14 Most Anticipated Korean Dramas of 2026

The year 2026 promises to be a real treat for K-drama lovers. With top-tier casts, original scripts, and a wide range of genres, the upcoming releases are already creating a buzz.

In this selection, we highlight the titles that stand out the most so far, whether for their unique stories, the promise of strong on-screen chemistry, or the signature style of acclaimed writers and directors.

If you’re passionate about K-dramas and love discovering what’s next, get your watchlist ready.

Dream To You

Main cast: Lee Hye Ri and Hwang In Youp

A romantic comedy about two people who chose different paths in life. Lee Jae, a reporter who was once a fearless, hopeful teenager, now faces adulthood with disillusionment and exhaustion. Su Bin, a film director, spent his early years living up to his parents’ expectations but finally finds his own voice at 30. Their reunion reopens old wounds and rekindles emotions that never completely faded.

Hyeri and Hwang In Youp bring natural charm to the screen. With its mature tone, nostalgia, and self-discovery, Dream To You stands out as one of the most promising releases of the year.

Charge Me Up

Main cast: Chae Soo Bin and Kim Young Kwang

In this fantasy rom-com, a chaebol heir hides a peculiar secret: his heart is artificial and running out of power. Baek Ho Rang, a successful businessman, sees his life take an unexpected turn when he meets Na Bo Bae, a screenwriter struck by lightning as a child who now carries electric energy in her body. When he realizes she’s the only one who can recharge his heart, he makes her an unusual offer.

Mixing science fiction, humor, and romance, the story promises a lighthearted and fun experience. With two actors known for their natural performances, Charge Me Up could become one of the most talked-about romantic comedies of 2026.

Grand Galaxy Hotel

Main cast: Shin Shi Ah and Lee Do Hyun

The Grand Galaxy Hotel is famous for sheltering lost souls under the watchful eyes of reapers, until its owner mysteriously vanishes. Eun Ha, a new manager surrounded by mystery, takes over and transforms the hotel’s daily life, deeply affecting Ko Sang Sun, a loyal employee whose reality starts to unravel. Between the worlds of the living and the dead, secrets emerge and unexpected connections form.

Written by the Hong sisters, the creative duo behind Hotel Del Luna and Alchemy of Souls, the series promises a rich atmosphere and stunning visuals. Lee Do Hyun’s return to emotionally charged roles makes this one of the most anticipated dramas of the year.

Lovestuck

Main cast: Ha Young and Jung Hae In

Ko Eun Sae, a skilled prosecutor, loses her memory after an accident and wakes up in a quiet village surrounded by candy shops. There, she meets Jang Tae Ha, a man who insists he’s her boyfriend... but his story may not be what it seems. Torn between confusion and tenderness, Eun Sae must figure out whether the love she feels is something new or something forgotten.

Blending romance and mystery with a gentle emotional tone, Lovestuck delivers an intimate story of rediscovery. Jung Hae In, known for his sensitive portrayals, is expected to deliver another memorable performance.

Our Universe

Main cast: Roh Jeong Eui and Bae In Hyuk

After a family tragedy, two estranged in-laws are forced to raise their orphaned nephew, U Ju. Living together pushes them to confront guilt, forgiveness, and love. Seon Tae Hyeong, an introspective photography assistant, and Woo Hyeon Jin, a pragmatic, reserved woman, discover that caring for a child might lead to unexpected healing.

With its emotional realism and focus on human relationships, Our Universe promises to be a touching drama about family, growth, and second chances.

In Your Brilliant Season

Main cast: Lee Sung Kyung and Chae Jong-Hyeop

Song Ha Ran, a renowned designer and the eldest of three sisters, has lived emotionally detached after painful losses turned her life into a long winter. Meanwhile, Sunwoo Chan, an optimistic animator at an American studio, lost his hearing and part of his memory in an accident. Fate brings them together in a reunion that changes both their lives.

Combining romance, trauma, and renewal, In Your Brilliant Season offers a beautifully shot and deeply emotional narrative. With its beloved cast and introspective storytelling, it’s poised to be one of the most moving dramas of the year.

Scandal

Main cast: Son Ye-Jin and Ji Chang-Wook

Set during the final years of the Joseon dynasty, Scandal follows Madam Cho, an exemplary wife who secretly resents the strict rules that confine her. In a carefully planned act of manipulation, she sends the charming scholar Cho Won to lure the innocent Hui Yeom, setting off a revenge plot filled with desire, power, and betrayal.

