A tense Korean crime drama is about to reach its boiling point. The financial thriller Villains releases its next two episodes, with a story centered on a dangerous counterfeit currency scheme pushing its characters into a corner. After a major raid failed to capture a corrupt officer, the stakes have never been higher for the former intelligence agent at the story’s center. Here is everything you need to know about the new episodes, including where and when to watch.
Where and When to Watch Villains Episodes 5-6
The two new episodes of Villains are scheduled for release on Thursday, January 1, 2026.
The series first airs on the Korean streaming service TVING. For international viewers, the drama is available on HBO Max in certain regions. New episodes typically become available for streaming shortly after their TVING broadcast.
For viewers converting from Korean Standard Time, the release translates to 9:00 AM Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) on January 1. In Eastern Time, this is 4:00 AM ET on January 1.
- Release Date: January 1, 2026
- Platform: TVING (South Korea), HBO Max (select regions)
- Time: 9:00 AM GMT / 4:00 AM ET
Recap of the Story So Far and What to Expect Next
Villains follows former NIS agent Gi-tae, played by Lee Beom-soo, who is pulled back into action by a dead body found with a perfect counterfeit bill—a “Super Note”—in its mouth. To uncover the truth, he must team up with Su-hyun, a master counterfeiter portrayed by Lee Min-jung, who has a complicated history with the criminal mastermind behind the operation.
The first four episodes set up a dangerous game. The mastermind, known only as J (Yoo Ji-tae), has manufactured a massive amount of this counterfeit currency. A corrupt police officer, Jung-hyuk (Kwak Do-won), was set to distribute it until his operation was raided by Gi-tae. However, Jung-hyuk escaped through a secret passage. At the same time, Su-hyun attempted to double-cross J but found herself outsmarted and trapped by his plans.
As Episodes 5 and 6 begin, the central conflict intensifies. Gi-tae is urgently working to prevent J’s counterfeit money from flooding the market, an act that could severely damage the national economy. Meanwhile, J is preparing his next move with the escaped Jung-hyuk. The upcoming episodes promise a high-stakes confrontation as Gi-tae races to stop J’s grand plan from reaching its final stage.
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The Main Cast Bringing the Story to Life
The drama features a veteran cast known for their powerful performances. Yoo Ji-tae plays the enigmatic and brilliant antagonist, J, whose actions set the entire chaotic plot in motion. Lee Beom-soo portrays the determined Gi-tae, a demoted agent seeking redemption. Lee Min-jung is Su-hyun, the counterfeiting expert caught between revenge and survival.
Kwak Do-won delivers a memorable performance as the villainous and opportunistic police officer, Jung-hyuk. The cast is rounded out by Kim Jae-yong as the Fixer, a humorous character who provides information and services to different sides for profit, adding both levity and unpredictability to the narrative.
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