Kakao Entertainment’s 2026 drama and movie lineup, boasting a star-studded cast including Choi Min-sik, Seol Kyung-gu, Hwang Jung-min, Yoo Yeon-seok, Seo Hyun-jin, IU, and Byeon Woo-seok, is capturing global attention.
After delivering global hits last year such as ‘You Have Done Well,’ ‘Fateful Encounter,’ ‘Nine Puzzles,’ ‘Eun-jung and Sang-yeon,’ ‘The Match,’ and ‘Black Nuns,’ high expectations surround Kakao Entertainment’s 2026 lineup.
This year, Kakao Entertainment plans to further strengthen its synergy with subsidiary production companies and management labels, building on successful adaptations of webtoon and web novel-based dramas, and solidifying its status as a leading global K-content studio.
# Organic Collaboration Between Headquarters and Production Companies, Actors: New Works Born from Kakao Entertainment’s Synergy
This year, Kakao Entertainment will unveil numerous new projects born from collaborations between the company, its subsidiaries, and actors. JTBC’s new Friday series ‘Shining,’ directed by Kim Yun-jin and written by Lee Suk-yeon, is a project produced by Kakao Entertainment and SLL, set to premiere on March 6. Park Jin-young (BH Entertainment) and Kim Min-ju (Management Soop) portray first loves, promising fresh excitement.
The drama depicts the journey of youths who, once each other’s entire world, become the guiding light in each other’s lives. Park Jin-young and Kim Min-ju will showcase their versatile charms, from their youthful 19-year-old selves to a subway driver and a heritage stay manager in their thirties. Additionally, MBC’s new weekend drama ’21st Century Princess,’ written by Yoo Ji-won and directed by Park Jun-hwa and Bae Hee-young, will premiere in April. Produced by Kakao Entertainment and MBC, it stars IU (EDAM Entertainment) and Byeon Woo-seok in the lead roles.
Following last year’s ‘You Have Done Well,’ anticipation is high for Kakao Entertainment’s renewed synergy with actors this year. Set in a 21st-century South Korea with a constitutional monarchy, ’21st Century Princess’ is a romance drama following Seong Hee-joo, a wealthy woman frustrated by her commoner status, and Lee An-daegun, the king’s son who is unable to possess anything. Fans worldwide eagerly anticipate IU and Byeon Woo-seok’s romantic chemistry. Moreover, MBC’s new weekend drama ‘Liar,’ a well-crafted psychological thriller co-produced by Kakao Entertainment and Zip Cinema, is set to air this year. Directed by Jo Young-min and written by Baek Jae-young, it stars Yoo Yeon-seok (KingKong by Starship) and Seo Hyun-jin (Management Soop). Additionally, the Netflix series ‘Monthly Boyfriend,’ produced by Kakao Entertainment and Why Not Media, directed by Kim Jung-sik, and written by Namgoong Do-young, will premiere on March 6.
# Proving Unique IP Crossover Competitiveness with Well-made Dramas Based on Story IP
Kakao Entertainment, known for creating successful formulas for original drama adaptations like ‘Business Proposal,’ ‘Not Others,’ and ‘The Call You Have Dialed,’ will present more works based on popular webtoon originals in 2026. By enhancing the inherent charm of the original stories while adding unique elements to the video content, they aim to once again demonstrate their distinctive IP crossover competitiveness this year.
The Netflix series ‘Field Mice,’ based on a Kakao webtoon and produced by Kakao Entertainment, H House, and Studio PIM, stars Ryu Jun-yeol and Seol Kyung-gu. It is directed by Kim Hong-seon and written by Lee Jae-gon. The chase thriller, set for a third-quarter release, tells the story of reclusive novelist Moon Jae, who partners with loan shark Noh Ja to reclaim his life from the mysterious ‘Field Mice’ that took everything from him.
MBC’s new weekend drama ‘Housewife Killer,’ based on a Kakao webtoon with over 180 million accumulated views, is slated for a fall broadcast. It is directed by Yoon Jong-ho and written by Kim Eun-hee, and produced by Bon Factory, Baram Pictures, and Studio PIM. The drama portrays a working mother’s struggle to balance the world’s most ruthless job. Actress Gong Hyo-jin plays Yoo Bo-na, a fifth-year housewife with a husband and four-year-old daughter, who secretly eliminates heinous criminals. Actor Jung Joon-won portrays a newspaper social section reporter characterized as a ‘kind husband, caring father, and good person’.
# Lineup of Renowned Actors Guarantees ‘Must-See’ Series and Film Hits
Expectations are also high for series and films featuring ‘trusted’ actors. The Netflix series ‘The Boy in the Last Row,’ produced by Kakao Entertainment and GTist, boasts an impressive cast including Choi Min-sik, Choi Hyun-wook, Heo Jun-ho, Kim Yun-jin, and Jin Kyung. It is directed by Kim Kyu-tae and written by Jang Myung-woo.
The suspense drama, set to premiere in the second quarter, follows failed writer and Korean literature professor Huh Moon-oh as he discovers and becomes obsessed with the writing genius of his back-row student, Lee Gang. The Netflix film ‘Cross,’ directed and written by Lee Myung-hoon and produced by Sanai Pictures, Plus M Entertainment, and Obrac Creative, beloved for its thrilling action and delightful couple chemistry starring Hwang Jung-min and Yum Jung-ah, returns with a sequel. The Netflix series ‘Wonderfuls,’ directed by Yoo In-sik and written by Heo Da-jung, with Kang Eun-kyung as planner, is co-produced by Nangman Crew, Kakao Entertainment, and Fantagio, and is scheduled for release.
Kakao Entertainment stated, “In 2026, we will present various well-crafted works based on our unique IP value chain competitiveness, including outstanding creativity and a global network.” The company added, “We will solidify our influence as a global studio delivering laughter and emotion worldwide, expanding the horizon of K-content.”
