17 new Korean series announced for 2026—these 5 picks have us obsessed

K-dramas lovers, brace yourselves! If you thought 2025 was a record-breaking year for Korean sensations on Netflix, 2026 looks set to top it, with the streaming giant unveiling a sparkling lineup that’ll have fans everywhere glued to their screens and possibly reconsidering their sleep schedules.

Korean Series: Global Success and Anticipation

Korean dramas have claimed their place among the world’s most-watched series on Netflix, and their success is hardly a one-hit wonder named Squid Game. Sure, the cultural juggernaut wrapped up its third and final season in June 2025, but plenty of other South Korean gems soared in popularity last year too.

La vie portera ses fruits, crowned by some as last year’s top Korean series, racked up a whopping 41.2 million views from January to December 2025, making it the second most-watched South Korean title on the platform (right after the three seasons of Squid Game).
Another big hit was Bon Appétit, Your Majesty with a monumental 588 million viewing hours, translating to 37.5 million views.

With an already jam-packed 2025 in the books, Netflix is turning up the volume in 2026. The platform is promising no fewer than 17 brand-new original K-dramas—plus even more series following the fast-paced South Korean release schedule. The list was revealed alongside a teaser with sneak peeks from highly anticipated shows, films, and all kinds of entertainment offerings set for the year.

Five Korean Series We’re Absolutely Obsessed With

After checking the upcoming releases, a few series rise straight to the top of our must-watch list. Here’s our pick of the five Korean dramas on Netflix in 2026 you simply can’t miss:

Show Business (former title): This one has teased us since the cast was announced and the excitement just keeps building. Patience is a virtue, as you’ll have to wait until year-end to stream it, but with Song Hye-kyo (The Glory, Descendants of the Sun) and Gong Yoo (Squid Game) at the helm, expect a drama worthy of the buzz. Think: a journey through South Korea’s vibrant music industry from the 1960s to the 1980s, as you follow Min-ja and her childhood friend Dong-gu.
Untitled Jung Hae-in Rom-Com: Loved him in Love Next Door? He’s back in an endearing new romantic comedy. The title may not scream “blockbuster” just yet, but the premise and first images give us hope. Directed by the creator of Mon démon, the plot features an amnesiac prosecutor suddenly sharing a home with a boxing coach (and part-time gangster) who claims to be her boyfriend. The initial connection is shaky at best, but sparks are sure to fly as their relationship takes a turn for the unexpected.
The Scandal: Sometimes, star power alone sells a series. Son Ye-jin (Crash Landing on You) and Ji Chang-wook (Retour à Samdal-ri, The Manipulated) lead the cast in this fresh drama due in the third quarter. The Scandal is inspired by the 2023 film Untold Scandal, itself an adaptation of Pierre Choderlos de Laclos’ classic, Les Liaisons dangereuses. Set during the Joseon era, it follows Lady Cho, a woman of influence who enlists Cho Won to seduce a young woman. Drama and intrigue, anyone?
Notes from the Last Row: Fresh from one of 2025’s most-viewed and netizens’ favorite series, Choi Hyun-wook returns to darker territory. After Héros fragile, this rising South Korean actor headlines this thriller adapted from a Spanish play. Heo Mun-oh (Choi Min-sik), a former aspiring author turned literature professor, is drawn into obsession by Lee Kang (Choi Hyun-wook), a mysterious student always lurking at the back of the class. Mun-oh can’t shake Kang’s talent for writing—but there’s more darkness here than meets the eye. Look out for this one in the second quarter of 2026.
If Wishes Could Kill: This youth-driven horror series, from the co-director of Pouvoirs de l’ombre, is giving us chills already. Led by young star Jeon So-young, the plot follows a group of high schoolers doomed after using a wish-granting app, desperately trying to escape their fates. Netflix highlights this as its first-ever “young adult” Korean horror series—now aren’t you curious?

More Korean Series, More Reasons to Watch

The upcoming year is loaded not only with original dramas but also shows rolling out to the tune of Korean broadcast calendars. Even with the ongoing buzz (and debate!) around series like Comment traduire cet amour ?, Netflix Korea is ramping up the excitement with previews and teasers spanning drama, film, and reality—an ambitious slate aiming to cater to every kind of fan.

Ready for a Year of Binge-Worthy K-Dramas?

In 2026, Netflix’s K-drama machine shows no sign of slowing down. If your 2025 viewing list still haunts your dreams, prepare for an equally dazzled 2026, with something to charm every viewer—romance, intrigue, historical twists, and yes, a touch of heart-stopping horror. Mark your calendars now and maybe, just maybe… clear a few weekends in advance.