After a first half packed with buzzy releases and returning favourites, the K-drama world is gearing up for an equally exciting second half of 2026. From supernatural mysteries and high-stakes thrillers to youth romances and action-packed sequels, the upcoming slate promises something for every kind of viewer. From Nam Joo-hyuk’s The East Palace to the highly anticipated return of A Shop for Killers season 2, here is your must-watch guide to the biggest upcoming K-dramas set to release in the second half of 2026.
Leading the lineup is the romantic comedy Love in Sync. The series follows actress You Ji-an and psychological counsellor Cha Eun-hwan, whose lives become intertwined through an unusual phenomenon known as emotional transference. Starring Kim Myung-soo and Kang Min-ah, the drama explores healing, empathy and unexpected romance.
Other notable K-dramas to look forward to in the second half of 2026 include Namkoong Min’s thriller The Husband, Hwang In-youp and Lee Hye-ri’s romance Dream to You and the youth music drama Four Hands, Two Sonatas starring Song Kang and Lee Jun-young.
Not to forget the supernatural historical mystery The East Palace. The Netflix original follows Gu-cheon, a ghost-slaying swordsman who can travel between the human world and a mysterious spirit realm, and Saeng-gang, a court lady who can hear the voices of the dead. Together, they are drawn into a dangerous investigation involving a royal curse and dark secrets hidden within the palace.
Unmissable K-dramas set to release in the second half of 2026
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Love in Sync — 4 JulyDirected by: Kim Chil-bong
Cast: Kim Myung-soo, Kang Min-ah, Kwon So-hyun, Shin Woo-gyum
Streaming platform: Disney+
Synopsis: Actress You Ji-an (Kang) finds herself facing criticism over her lack of empathy. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets psychological counsellor Cha Eun-hwan (Kim). As an unusual phenomenon known as emotional transference draws them together, the pair begin a journey of healing, growth and romance.
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The Husband — 4 JulyDirected by: Kim Jung-hyun
Cast: Namkoong Min, Lee Seol, Kim Dae-myung, Lee Sang-hee
Streaming platform: Disney+
Synopsis: Neurosurgeon Kang Tae-ju (Namkoong Min) is preparing to divorce his wife Ko Se-yun (Lee Seol) when she is suddenly kidnapped. Determined to save her, Tae-ju is forced into a dangerous confrontation with ruthless criminals while uncovering the truth behind the abduction.
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Dream to You — 13 JulyDirected by: Yoo Seon-dong
Cast: Hwang In-youp, Lee Hye-ri, Baek Sung-chul, Lee Yul-eum
Streaming platform: TBA
Synopsis: Woo Su-bin (Hwang) and Joo Yi-jae (Lee) fall in love as teenagers before life pulls them apart. Years later, Su-bin returns to his hometown as a successful film director and reconnects with Yi-jae, now a disillusioned reporter, inspiring her to dream again.
Also read: Asura and other best Japanese series you can stream on Netflix
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The East Palace — 17 JulyDirected by: Choi Jung-gyu
Cast: Nam Joo-hyuk, Roh Yoon-seo, Cho Seung-woo
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: Gu-cheon (Nam), a swordsman capable of moving between the human world and the Realm of Gwi, is summoned to investigate mysterious incidents within the royal palace. He joins forces with court lady Saeng-gang (Roh), who can hear the voices of ghosts, as they uncover the truth behind a terrifying royal curse under the orders of the king (Cho).
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A Shop for Killers Season 2 — 22 JulyDirected by: Lee Kwon
Cast: Lee Dong-wook, Kim Hye-jun, Jo Han-sun, Geum Hae-na
Streaming platform: Disney+
Synopsis: Following the events of season 1, Jeong Ji-an (Kim Hye-jun) officially becomes the owner of Murthehelp, a secret weapons marketplace created by her uncle Jeong Jin-man (Lee Dong-wook). As the criminal organisation Babylon intensifies its pursuit of Murthehelp, the pair must fight back against powerful new enemies.
