table of content table of content
New year, new dramas! 2026 is off to a strong start with eight new dramas (for now, some will surely be unveiled later this month) available on various platforms. From the highly anticipated «Can This Love Be Translated?» on Netflix to the one that should have been released a year ago («No Tail to Tell»), from sageuk to legal series, not to mention romances, there will be something for everyone in January 2026!
The judge returns
- First broadcast date: starting January 2 on Viki
- Cast: Ji Sung, Won Jin-ah, Park Hee-soon, Tae Won-seok…
In « The Judge Returns" , Ji Sung plays Lee Han-young, a seemingly ordinary Chungnam court judge, whose life is turned upside down when he becomes the son-in-law of a powerful law firm CEO. Corrupted by power and favors, he ends up falsely accused and tragically dies. But the story doesn't end there: he mysteriously wakes up 20 years ago, when he was still a mere judge. From that moment on, he vows to change the course of his life and finally deliver justice, boldly and without compromise.
To my beloved thief
- Date of first broadcast: starting January 3 on KBS2 (no international broadcaster at this time)
- Cast: Nam Ji-hyun, Moon Sang-min, Ha Seok-jin, Kim Suk-hoon, Choi Won-young, Hong Min-ki…
" To my beloved thief »tells the story of Hong Eun-jo, a court physician from a modest background, and Prince Yi Yeol, the king's youngest son. As the prince pursues a mysterious bandit, a strange magic causes them to swap souls. Faced with impossible situations, unexpected emotions, and political threats, the two protagonists end up saving each other and protecting the people.
Moon Sang-min and Hong Min-ki clash over Nam Ji-hyun in the latest To My Beloved Thief teaser, premiering January 3, 2026 on KBS2 (no OTT yet). https://t.co/8OmuhlYOBU pic.twitter.com/V0nzVo3P2X
- Kdramakopi (@kdramakopi) December 16, 2025
Spring Fever
- First broadcast date: starting January 5 on Prime Video
- Cast: Ahn Bo-hyun, Lee Joo-bin, Cha Seo-won, Jin Kyung, Cho Jun-young, Lee Jae-in, Bae Jung-nam, Kim Byung-choon, Oh Man-seok, Jung Young-ki
" Spring Fever" tells the story of Yoon Bom, a high school teacher who, after a difficult period in Seoul, decides to leave everything behind and move to the peaceful coastal town of Sinsu. Closed to others and scarred by her past, she begins a new life as a substitute teacher. But her encounter with Seon Jae-kyu, a resident as unpredictable as he is endearing, will shake up her routine and bring back emotions she thought were buried.
Can this love be translated?
- Date of first broadcast: January 16 (all episodes at once) on Netflix
- Cast: Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung, Fukushi Sota, Lee Yi-dam, Choi Woo-seong, Lee Hyun-ri
" Can this love be translated? » follows the encounter between Ju Ho-jin, a multilingual interpreter played by Kim Seon-ho, and Cha Mu-hee, an unpredictable and charismatic international superstar played by Go Yoon-jung. Their professional relationship quickly becomes fertile ground for an unexpected romance, peppered with impossible situations and an alchemy that is already the talk of the town.
No tail to tell
- Date of first broadcast: starting January 16 on Netflix
- Cast: Kim Hye-yoon, Park Solomon, Jang Dong-joo, Lee Shi-woo, Ji Seung-jun, Yoo Hwan…
" No tail to tell » is a romantic fantasy comedy that tells the story of’Eun Ho (played by Kim Hye-yoon), a gumiho (9-tailed fox) unlike any other. Unlike traditional gumiho, who seduce men and devour their livers to become human, Eun Ho leads a carefree life, carefully avoiding good deeds and men for fear of transforming.
Undercover Miss Hong
- Date of first broadcast: starting January 17 on Netflix
- Casting : Park Shin-hye, Go Kyung-pyo, Ha Yoon-kyung…
" Undercover Ms. Hong » takes place in the 1990s, shortly before the 1997 financial crisis. It follows Hong Geum-bo, a 35-year-old stock market surveillance expert who poses as a young high school graduate working at a financial company in Yeouido in order to investigate suspicious capital movements undercover. The lead role will be played by Park Shin-hye, who will portray a brilliant, independent, but lonely woman.
Positively yours
- First broadcast date: starting January 17 on Viki
- Cast: Choi Jin-hyeok, Oh Yeon-seo, Hong Jong-hyun, Dasom...
" Positively yours » tells the story of two thirty-somethings who had sworn never to marry. Kang Doo-joon (played by Choi Jin-hyuk) is a brilliant, attractive chaebol heir who has been determined to devote himself solely to his family and the company since the death of his older brother. Jang Hee-won (played by Oh Yeon-seo) is an accomplished career woman who has been scarred by her parents' divorce and her mother's constant criticism, to the point where she has given up on love and marriage.
Recipe for love
- Date of first broadcast: starting January 31 on KBS2 (no international broadcaster yet)
- Cast: Jin Se-yeon, Park Ki-woong, Yoo Ho-jung, So Yi-hyun...
" Recipe for love »tells the story of two clans torn apart by 30 years of resentment. As misunderstandings emerge and truths resurface, old wounds are reopened, but so too is the possibility of reconciliation. Amidst the chaos, a complicated romance blossoms.
(no trailer yet)
Which of these January dramas will be on your watchlist?
