Netflix has unveiled exciting details for its upcoming original Korean drama, The Art of Sarah, set to premiere globally on February 13, 2026. The series marks a highly anticipated reunion between lead actors Shin Hae-sun and Lee Jun-hyuk, who last collaborated eight years ago in the acclaimed thriller Stranger. Directed by Kim Jin-min, known for his gripping works like Extracurricular and My Name, this mystery thriller promises to delve into themes of identity, deception, and the blurred lines between authenticity and fabrication.
Shin Hae-sun takes on the complex role of Sara Kim, a woman who meticulously constructs a facade of luxury and perfection, only to have her carefully curated life unravel under scrutiny. Her character is portrayed as someone desperate to embody the "real thing" at any cost, navigating a web of lies that questions the essence of truth. Opposite her, Lee Jun-hyuk stars as detective Park Mu-gyeong, a tenacious investigator driven to expose the secrets hidden beneath Sara's polished exterior. Their on-screen dynamic is expected to spark fresh tension, building on the chemistry they displayed in Stranger, where Shin Hae-sun played a principled prosecutor and Lee Jun-hyuk portrayed a cunning colleague.
The plot centers on Sara Kim's enigmatic existence, which comes into sharp focus when a faceless body is discovered in a sewer. Identified through subtle clues like an ankle tattoo, the victim appears to be Sara herself, yet official records of her life are eerily absent. This sparks Park Mu-gyeong's obsessive pursuit, as he pieces together fragments of her past amid mounting evidence of duality. Sara's world is split between opulent indulgence—shopping in high-end boutiques and embracing a glamorous lifestyle—and stark hardship, where she endures poverty, wearing worn-out clothes and surviving on scraps. The narrative explores profound questions about self-invention: Can a fabricated life hold genuine value? As Sara grapples with her fractured reality, the detective's investigation uncovers layers of deceit, leading to unexpected revelations that challenge perceptions of reality.
Shin Hae-sun, celebrated for her versatile performances in dramas such as Welcome to Samdal-ri and See You in My 19th Life, brings depth to Sara's internal conflict, portraying a character torn between aspiration and authenticity. Lee Jun-hyuk, who has impressed audiences in series like Vigilante and Designated Survivor: 60 Days, embodies the detective's unyielding determination, adding intensity to the cat-and-mouse game at the story's core. The supporting cast, though not yet fully detailed, is anticipated to enhance the thriller's atmospheric tension, with the series spanning eight episodes, each approximately 60 minutes long, releasing on Fridays.
The teaser trailer cycles through Sara Kim's various personas, probing her true identity and which version of her life represents reality. Following the discovery of a faceless corpse in a sewer, Mu-gyeong assumes the investigation; an ankle tattoo and nearby evidence suggest the deceased is Sara Kim. “There are no records of Sara Kim anywhere,” a voice cautions, prompting the detective to embark on an unyielding search through remnants of her history.
Tears flow down Sara's cheeks as she murmurs that something is gravely amiss—then the footage shifts between two contrasting existences: one of elegant strolls through upscale shops, the other of labor in ragged attire and foraging for discarded meals. The divided visuals collide and merge, challenging audiences to discern the authentic Sara. “If you can’t tell it from the real thing, is it still fake?” Sara inquires, honing the show's core inquiry into a woman's yearning for genuineness—and an existence crafted from elegant deceptions. Promising an unpredictable mystery with sleek twists and sharp turns,
Netflix has also released a new poster for The Art of Sarah (with both Korean and English versions):
Under Kim Jin-min's direction, The Art of Sarah is poised to captivate viewers with its stylish visuals and psychological depth, drawing from real-world inspirations of identity fraud while weaving a fictional tale of ambition and pursuit. The production highlights Netflix's commitment to high-quality Korean content, following successes in the thriller genre.
The Art of Sarah will stream exclusively on Netflix starting February 13, 2026, available to subscribers worldwide with subtitles in multiple languages.
