The new year brings a lot of new things, including K-dramas that will keep us up all night again! You guys, wala nanaman tulugan and I know we’re all here for it, amirite?? So prepare your devices, internet connections, and ~*feels*~, and mark your calendars for the most-anticipated K-dramas that you have to watch this 2021.
2021 K-dramas with confirmed cast members:
Mount Jiri
Who’s in it: Jun Ji Hyun, Ju Ji Hoon, Oh Jung Se, Sung Dong Il
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: Mount Jiri is a mystery drama that centers on individuals who climbed the tallest mountain in South Korea at the same name. And can we talk about that star-studded cast? Wow.
Vincenzo
Who’s in it: Song Joong Ki, Jeong Yeo Bin, 2PM’s Taecyeon, Kwak Dong Yeon
Release date: February 20, 2021
What we know so far: This K-drama will air on Netflix! The storyline follows the life of an Italian lawyer-slash-Mafia-consigliere named Vincenzo Cassano, who returns to his home country and meets a lawyer named Hong Cha Young.
The Sea of Silence
Who’s in it: Gong Yoo, Bae Doona, Lee Joon, Jung Woo Sung
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: According to Netflix, The Sea Of Silence is set in the future, and is about the "members of a special team sent to secure a mysterious sample from an abandoned research facility on the moon."
Snowdrop
Who’s in it: Jung Hae In, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo, Kim Hye Yoon, Yoon Se Ah
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: JTBC's first teaser, which was posted on October 5, tells us that the Snowdrop will be set in 1987 Seoul. It will tell the story of university student Young Cho (Jisoo), who secretly takes care of an injured man named Im Suho in secret. And that's when their love story starts.
Hospital Playlist 2
Who’s in it: Jo Jung Suk, Yoo Yeon Seok, Jung Kyung Ho, Jeon Mi Do, Kim Dae Myung
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: We have a lot to say about how lovely the first season of this K-drama is and how excited we are for Hospital Playlist season two, so just read our honest review right here.
Mouse
Who’s in it: Lee Seung Gi, Lee Hee Joon, Park Ju Hyun, Kyung Soo Jin
Release date: March 3, 2021
What we know so far: The series Mouse involves psychopaths, DNA tests, a fetus in a mother’s womb, police officers, and a high school student. Interesting!
Beyond Evil
Who’s in it: Yeo Jin Goo, Shin Ha Kyun, Choi Dae Hoon
Release date: February 2021
What we know so far: Another psychological thriller to add to our list, this K-drama follows two detectives who are on a quest to hunt down a serial killer who questions everyone around them, even themselves.
She Would Never Know
Who’s in it: SF9’s Rowoon, Won Ji Ah
Release date: January 18, 2021
What we know so far: She Would Never Know is based on the web novel, Sunbae, Don’t Put On That Lipstick and is about two officemates in a cosmetics company who have a sunbae-hoobae (junior-senior) relationship.
My Roommate Is A Gumiho
Who’s in it: Lee Hyeri, Jang Ki Yong, Kang Han Na, Kim Do Wan, Bae In Hyuk
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: A college student *accidentally* swallow a gumiho’s marble and to continue their lives, they must become roomies. Start-Up actors Kang Han Na and Kim Do Wan are also confirmed to join the cast!
Undercover
Who’s in it: Han So Hee, Ahn Bo Hyun, Lee Hak Joo, Park Hee Soon
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: In search of an answer to his father’s death, the leading lady becomes an undercover agent who has major plans for revenge in this Netflix original series. Undercover is the first project of Han So Hee—you remember her from A World Of Married Couple—and Itaewon Class' Ahn Bo Hyun.
Youth Of May
Who’s offered the role: Lee Do Hyun, Go Min Si, Lee Sang Yi, Geum Sae Rok
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: Soompi describes the upcoming series as a retro romance drama that is "...set to highlight the passion that underlies the group of young adults living through May 1980, a historically significant time period in Korea."
Law School
Who’s in it: Kim Bum, Ryu Hye Young, Kim Myung Min, Lee Jung Eun
Release date: First half of 2021
What we know so far: A legal thriller set on campus, a number of law students find themselves in a peculiar case along with their law professors. Law School stars Tale Of The Nine-Tailed's Kim Bum and Reply 1988's Ryu Hye Young.
River Where The Moon Rises
Who’s in it: Kim So Hyun, Ji Soo, Kang Ha Neul
Release date: First half of 2021
What we know so far: The historical drama focuses on a princess who aspires to be the leader of Goryeo, who later on realized her feelings for the man that she once planned to use to her advantage. It will be available on Viu.
Kingdom: Ashin Of The North
Who’s in it: Jun Ji Hyun, Park Byung Eun
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: Definitely one of the most highly-anticipated K-dramas of next year, this special episode of Kingdom will reveal the backstory of Ashin and what lies behind the resurrection plant.
