The new ENA, Coupang Play, and Genie TV drama Heroes Next Door brings together a powerful team of former special forces operatives turned everyday neighbors. This action comedy series, which started on November 17, 2025, follows their mission to protect their community. The show’s success comes from its talented cast, including a notable reunion of actors from a major film franchise .
Meet the Main Team of Former Special Forces
The heart of Heroes Next Door is a group of five seemingly ordinary people living in Changri-dong who share a secret military past. They are led by Yoon Kye-sang as Choi Kang. His character is a calm insurance investigator who was once a member of the elite JDD special operations unit. Despite his quiet life, he steps up as the group’s leader when danger threatens their neighborhood. Yoon Kye-sang is known for his role in Netflix’s The Winning Try and his performance in the film The Roundup, which is key to this drama’s casting.
Working alongside him is Jin Seon-kyu, playing Gwak Byung-nam. He is a former HID counter-terrorism agent who now runs a combined hardware and stationery store. He is also the president of the Changri-dong Youth Association, deeply embedded in community life. Jin Seon-kyu, acclaimed for roles in The Uncanny Counter and Revenant, reunites with Yoon Kye-sang after eight years since they starred together in the hit movie The Roundup.
About their on-screen partnership, Yoon Kye-sang said, โItโs even stronger than in The Roundup. We had great rhythm together. I respect him so much both as a person and as an actor. Maybe thatโs why our chemistry is so natural.โ
The team’s third key member is Kim Ji-hyun as Jung Nam-yeon, a former special operations instructor who now owns and runs the local Mammoth Mart supermarket. Her character adds significant skill and strength to the neighborhood’s secret defense team.
Completing the core five are Ko Kyu-pil as Lee Yong-hee and Lee Jung-ha as Park Jeong-hwan. Lee Yong-hee is a former cyber operations soldier who currently works as a special martial arts instructor. Park Jeong-hwan, played by Lee Jung-ha (famous for his role in Disney+’s Moving), is a former mortar unit member now studying engineering at Seoul National University of Science and Technology.
The Supporting Cast and Community
The drama extends beyond the main five, building a rich community in Changri-dong with a talented supporting cast. These actors play the families, allies, and officials who interact with the secret team.
- Family and Neighbors: Heo Joon-seok plays Kim Su-il, the husband of Jung Nam-yeon. Son Ji-yoon portrays Hwang Mi-kyung, the wife of Choi Kang. The friendly neighborhood deaconess, a doting mother, is played by Baek Hyun-joo.
- Government Officials: The series includes high-stakes figures like Defense Minister Kim Seok-jun, played by Jo Han-chul, and Vice Minister Lee Geun-cheol, played by Han Jae-suk. Lee Bong-ryun takes on the role of Na Eun-jae, a member of the National Assembly.
- Pivotal Characters: A mysterious Korean-American IT genius named James Lee Sullivan is portrayed by Han Joon-woo. Jo Dong-een joins the cast as a media producer who becomes suspicious about the explosions happening in Changri-dong and starts his own investigation.
Behind the Scenes: Reunions and Production
The casting of Heroes Next Door created excitement due to several reunions. The most talked-about is the return of Yoon Kye-sang and Jin Seon-kyu as a duo, who were last seen together in the 2017 blockbuster film The Roundup. In this drama, however, they play equals working side-by-side, unlike their previous dynamic.
Jin Seon-kyu commented on their changed relationship, saying, โUnlike in The Roundup, where [my character] was [Yoon Kye-sang’s] subordinate, this time weโre equals.โ
Ko Kyu-pil, who also appeared in The Roundup 3, completes the trio from the popular film series, making this a significant gathering of its cast members. The series is directed by Jo Woong, known for dramas like Justice and A Virtuous Business, and written by Ban Gi-ri and Kim Sang-yoon.
Release Schedule and Where to Watch
Heroes Next Door premiered on November 17, 2025. The drama has a total of 10 episodes. New episodes air every Monday and Tuesday at 22:00 Korean Standard Time (KST).
The show is available for streaming on Coupang Play and Genie TV in South Korea, with simultaneous linear broadcasting on the ENA network. For international viewers, availability depends on regional streaming platforms that may license the drama after its initial run.
The series has seen a positive response in ratings. After starting at 2.004% for its premiere, viewership grew steadily, reaching over 4.5% for episodes 7 and 8, even taking the top spot in its time slot. This indicates a growing audience captivated by the blend of action, comedy, and community spirit.
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