2026 starts with a bang as the Kdrama lineup includes legal thrillers, historical fantasies, workplace comedies, rom-coms, and more. Some of Korea’s top stars, including Ji Sung, Park Shin Hye, Kim Seon Ho, Go Youn Jung, Nam Ji Hyun, and Jin Se Yeon, are returning to the screen.
These new series will air on major networks such as MBC, KBS2, SBS, tvN, and Channel A, with global streaming available on platforms like Netflix and Prime Video. The January 2026 lineup includes intense, time-travel legal drama The Judge Returns, the playful supernatural romance No Tail to Tell, and the stylish, international love story Can This Love Be Translated?.
The Judge Returns
- Release Date: January 2, 2026
- Network/Platform: MBC TV, TVING, Wavve
- Episodes: 14
- Genre: Legal Thriller, Fantasy
- Main Cast: Ji Sung, Park Hee Soon, Won Jin Ah
“The Judge Returns” is an upcoming MBC legal thriller with a time-travel twist, set to premiere on January 2, 2026. The drama follows the story of Lee Han Young, a judge deeply corrupted by a powerful law firm. After meeting a tragic death, he unexpectedly wakes up ten years earlier in 2025. He seeks to rewrite his destiny by punishing the evils he once served.
With full knowledge of the future, Lee Han Young is determined to undo his past mistakes. His path to redemption, however, is far from easy. Kang Shin Jin (Park Hee Soon), a cold and calculating senior judge, is standing in his way. He represents everything rotten within the judicial system. Kang is ambitious and manipulative and controls those around him by exploiting their weaknesses.
Lee Han Young crosses paths with Kim Jin Ah (Won Jin Ah), a passionate public prosecutor driven by her desire to avenge her father’s death. Later, she becomes an important ally as the two work together to expose corruption and bring powerful figures to justice.
Originally titled Judge Lee Han-young, the series is based on a hugely popular webtoon by Lee Hae Nal that has surpassed 100 million views. It is directed by Lee Jae Jin (The Banker, Motel California).
To My Beloved Thief
- Release Date: January 3, 2026
- Network/Platform: KBS2, Wavve
- Episodes: 16
- Genre: Historical, Rom-com
- Main Cast: Nam Ji Hyun, Moon Sang Min, Hong Min Gi
To My Beloved Thief, also known as Dear Bandit, mixes historical romance, action, and fantasy into one lively story. Set during the Joseon era, the 16-episode series follows a legendary female thief and a royal prince whose fates become unexpectedly entangled when they accidentally swap souls. The drama is written by Lee Sun, directed by Ham Young Geol, and produced by Studio Dragon.
The story revolves around Hong Eun Jo, portrayed by Nam Ji Hyun. By day, Eun Jo works as a talented physician, but by night she lives a secret life as the mysterious thief known as “Hong Gil-dong.” She steals from corrupt officials and redistributes wealth to the poor.
Moon Sang Min plays Prince Yi Yeol, a charming royal who is passionate about detective work. He becomes obsessed with unmasking the notorious thief. While chasing each other, the thief and prince have a mystical accident that causes them to switch bodies.
Spring Fever
- Release Date: January 5, 2026
- Network/Platform: tvN, Prime Video
- Episode: 12
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Main Cast: Ahn Bo Jyun, Lee Joo Bin
Spring Fever is a romantic comedy about healing and fresh starts. Set in the quiet countryside town of Shinsu-eup, it follows Yoon Bom, played by Lee Joo Bin, a high school teacher who leaves Seoul behind after a painful experience.
She is now emotionally closed off and keeps her distance from everyone around her. However, her cold exterior begins to thaw when she meets Seon Jae Gyu (Ahn Bo Hyun). Though he looks rough on the outside, Jae-gyu is gentle, sincere, and quietly supportive. He helps Yoon Bom slowly open up and rediscover happiness.
Spring Fever is directed by Park Won Gook, known for his work on Marry My Husband, and is based on the popular web novel by Baek Min-a.
The production has described the central love story as a vibrant “hot pink romance” meant to melt even the coldest of hearts.
Can This Love Be Translated?
- Release Date: January 16, 2026
- Network/Platform: Netflix
- Episodes: 12
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Main Cast: Kim Seon Ho, Go Youn Jung, Sota Fukushi
Can This Love Be Translated? is a romantic comedy that looks at love through language, culture, and everything left unsaid. The drama follows Cha Mu Hee, played by Go Youn Jung, a globally famous actress whose career explodes after starring in a hit zombie film. Kim Seon Ho playsJu Ho Jin, a highly skilled interpreter fluent in multiple languages. Ho Jin is assigned as Mu Hee’s personal translator while she films an international variety program. He is by her side at all times—on set, during interviews, and across borders.
