As spring flowers bloom, the Korean drama scene is heating up with a fresh wave of captivating stories. May 2026 is shaping up to be a blockbuster month for K-drama enthusiasts, featuring everything from high-stakes fantasy and military comedies to healing seaside romances.
Whether you’re in the mood for a laugh-out-loud superpower caper or a gritty exploration of the lives of seasoned professionals, this month’s lineup has something for everyone. Here are five upcoming Korean dramas to add to your watchlist this May 2026:
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My Royal Nemesis (Im Ji-Yeon, Heo Nam-Jun)
- Premiere Date: May 8, 2026
- Network: SBS, Netflix
- Schedule: Friday & Saturday, 21:50 (KST)
- Genre: Romantic Comedy, Fantasy
- Cast: Im Ji-Yeon, Heo Nam-Jun
Im Ji-Yeon returns to the screen in a dual-role performance that promises a captivating blend of malice and charm. ‘My Royal Nemesis’ tells the story of Kang Dan-Sim (Im Ji-Yeon), a notorious and cunning royal concubine from the Joseon era who is sentenced to death by poison. However, instead of passing into the afterlife, her soul transmigrates to the year 2026, possessing the body of Shin Seo-Ri, a struggling and nameless actress currently filming a historical drama.
Chaos ensues when this villainess from the past brings her sharp wit and manipulative tactics to modern-day Seoul. She soon encounters Cha Se-Gye (Heo Nam-Jun), a ruthless third-generation chaebol heir who is used to getting his way. As the two clash, an unlikely and fiery love-hate relationship develops. Will this Joseon-era femme fatale be able to rewrite her tragic fate in the 21st century?
Read more: ‘My Royal Nemesis’ Fashion Info
Trailer
Azure Spring (Yeri (RED VELVET), Kang Sang-Jun)
- Premiere Date: May 11, 2026
- Network: MBN Plus, KOCOWA+
- Schedule: Monday & Tuesday
- Genre: Romance, Healing, Drama
- Cast: Yeri (RED VELVET), Kang Sang-Jun
If you’re looking for a “healing” drama, ‘Azure Spring’ is the perfect coastal escape. The series follows two individuals who feel completely stuck in their lives for very different reasons. Anna (Yeri) is a former national swimming athlete whose career was cut short by a devastating injury, leaving her paralyzed by anxiety about a future that no longer exists. To hide from the world, she retreats to her mother’s quiet seaside hometown.
There, she encounters Deok-Hyun (Kang Sang-Jun), a former UDT special forces soldier who lives in isolation and is burdened by dark rumors from his past. In search of a new sense of purpose, they both take on the challenging work of traditional divers (haenyeo and haenam). Amid the rhythmic tides and the tranquility of the deep blue sea, they learn to breathe again, gradually healing each other’s deep-seated wounds through shared silence and newfound courage.
Trailer
The Legend of Kitchen Soldier (Park Ji-Hoon)
- Premiere Date: May 11, 2026
- Network: tvN, TVING
- Schedule: Monday & Tuesday, 20:50 (KST)
- Genre: Military, Comedy, Fantasy
- Cast: Park Ji-Hoon
Based on a popular Naver webtoon, ‘The Legend of Kitchen Soldier’ offers a whimsical take on military life. Kang Seong-Jae (Park Ji-Hoon) is a young man from a struggling background who enlists in the military to escape the harsh realities of his life. However, his service takes an extraordinary turn when a mysterious, game-like “quest” system suddenly appears before him.
Guided by these virtual missions, Seong-Jae discovers a hidden talent for cooking and begins an incredible journey to become the military’s top chef. Armed with kitchen ladles instead of rifles, he navigates the challenges of the mess hall while uncovering hidden secrets within his unit. This fantasy-comedy follows his unconventional journey as he transforms the morale of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces one delicious meal at a time.
Trailer
The WONDERfools (Park Eun-Bin, Cha Eun-Woo)
- Premiere Date: May 15, 2026
- Network: Netflix
- Schedule: Friday (Full Batch)
- Genre: Fantasy, Action, Comedy
- Cast: Park Eun-Bin, Cha Eun-Woo
From the director of ‘Extraordinary Attorney Woo’ comes a quirky superhero adventure set in the nostalgic year of 1999. ‘The WONDERfools’ follows a group of ordinary, somewhat eccentric misfits in the town of Haeseong. Their quiet lives are turned upside down when they unexpectedly gain superpowers, but the only catch is that they struggle to control them.
Eun Chae-Ni (played by Park Eun-Bin) leads the cast as a woman whose life is defined by her flaws until she acquires extraordinary abilities. Opposite her is Cha Eun-Woo, who plays the mysterious civil servant Lee Woon-Jeong, who becomes entangled with this chaotic super-team. Together, they must navigate the unintended consequences of their powers while protecting their town from impending threats. Set against the backdrop of the turn of the millennium, it’s a heartwarming and hilarious tale of how even the most foolish individuals can become heroes.
Trailer
Fifties Professionals (Shin Ha-Kyun, Oh Jung-Se, Heo Sung-Tae)
- Premiere Date: May 22, 2026
- Network: MBC
- Schedule: Friday & Saturday, 21:50 (KST)
- Genre: Action, Comedy, Slice-of-Life
- Cast: Shin Ha-kyun, Oh Jung-Se, Heo Sung-Tae
‘Fifties Professionals’ is a “salty” action-comedy that demonstrates life—and danger—don’t end at fifty. The story follows three men who were once legends in their respective fields but are now living seemingly mundane lives on the remote Yeongseon Island. Jung Ho-Myeong (Shin Ha-Kyun) is a former elite NIS agent who now works as a kitchen manager; Bong Je-Soon (Oh Jung-Se) is a North Korean “human weapon” who has lost his memory; and Kang Beom-Ryong (Heo Sung-Tae) is a gangster turned convenience store owner.
Having been battered by life and feeling physically “rusty,” these three veterans are forced back into action when the truth behind a ten-year-old incident begins to surface. Driven by loyalty and old-school instincts, they embark on a comedic yet poignant journey to clear their names. The film offers a mature and realistic exploration of friendship and career changes, all wrapped in high-stakes thrills and veteran chemistry.
Trailer
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