What to expect from Netflix Korea in 2026: Dramas, reality and big namesNetflix 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 theJan 21, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
From breakups to flirting, Korea’s dating reality shows refuse to slow downAs TVING’s breakup-driven hit “EXchange 4,” ended Wednesday, Netflix is ready to crank up the intensity with the launch of “Single’s Inferno 5,” creating what fans are calling an uninterrupted “dopamine relay” of dating reality shows. “EXchange 4,” a TVING original, brings together former couples and places them under one roof. As they revisit past relationships, confront unresolved feelings and explore new connections, the series asks a central question: Should they return to their previous partner or move on to someone new? With its final episode airing Wednesday, the show focused on contestants struggling to make final decisions. Over multiple seasons, the franchise has become a flagship for what Korean viewers call “over-immersive” dating shows, praised for its emotionally dense storytelling and near-realistic portrayal of modern relationships. This season has continued that trend, sparking online discussion of the cast’s choices and emotional arcs. Since the start of the season on Oct. 1 last year, “EXchange 4” has posted record-breaking viewership forJan 20, 2026By Xportsnews
From barbecue to raw fish to instant noodles: Korean presidents’ distinct tastes in foodMore than 20 years of service across five presidents — that is the résumé of Cheon Sang-hyun, who recently appeared on Netflix’s competition show “Culinary Class Wars" Season 2. Now, the veteran chef is drawing renewed attention for a different reason: reflecting on what it was like to cook for Korea’s most powerful figures. For two decades, Cheon worked at Cheong Wa Dae, Korea's presidential office, preparing meals for five former presidents. He recalls that their dining habits varied sharply — from Kim Dae-jung, known for his especially hearty appetite, to Roh Moo-hyun and Moon Jae-in, who favored unpretentious, everyday meals. Cheon looked back on his years in the presidential kitchen during an appearance on an MBC Radio show on Thursday. Long before becoming known to the public as a “white chef” on “Culinary Class Wars,” he had already made history at Cheong Wa Dae — as the first specialist in Chinese cuisine to serve there, the youngest chef ever appointed and the longest-serving. “I’m the first presidential chef to receive a pension,” Cheon said, explaiJan 20, 2026By Hankookilbo
InterviewDisney+ series 'Made in Korea' reveals dark side of powerDisney+’s new series “Made in Korea” dives deep into the dark underbelly of 1970s Korea, a decade director Woo Min-ho calls an “age of barbarism.” Drawing from real events and personal ambition, the six-part drama follows the collision of two men: Baek Ki-tae (Hyun Bin), who will stop at nothing in his pursuit of money and power, and Jang Geon-young (Jung Woo-sung), a stubborn prosecutor determined to bring him to justice. Director Woo set out to explore how the hunger for power and a corrupt system can turn a person's ambition into something monstrous and destructive. "I am constantly throwing out the question of what the essence of power is and why people change so drastically once they attain it," the director told The Korea Times during an interview in Seoul, Monday. "Rather than providing a clear answer, I wanted to show the process of how history repeats itself through these characters." The series, which premiered last December and concluded its six-episode first season on Wednesday, does not shy away from the darker side of Korea’s rapid transformation. Against the bacJan 19, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung spark global rom-com frenzy with 'Can This Love Be Translated?'Netflix’s new romantic comedy “Can This Love Be Translated?” is gaining rapid momentum here and abroad, fueled by the immense star power of lead actors Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung. The series was released Friday and topped the streaming platform’s series chart on Sunday. The 12-part series also entered the top five in the global Netflix TV show category the same day, according to FlixPatrol data, signaling another major win for Korean romantic comedies. Unlike typical romantic comedies, the drama keeps viewers interested by adding a touch of mystery to the sweet moments. The unique way the characters express their feelings through different languages provides a fresh experience for fans of the genre. The drama, penned by the celebrated screenwriting duo Hong Jung-eun and Hong Mi-ran, tells the story of Joo Ho-jin (Kim), a professional interpreter who is fluent in several languages. His life takes a turn when he begins working for global superstar Cha Mu-hee (Go), leading to a series of misunderstandings and emotional discoveries across scenic locations in Japan, Italy and CanadaJan 19, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
