Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
What to expect from Netflix Korea in 2026: Dramas, reality and big names
Kang Dong-han, vice president of Netflix Korea, speaks during a press conference at the Conrad Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Netflix
By Baek Byung-yeul
Streaming giant pledges long-term investment in K-content
Netflix pledged to continue its long-term investment in Korean content as it unveiled an ambitious 2026 lineup featuring high-profile dramas and reality shows.
"If someone had said 10 years ago that Korean content would become the global center of the industry and people worldwide would wear costumes from Korean dramas and sing K-pop-themed animation soundtracks, they would have called it a dream," Kang Dong-han, vice president of Netflix Korea, said during a press conference, Wednesday.
He outlined two key commitments for Netflix's future in Korea, underscoring the company's confidence in Korean storytelling.
"We promise a long-term and unwavering investment in Korean content because we have a firm belief in its potential," Kang said.
2026 lineup
This year’s drama lineup is led by the romantic comedy “Boyfriend on Demand,” in which BLACKPINK’s Jisoo plays a webtoon producer who turns to a virtual dating simulation service to escape the exhaustion of reality. She stars opposite actor Seo In-guk in the series.
Veteran actor Choi Min-sik will make his Netflix debut in "Notes from the Last Row," a suspense drama about a failed writer-turned-professor who becomes obsessed with the exceptional talent of a student in his classroom. The drama is based on Juan Mayorga's play "The Boy in the Last Row."
The hit series “Bloodhounds” will return for a second season, continuing the story of Gun-woo and Woo-jin, played by Woo Do-hwan and Lee Sang-yi. The new season will introduce singer-actor Jung Ji-hoon as a ruthless villain who runs a global illegal boxing league.
Another anticipated project is "The Rat," a thriller starring Ryu Jun-yeol and Sul Kyung-gu. Based on a webtoon that draws inspiration from a folk tale about a mouse eating fingernails to become human, the story follows an isolated novelist trying to reclaim his life from a mysterious figure who stole his identity.
Actor Park Eun-bin introduces upcoming Netflix series "The Wonderfuls” during a press conference at the Conrad Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Netflix
Several stars also attended the event to introduce their upcoming projects for the year, including Jeon Do-yeon of "Possible Love," Nam Joo-hyuk of "The East Palace" and Son Ye-jin of "Scandal."
Park Eun-bin, who leads “The Wonderfuls,” addressed the absence of her co-star Cha Eun-woo, who is currently away for his mandatory military service.
"Cha Eun-woo has gone to fulfill his military duty and I'm sure he's doing well wherever he is. I wish we could promote the show together, but since I'll be doing it alone, I hope he returns in glory," she said.
Netflix also revealed an extensive lineup of reality shows as part of its efforts to diversify its programming.
The streaming service's unscripted offerings include the fifth season of the popular dating reality show "Single’s Inferno." "Better Late Than Single" will also return for a second season following its success with viewers who loved its focus on people with no dating experience.
Chef Anh Sung-jae speaks during a press conference at the Conrad Seoul, Wednesday. Courtesy of Netflix
The global hit "Culinary Class Wars" will continue with a third season following its massive success, this time shifting the format to team-based competition by featuring chefs from the same establishment, rather than the solo showdowns of previous seasons.
"I know many chefs are applying for the third season and I am also looking forward to it," chef Anh Sung-jae, one of the judges of the show, said.
Regarding the success of the second season, which topped the non-English show category for two consecutive weeks following its release late last year, Anh credited the participating chefs for its popularity.
"The 100 chefs who appeared in Season 2 were so charming and talented at cooking. It was also fun to watch the show as a viewer," he said.
He added that he hopes viewers will show great interest in the third season, which is scheduled to be released in the fourth quarter of this year.
Other returning variety favorites include "Agents of Mystery" for its second season and the brain survival show "The Devil’s Plan" for its third season, both produced by Jung Jong-yeon.