New K-Dramas to Watch This January 2026

Ji Sung makes a powerful comeback in The Judge Returns, Nam Ji-hyun and Moon Sang-min bring fantasy and romance together in To My Beloved Thief, and Park Shin-hye goes undercover in the thrilling Undercover Miss Hong.

After a high-energy close to 2025, the Korean drama industry begins the new year with a diverse lineup dominated by fantasy, romance, and character-driven stories. While some of the biggest productions are expected later during the Lunar New Year season, January still offers plenty of exciting new series worth adding to your watchlist.

Below are the most anticipated K-dramas premiering this month.

1. The Judge Returns

Starring: Ji Sung, Park Hee-soon, Won Jin-ah
Network: MBC
Premiere Date: January 2, 2026

Ji Sung returns to the courtroom in this intense legal thriller. He plays Lee Han-young, a judge who loses his moral compass after marrying into a powerful law firm family. Following a tragic incident, he wakes up ten years in the past with a rare chance to change his fate.

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Determined to correct his mistakes, Han-young confronts a highly influential judge and teams up with a determined prosecutor to challenge corruption within the justice system.

2. To My Beloved Thief

Starring: Nam Ji-hyun, Moon Sang-min
Network: KBS2
Premiere Date: January 3, 2026

Set in a historical fantasy setting, this romantic comedy follows Hong Eun-zo, a doctor by day and a mysterious thief by night who steals from the royal treasury to help the poor. Her secret life draws the attention of Prince Yi Yeol, who is ordered to capture her.

As fate intervenes, the two unexpectedly switch bodies, turning their rivalry into an unusual and entertaining alliance.

3. Spring Fever

Starring: Lee Joo-bin, Ahn Bo-hyun
Network: tvN / Prime Video
Premiere Date: January 5, 2026

Based on a popular web novel, Spring Fever tells the story of Yoon Bom, a schoolteacher who moves to the countryside after a difficult past in Seoul. There, she meets Seon Jae-kyu, a tough-looking man with a warm and caring personality.

As they grow closer, emotional scars slowly heal, leading to a gentle and heartwarming romance.

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4. Can This Love Be Translated?

Starring: Kim Seon-ho, Go Youn-jung
Platform: Netflix
Premiere Date: January 16, 2026

Written by the Hong Sisters, this long-awaited romantic drama follows a global celebrity and her multilingual interpreter. Despite their ability to communicate across languages, emotional misunderstandings frequently stand in the way of their growing relationship.

Filmed across multiple international locations, the series blends global charm with emotional depth.

5. No Tail to Tell

Starring: Kim Hye-yoon, Lomon
Network: SBS
Premiere Date: January 16, 2026

Kim Hye-yoon stars as Eun-ho, a gumiho who enjoys eternal youth and has no desire to become human. She actively avoids doing good deeds to preserve her carefree life—until she encounters Kang Shi-yeol, a famous football star known for both his talent and ego.

Their meeting forces Eun-ho to confront emotions she has avoided for centuries.

6. Undercover Miss Hong

Starring: Park Shin-hye, Go Kyung-pyo
Network: tvN
Premiere Date: January 17, 2026

Set in the late 1990s, this drama follows Hong Geum-bo, a top financial investigator who goes undercover as a recent high school graduate to expose corruption at a securities company.

Her mission becomes complicated when she encounters the company’s CEO, who recognizes her from their shared past.

7. Positively Yours

Starring: Choi Jin-hyuk, Oh Yeon-seo
Network: Channel A
Premiere Date: January 17, 2026

This romantic comedy centers on two people who have completely given up on love and marriage. After a single unexpected night together, their lives take an unexpected turn when an unplanned pregnancy forces them to face emotions they tried to ignore.

What starts as responsibility gradually turns into genuine affection.

8. Recipe for Love

Starring: Jin Se-yeon, Park Ki-woong
Network: KBS2
Premiere Date: January 31, 2026

This daily drama explores romance amid a long-standing family feud. Gong Joo-ah abandons medicine to pursue fashion and joins a major corporation, where she works under Yang Hyun-bin.

The two soon discover they share a childhood history—and unresolved feelings from the past.

FAQs

Which K-drama is best for thriller fans?
The Judge Returns is ideal for viewers who enjoy legal dramas with suspense and time-travel elements.

Are there fantasy dramas airing this month?
Yes, To My Beloved Thief and No Tail to Tell both feature strong fantasy elements.

Which dramas focus mainly on romance?
Spring Fever, Can This Love Be Translated?, and Positively Yours are romance-driven stories.

Is there any drama with a strong female lead?
Absolutely. Undercover Miss Hong, To My Beloved Thief, and No Tail to Tell all feature powerful female protagonists.

Where can these dramas be watched?
They will air on major Korean networks such as MBC, KBS2, tvN, SBS, and global platforms like Netflix and Prime Video.

Conclusion

January 2026 offers a well-balanced selection of K-dramas filled with romance, fantasy, suspense, and emotional storytelling. From time-traveling judges and undercover investigators to mythical beings and unexpected love stories, this month’s lineup caters to a wide range of viewers.

Whether you prefer intense thrillers or heartwarming romances, these new releases make for a strong and promising start to the year in Korean television.