table of content table of content
Korean TV channel MBC, known for its many dramas, unveiled its lineup of series for 2026 on December 5. An MBC representative said, "We have carefully built our 2026 lineup not only to offer high-quality dramas, but also to reach audiences through a wide variety of genres." He added: "True to our reputation as the 'Kingdom of Drama', we look forward to delivering an exceptional year with top-notch casts and production teams."
If some names were already known, new ones have just been added. We list them for you.
The Judge Returns
The Judge returnsscheduled for broadcast from January 2. 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.
- Cast: Ji Sung, Won Jin-ah, Park Hee-soon, Tae Won-seok
- Broadcast: January 2, 2026, MBC (and no international broadcaster yet).
In Your Brilliant Season
In Your Brilliant Season tells the story of the meeting between Sunwoo Chan (Chae Jong-hyeop), a carefree, bright young man, and Song Ha-ran (Lee Sung-kyung), a woman closed in on herself. This bittersweet romance is woven into a touching family setting, now complemented by a fine gallery of secondary characters.
- Cast: Lee Sung-kyung, Chae Jong-hyeop, Han Ji-hyeon, Oh Ye-ju, Lee Mi-sook and Kang Seok-woo.
- Broadcast: February 2026
Perfect Crown
Probably one of the most eagerly awaited so far, Perfect crown is a rom-com (romantic comedy) drama with a 5* cast: Byeon Woo-seok and IU head the bill.
The story takes place in a contemporary Korea reimagined as a constitutional monarchy, where rules of status and power still dictate individual destinies. In this set, IU plays Sung Hee-jooHeiress to an economic empire, brilliant, beautiful and ambitious, but paradoxically treated like an ordinary citizen. On her side, Byeon Woo-seok interprets Grand Prince Yi Wan, son of the king, but deprived of any real power. Two figures seemingly at odds with each other, yet united by the same invisible wounds.
- Casting: IU, Byeon Woo-seok, Steven Noh, Gong Seung-yeon, Yoo Su-bin, Lee Yeon
- Broadcast: 1st half 2026 (on MBC and Disney +, not yet confirmed for international broadcast).
Fifties Professionals
Again, a familiar drama, at least its cast and synopsis: Fifties Professionals will tell the story of three seemingly ordinary men, each hiding an explosive past. Once at the top of their respective fields, they find themselves exiled to the remote island of Yeongseon following a mysterious incident. Ten years later, they decide to return to duty to uncover the truth about the day that turned their lives upside down, in a funny, bitter and action-packed investigation.
- Casting: Shin Ha-kyun, Oh Jung-se and Heo Sung-tae
- Distribution: first half of 2026
A Bona Fide Killer
The story of A Bona Fide Killerfollows Yoo Bo-na (Gong Hyo-jin), a married woman leading a double life as a contract killer for a secret organization, and her husband Kwon Tae-seong (Jung Jun-won), determined to uncover the secret she's been keeping from him.
- Casting: Gong Hyo-jin, Jung Joon-won, Kwon Sung-chang
- Release date: 2026
Liar
" Liar "is a psychological thriller in which a man and a woman deliver totally opposite versions of the same memory, clashing violently in their quest for the truth.
The drama marks the reunion of Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin after their collaboration on "Dr. Romantic". Direction is entrusted to Jo Young-min, acclaimed for his artistic sensibility on "You and Everything Else", who promises here an intense, carefully staged psychological drama.
- Casting: Seo Hyun-jin, Yoo Yeon-seok
- Release date: 2026
My Ground
The last drama announced in this 2026 lineup, " My Ground "is a sports-focused coming-of-age romance about a baseball player whose career comes to an abrupt halt after a single failure, and who decides to get back on the field after meeting an agent from the legal world.
Gong Myung plays Kang Hae-hwan, a star left-handed pitcher who has been undergoing rehabilitation for two years. Tall, athletic and with a naturally handsome face, he's a real eye-catcher. His fastball tops 150 km/h, but his temperament is as unpredictable as a spin ball. Outwardly cold and sometimes prickly, he jokes with ease. Far from the image of the performance-obsessed sportsman, he exudes an astonishing serenity in his words and gestures. He doesn't analyze the game: he feels it and lives it to the full.
Opposite him, Han Hyo-joo plays Seo Hee-seung, a brilliant lawyer turned agent. Presented as a modern female version of Jerry MaguireHis character shakes things up by combining strategy, passion and confrontation. Together, they navigate between cooperation and tension, giving birth to an intense, daring and deeply human story.
- Casting: Han Hyo-joo, Gong Myung
- Release date: 2026
