Netflix’s 2026 Korean Slate Features Jisoo, Gong Yoo & Song Hye-kyo
Netflix has unveiled its ambitious Netflix 2026 Korean slate. This announcement marks ten years of operations in the Asia Pacific region. Moreover, it features a wide mix of series, films, and unscripted shows. The lineup is organized around five emotional themes: romance, depth and desire, edge-of-seat thrills, comedy, and genre-defying wonder.
Leading the slate is Blackpink’s Jisoo in the romantic comedy Boyfriend on Demand. She plays Seo Mi-rae, an exhausted webtoon producer. To cope, she subscribes to a virtual dating simulation. Seo In-guk co-stars as her rival and colleague. The series comes from director Kim Jung-sik, known for Work Later, Drink Now. Notably, this marks Jisoo’s return to scripted television—and highlights Netflix’s ongoing support for K-pop stars in acting roles.
In addition, Gong Yoo and Song Hye-kyo reunite for Tantara. Set in Korea’s entertainment industry during the 1960s and ’80s, the drama explores ambition and sacrifice. It is written by Noh Hee-gyoung (Our Blues) and directed by Lee Yoon-jung (Coffee Prince). Given their star power and track records, the project has already drawn global attention. Furthermore, their reunion after years apart adds nostalgic appeal for longtime fans.
On the film side, acclaimed director Lee Chang-dong returns after eight years with Possible Love (working title). This marks his first collaboration with Netflix. The story follows two married couples whose lives unexpectedly intersect. It stars Jeon Do-yeon, Sul Kyung-gu, Zo In-sung, and Cho Yeo-jeong. Considering Lee’s reputation for psychological depth, this entry is one of the most anticipated titles in the Netflix 2026 Korean slate. Consequently, critics and audiences alike are watching closely.
Romance remains central to Korean storytelling—and Netflix leans into it heavily. For example, Can This Love Be Translated?—which premiered January 16—stars Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung as linguistically mismatched lovers. Other new romantic series include Our Sticky Love (Jung Hae-in, Ha Young), Take Charge of My Heart (Kim Young-kwang, Chae Soo-bin), and Sold Out On You (Ahn Hyo-seop, Chae Won-bin). Additionally, No Tail to Tell pairs Kim Hye-yoon and Lomon in a lighthearted love story. Altogether, these titles cater to diverse romantic tastes—from sweet to spicy.
Reality TV also gets a strong push. Single’s Inferno returns for a historic fifth season—the first Korean reality show to reach that milestone. Meanwhile, Better Late Than Single launches its second season. Both shows continue to attract international viewers, proving that Korean dating formats have broad appeal. As a result, Netflix continues to invest in this high-engagement genre.
Thrillers add intensity to the lineup. The Art of Sarah, starring Shin Hye-sun and Lee Jun-hyuk, comes from director Kim Jin-min (My Name). Similarly, Notes from the Last Row features Choi Min-sik as a literature professor obsessed with a student prodigy. Furthermore, Mousetrap teams Ryu Jun-yeol and Sul Kyung-gu in a suspenseful adaptation of the webtoon Field Mouse. Each of these projects promises tightly wound narratives and complex characters.
Historical drama meets forbidden passion in The Scandal. Son Ye-jin, Ji Chang-wook, and Nana lead this reimagining of the 2003 film Untold Scandal, now set in the Joseon dynasty. At the same time, The East Palace blends supernatural mystery with palace intrigue, starring Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo, and Cho Seung-woo. Together, they showcase Korea’s ability to reinvent classic tropes with fresh urgency.
Action and comedy round out the slate. Bloodhounds returns for Season 2 with Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi, now joined by Jung Ji-hoon. Separately, Han Jun-hee (D.P.) directs Road, a cross-border crime thriller featuring Son Suk-ku and Eita Nagayama. On the comedy front, Husbands in Action follows an ex- and current husband who team up to rescue their wife. Also, Park Shin-hye headlines Undercover Miss Hong, a nostalgic office comedy set in the 1990s. Thus, Netflix balances adrenaline with laughter across genres.
Unscripted content continues to thrive. Culinary Class Wars returns for Season 3 with a new team-based format after topping Netflix’s Global Top 10. Likewise, The Devil’s Plan and Agents of Mystery both launch new seasons. Producer Nah Yung-suk introduces two fresh travel-reality hybrids: Ready or Not: Texas and Take a Hike!. In addition, Yu Jae-seok leads Jae-seok’s B&B Rules! alongside Lee Kwang-soo and others. These shows reflect Netflix’s strategy to diversify beyond scripted drama.
Genre-bending projects showcase creative risk-taking. The Wonderfools, starring Park Eun-bin and Cha Eun-woo, mixes 1990s nostalgia with superhero comedy. Meanwhile, If Wishes Could Kill becomes Netflix’s first Korean YA horror series. Also, Dead-End Job merges mystery, horror, and fantasy under executive producer Han Jun-hee. Because of their originality, these titles may define new subgenres for Korean content.
Don Kang, VP of Content for Korea at Netflix, emphasized the global reach of Korean stories. “Content made in Korean… has become the most viewed content in the world only after English content,” he said. He added that over 210 Korean titles have ranked in Netflix’s global top 10 in the past five years. Therefore, the momentum shows no sign of slowing.
Minyoung Kim, VP of Content for APAC (excluding India), tied the Netflix 2026 Korean slate to the streamer’s decade-long regional investment. “Each of these slates reflects what Netflix stands for,” she explained, “our commitment to celebrating Asia Pacific’s creative community.” As Korea continues to innovate, this slate reaffirms its role in shaping global entertainment. Ultimately, the Netflix 2026 Korean slate proves that bold storytelling—rooted in culture yet universal in emotion—remains Netflix’s strongest asset.
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