A lavish, high-stakes historical melodrama brimming with tension. The pairing of Son Ye-Jin and Ji Chang-Wook makes Scandal one of the most anticipated period dramas of the year.

Honor (2026)

Main cast: Lee Na-Young, Lee Chung-Ah, and Jung Eun-Chae

Three successful lawyers who run their own firm must confront a case from their past that threatens to destroy everything they’ve built. With sharp dialogue and complex ethical questions, Honor delivers a compelling look at women balancing power, vulnerability, and morality.

It’s rare to see a Korean legal drama centered on strong, realistic women dealing with personal and professional dilemmas. With a top-notch cast and relevant themes, this series is a must-watch for fans of serious, character-driven storytelling.

Wife of a 21st Century Prince

Main cast: IU and Byeon Woo-Seok

In a modern Korea that still upholds a constitutional monarchy, Seong Hui-Ju, heir to a major conglomerate, enters into a contract marriage with Prince Yi Ahn, a royal with no real political power. What begins as a pragmatic deal turns into a relationship full of emotions, challenges, and discoveries.

The pairing of IU and Byeon Woo-Seok has already sparked huge anticipation. Blending romantic comedy, social commentary, and luxurious settings, Wife of a 21st Century Prince is expected to be one of 2026’s biggest hits.

Everyone Is Fighting Their Own Worthlessness

Main cast: Go Youn-jung and Oh Jung-se

The title says it all: a raw and honest portrayal of people’s silent battles against feelings of inadequacy and emptiness. The series follows multiple characters from different generations and backgrounds, each struggling with failure, invisibility, and self-worth in the modern world.

Praised for its existential and realistic tone, it evokes introspective works like My Liberation Notes and Misaeng. Expect a deeply reflective script exploring self-esteem, purpose, and loneliness: topics that continue to define contemporary Korean storytelling.

Signal – Season 2

Main cast: Lee Je Hoon, Kim Hye Soo, and Jo Jin Woong

After nearly a decade, Signal finally returns for its second season. Once again, detectives connected through a mysterious radio communicate across time between the past and the present. With new cases and an even darker atmosphere, the series dives deeper into the moral and temporal consequences of altering destiny.

The original Signal (2016) is regarded as a landmark in Korean crime thrillers. The upcoming season carries huge expectations, promising an even more ambitious and emotional continuation. For fans of mystery with weight and depth, this is one of 2026’s most awaited returns.

Delusion

Main cast: Bae Suzy and Kim Seon Ho

A blend of fantasy, psychological horror, and historical mystery. Set in a secluded village during the Joseon era, the series follows a man haunted by unsettling visions that blur the line between dream and reality. As his delusions intensify, the boundary between the supernatural and the psychological becomes impossible to define.

Without relying on romance, Delusion focuses on atmosphere and symbolism. Viewers can expect an intense, cinematic experience, closer to art-house horror than traditional melodrama.

Awakening

Main cast: Lee Jun Hyuk, Oh Ye Ju, and Ryu Da In

In this supernatural thriller, an investigator uncovers a series of murders linked by cryptic symbols and unexplained phenomena. As the case unfolds, he begins to suspect that greater forces are at play, and that he might not be who he believes himself to be.

Lee Jun Hyuk, known for his commanding presence, leads this noir-inspired, psychologically charged production. One of the boldest supernatural entries of the year.

The Art of Sarah

Main cast: Shin Hye Sun and Lee Jun Hyuk

The Art of Sarah follows an art restorer drawn into a series of crimes connected to the black market for stolen paintings. When a mysterious investigator enters her life, buried secrets begin to resurface.

Reuniting Shin Hye Sun and Lee Jun Hyuk, the series promises an elegant, suspenseful narrative blending aesthetics, mystery, and moral tension. It’s the kind of story that combines visual beauty with intrigue; ideal for fans of sophisticated thrillers.

The Korean dramas slated for 2026 reflect a clear expansion of themes and storytelling approaches. From lighthearted comedies to emotionally charged romances, these productions explore transformation and human connection.

With outstanding casts, audiences can expect a year packed with remarkable premieres!

Which drama are you most excited to watch? Let us know in the comments below!