With historical romance, noir-inspired period pieces, action sequels and modern rom-coms all in play, the lineup underscores Netflix’s continued investment in serialized Korean programming as a key pillar of its international strategy.
Leading the slate is The Scandal, a lavish reinterpretation of forbidden love in the Joseon era featuring Son Ye-jin as Lady Cho and Ji Chang-wook as Cho Won. Drawing inspiration from the 2003 film Untold Scandal, the series blends intrigue, ambition and complex attraction, backed by detailed period world-building. Scheduled for a Q3 2026 debut, it is already being framed as one of Netflix’s cornerstone releases of the year.
Tantara, anchored by Gong Yoo and Song Hye-kyo, takes a different approach with a decades-spanning dive into the Korean entertainment industry from the 1960s through the 1980s. The show follows Minja and Donggu as they navigate shifting cultural landscapes, fierce competition and the pursuit of artistic recognition, offering nostalgia and industry insight in equal measure. The series is expected in late 2026.
Action fans will see the return of Bloodhounds, with its second season continuing the saga of youthful fighters wrestling with loyalty, survival and ambition against a backdrop of dynamic choreography and grounded character drama. Its renewal signals Netflix’s confidence in expanding action franchises within the Korean market.
On the lighter end of the spectrum, The WONDERfools blends comedy, action and superhero twists as a group of well-meaning but flawed civic workers unexpectedly gain superpowers in contemporary Haeseong City. With Cha Eun-woo and Park Eun-bin leading the ensemble, the series positions itself as a quirky yet heartfelt adventure anchored in personality and humor.
Boyfriend on Demand, starring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo opposite Seo In-guk, explores modern romance through digital and workplace lenses as a stressed webtoon producer finds love via a virtual dating device. Slated for early 2026, the rom-com caters directly to viewers who favor charming, low-stakes storytelling and celebrity chemistry.
Rounding out the list is The Art of Sarah, a thriller led by Shin Hye-sun as a woman entangled in a murder investigation after constructing a false identity. Teamed with detective Park Mu-gyeong, played by Lee Joon-hyuk, the series leans into psychological intrigue and moral ambiguity, positioning itself as one of Netflix Korea’s early 2026 mystery highlights.
Together, these six originals illustrate how Netflix’s 2026 Korean slate aims to serve multiple audience segments at once: prestige historical drama, period character study, muscular action, superhero-inflected comedy, modern rom-com and noir-tinged suspense. With global fandom driving demand for K-dramas across languages and regions, Netflix appears intent on sustaining its role as a primary distributor of Korean scripted storytelling into the mid-2020s.
