Image Credit: MBC
Kicking off the lineup is Judge Lee Han-young, starring Ji Sung and Park Hee-soon. Scheduled to air on January 2, this drama combines elements of justice and time travel. The story follows Lee Han-young, portrayed by Ji Sung, who was once caught in the web of a massive law firm. He is transported a decade into the past, where he is given a chance to make new decisions and face the malevolence embodied by Kang Shin-jin, played by Park Hee-soon. Viewers anticipate a compelling acting duel between Ji Sung and Park Hee-soon.
Next in line is The Brilliant Season of You, a narrative designed to touch hearts during the chilly winter months. The plot revolves around Chan, played by Chae Jong-hyeop, who approaches life with the excitement of a summer holiday, and Ran, played by Lee Sung-kyung, who has emotionally isolated herself in a perpetual winter. Their fateful encounter sparks a thawing of time. The ensemble cast includes Lee Mi-sook, Kang Seok-woo, Han Ji-hyun, and Oh Ye-ju.
IU and Byun Woo-seok headline 21st Century Grand Duchess, a romantic drama set within a 21st-century constitutional monarchy in Korea. The storyline explores the life of Seong Hee-joo, played by IU, a wealthy woman frustrated by her commoner origins, alongside Prince Ian, portrayed by Byun Woo-seok, who feels a void despite his royal status. Having gained acclaim in the MBC drama script competition, this production is among the most eagerly awaited of 2026.
Fifties Professionals presents an action-comedy tale about three ordinary-seeming men who were once high achievers and now find themselves propelled back into action by destiny. Despite life's wear and tear, and their physical declines, their camaraderie and natural skills still shine. Shin Ha-kyun, Oh Jung-se, and Heo Sung-tae collaborate to deliver a blend of touching action and humor.
Set for broadcast in the year's latter half, Married Woman Killer explores the life of a working mother juggling a perilous job and personal life. Yoo Bo-na, embodied by Gong Hyo-jin, is a housewife-turned-lethal enforcer of justice who resumes her career after a three-year hiatus for maternity leave. She must balance her chaotic family dynamics with a dangerous profession, while Jung Joon-won plays the curious husband seeking to uncover his wife’s hidden identity.
Liar delves into psychological thrills, with two individuals fiercely contesting the truth concerning a shared memory. Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin reunite on screen, having previously co-starred in Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim.
Your Ground offers a romantic youth narrative centered on a baseball player, portrayed by Gong Myung, who faces setbacks after a single failure. His journey back to the sport is guided by a lawyer-turned-agent, played by Han Hyo-joo.
According to an MBC drama representative, “Our 2026 lineup was meticulously curated to not only deliver top-quality dramas but also to engage audiences across various genres,” emphasizing the range of storytelling on offer.