‘Lovely Runner’ stars return with new partners and fresh romancesTwo years after the hit youth romance drama “Lovely Runner” wrapped up, its breakout stars are finally returning to television — this time with new costars and very different love stories. “Lovely Runner,” which aired on tvN in the first half of 2024, became a surprise sensation and firmly established Byeon Woo-seok and Kim Hye-yoon as leading figures of the next-generation K-drama scene. Both actors were widely praised for delivering what fans called their “career-defining roles,” but their next projects were slow to materialize, fueling impatience among viewers. That wait is now over. Kim is returning to the small screen with SBS’ new Friday-Saturday drama “No Tail to Tell.” In the series, she stars opposite Lomon (Park Solomon), exploring a new romance that contrasts sharply with her previous role. At a production presentation, Kim said she was eager to show a different side of herself. “This character has a completely different charm from Sol in ‘Lovely Runner,’ and I thought that contrast could be interesting,” she said. “We filmed continuously for abouJan 17, 2026By Xportsnews
From jungles to temples: How chefs took over entertainmentThe standing of chefs in the entertainment industry has shifted. Once limited to appearing as panelists or assistants to celebrities on cooking programs, they have now risen to take center stage. Following the recent success of Netflix's "Culinary Class Wars" and JTBC's "Chef & My Fridge," also known as "Please Take Care of My Refrigerator," broadcasters are scrambling to cast celebrity chefs. "Culinary Class Wars" went beyond a simple cooking survival show, building individual narratives and worldviews for each chef. The “Black Spoon” versus “White Spoon” concept turned chefs into stars. "Chef & My Fridge" further proved the winning formula by highlighting chefs’ improvisational skills, competitive dynamics and distinct characters. Broadcasters have since jumped into a fierce bidding war to cast chefs. Channel A’s "The Chef and the Hunter" highlights chefs’ survival skills and creativity as they forage for ingredients in the wild. In contrast, Wavve’s new cooking show sets a different tone by combining spiritual practice with food in a Buddhist temple setting. Even the tJan 16, 2026By Hankookilbo
K-dating reality shows explore diverse facets of relationshipsThe landscape of Korean reality dating shows is undergoing a massive transformation, shifting from simple romantic encounters into complex psychological experiments involving past lovers, family members and tough romantic competitions. The dating show market this year is no longer about just one style, as it has split into distinct trends to satisfy different tastes. "Single's Inferno" Season 5 attracts global audiences seeking hot entertainment and dream-like romances, while "Match to Marry: With Parents" targets viewers who want real-life family drama. Meanwhile, "EXchange" Season 4 remains the top choice for those who enjoy deep, emotional stories about past loves. As Netflix's flagship series "Single's Inferno” prepares to launch its fifth season next week, eyes are on how this popular dating show will maintain its dominance against increasingly diverse competitors. While other shows focus on the real-life struggles of dating, the fifth season will stay true to its original style by focusing on good-looking participants and their attraction to each other, its producers said, WedneJan 16, 2026By Baek Byung-yeul
Netflix to produce 'Culinary Class Wars' Season 3Netflix has confirmed production of the third season of its hit Korean cooking competition show "Culinary Class Wars." Unlike the first two seasons in which the format centered on individual competition, the new season will shift to team-based battles between restaurants, the global streaming service announced in a release. "Culinary Class Wars" pits celebrity "white spoon" chefs — those recognized by institutions such as Michelin — against lesser-known but skilled "black spoon" chefs in a high-stakes culinary showdown. Premiering in 2024, the show's first season topped Netflix's chart for most-popular non-English TV shows for three consecutive weeks. Season 2, released late last year, held the same spot for two weeks. Director Kim Eun-ji and writer Mo Eun-seol of Studio Slam — the creative duo behind the first two seasons — will return for the new installment. "Thanks to the love from viewers around the world, we became able to produce Season 3," Kim said in the release. "We will do our best to deliver an even more refined format and excitement that meets the expectations of ourJan 16, 2026By Yonhap
Hip-hop survival program 'Show Me the Money' returns with star producers, global contestantsMnet's "Show Me the Money" franchise is returning with its 12th edition after years of hiatus, with a renewed focus on music, high-profile lineup and expanded pool of contestants. Launched in 2012, "Show Me the Money" is widely credited with cementing hip-hop as a mainstream music genre in Korea after producing numerous hit rappers and songs over the years. Its latest season marks the show's first new installment in over three years and is expected to once again energize the local hip-hop scene. A press conference for the new season was held Thursday morning at a hotel in Seoul's Gangnam District. Attendees included chief producer Choi Hyo-jin and this season's star producers — Zico, Crush, GRAY, Loco, J-Tong, Hukky Shibaseki, Lil Moshpit and Jay Park — who will be divided into four teams to judge and mentor contestants. Park is returning to the program for the first time in nine years, while Loco previously won the competition as a contestant. Choi explained that the production team spent considerable time rethinking the program's structure ahead of its return. "Because it's been a lJan 15, 2026By Pyo Kyung-min