Pachinko
Who’s in it: Lee Min Ho, Kim Min Ha, Jin Ha, Anna Sawai, So Ji Arai, Kaho Minami
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: From the bestselling novel of the same name, Pachinko is a project by Apple TV+ with eight episodes.
Hell
Who’s in it: Yoo Ah In, Won Ji Ah, Park Jung Min
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: Directed by Yeon Sang Ho, who also oversaw Train To Busan, the Netflix original series Hell is “where humans face a supernatural phenomenon that could be a miracle or a curse,” according to Soompi.
Times
Who’s in it: Lee Joo Young, Lee Seo Jin, Kim Young Chul, Moon Jung Hee
Release date: February 20, 2021
What we know so far: A drama about politics,Times returns to an incident from five years ago when a reporter seeks the truth about her father who passed away, who was also a reporter before becoming president.
Money Heist
Who’s in it: Yoo Ji Tae, Jeon Jong So
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: Set in Seoul, the 12-episode Korean version of Money Heist is said to be a “giant in the fantasy-crime genre,” according to Netflix.
One Day, Destruction Came To My Front Door
Who’s in it: Park Bo Young, Seo In Guk, Lee So Hyuk, Kang Tae Oh, Shin Do Hyun
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: The tvN fantasy romance drama is written by Im Me-ari, who also wrote Beauty Inside, and will tell the story of a man who has the ~*power*~ to make everything he touches disappear.
Youth
Who’s in it: Noh Jong Hyun, Seo Ji Hoon, Ahn Ji Ho, Seo Young Joo, Kim Yoon Woo, Jung Woo Jin, Jeon Jin Seo
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: ARMYs, this one’s for you. Youth may have the same names as the BTS members, but it is said that their stories are fictional.
Dear.M
Who’s in it: NCT’s Jaehyun, Park Hye Soo, Noh Jung Ui, Bae Hyun Sung, UP10TION’s Lee Jin Hyuk, CLC’s Eunbin, Woo Davi, Lee Jung Shik, Hwang Bo Reum Byul, and Jo Joon Young
Release date: February 26, 2021
What we know so far: Who is M? That’s what you’ll soon find out in this K-drama which is a “spin-off of the hit web drama series, Love Playlist.”
Oh! Master
Who’s in it: Lee Min Ki, Nana
Release date: March 2021
What we know so far: Oh! Master is a rom-com series about an actress and drama writer who has different views about dating.
Joseon Exorcist
Who’s in it: Jang Dong Yoon, Kam Woo Sung, Park Sung Hoon, Kim Dong Jun, Jung Hye Sung, Lee Yoo Bi
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: The SBS drama is set after the Joseon Dynasty and will show how the supernatural came back to life after they were slain by the higher-ups. Interesting!
Sisyphus: The Myth
Who’s in it: Park Shin Hye, Cho Sung Woo
Release date: February 17, 2021
What we know so far: The fantasy drama celebrates JTBC’s 10th anniversary and is about an engineer’s dangerous journey who happens to have a savior beside him. It's going to be show on Netflix!
Monthly House
Who’s in it: Jung So Min, Kim Ji Suk
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: In South Korea, housing is an important topic and this K-drama will reveal what it’s like.
Deluxe Taxi
Who’s in it: APRIL’s Naeun, Lee Je Hoon, Esom
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: A manhwa (webtoon) adaptation, Deluxe Taxi brings us to the life of taxi drivers who are willing to plot vengeance for their passengers.
School 2021
Who’s in it: WEi’s Kim Yo Han
Release date: First half of 2021
What we know so far: Formerly School 2020, the KBS drama was changed into School 2021. Will keep you updated with the new narrative of this series!
Move To Heaven
Who’s in it: Lee Je Hoon, Tang Jun Sang
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: Move To Heaven will move us with its heartwarming story of an ex-convict who takes care of his nephew with Asperger’s syndrome. The show will be available on Netflix, and Lee Jae Wook and Ji Jin Hee will make special cameos.
A Person Similar To You
Who’s in it: Go Hyun Jung
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: Soompi describes this K-drama as a story “...about a woman who is devoted to her desires and another woman who loses the light in her life due to the other. The drama will be about the affair, betrayal, corruption, and revenge that follows their meeting.”
Red Sky
Who’s in it: Ahn Hyo Seop, Kim Yoo Jung, Kwak Si Yang, Gong Myung
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: This historical drama takes place in the Joseon period, and is derived from the novel of the same name, written by Jung Eun Gwol, who's also behind the books-turned-dramas, Sungkyunkwan Scandal and The Moon Embracing The Sun.
D.P
Who’s in it: Jung Hae In, Son Seok Gu, Kim Sung Kyung,
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: D.P stands for Deserter Pursuit and is a webtoon adaptation by Kim Bo Tong. The storyline is focused on a young man who is enlisted in the military and how he became a part of a special squad. It will be shown on Netflix!
Yumi's Cells
Who’s in it: Kim Go Eun
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: According to Soompi, the webtoon-adapted drama "...will tell the story of an ordinary office worker named Yumi—from the point of view of the many brain cells in her head controlling her every thought, feeling, and action."
