The year 2026 is shaping up to be a historic one for K-Drama enthusiasts. From high-stakes legal thrillers to "body-swap" historical rom-coms and global webtoon adaptations, the variety is staggering. Seoulicious has curated the definitive list of the Top 10 dramas that will dominate your watchlist this year.
1. The Judge Returns | 판사 이한영
Release: MBC / Disney+ (Simultaneous Streaming) | Premiered Jan 2, 2026
Cast: Jisung, Park Hee-soon
The Plot: A corrupt judge, once a puppet for a powerful law firm, dies a tragic death only to wake up 10 years in the past. With a second chance at life, he decides to tear down the evil cartel he once served.
Why We’re Excited: Known as the "God of Acting," Jisung portrays the dramatic shift from a jaded, corrupt official to a righteous judge. It’s a cathartic revenge story that tackles social justice with a touch of the supernatural.
2. To My Beloved Thief | 은애하는 도적님아
Release: KBS2 / Viki | Premiered Jan 3, 2026
Cast: Nam Ji-hyun, Moon Sang-min
The Plot: Hong Eun-jo is a physician by day and a legendary thief (Hong Gil-dong style) by night. Her world crashes into Prince Lee Yeol, an obsessive investigator. To make matters more complicated, the two accidentally swap bodies!
Why We’re Excited: This "Fusion Sageuk" (historical drama with modern twists) combines a female-led action story with the hilarious "body-swap" trope. The chemistry between Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min is the highlight here.
Release: Netflix Original | 2026 TBA
Cast: Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung
The Plot: A polyglot translator who speaks multiple languages meets a global superstar with a completely different "language" of love. Though words are translated accurately, their true feelings often get lost in translation.
Why We’re Excited: Penned by the famous Hong Sisters (Alchemy of Souls), this series targets a global audience with its multi-national filming locations and themes of cross-cultural romance.
Release: MBC / Disney+ | First Half of 2026
Cast: IU, Byeon Woo-seok
The Plot: Set in a modern-day constitutional monarchy, a chaebol (conglomerate) heiress and an "outcast" prince enter into a contract marriage to survive royal power struggles.
Why We’re Excited: Fans are buzzing about the reunion of IU and Byeon Woo-seok. Interestingly, 10 years ago in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Byeon Woo-seok played IU’s cheating ex-boyfriend. Seeing them reunite as a romantic power couple is a dream come true for long-time K-Drama fans!
Release: Disney+ Original | 2026 TBA
Cast: Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, Lee Se-young
The Plot: Navier, the perfect Empress of the Eastern Empire, is blindsided by her husband’s request for a divorce. Instead of crumbling, she boldly demands a remarriage to the Prince of a neighboring kingdom.
Why We’re Excited: Based on a mega-hit web novel, there is a heated debate among international fans regarding the characters' names. While the original uses Western names (Navier, Heinrey), fans are split on whether the drama should keep them or "Koreanize" them for the screen.
Release: Disney+ Original | Second Half of 2026
Cast: Bae Suzy, Kim Seon-ho
The Plot: In 1935, a struggling artist is commissioned to paint a portrait of a mysterious, reclusive woman. He soon discovers her terrifying secret: she is a vampire who never ages.
Why We’re Excited: The story is set in Gyeongseong—the historical name for Seoul during the Japanese Colonial Era. This dark, gothic mystery explores the intersection of immortality, desire, and art during one of Korea’s most turbulent historical periods.
Release: SBS | Early 2026
Cast: Jang Na-ra, Kim Hye-yoon
The Plot: A workplace legal drama focusing on high-profile divorce cases. Season 2 follows veteran lawyer Cha Eun-경 and her new, spunky partner as they navigate the messy world of broken marriages.
Why We’re Excited: The show’s realism stems from the fact that the writer is an actual former divorce lawyer. Viewers can expect "rage-inducing" cases based on real-life events, making the eventual legal victories even more satisfying.
Release: Netflix Original | 2026 TBA
Cast: Shin Hye-sun, Lee Joon-hyuk
The Plot: Sarah Kim is a professional con artist who creates a fake luxury brand to scam the ultra-wealthy. Detective Park Mu-kyong, a cold and calculated investigator, is determined to bring her down.
Why We’re Excited: A high-stakes psychological thriller that peeks into the vanity of the upper class. Shin Hye-sun’s transformation into a glamorous fraudster is already a major talking point.
Release: tvN | Premieres Jan 17, 2026
Cast: Park Shin-hye, Go Kyung-pyo
The Plot: In the late 1990s, an elite financial investigator goes undercover as a rookie employee at a brokerage firm to track suspicious funds.
Why We’re Excited: This is a "Retro Office Comedy" that leans heavily into the Y2K aesthetic. From 90s fashion and music to the bustling atmosphere of the pre-digital financial world, it’s a nostalgic trip for older viewers and a trendy "Newtro" experience for younger ones.
