Korean TV and film is having a moment across the world, with K-Drama and Korean film watched by a staggering 60 per cent of all Netflix members in 2022. To capitalize on that demand, the world’s biggest streamer is set to release a staggering 34 titles this year, including films, K-Drama TV series and unscripted series such as the hit Single’s Inferno. Some will be returning favourites, some will be brand new.
“The global popularity of K-content has continued apace over 2022, with Netflix bringing a wider variety of stories and genres to fans around the world. Over the last year, Korean series and films have regularly featured in our Global Top 10 list in more than 90 countries, and three of Netflix’s most-watched shows ever are from Korea. This year, we’re pushing the envelope even further with the stories we tell and how we tell them. With this lineup of Korean titles, Netflix will continue to be the ultimate destination for compelling, diverse and must-watch Korean storytelling,” says Don Kang, VP of Content (Korea), Netflix.
So, without further ado, here’s all 34 (!) K-Drama, Korean films and Korean unscripted series headed to Netflix this year.
And hey, you never know, maybe we’ll even get another season of Single’s Inferno this year.
Gyeongseong Creature
Another survival show is on the way, this time about battling monsters during the dark days of 1945.
Black Knight
This sci-fi series is about struggling to breathe in the dystopian future.
Song of the Bandits
An action drama about fighting to protect Joseon during Japanese colonial rule.
Sweet Home
Based on the Naver webtoon of the same name by Kim Carnby and Hwang Young-chan which recorded over 2.1 billion net views, the first season was released on Netflix on December 18, 2020, with a second season headed to the platform in 2023 and a third on the way.
D.P.
Set in 2014, D.P. tells the story of a team of Korean military police with their mission to catch deserters. Directed by Han Jun-hee, from a screenplay by Kim Bo-tong and Han, based on the Lezhin webtoon D.P Dog’s Day by Kim, the series stars Jung Hae-in, Koo Kyo-hwan, Kim Sung-kyun, and Son Suk-ku. It premiered in six parts on Netflix on August 27, 2021 with its second season coming in 2023.
The Glory
Part 2 of revenge drama The Glory will be released in March, with Part 1 being the most-watched non-English TV show during the week of January 2 with 82.48 million viewing hours.
A Time Called You
This upcoming South Korean streaming television series starring Ahn Hyo-seop, Jeon Yeo-been, and Kang Hoon. It is based on Taiwanese television series Someday Or One Day.
Behind Your Touch (WT)
Details about this new romance show haven’t been revealed.
Crash Course in Romance
The first two episodes of this quirky romance have already been released, about a mother with a heart of gold navigating the cutthroat world of private education when her daughter tries to join a celebrity math instructor’s class, starring Jeon Do-Yeon, Jung Kyung-ho, and more.
Destined With You
This series is as romantic as it is mystical, following a lawyer looking to free himself of a curse that’s followed his family for 300 years.
Doona!
This K-Drama has comedic and romantic elements, following a college student navigate school and life while living with a former K-pop sensation.
King the Land
This upcoming show stars Lee Josh-Ho and Lim Yoon-A, and is centered around a hotel conglomerate and a young man thrown into a bidding war. Mixed in with a touch of romance it should an interesting watch.
Love to Hate You
Dropping on February 10, this show sees an attorney who hates losing to men become involved with an actor who distrusts women. Sound interesting? if yes check out the trailer below.
See You In My 19th Life
This upcoming show is actually based on a web toon of the same name, the story follows Ban Ji-eum, a girl who repeats her life through reincarnation. The K-drama will see her try and reconnect with those from one of her past lives.
Bloodhounds
Another k-drama based on a Webtoon, Bloodhounds is about a pair of youths who get into the money lending business to pay off a debt.
Celebrity
This series follows the story of a young girl in Seoul, navigating the life and culture of the famous influencer.
Mask Girl
Created by Kim Yong-hoon, this upcoming series is about an insecure office worker who moonlights as a masked Internet personality, until a ill fated turn of events changes everything.
Daily Dose of Sunshine
This emotional show sees a young nurse navigating the world of mental health and trying to bring joy and comfort to all those under her care.
Queenmaker
This political drama follows a powerful “fixer” in the business world jump into politics to shape up a headstrong civil rights lawyer into the next mayor of Seoul.
The Good Bad Mother
Directed by Shim Na-Yeon, the upcoming series is a drama about a mother and her son, prosecutor Kang Ho, who suffers from amnesia in an unexpected accident and goes back to being a child.
Goodbye Earth
In this dystopian series, an asteroid approaches Earth signifying the end of the world. The show is based on the novel of the same name written by Kotaro Isaka.
JUNG-E
Another dystopian series, this show takes place in a post apocalyptic world where a researcher aims to clone the brain of a heroic soldier, her mother, to end a civil war. The show leans into themes of robotics and AI.
Kill Boksoon
An assassin at work and a mom at home, this show will see the protagonist navigate the troubles of being a parent to a teenager whilst being a renowned assassin in her professional life.
Believer 2
This upcoming film continues the detective story, infiltrating Asia’s largest drug operation and finding the elusive kingpin that he has unfinished business with.
Ballerina
This marks Lee Chung Hyun’s second k-drama thriller for Netflix. The feature will see Money Heist: Korea actors Jeon Jong Seo and Kim Ji Hoon reunite, following former bodyguard Ok-Joo who takes vengeance and shows how ruthless she can be as she risked her life for her dear friend.
The Match
This upcoming South Korean biopic directed and written by Kim Hyung-joo is based on two real-life notable Go players Cho Hun-hyun and Lee Chang-ho. The film stars Lee Byung-hun and Yoo Ah-in, and is set to be released in South Korea in 2023 on Netflix.
Unlocked
This upcoming South Korean thriller film directed by Kim Tae-joon in his directorial debut, starring Im Si-wan, Chun Woo-hee and Kim Hee-won explores the world of hacking. It is scheduled for release on Netflix on February 17, 2023.
Physical:100
This series, debuting this January, will involve 100 contestants all duking it out through a series of physical challenges.
Find it here.
Siren: Survive the Island
This is yet another endurance show which we can assume is about surviving an island. Perhaps even THE island. Also perhaps there will be a siren.
Zombieverse
This unscripted show is about zombie survival.
Nineteen to Twenty
This reality show will explore coming of age.
The Devil’s Plan
This unscripted series will explore mind games.
Yellow Door: Looking for Director Bong’s Unreleased Short Film
This documentary traces the quest for Oscar-winning director Bong Joon-Ho’s debut film.
In the Name of God: A Holy Betrayal
This true crime documentary explores the self-proclaimed ‘messiahs’ in modern Korean history.
Find more on this obscure website Netflix here.
Additional reporting by Tamer Madi