A new year means a new Netflix reel highlighting all the upcoming projects down the pipeline. From dramas to movies and even variety shows, the streaming platform promises a spectrum of entertainment including new series and awaited sequels. Hopefully there will be something for everyone to enjoy!
Drama: Chicken Nugget
Release date: Q1 2024
Need to know: If the title sounds strange, wait until you hear the synopsis. Based off the sleeper hit webtoon, this mystery comedy stars Ryu Seung-ryong as a dad on a mission. His daughter, played by Kim Yoo-jung, turns into a chicken nugget, so to bring her back, he enlists the help of Ahn Jae-hong, an intern with a crush on her. Director Lee Byeong-heon will be at the helm, making this an Extreme Job reunion between him and Ryu. Given their past works, I have high hopes for this odd show.
Drama: Queen of Tears
Release date: March 9, 2024
Need to know: Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won play a married couple. Need I say more? This upcoming rom-com is a bit of a reverse Cinderella story with Kim Soo-hyun marrying Kim Ji-won, the “queen” of Queens Department Store, but their happily-ever-after is in danger. Written by Park Ji-eun of megahits such as Crash Landing on You and You From Another Star and co-directed by Jang Young-woo (Bulgasal) and Kim Hee-won (Little Women), this drama is stacked both on screen and off.
Drama: A Killer Paradox
Release date: February 9, 2024
Need to know: This thriller starring Choi Woo-shik and Sohn Seok-gu is about an accidental serial murderer and the detective on his tail. Based off a four-panel webtoon that utilized a peculiar medium to capture a gruesome topic, I’m curious to see how the story will translate to the screen. Premiering in just a couple of days, this show might be the perfect thing to binge if you’re looking for something dark this weekend.
Drama: Parasyte: The Grey
Release date: Q2 2024
Need to know: The title might sound familiar to some since Parasyte: The Grey is the Korean adaptation to the beloved manga, which already has an anime and two live-action films. For those new to the story, Parasyte is about mysterious parasites that invade earth by entering humans to use as hosts to kill others. The cast includes Jeon So-nee, Gu Kyo-hwan, and Lee Jung-hyun, but the biggest draw for me is Director Yeon Sang-ho. No stranger to animation or adaptations, Yeon started with short film animations and then gained acclaim with zombie-thriller Train to Busan. If anyone in Korea can capture the horror of the original, it’s him.
Drama: The 8 Show
Release date: Q2 2024
Need to know: Adapted from the webtoons Money Game and its sequel Pie Game, this Netflix series is about eight individuals invited to a reality show where they must survive for 100 days to win a large cash prize which they can then split amongst themselves. The cast is filled with notable talents including but not limited to Ryu Joon-yeol, Chun Woo-hee, and Park Jung-min. While it might sound similar to Netflix’s other hit show, I’m hoping some key differences in setup such as the limited number of participants and the option for everyone to win will create a psychological thriller that probes at human nature and the folly of late-stage capitalism.
Drama: Resident Playbook (working title)
Release date: Q2 2024
Need to know: This spin-off of Hospital Playlist returns to Yulje Medical Center, but instead of the five friends we’ve grown to love, the show follows a batch of new interns. Taking on the lead role, Go Yoon-jung plays a first-year OB-GYN resident alongside her cohort, which includes a cast of fresh faces and up-and-coming talents. While I think original Hospital Playlist has run its course, I’m curious to see how this spin-off will continue the story under a new director and writer.
Drama: Hierarchy
Release date: Q2 2024
Need to know: While stories about the education system have been a staple source of inspiration for Korean dramas, I definitely think the success of Sky Castle spurred a trend towards examining elites and their views on schooling. Adding to this growing list of dramas is Hierarchy, a show about the top 0.01% and the high school established to maintain the status quo. Noh Jung-eui and Kim Jae-won play the aforementioned rich kids, but their world starts to crack when Lee Chae-min transfers to their school.
Drama: The Whirlwind
Release date: Q3 2024
Need to know: Powerhouse actors Sol Kyung-gu and Kim Hee-ae star in this political drama about a prime minister trying to uproot a corrupt president and the deputy prime minister of economy who fights against him. I can’t quite tell if this series will touch on the current political climate of Korea (which is ripe for drama, to put it lightly) or if it will tread with caution as to not incur anyone’s ire, but with Park Kyung-soo (Whisper, Punch) penning the scripts, I know the story will be rich and layered, regardless. Also, I’m excited to hear both actors deliver Park’s poetic monologues with the gravitas they deserve.
Drama: The Frog
Release date: Q3 2024
Need to know: Kim Yoon-seok returns to the small screen after 18 years, and I couldn’t be more excited! This mystery thriller centers around a cottage in the woods, and Kim Yoon-seok’s days of peace are shaken by the appearance of Go Min-shi. The Netflix series also stars Yoon Kye-sang as a figure who once owned the same cottage and the ever-fabulous Lee Jung-eun as a police officer observing the strange man who lives there.
Drama: The Trunk
Release date: Q4 2024
Need to know: Seo Hyun-jin and Gong Yoo are blessing our screens as a couple, but there’s a catch. Based off the eponymous novel, the show is about a contract marriage service that provides clients with one-year marriages. Seo Hyun-jin works, essentially, as a professional wife, and her fifth customer is widowed Gong Yoo who still grieves his late spouse. As this unusual couple gets to know each other, a strange trunk pops up in a lake, bringing with it secrets about this mysterious company. I will admit, the premise is out there, but Director Kim Kyu-tae’s latest works have both been hits for me. Plus, it’s Seo Hyun-jin and Gong Yoo!
Drama: Mr. Plankton
Release date: Q4 2024
Need to know: Like plankton drifting in the sea, this romantic comedy is about a man who was born as a mistake and the unluckiest woman in the world. Starring Woo Do-hwan and Lee Yumi, these two strangers are forced to travel together — he’s looking for his unknown dad, and she’s looking for her runaway fiancé. Like any good road movie, I’m expecting the show will be more about what these characters learn along the way than the things they find at the end of their journey. Also starring are Oh Jung-se and Kim Hae-sook, which are names I’m always happy to see.
In addition to the series above, Netflix also teased the return of some existing shows:
As for the Korean films coming to Netflix:
On top of all that, the streaming platform has also announced a whole slew of variety shows, both new and returning: