The 31st Busan International Film Festival (BIFF) is bringing three new Korean drama series to the big screen. Organizers announced on August 25 that the festival’s “On Screen” section will feature world premieres of Netflix’s “Dead-End Job” and “Road,” along with Disney+’s fantasy romance “The Remarried Empress.”
The festival runs from October 6 to 15, 2026, at the Busan Cinema Center and surrounding venues. The “On Screen” section, first introduced in 2021, shows the year’s most talked-about drama series on the big screen before they release on streaming platforms.
‘The Remarried Empress’ Brings Star-Studded Cast to Busan
“The Remarried Empress” is one of the most anticipated K-dramas of the year. The series features Shin Min Ah, Ju Ji Hoon, Lee Jong Suk, and Lee Se Young in lead roles.
The fantasy romance is based on the hit Naver Webtoon of the same name. The webtoon has collected nearly 3 billion views globally. Disney has called this production its most expensive Korean drama ever made. The series was filmed across European locations and on elaborate palace sets.
Director Cho Su Won, known for “I Can Hear Your Voice,” “Pinocchio,” and “Still 17,” directs the series. The show will release on Disney+ starting November 4, with four episodes launching first. Two new episodes will follow every Wednesday through the November 25 finale.
At the Busan festival, three episodes of “The Remarried Empress” will screen, running a combined 151 minutes. This marks the series’ world premiere before its streaming debut.
‘Dead-End Job’ Brings Mystery and Fantasy Together
“Dead-End Job” is a Netflix series that has drawn attention for its strong cast. Lee Jae Wook, Go Min Si, Kim Min Ha, and Lee Hee Joon star in the show.
Director Kim Da Min leads the project. Kim previously earned recognition at Busan for his work “Makgeolli Will Tell You.” The series uses a suspicious part-time job as its starting point. It blends real-world stories with creative imagination and mystery elements.
The show comes from Netflix, adding to the platform’s growing list of Korean original content. Fans of Lee Jae Wook, known for “Alchemy of Souls,” and Go Min Si, from “Sweet Home,” are eagerly waiting to see them together in this new project.
‘Road’ Marks Director Han Jun Hee’s New Crime Mystery
“Road” (working title) is the third series premiering at BIFF. The Netflix crime drama stars Son Suk Ku, Japanese actor Nagayama Eita, and Kim Shin Rok.
Director Han Jun Hee brings his experience from critically acclaimed works to this project. His film “Coin Locker Girl” was invited to the Critics’ Week at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. His series “D.P.” won Best Drama in the TV category at the 2022 Baeksang Arts Awards.
“Road” follows an investigation into a cross-border serial murder mystery. The crime thriller adds weight to the festival’s drama lineup, giving audiences a darker, suspenseful option alongside the fantasy romance and mystery-comedy offerings.
BIFF’s ‘On Screen’ Section Grows in Importance
The “On Screen” section has become a key part of the Busan International Film Festival since its start in 2021. It shows new drama series on the big screen before they officially release. This gives festival attendees a chance to see major streaming shows in a theater setting.
This year’s selection includes three very different dramas. Each comes from a major streaming platform, showing how Korean content continues to draw global attention.
The festival also announced other sections. The “Korean Cinema Today: Special Premiere” section features three films: director Lee Hu Bin’s “Sapiens,” director Kim Sung Yoon’s “Generational Regret,” and director Kim Ji Hyun’s “The Jung Family.”
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The “Korean Cinema Today: Panorama” section includes six major works. These include director Lee Yong Jae’s “CSAT, The Secret of the Questions,” director Song Il Gon’s “Still Radiant” (marking veteran actor Kim Hye Ja’s return to the screen), and “Hope,” the latest film from internationally known director Na Hong Jin.
The 21st Asian Contents & Film Market will run alongside the festival from October 10 to 13.
Fans and industry professionals are already marking their calendars for October. The three dramas will make their world premieres at BIFF, giving audiences an early look at some of the biggest K-drama releases of the year.
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