From time-traveling judges and soul-swapping thieves to globetrotting translators, the new year kicks off with a stellar lineup of Korean dramas. Here is your guide to every must-watch series arriving in January 2026.
The Judge Returns
Premiere Date: January 2, 2026
Network/Platform: MBC; available on HBO Max and Viki
Cast: Ji Sung, Park Hee-Soon, Won Jin-Ah
The year begins with a high-concept legal thriller. Ji Sung stars as Lee Han-Young, a corrupt judge who meets an unjust end only to wake up ten years in the past. Given a second chance, he uses his knowledge of the future to dismantle the very corrupt judicial system he once served. The drama, inspired by a popular webtoon, promises intense confrontations, particularly between Ji Sung’s redeemed judge and the powerful, shadowy figure played by veteran actor Park Hee-Soon. Won Jin-Ah joins as a sharp prosecutor seeking her own form of justice. The Judge Returns airs every Friday and Saturday on MBC.
To My Beloved Thief
Premiere Date: January 3, 2026
Network/Platform: KBS2
Cast: Nam Ji-Hyun, Moon Sang-Min
This historical romantic comedy offers a playful twist on the classic tale of a righteous outlaw. Nam Ji-Hyun plays Hong Eun-Zo, a skilled physician by day and the legendary thief “Gil-dong” by night, who steals from corrupt officials to help the poor. Her double life is complicated by Prince Yi Yeol (Moon Sang-Min), a royal with a passion for detective work who is determined to uncover her secret identity. The plot takes a fantastical turn when a sudden soul-swap forces these sworn enemies to live in each other’s bodies, leading to an uneasy alliance filled with comedic and romantic tension. Tune in for this whimsical story on KBS2 every Saturday and Sunday.
Spring Fever
Premiere Date: January 5, 2026
Network/Platform: tvN; available on Amazon Prime
Cast: Ahn Bo-Hyun, Lee Joo-Bin
For viewers craving a heartwarming story, Spring Fever brings a touch of healing romance to Monday and Tuesday nights. The drama follows Yoon Bom (Lee Joo-Bin), a popular teacher from Seoul who moves to the quiet town of Sinsu to escape a painful past. There, she meets Seon Jae-Kyu (Ahn Bo-Hyun), a man with a rugged exterior who is, in fact, a devoted uncle with a warm heart. The series explores how these two guarded individuals slowly break down each other’s walls with sincerity and direct communication. It aims to capture the same comforting, small-town vibe that made series like Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha so beloved.
Can This Love Be Translated?
Premiere Date: January 16, 2026
Network/Platform: Netflix (Original)
Cast: Kim Seon-Ho, Go Yoon-Jung
One of the most anticipated releases of the month is this globe-trotting romantic comedy from the celebrated Hong Sisters, the writers behind hits like Hotel Del Luna and Alchemy of Souls. Kim Seon-Ho makes his long-awaited return to the rom-com genre as Joo Ho-Jin, a multilingual interpreter fluent in several languages who is hired as the personal translator for world-famous actress Cha Mu-Hee (Go Yoon-Jung). The drama charts their story as they navigate hilarious linguistic misunderstandings and clashing personal views on love while traveling for work. Filmed in stunning locations across Canada and Italy, all 12 episodes of this Netflix Original will be released at once on January 16.
No Tail to Tell
Premiere Date: January 16, 2026
Network/Platform: SBS; available weekly on Netflix
Cast: Kim Hye-Yoon, Lomon
This fantasy romantic comedy offers a fresh and funny take on classic Gumiho (nine-tailed fox) folklore. Kim Hye-Yoon stars as Eun-Ho, a quirky, centuries-old fox who actively avoids good deeds because she has zero interest in becoming human. Her eternal youth is disrupted by an accident involving Kang Si-Yeol (Lomon), a world-class, narcissistic soccer star. The mishap strips Eun-Ho of her powers and traps her in human form, forcing her to navigate ordinary life while her path continually crosses with the very athlete who caused her predicament. The series promises a focus on comedy and character growth over tragedy, with new episodes airing on SBS and releasing on Netflix every Friday and Saturday.
Undercover Miss Hong
Premiere Date: January 17, 2026
Network/Platform: tvN; available weekly on Netflix
Cast: Park Shin-Hye, Go Kyung-Pyo
Park Shin-Hye returns to television in a unique workplace comedy set in the late 1990s. She plays Hong Geum-Bo, a 35-year-old elite financial inspector with a remarkably youthful appearance. To investigate a suspicious investment firm, she goes deep undercover as a 20-year-old high school graduate named Hong Jang-Mi. Her mission becomes complicated when she encounters the firm’s ambitious new CEO, Shin Jeong-Woo (Go Kyung-Pyo), a man who might see through her disguise. The series blends nostalgic retro aesthetics with the tense, comedic premise of a hidden identity, offering a mix of mystery and humor reminiscent of popular office-based K-dramas.
Positively Yours
Premiere Date: January 17, 2026
Network/Platform: Channel A
Cast: Choi Jin-Hyuk, Oh Yeon-Seo
Based on a massively popular webtoon, this drama brings the classic contract marriage and accidental pregnancy tropes to life. Choi Jin-Hyuk stars as Kang Du-Jun, the cold, perfectionist heir to a chaebol family who has vowed never to marry. Oh Yeon-Seo plays Jang Hee-Won, an equally guarded, career-focused woman who has sworn off romance. After a surprising one-night stand, their carefully planned lives are upended by an unexpected pregnancy, forcing them to navigate an unplanned path toward parenthood and potential love. The adaptation has been highly anticipated by fans of the source material, with hopes pinned on the dynamic chemistry between the two leads.
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Iโll Prescribe You Love
Premiere Date: January 31, 2026
Network/Platform: KBS2
Cast: Jin Se Yeon, Park Ki Woong
Closing out the month is a longer-format family romance series. Iโll Prescribe You Love centers on two families with a conflicted past who must work through their differences to find reconciliation and healing together. Starring Jin Se Yeon and Park Ki Woong, the drama is scheduled for a substantial 50-episode run, offering a more gradual, in-depth storytelling style typical of weekend family dramas. It will premiere on KBS2 and provide a counterbalance to the shorter, high-stakes series that dominate the earlier part of the month.
Where to Watch: A Global Viewer’s Guide
The January 2026 lineup is accessible to a global audience through various streaming platforms:
- Netflix: Offers Can This Love Be Translated? as a full-season drop and weekly episodes of No Tail to Tell and Undercover Miss Hong.
- Amazon Prime: Will carry Spring Fever.
- HBO Max & Viki: Are set to stream The Judge Returns.
- Broadcast Networks: For viewers with access to Korean networks, the dramas will air on their respective channelsโMBC, KBS2, tvN, SBS, and Channel Aโon their scheduled days.
International viewers should check their local Netflix, Prime Video, and Viki libraries at the time of premiere for availability in their region.
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