Release: Netflix Original | 2026 TBA
Cast: Jisoo (BLACKPINK), Seo In-guk
The Plot: Tired of the exhaustion of real-world dating, a webtoon PD discovers a "Virtual Boyfriend" app that allows her to "subscribe" to her ideal man. However, the lines between reality and simulation begin to blur.
Why We’re Excited: Global icon Jisoo of BLACKPINK makes her highly anticipated rom-com return. The show explores Gen Z’s relationship with technology and the search for authentic connection in a digital age.
Which of these dramas is going on your "Must-Watch" list? Let us know your "One Pick" in the comments below!
3. Can This Love Be Translated? | 이 사랑 통역 되나요?
Release: Netflix Original | 2026 TBA
Cast: Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung
The Plot: A polyglot translator who speaks multiple languages meets a global superstar with a completely different "language" of love. Though words are translated accurately, their true feelings often get lost in translation.
Why We’re Excited: Penned by the famous Hong Sisters (Alchemy of Souls), this series targets a global audience with its multi-national filming locations and themes of cross-cultural romance.
4. Perfect Crown | 21세기 대군 부인
Release: MBC / Disney+ | First Half of 2026
Cast: IU, Byeon Woo-seok
The Plot: Set in a modern-day constitutional monarchy, a chaebol (conglomerate) heiress and an "outcast" prince enter into a contract marriage to survive royal power struggles.
Why We’re Excited: Fans are buzzing about the reunion of IU and Byeon Woo-seok. Interestingly, 10 years ago in Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, Byeon Woo-seok played IU’s cheating ex-boyfriend. Seeing them reunite as a romantic power couple is a dream come true for long-time K-Drama fans!
5. The Remarried Empress | 재혼황후
Release: Disney+ Original | 2026 TBA
Cast: Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, Lee Se-young
The Plot: Navier, the perfect Empress of the Eastern Empire, is blindsided by her husband’s request for a divorce. Instead of crumbling, she boldly demands a remarriage to the Prince of a neighboring kingdom.
Why We’re Excited: Based on a mega-hit web novel, there is a heated debate among international fans regarding the characters' names. While the original uses Western names (Navier, Heinrey), fans are split on whether the drama should keep them or "Koreanize" them for the screen.
6. Portraits of Delusion | 현혹
Release: Disney+ Original | Second Half of 2026
Cast: Bae Suzy, Kim Seon-ho
The Plot: In 1935, a struggling artist is commissioned to paint a portrait of a mysterious, reclusive woman. He soon discovers her terrifying secret: she is a vampire who never ages.
Why We’re Excited: The story is set in Gyeongseong—the historical name for Seoul during the Japanese Colonial Era. This dark, gothic mystery explores the intersection of immortality, desire, and art during one of Korea’s most turbulent historical periods.
7. Good Partner Season 2 | 굿파트너 시즌2
Release: SBS | Early 2026
Cast: Jang Na-ra, Kim Hye-yoon
The Plot: A workplace legal drama focusing on high-profile divorce cases. Season 2 follows veteran lawyer Cha Eun-경 and her new, spunky partner as they navigate the messy world of broken marriages.
Why We’re Excited: The show’s realism stems from the fact that the writer is an actual former divorce lawyer. Viewers can expect "rage-inducing" cases based on real-life events, making the eventual legal victories even more satisfying.
8. The Art of Sarah | 레이디 두아
Release: Netflix Original | 2026 TBA
Cast: Shin Hye-sun, Lee Joon-hyuk
The Plot: Sarah Kim is a professional con artist who creates a fake luxury brand to scam the ultra-wealthy. Detective Park Mu-kyong, a cold and calculated investigator, is determined to bring her down.
Why We’re Excited: A high-stakes psychological thriller that peeks into the vanity of the upper class. Shin Hye-sun’s transformation into a glamorous fraudster is already a major talking point.
9. Undercover Miss Hong | 언더커버 미쓰홍
Release: tvN | Premieres Jan 17, 2026
Cast: Park Shin-hye, Go Kyung-pyo
The Plot: In the late 1990s, an elite financial investigator goes undercover as a rookie employee at a brokerage firm to track suspicious funds.
Why We’re Excited: This is a "Retro Office Comedy" that leans heavily into the Y2K aesthetic. From 90s fashion and music to the bustling atmosphere of the pre-digital financial world, it’s a nostalgic trip for older viewers and a trendy "Newtro" experience for younger ones.
10. Boyfriend on Demand | 월간남친
Release: Netflix Original | 2026 TBA
Cast: Jisoo (BLACKPINK), Seo In-guk
The Plot: Tired of the exhaustion of real-world dating, a webtoon PD discovers a "Virtual Boyfriend" app that allows her to "subscribe" to her ideal man. However, the lines between reality and simulation begin to blur.
Why We’re Excited: Global icon Jisoo of BLACKPINK makes her highly anticipated rom-com return. The show explores Gen Z’s relationship with technology and the search for authentic connection in a digital age.
Which of these dramas is going on your "Must-Watch" list? Let us know your "One Pick" in the comments below!