The large-scale Korean series starring Song Hye-kyo and Gong Yoo has officially finished filming. The Netflix Original series, tentatively titled Show Business, completed its production run on December 22, 2025, and the cast and crew recently celebrated with a wrap party. This marks the end of a significant project that has been in the works for a full year, signaling that the show is one step closer to reaching viewers around the world.
The series is written by the acclaimed screenwriter Noh Hee Kyung and directed by Lee Yoon Jung. It tells the story of the South Korean entertainment industry’s explosive growth during the decades following the Korean War. The drama explores the fierce ambitions and struggles of people with nothing but a dream, set against the dynamic backdrop of the 1960s through the 1980s.
Cast and Character Details for the New Netflix Period Drama
The series boasts an impressive main cast of established stars. Song Hye Kyo, known globally for The Glory and Descendants of the Sun, plays the lead role of Minja. Her character endures a difficult childhood and dreams of finding success in the burgeoning music industry. Her co-star Gong Yoo, famous for Squid Game and Goblin, plays Park Dong-gu, Minja’s longtime friend who enters the music business alongside her.
They are joined by several other notable performers. Lee Ha Nee will portray Yang Ja, while Kim Seol Hyun takes on the role of Min Hui. Veteran actor Cha Seung Won is set to play Gil Yeo, a legendary composer within the story. This casting brings together some of the most recognized faces in Korean entertainment for a single, ambitious project.
Social Media Reactions and Filming Milestones
Following the conclusion of filming, the lead actors shared emotional posts on their social media, giving fans a personal glimpse into the end of the long production. On January 10, Song Hye Kyo posted a photo of a heavily annotated script with the caption, “‘Slowly and Intensely’, the last commute”. A few days later, on January 13, she posted another image showing the name of her character, “Minja,” written in the snow, along with a farewell message to the role.
Gong Yoo also shared his thoughts on the same day, posting a heartfelt note to his character, Dong-gu. He wrote, “I’m not ready to let you go yet. My beloved Dong-guโฆ Thank you for coming to me. I was happy”. These posts confirmed the deep connection the actors felt with their roles and signaled the official end of the filming process. The wrap party for the series was held recently, further cementing the completion of this major phase.
Release Information and Production Timeline for Show Business
With filming now complete, the project moves into the post-production phase, which includes editing, scoring, and final visual effects. While Netflix has not announced an official release date, multiple sources indicate that Show Business is scheduled to premiere on the platform in late 2026. The series is confirmed to have 22 episodes.
The production was a substantial undertaking, with filming beginning in early 2025. The budget for the series is reported to be over 75.3 billion Korean Won, which is approximately 57 million US dollars, highlighting the scale of this Netflix investment. The drama will be available to Netflix subscribers globally upon its release.
Gong Yoo shared on social media: “I’m not ready to let you go yet. My beloved Dong-guโฆ Thank you for coming to me. I was happy”.
The Creative Team Behind the Netflix K-Drama Show Business
The series reunites Song Hye Kyo with writer Noh Hee Kyung, marking their third collaboration following the successful dramas The World That They Live In in 2008 and That Winter, the Wind Blows in 2013. Noh Hee Kyung is renowned for crafting emotionally rich and character-driven stories, such as Our Blues. The director is Lee Yoon Jung, who previously directed the series Argon.
The production is a collaboration between Studio Dragon and GTist, two major Korean production companies. This combination of a star-powered cast, an award-winning writer, and experienced producers has created high expectations for the show’s quality and storytelling.
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Show Business Plot and Historical Setting Explained
Show Business is set during a transformative period in South Korean history. The story begins in the aftermath of the Korean War and follows the country’s rapidly growing entertainment industry through the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. It is a period drama that focuses on the grit and perseverance required to succeed in the world of music and performance during a time of significant social change.
The plot centers on individuals who start with nothing but a fierce dream of reaching the spotlight. It promises to depict not just the glamour of success, but the intense struggles, personal sacrifices, and relentless hustle behind the scenes of the cultural boom that helped shape modern South Korea’s identity.
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