Can This Love Be Translated? is set against stunning locations in Italy, Canada, Japan, and South Korea. It is written by the Hong Sisters—Hong Jung Eun and Hong Mi Ran—known for popular hits such as Hotel del Luna and Alchemy of Souls. Direction is handled by Yoo Young Eun, who previously worked on Bloody Heart.
The cast also includes Japanese actor Sota Fukushi, who plays a fellow actor appearing on the same dating show as Mu Hee.
No Tail to Tell
- Release Date: January 16, 2026
- Network/Platform: SBS TV, Netflix
- Episodes: 12
- Genre: Fantasy, Romance
- Main Cast: Kim Hye Yoon, Lomon
No Tail to Tell puts a fresh, playful spin on Korean folklore by centering on a very modern nine-tailed fox. Kim Hye Yoon stars as Eun Ho, a Gen Z gumiho who fully enjoys her eternal youth and has absolutely no interest in becoming human. Unlike traditional gumihos, Eun Ho actively avoids doing good deeds, knowing that kindness would slowly strip her of her immortality.
The turning point in her life comes in the form of Kang Si Yeol, played by Lomon, a supremely confident and narcissistic world-class soccer star living a seemingly perfect life. An unexpected accident involving them forces Eun-ho to transform into an ordinary human.
The drama is written by Park Chan Young and Jo Ah-young and directed by Kim Jung Kwon. A strong supporting cast includes Lee Si Woo, Jang Dong Joo, and veteran actors like Kim Tae Woo and In Gyo Jin.
Undercover Miss Hong
- Release Date: January 17, 2026
- Network/Platform: tvN, TVING
- Episodes:
- Genre: Workplace Comedy
- Main Cast: Park Shin Hye, Go Kyung Pyo, Ha Yoon Kyung
Undercover Miss Hong is a workplace comedy that stars Park Shin Hye in lead role. Set in late-1990s Seoul, the drama follows Hong Geum Bo, played by Park Shin Hye, an elite and highly skilled inspector at the Financial Supervisory Service.
As part of an investigation into suspected financial misconduct, she goes undercover at a securities firm. Hong poses as a 20-year-old entry-level employee under the name Hong Jang Mi. While she is focused on completing her mission, things quickly become complicated on a personal level.
Her mission is complicated by Shin Jeong Woo (Go Kyung Pyo), the firm’s new, numbers-driven CEO, who also happens to be her ex-boyfriend. He is unaware of her true identity and mistakes her for a rookie employee. At the same time, he is also attracted to her because she reminds him of the woman he once loved.
The cast also includes Go Bok Hee, an ambitious secretary played by Ha Yoon Kyung, and Albert Oh, the carefree grandson of the company’s chairman, portrayed by Cho Han Gyeol.
The series is directed by Park Seon-ho of Business Proposal fame and written by Moon Hyun Kyung.
Positively Yours
- Release Date: January 17, 2026
- Network/Platform: Channel A, Viki
- Episodes: 12
- Genre: Romantic Comedy
- Main Cast: Choi Jin Hyuk, Oh Yeon Seo, Hong Jong Hyun
Positively Yours, adapted from the popular Naver Webtoon, follows two people who have firmly decided that marriage is not for them.
Kang Du Jun, played by Choi Jin Hyuk, is a polished second-generation chaebol and heir to a brewery company. After losing his older brother, he devoted his life to responsibility and family.
Jang Hui Won, portrayed by Oh Yeon Seo, is a capable brewery manager whose parents’ painful divorce caused her to completely lose faith in love.
Their lives take an unexpected turn after a spontaneous one-night encounter. This brief mistake quickly becomes life-changing when Hui Won discovers she is pregnant. They are forced to stay connected both professionally—since Du Jun is her CEO—and personally.
Positively Yours is directed by Kim Jin Seong, known for directing Surprise Party and When the Stars Gossip.
Recipe for Love
- Release Date: January 31, 2026
- Network/Platform: KBS2
- Episodes: 50
- Genre: Rom-com
- Main Cast: Jin Se Yeon, Park Ki Woong
Recipe for Love tells a warm, modern take on a “Romeo and Juliet”–style romance. Love grows between two people from families that have been feuding for 30 years.
The drama centers on Gong Joo Ah (Jin Se Yeon), a former medical student who defies her mother’s expectations to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion designer. She eventually secures a job at the prestigious Taehan Group.
There, she encounters the newly appointed general manager of the fashion division, Yang Hyun Bin (Park Ki Woong)—her childhood friend and the son of her family’s long-time rivals.
The series is directed by Han Joon Seo and written by Park Ji Sook. It also features a strong supporting cast, including Yoo Ho Jeong, Kim Seung Soo, So Yi Hyun, and Kim Mi Sook. Notably, this drama marks Jin Se Yeon and Park Ki Woong’s first on-screen reunion in 14 years since Bridal Mask.