Image Credit: MBC
Kicking off the year's drama premieres on January 2 will be "Judge Lee Han-young". This series features the compelling talents of Ji Sung and Park Hee-soon. The narrative centers around Lee Han-young, a character brought to life by Ji Sung, who was previously entangled as a subordinate under a colossal law firm. He finds himself hurled back a decade, facing the pivotal chance to alter his destiny and challenge the malevolence epitomized by Kang Shin-jin, portrayed by Park Hee-soon. Audiences are eagerly waiting to witness the electrifying performances of Ji Sung and Park Hee-soon as they engage in a dramatic confrontation.
Subsequently, viewers can look forward to "The Brilliant Season of You", a heartwarming romance perfectly timed to offset the chill of winter. The series narrates the enchanting tale of Chan (played by Chae Jong-hyeop), who experiences life with the vibrancy of a perpetual summer holiday, and Ran (played by Lee Sung-kyung), whose existence has been encapsulated in a perpetual winter. Their serendipitous encounter ignites a thawing of time itself. The drama also boasts an ensemble cast including Lee Mi-sook, Kang Seok-woo, Han Ji-hyun, and Oh Ye-ju.
In "21st Century Grand Duchess", IU and Byun Woo-seok bring to life a romantic story set in an alternate Korea governed by a constitutional monarchy. The plot follows Seong Hee-joo, enacted by IU, a woman of substantial wealth yet vexed by her lack of noble rank, and Prince Ian, played by Byun Woo-seok, a royal who laments his lack of material wealth despite his princely title. This drama, lauded in the MBC drama script competition, stands out as one of the most highly anticipated productions of 2026.
"Fifties Professionals" offers an action-comedy blend revolving around three men, once at the peak of success, who are thrust back into action by unforeseen circumstances. Despite facing life's challenges and the wear of time, their unwavering loyalty and honed instincts guide them through half of their lives as authentic professionals. Shin Ha-kyun, Oh Jung-se, and Heo Sung-tae combine their talents to deliver a mix of thrilling action and humor.
Scheduled for a late-year debut, "Married Woman Killer" tells the gripping tale of a working mother balancing the demands of a perilous job. The protagonist, Yoo Bo-na, portrayed by Gong Hyo-jin, resumes her role as an eliminator of dangerous criminals after a three-year hiatus for maternity leave. Balancing her perilous profession with domestic life proves challenging, while Jung Joon-won portrays her husband, determined to unearth the truth about his enigmatic wife.
"Liar" delves into the psychological sphere, exploring a tense narrative where two people are embroiled in a conflict over a single, shared memory. This drama sees Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin working together once more, following their success in "Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim".
"Your Ground" captures the essence of youthful romance, following a baseball player, played by Gong Myung, who, after encountering a setback, meets a lawyer-turned-agent, portrayed by Han Hyo-joo. Together, they embark on a path toward reclaiming his place on the baseball field.
A spokesperson from MBC shared insight into the thought process behind this year's line-up, stating, “Our 2026 schedule is carefully curated to showcase premier dramas while offering a myriad of genres to engage our audiences,” underscoring the diverse storytelling approach planned for the upcoming year.