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Four Hands, Two Sonatas — 29 AugustDirected by: Park Hyun-suk
Cast: Song Kang, Lee Jun-young, Jang Gyu-ri
Streaming platform: TBA
Synopsis: Two piano prodigies (Lee and Song) navigate friendship, rivalry and ambition in the cut-throat music industry.
About the show: Four Hands marks Song Kang’s first project after his military discharge in October 2025.
Also read: Everything to know about Four Hands, Two Sonatas
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The Remarried Empress — TBADirected by: Jo Soo-won and Shim Na-yeon
Cast: Ju Ji-hoon, Lee Jong-suk, Shin Min-ah
Streaming platform: Disney+
Synopsis: When her husband Sovieshu (Ju) cheats on her and proposes divorce, Empress Navier (Shin) of the Eastern Empire demands remarriage to Prince Heinrey (Lee) of the Western Kingdom.
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Merry Berry Love — TBADirected by: Kim Soo-jung
Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Mio Imada
Streaming platform: Disney+
Synopsis: Korean space planner Lee Yoo-bin (Ji) and strawberry farmer Shirahama Karin (Mio) cross paths on a mysterious Japanese island and begin to fall for each other.
(Image: Courtesy disneypluskr/Instagram)
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Variety — TBADirected by: Kim Yong-hoon
Cast: Son Ye-jin, Jo Yu-ri
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: Entertainment executive So-eun (Son) risks everything to revive an idol group she created. Seung-hui (Jo) is an obsessed fan who is ready to risk everything to meet her favourite idol. When So-eun and Seung-hui’s paths cross, chaos ensues.
(Image: Courtesy Netflix)
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Show Business — TBADirected by: Lee Yoon-jung
Cast: Gong Yoo, Song Hye-kyo, Kim Seol-hyun
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: Childhood friends Min-ja (Song) and Dong-gu (Gong Yoo) enter the entertainment industry together but struggle to hold their ground amid the glitz and glamour.
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Liar — TBADirected by: Jo Young-min
Cast: Seo Hyun-jin, Yoo Yeon-seok
Streaming platform: TBA
Synopsis: Kang Ji-seon (Seo) is a reclusive teacher at an arts school. Min Jun-ho (Yoo) is a single father. When the two meet through Jun-ho’s son, Ji-seon gradually begins opening her heart to Jun-ho.
About the show: The drama marks the reunion of Hyun-jin and Yeon-seok 10 years after their award-winning partnership in Dr. Romantic (2016–2023).
(Image: Courtesy Yoo yeon-seok/management_soop/Instagram)
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The Scandal — TBADirected by: Jung Ji-woo
Cast: Ji Chang-wook, Son Ye-jin, Nana
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: Lady Cho (Son), a royal of the Joseon dynasty, makes a risky bet with playboy Cho Won (Ji), which leads to a chain of chaotic events and draws chaste widow Hui-yeon (Nana) into their scheme.
(Image: Courtesy Netflix)
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Perfect Job — TBADirected by: Han Jun-hee, Kim Da-min
Cast: Lee Jae-wook, Go Min-si, Kim Min-ha, Lee Hee-joon
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: Hyuk-jun (Lee) takes up a part-time job with unusually high pay through the Spyder Human Resource Centre. His new role quickly turns into a nightmare when supernatural events unfold at the facility. Soon, he teams up with Yeon-joo (Go), an investigator, to uncover the truth behind the unsettling events.
(Image: Courtesy Netflix)
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Road — TBADirected by: Han Jun-hee
Cast: Son Suk-ku, Eita Nagayama, Kim Shin-rok, Choi Sung-eun, Jung Jae-young
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: Two detectives (Son and Eita) investigate serial murders taking place across Korea and Japan.
(Image: Courtesy Netflix)
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Take Charge of My Heart — TBADirected by: Park Soo-won
Cast: Kim Young-kwang, Chae Soo-bin, Cha Woo-min
Streaming platform: Netflix
Synopsis: Baek Ho-rang (Kim), who lives with an artificial heart, meets No Bo-bae (Chae), a woman who has electricity running through her veins and can recharge his heart as a result.
(Image: Courtesy Netflix)
(Hero and featured image: Courtesy Disney+)Note : The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
