As the new year dawns, K-drama fans have plenty to celebrate with a fresh lineup of series premiering in January 2026. From heart-fluttering romances and supernatural fantasies to clever workplace comedies and historical soul-swaps, this month's offerings blend familiar tropes with exciting new twists, starring some of the industry's most beloved actors returning to the small screen.
Whether you're craving lighthearted escapism, emotional depth, or nostalgic retro vibes set in the late 1990s, January's slate promises to kick off 2026 on a high note, delivering the signature mix of charm, chemistry, and storytelling that keeps viewers hooked week after week.
Standouts like the multilingual rom-com Can This Love Be Translated? with Kim Seon-ho and Go Youn-jung, the whimsical gumiho story No Tail to Tell starring Kim Hye-yoon and Lomon, and the retro undercover office adventure Undercover Miss Hong led by Park Shin-hye promise emotional depth, nostalgic 1990s vibes, and plenty of chemistry to keep viewers glued to the screen in early 2026.
Here are the upcoming K-dramas kicking off 2026:
1 The Judge Returns
A corrupt judge, Lee Han-young, who once served as a puppet for a powerful law firm, is mysteriously sent back 10 years in time after facing consequences for his actions. Given a second chance, he resolves to pursue true justice and punish those who exploit the system.
Network: MBC
Cast: Ji Sung, Won Jin-ah, Park Hee-soon
Premiere Date: January 2, 2026
Genre: Law, Fantasy, Drama
Episode Count: 14
The Judge Returns Teaser Trailer
The Judge Returns Posters
2 To My Beloved Thief
In Joseon era, Hong Eun-jo, a noble-born woman disguised as a man, lives a double life as a righteous thief stealing from corrupt officials to help the people, while working as a physician by day. Prince Yi Yeol, who loves solving crimes, pursues the infamous thief—until a fateful soul swap forces them to rely on each other for survival and protection.
Network: KBS2
Cast: Nam Ji-hyun, Moon Sang-min
Premiere Date: January 3, 2026
Genre: Historical, Romance, Comedy, Fantasy
Episode Count: 16
To My Beloved Thief Character Posters
3 Spring Fever
After emotional turmoil in Seoul, high school teacher Yoon Bom relocates to a quiet small town, where her frozen heart begins to thaw upon meeting Seon Jae-gyu—a passionate, larger-than-life man whose straightforward affection and chaotic energy shake up her world and the entire village.
Network: tvN
Cast: Ahn Bo-hyun, Lee Joo-bin
Premiere Date: January 5, 2026
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episode Count: 12
Spring Fever Teaser
Spring Fever Posters
4 Can This Love Be Translated?
Talented multilingual interpreter Ju Ho-jin becomes the personal translator for top global actress Cha Mu-hee. Despite their clashing views on love, their professional interactions spark comedic misunderstandings and growing affection as they navigate international shoots and heartfelt conversations.
Network: Netflix
Cast: Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung
Premiere Date: January 16, 2026
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episode Count: 12
Can This Love Be Translated? Trailer
Can This Love Be Translated? Poster
5 No Tail to Tell
Eun-ho, a quirky nine-tailed gumiho who cherishes her eternal youth and avoids becoming human at all costs, finds her carefree life upended after encountering Kang Si-yeol, a narcissistic world-class soccer star—leading to unexpected transformations and a destined romance.
Network: SBS (available on Netflix)
Cast: Kim Hye-yoon, Lomon
Premiere Date: January 16, 2026
Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Comedy
Episode Count: 12
No Tail to Tell Teaser Trailer
6 Undercover Miss Hong
Elite financial supervisor Hong Geum-bo goes undercover as a naive 20-year-old rookie employee at a suspicious securities firm to investigate irregular fund flows. Amid workplace chaos and comedic mishaps, she crosses paths with the new CEO, who bears a striking resemblance to someone from her past.
Network: tvN (available on Netflix)
Cast: Park Shin-hye, Go Kyung-pyo, Ha Yoon-kyung, Cho Han-gyeol
Premiere Date: January 17, 2026
Genre: Comedy, Crime, Romance
Episode Count: 16
Undercover Miss Hong Trailer
Studio Dragon released the trailer for Undercover Miss Hong:
Undercover Miss Hong Poster
Undercover Miss Hong Stills
7 Positively Yours
A one-night stand leads to an unexpected pregnancy, forcing two marriage-averse individuals—a wealthy chaebol heir determined to stay single and a independent woman—to confront commitment, family pressures, and budding feelings in this chaotic yet heartfelt shotgun romance.
Network: Channel A
Cast: Choi Jin-hyuk, Oh Yeon-seo, Hong Jong-hyun, Kim Da-som
Premiere Date: January 17, 2026
Genre: Romance, Comedy
Episode Count: 12
Positively Yours Poster
With strong performances, innovative plots, and a perfect balance of escapism and emotional depth, January 2026 is shaping up to be a standout month for K-drama fans. Mark your calendars—these series are set to deliver unforgettable stories and plenty of binge-worthy moments to kick off the year right.
Follow the K-Drama News Source Facebook page for the latest updates on 2026 Korean drama titles.
