A new year means a brand‑new slate of K‑dramas — and January is coming in strong. From time‑bending thrillers to swoony rom‑coms and fantasy twists, here are the series kicking off 2026.
1. The Judge Returns
Cast: Ji Sung, Park Hee Soon, Won Jin Ah Premiere: January 2 (MBC, Fridays & Saturdays 9:40 p.m. KST; also on Viki)
Ji Sung stars as Lee Han Young, a corrupt judge trapped under the thumb of a powerful law firm — until he’s suddenly thrown 10 years into the past. With a second chance in hand, he sets out to rewrite his fate and take down the evil he once served.
2. To My Beloved Thief
Cast: Nam Ji Hyun, Moon Sang Min, Hong Min Ki, Han So Eun Premiere: January 3 (KBS2, Saturdays & Sundays 9:20 p.m. KST; also on Viki)
A twisty historical romance where Hong Eun Jo accidentally becomes the legendary bandit Gil Dong — and ends up soul‑swapping with Yi Yeol, a Joseon prince chasing her down. Chaos, destiny and royal tension ensue.
3. Spring Fever
Cast: Ahn Bo Hyun, Lee Joo Bin, Cha Seo Won, Cho Jun Young, Lee Jae In Premiere: January 5 (tvN, Mondays & Tuesdays 8:50 p.m. KST)
A chilly high school teacher and a warm‑hearted, persistent man collide in this romantic comedy about thawing emotional walls and unexpected chemistry.
4. Can This Love Be Translated?
Cast: Kim Seon Ho, Go Youn Jung, Fukushi Sota Premiere: January 16 (Netflix, all episodes at 5 p.m. KST)
A multilingual interpreter and a top star find themselves entangled in a relationship that blurs professional boundaries. Miscommunication becomes connection in this global‑leaning Netflix romance.
5. No Tail to Tell
Cast: Kim Hye Yoon, Lomon Premiere: January 16 (SBS, Fridays & Saturdays 9:50 p.m. KST)
A quirky Gen Z gumiho determined not to become human crosses paths with a world‑class soccer player who’s a little too confident for his own good. Expect fantasy, comedy and a lot of charm.
SINON 