Disney+ has revealed its biggest slate yet of Korean original content for 2026. It shows just how aggressively the platform is expanding into the K-drama market. The announcements were made at the “Disney+ Original Preview 2025” event, which took place at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Conference Center on November 13.
The event introduced both global Disney originals and the new APAC (Asia-Pacific) lineup, with a special focus on Korean dramas. Around 400 reporters from 14 Asia-Pacific countries attended, including Korean media. Every time a trailer appeared or an actor’s face appeared onscreen, the room erupted in cheers. Actor Park Jae Min hosted the session introducing Korean works.
Titles presented according to release schedule included “The Manipulated,” “Made in Korea,” “Battle of Fates,” “Perfect Crown,” “Gold Land,” “A Shop of Killers 2,” “The Remarried Empress,” and “Portraits of Delusion.”
One moment that received especially loud cheers was the short video featuring IU and Byun Woo Seok, the lead actors of “Perfect Crown.” The two actors were unable to attend in person due to filming.
Luke Kang, President and CEO of The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, emphasized the region’s importance. He explained, “2025 marks the 5th anniversary of producing content in the Asia Pacific region.”
Kang highlighted the strong performance of Korean originals, saying they are earning enormous love in APAC, the United States, Latin America, Brazil, and Mexico.
Alongside the 2025 schedule, Disney+ also unveiled the Korean drama lineup set for 2026. It featured major productions, global stars, and a wide range of genres, including romance, fantasy, action, and supernatural mystery.
Below is a complete breakdown of the Korean originals presented for the upcoming year.
Made in Korea
One of the biggest headliners for 2026 is “Made in Korea,” a major project starring two of Korea’s most respected actors, Jung Woo Sung and Hyun Bin. Even before its release, Disney+ confirmed a renewal for Season 2 before Season 1 has even aired. Season 1 is set to premiere on December 24, 2025, with the second season arriving sometime in 2026.
Set in the turbulent 1970s, it revolves around the intense rivalry between two men. Hyun Bin shared insight into the series during the event: “Each character has their own story and common threads that connect them,” and further said, “I hope viewers enjoy watching how their individual desires clash as they go through life.”
Gold Land
“Gold Land” plunges viewers into a ruthless world of greed and survival. The series stars the talented Park Bo Young as Kim Hee Joo, a security screening agent at an international airport. Her life is turned upside down when she accidentally comes into possession of gold bars worth a staggering 150 billion won (approximately $102 million) from a smuggling organization.
Park Bo Young teased her character’s transformation, stating, “I think I will be showing a very different side of myself this time — running, getting dirty and struggling.” She also dished on her character as Hee Joo, “My character did not want the gold at first, but once it’s in her hands, desire inevitably grows.”
She is joined by Kim Sung Cheol as Jang Wook, a debt collector pretending to help Hee Joo while secretly planning to steal the gold. The cast also includes Lee Hyun Wook as Lee Do Kyung, Hee Joo’s co-pilot boyfriend who inadvertently drags her into the dangerous situation. Director Kim Sung-hoon explained the series’ theme, noting, “We wanted to explore human desire in its rawest form — how vast it can be, and how we deal with it.”
A Shop for Killers – Season 2
The hit action thriller “A Shop for Killers” returns in 2026 with its second season. Fans will be happy to see both Lee Dong-wook and Kim Hye-jun reprise their roles as Jeong Jin Man and his niece Jeong Jian.
One of the biggest surprises from the event and season 1 finale was confirmation that Jeong Jin Man, Lee Dong Wook’s character, will be returning despite being presumed dead.
Lee Dong Wook teased that the sequel will raise the bar. He promised that the action in the new season will be “larger in scale and more intense than in Season 1.”
Director Lee Kwon, working alongside co-writer Ji Ho Jin said they are committed to delivering more diverse and expansive action sequences for the new season.
The Remarried Empress
Among the largest productions Disney+ Korea has ever undertaken is “The Remarried Empress,” adapted from the globally popular webtoon. The cast is exceptionally star-studded, with Shin Min Ah, Ju Ji Hoon, Lee Se Young, and Lee Jong Suk leading the story.
The drama follows Navier (Shin Min Ah), the smart and graceful Empress of the Eastern Empire. Her life changes when her husband, Emperor Sovieshu, brings Rashta — a naive former slave — into the palace and makes her his mistress. Obsessed with having an heir, he eventually divorces Navier and takes away her title.
Despite the betrayal, Navier doesn’t break. King Heinrey of the Western Kingdom, who has admired her for a long time, steps forward and proposes. Navier accepts and becomes the Western Kingdom’s new queen.
While Sovieshu’s empire falls into chaos under Rashta’s influence, Navier thrives in her new home. She supports Heinley, helps strengthen his kingdom, and builds a happier life.
Ju Ji Hoon explained his excitement about joining the project: “Regardless of race or background, people are drawn to fantasy worlds, and I was excited to be part of that expansion.”
This production is widely expected to become one of the most talked-about webtoon adaptations of the year.
Perfect Crown (The Wife of a 21st Century Prince)
Also known as “The Wife of a 21st Century Prince,” this romantic drama created a huge buzz at the event, especially when the short clip featuring IU and Byeon Woo Seok appeared onscreen. Their chemistry received one of the loudest reactions of the entire lineup.
The story is set in 21st-century South Korea that operates under a constitutional monarchy.
IU plays Sung Hee Joo, the competitive second daughter of a top chaebol family who struggles with being a commoner. Byeon Woo Seok plays Prince Yi Ahn, the king’s second son who, despite his royal status, is destined to have nothing else in life.
The drama is directed by Park Joon Hwa, best known for “Alchemy of Souls,” and is scheduled to air on MBC in the first half of 2026, with streaming on Disney+ to follow.
Portraits of Delusion
“Portraits of Delusion” offers a supernatural twist paired with a romantic melodrama. The show stars Bae Suzy as a mysterious woman rumored to be a vampire, and Kim Seon Ho as the painter assigned to create her portrait.
With two major Hallyu stars headlining, the series is expected to attract massive international interest. Unfortunately, lead stars Suzy and Kim Seon Ho did not attend the Disney+ Original Preview 2025. It will be released both on MBC and Disney+ to give it a wider reach domestically and globally.
Additional Announcements
Aside from the major dramas, the 2026 lineup also includes Korean reality content. “Are You Sure?!” Season 2, starring BTS members Jimin and Jung Kook, set to premiere on December 3.
A new reality show, “Battle of Fates,” which pits fortune tellers and oracles against each other in a competitive format.
Luke Kang concluded, “Disney has a long and proud history in Asia, and we are building something new on top of that foundation. It is a place where an incomparable fandom continues to grow.”
