Feb. 9, 2026, SEOUL, KOREA – Kakao Entertainment has unveiled a captivating lineup of dramas and films for 2026, featuring A-list stars like IU, Byeon Woo-seok, BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and Yoo Yeon-seok. Following the success of 2025 hits ― including “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” “Karma, “Nine Puzzles” and “You and Everything Else”― Kakao Entertainment plans to strengthen its synergy with subsidiary production houses and talent agencies, while further expanding drama adaptations of its webtoons/web novels. Through this strategy, the company seeks to cement its position as a global K-content studio.

Synergy-boosting collaborations with subsidiaries

Kakao Entertainment will showcase a range of titles highlighting collaborations with subsidiaries. The MBC drama “Perfect Crown” (Directed by Park Joon-hwa, Bae Hee-young / Written by Yoo Ji-won) also available on Disney+, will premiere amid high anticipation in April, starring IU from Kakao Entertainment’s subsidiary Edam Entertainment and Byeon Woo-seok. Set in a fictional constitutional monarchy in Korea, the story revolves around Heeju (IU), a woman from a powerful and wealthy family who has everything except noble status, and Grand Prince Wan (Byeon Woo-seok) who cannot own anything despite being a prince. With boundary-pushing storytelling and eye-catching chemistry, the series is expected to mesmerize K-romcom fans worldwide.

Kakao Entertainment and its production company Baram Pictures will also unveil the Netflix series “Boyfriend on Demand” (Directed by Kim Jung-sik / Written by Namgung Do-young.) In this much-awaited romantic comedy, starring BLACKPINK’s Jisoo and Seo In-guk, exhausted webtoon producer Mi-rae escapes reality through a subscription-based virtual dating simulation program, where she meets the boyfriends of her dreams. It will be released on March 6.

The JTBC drama “Still Shining” (Directed by Kim Yoon-jin / Written by Lee Sook-yeon,) set to premiere on March 6, features Kakao Entertainment actors Park Jin-young (BH Entertainment) and Kim Min-ju (Management SOOP). The story centers on Yeon Tae-seo (Park) and Mo Eun-a (Kim), who first met at 19 and became each other’s first love. After becoming adults, they reunite and become each other’s anchor of trust and guiding light. Park and Kim portray a subway train driver and a traditional guesthouse manager, respectively, creating heart-fluttering chemistry.

Another synergy-creating project is the MBC thriller “The Perfect Lie” (Directed by Jo Young-min / Written by Baek Jae-young), co-produced with Kakao Entertainment’s subsidiary Cinema Zip. Premiering later this year, it features Yoo Yeon-seok (KINGKONG by STARSHIP) and Seo Hyun-jin (Management SOOP), both under Kakao Entertainment.

From webtoon/web novel IPs to dramas: IP crossover projects

“A Business Proposal,” “When the Phone Rings,” and “Karma” ― these are shining examples of Kakao Entertainment’s IP crossover projects. By adapting its popular story IPs like web novels and webtoons into dramas, Kakao Entertainment illuminated the unique charms of the original works while adding fresh elements tailored for new adaptations.

The company will continue its winning streak in 2026 with the Netflix series “Mousetrap” (Directed by Kim Hong-sun / Written by Lee Jae-gon) Based on the Kakao webtoon “Field Mouse,” the series stars Ryu Jun-yeol and Sul Kyung-gu. Scheduled to premiere in the third quarter, it is a chilling thriller about a reclusive novelist forming an unlikely alliance with a loan shark, who once chased him down, to hunt the mysterious “Rat” who’s stolen everything from him.  

Another highlight is the MBC’s drama adaptation of the popular Kakao webtoon “A Bona Fide Killer.” The drama (Directed by Yoon Jong-ho / Written by Kim Eun-hee,) an adaptation of a webtoon with a cumulative 180 million views, is set to air in the latter half of 2026. It follows a working mother with the “most brutal job” in the world, struggling to maintain work-life balance. Gong Hyo-jin portrays Yu Bo-na, a housewife living with her husband and four-year daughter who is also a killer taking down ruthless criminals. Jung Jun-won plays a loving husband, caring father, and genuinely good person, working as a reporter in the social affairs department of a newspaper.     

Lineup packed with K-content powerhouse actors

Kakao Entertainment has more to offer in 2026 with star-driven series and movies. One of the most anticipated is the Netflix series “Notes from the Last Row” (Directed by Kim Gyu-tae / Written by Jang Myung-woo) featuring Choi Min-sik ― the star of the film “Old Boy” ― Choi Hyun-wook, Huh Joon-ho, Kim Yun-jin and Jin Kyung. The suspenseful drama centers around Heo Mun-oh, a grumpy literature professor and failed writer who becomes enamored by the talent of Lee Kang, a mysterious student who always sits in the back row of his class. It will be released in the second quarter.

The Netflix movie “Mission: Cross” (Directed and written by Lee Myung-hoon) is also returning with its sequel, highlighting the witty actions and on-screen chemistry of Hwang Jung-min and Yum Jung-ah. The Netflix series “The WONDERfools” (Directed by Yoo In-sik, Written by Huh Dah-joong / Planned by Kang Eun-kyung) is slated for release as well.  

“With our distinctive IP value chain competitiveness, backed by remarkable creativity and global networks, Kakao Entertainment will continue to present a variety of well-crafted content,” the company said. “We will reaffirm our position as a global studio that brings laughter and emotion to audiences worldwide, while widening the scope of K-content.”