That Night
Who’s in it: Kim Soo Hyun
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: After turning down the cast offer for the Netflix thriller Finger, it was recently confirmed that Kim Soo Hyun will lead the remake of BBC's Criminal Justice. He will play the role of a college student who was suddenly suspected as the prime offender of a murder case.
The Glory
Who’s in it: Song Hye Kyo
Release date: End of 2021 or first half of 2022
What we know so far: Hallyu queen Song Hye Kyo will be reunited with Descendants Of The Sun writer Kim Eun Sook, who will pen her upcoming K-drama. It will be directed Ahn Gil Ho, who oversaw Memories Of The Alhambra and Record Of Youth.
The Uncanny Counter 2
Who’s in it: Jo Byeong Gyu, Kim Sejeong, Yeom Hye Ran, Yoo Joon Sang
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: Great news, The Uncanny Counter fans: Our fave group of demon slayers will come back for the second season of the record-breaking webtoon-based drama!
Disqualified As A Human
Who’s in it: Ryu Jun Yeol, Jeon Do Yeon
Release date: Second half of 2021
What we know so far: The melodrama focuses on the lives of individuals who feel like they haven't achieved anything yet. Jung Ryeol will play the character of Kang Jae, "a 27-year-old man who runs a service in which people act as the roles that customers require." On the other hand, Do Yeon becomes Boo Jung, a ghostwriter who has lost her zest in life after a certain hardship.
Love Scene Number
Who’s in it: Kim Bo Ra, Shim Eun Woo, Han Joon Woo
Release date: February 1, 2021
What we know so far: An MBC drama with eight episodes, Love Scene Number is about four female characters and their stories about their principles, dating, and love life.
Love (Ft. Marriage And Divorce)
Who’s in it: Sung Hoon, Lee Ga Ryung, Lee Tae Gon, Park Joo Mi, Jeon No Min, Jun Soo Kyung
Release date: January 23, 2021
What we know so far: If you love the K-drama A World Of Married Couple, then you will certainly enjoy Love (Ft. Marriage And Divorce. The series is currently on Netflix and shows the life of married couples and the struggles they encounter in their relationships.
Mine
Who’s in it: Lee Bo Young, Kim Seo Hyung
Release date: First half of 2021
What we know so far: Soompi describes Mine as "a story about strong and ambitious women who overcome society’s prejudice to discover what’s truly theirs." It will be written by Baek Mi Kyung, who wrote Strong Woman Do Bong Soon and Melting Me Softly. As for the K-drama's director, it's Lee Na Jung, who also oversaw Fight For My Way and Love Alarm
The Penthouse 2
Who’s in it: Kim So Yeon, Eugene, Kim Hyun Soo, Kim Young Dae, Yoon Jong Hoon,
Release date: February 19, 2021
What we know so far: The crazy K-drama is set for a crazier second season! The trailer for The Penthouse 2 already got us intrigued with its scandal-filled scenes and we can't wait when it finally drops on Viu.
Navillera
Who’s in it: Song Kang, Park In Hwan, Na Moon Hee, and Hong Seung Hee
Release date: TBA
What we know so far: Adapted from the manhwa of the same name, Navillera revolves around a 23-year-old ballet dancer named Chae Rok, and a 70-year-old man retired mailman who dreams of doing ballet for a long time.
Other 2021 K-dramas and their rumored cast members:
Link
Rumored cast members: Kim Seon Ho, Moon Ga Young
Mr. Hong
Rumored cast members: Shin Min Ah, Kim Seon Ho
Devil’s Judge
Rumored cast members: Ji Sung, GOT7’s Jinyoung
Island
Rumored cast members: Seo Ye Ji, Kim Nam Gil, Im Siwan
I Know But
Rumored cast members: Han So Hee, Song Kang
Moving
Rumored cast members: Jo In Sung, Han Hyo Joo, Cha Tae Hyun
Woman Of Crisis
Rumored cast members: Gong Hyo Jin
You Are My Spring
Rumored cast members: Seo Hyun Jin
Now We Are Breaking Up
Rumored cast members: Song Hye Kyo
Bossam Stealing Fate
Rumored cast members: Girl’s Generation’s Yuri, Jung Il Woo
Daebak Real Estate
Rumored cast members: Jang Nara, CNBLUE’s Jung Yong Hwa
Until The Morning Comes
Rumored cast members: Jung Yu Mi, Han Su Kyu
Dal Li And Gamja-tang
Rumored cast members: Lee Jae Wook, Park Gyu Young
The Fairy And The Bald Idol
Rumored cast members: Jang Dong Yoon
Tale Of The Secret Royal Inspector And Jo Yi
Rumored cast members: Jo Byeong Gyu
Seen From A Distance, Green Spring
Rumored cast members: Park Ji Hoon
Hero
Rumored cast members: Lee Kwang Soo
Black Sun
Rumored cast members: Nam Goong Min
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