The South Korean drama industry is on fire with a fresh wave of casting announcements, bringing together major names across romance, historical sagas, and thrilling mysteries. From body-swapping love stories to grand dynastic warfare, here’s the latest roundup of projects you’ll want to add to your watchlist.
1. 1/24 – A Time-Twisting Romcom
Shin Hye-sun and Na In-woo are gearing up to headline 1/24, a Netflix romantic comedy adapted from the popular webtoon An Hour of Romance. The plot centers on a star male tennis player and a reality TV producer who, each nursing old emotional wounds, find themselves mysteriously switching bodies for one hour daily. As they navigate the strange phenomenon, unexpected feelings begin to bloom.
Director Kim Sang-hyub — known for hits like True Beauty — will helm the series. The project reunites Shin and Na, who previously shared the screen in Mr. Queen. Shin’s recent credits include Welcome to Samdal-ri and Dear Hyeri, while Na has built a strong following with Jinxed at First and Marry My Husband.
2. Merry Berry Love – Cross-Border Romance
Ji Chang-wook is set for a lighter turn in Merry Berry Love, a Korea–Japan co-production by CJ ENM and Nippon TV. Joining him is rising Japanese actress Mio Imada. Set on a picturesque island, Ji plays Korean spatial designer Lee Yoo-bin, while Imada portrays Japanese strawberry farmer Karin Shirahama.
This Disney+ romcom follows Ji’s recent thriller work in The Manipulated and precedes his upcoming fantasy comedy Human X Gumiho with Jun Ji-hyun. Director Kim Soo-jung (Semantic Error) teams with writer Lee Jae-yoon (The Divorce Insurance) for this project.
3. Munmu – Historical Power Struggles
Epic history fans can look forward to Munmu, charting the rise of the Unified Silla Dynasty (668–935). Lee Hyun-wook will play the brilliant strategist Prince Kim Pom-min, later King Munmu. Jang Hyuk steps into the role of Goguryeo’s formidable ruler Yeon Gaesomun, while Kim Kang-woo will portray Silla King Kim Chun-chu.
The drama also features Park Sung-woong as military hero Kim Yu-sin and Cho Sung-ha as Goguryeo’s war figure Go Geon-mu. Kim Yeong-jo (Hwarang) directs.
4. Fifties Professionals – Island Mystery Squad
Fans of thrillers can anticipate Fifties Professionals, an MBC drama starring Shin Ha-kyun, Oh Jung-se, and Heo Sung-tae. The plot follows three men exiled to Yeongseon Island a decade ago after a mysterious incident. Fate reunites them to solve the lingering mystery.
Shin plays a wrongfully accused ex-NIS agent turned chef, Oh takes on the role of a memory-lost North Korean operative, and Heo appears as a former gang boss now running a convenience store. Expect a 2026 release under director Han Dong-hwa (Shadow Detective).
