Short reviews available for dramas released in 2026: 11

Can This Love Be Translated? ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Country: Korea | Year: 2026 | Episode: 12 | Channel: Netflix
Cast: Kim Seon Ho & Go Young Jung
Plot: Joo Ho Jin is a very skilled multilingual interpreter who’s fluent in English, Japanese and Italian. He starts working for top star Cha Mu Hee as her interpreter. She has bright charms and is always confident. They start developing feelings for each other.
Review: There couldn’t have been more accurate title to fit that drama. The whole plot revolves around language, and going beyond words to understand each other. I loved how ordinary words (like ‘Thank you’, ‘Sorry’, ‘Goodbye’ or ‘I love you’) have a deep meaning in the show and create links between characters. Every detail counts, from what characters say to small items (clovers) and bigger ones (auroras and the stars). The drama tackles mental health very well by deep diving into Cha Mu Hee’s psyche and traumas. You can clearly see how one event can influence the rest of your life, even if it is latent. Self love, letting go, being happy, accepting one’s past and moving on all are themes that are mentioned in the drama and deeply embedded in the narrative. The relationship between Ho Jin and Mu Hee is so great, I also loved Hiro to be fair and even the secondary characters, like Yong Woo and Ji Sun, were quite compelling. The aesthetics of the show, especially the landscapes in Canada, Italy, South Korea were absolutely stunning and Go Youn Jung’s acting performance as Do Ra Mi was incredible. Finally, I particularly enjoyed the opening and ending scenes. Don’t want to spoil it for you, but I think these were extremely clever and really sum up the spirit of the show. Highly recommended!

Human From Today ⭐ (1/5)
Country: Korea | Year: 2026 | Episode: 12 | Channel: SBS, Netflix
Cast: Kim Hye Yoon & Lomon
Plot: Eun Ho is a gumiho who enjoys her eternal youth and doesn’t want to become human. Kang Shi Yeol is a renowned soccer player, who’s also the king of narcissism. One day, an unexpected incident takes place and their lives are turned upside down.
Review: I can’t say that this drama was a disappointment because I didn’t have any expectations when I started it. And even after finishing it, I remain rather neutral. The story didn’t embark me, nor did it frustrate me or anything. I don’t feel anything whatsoever. When it comes to the plot and characters, I believe there are many things that went wrong. First, the female lead is unlikeable. She’s spoiled, capricious, arrogant and cruel at first. She’s got a terrible personality and doesn’t care about the consequences of her actions. Though she changes by the end, I couldn’t find a single quality to make me appreciate her. Her behavior just becomes acceptable. The male lead is no better. It’s as if he’s devoid of negative emotions. His best friend betrays him, he gets his life stolen, he’s lied to and used, yet he remains kind and tolerant. This made him very bland. I didn’t feel any chemistry between these two which is largely due (I think) to the way the romance develops. We go from Eun Ho hating Shi Yeol to them being madly in love with each other and willing to sacrifice their lives. How? This was so rushed I couldn’t believe it. The plot also has its defects starting with the life switch between Shi Yeol and his friend Woo Seok. I’m still confused who’s supposed to live which life. As for the ending, it was rushed without a clear explanation. They also refer to a time jump I’m not sure I understand. All of that to say that you can skip Human From Today. Despite its great cast, the drama is definitely lacking!

Idol I ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Country: Korea | Year: 2025-2026 | Episode: 12 | Channel: ENA, Genie TV, Viki, Netflix
Cast: Choi Sooyoung & Kim Jae Young
Plot: Maeng Se Na is a star lawyer known to take on criminal cases other attorneys avoid. She’s also secretly been a fan of idol Do Ra Ik for 11 years. One day, he’s suddenly accused of murder. So, Maeng Se Na takes on his case to defend.
Review: Idol I is such a compelling drama! I think there are 3 main reasons why I would definitely recommend the show. First, it highlights the downsides of celebrity. Do Ra Ik may be famous, rich and beloved by his fans, but he’s under a lot of pressure, struggles mentally and feels highly isolated and lonely. When he gets accused of murder, his world spirals out of control. Second, the slow-burn romance is absolutely fantastic. I loved how they took the time to build trust (and love) between Do Ra Ik and Maeng Se Na. As lawyer and client, they have each other’s back. But they also bring solace and comfort at a time when they’re at their lowest. Third, there’s a whole concept around justice and righting the wrongs that is embodied by Prosecutor Kwak. His evolution was honestly very well-done, as he went from being blinded by prejudice to seeking the actual truth. The music was great, Maeng Se Na as a fangirl was super credible (I just felt like I was seeing myself) and I desperately rooted for characters’ happiness. 100% recommended!

Love Between Lines ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Country: China | Year: 2026 | Episode: 28 | Channel: iQiyi, Viki
Cast: Chen Xingxu & Lu Yu Xiao
Plot: To overcome her breakup, Hu Xiu decides to participate in a virtual-reality game that takes place in the 1930s. There, she meets one of the actors, Qin Xiao Yi, and falls for him. Little did she know that she would encounter him in real life shortly after.
Review: Flawless aesthetics, beautiful romance, and compelling plot. Love Between Lines stole my heart! First of all, I really love the idea of mixing game and reality. It’s generally quite tricky to do it well, but this drama managed to make smooth transitions between both settings. This allowed for the romance to bloom in the game, but also outside. Talking about romance, Hu Xiu and Xiao Zhi Yu were so cute – and don’t get me started on Chen Xingxu’s side smiles (I was smitten!). These two had amazing chemistry and their relationship just flowed naturally. Of course, there were obstacles (related to their past), but these were ok though sometimes a bit too dark. I also liked the second male lead (played by Dai Xu) and his famous elevator scenes. Love Between Lines is great romance, definitely worth watching!

Love Me ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Country: Korea | Year: 2025-2026 | Episode: 12 | Channel: JTBC, Viki
Cast: Seo Hyun Jin & Chang Ryul
Plot: Seo Jun Kyeong is single and works as an OB-GYN. She appears to have a perfect life, but she’s actually a very lonely person due to a secret. 7 years ago, she ran away from her family after a devastating accident. One day, Joo Do Hyun enters her life. He is the only one to recognize her loneliness.
Review: There’s no better example to represent what a slice-of-life drama should be like. Love Me offers a variety of characters who all experience loneliness, love (hence the title) and the many challenges that life can throw at you. From grief to healing, breakup to love, loneliness to contentment, the drama is a roller coaster of emotions that will make you cry, laugh, hope and despair. The show focuses on one family (the father and his two children) but scales up to all the people gravitating around them. Each and every character is interesting and has his fair share of struggles that are relatable, realistic and authentic. I think anyone can identify with one of these situations whether it is Jun Seo’s bleak future or Jun Kyung’s insecurities in her relationship. There’s not a single scene to throw away, I was immersed in the cosy ambiance that broke my heart at times and healed it right away after. Morale of the story: Life is not a picnic, but it’s still worth living. I highly recommend you give this drama a chance, it’s definitely worth your time.

Positively Yours ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Country: Korea | Year: 2026 | Episode: 12 | Channel: Channel A, Viki
Cast: Choi Jin Hyuk & Oh Yeon Seo
Plot: Kang Du Jun is the son of a chaebol family. After the death of his brother, he decided to never marry. One day, he meets Jang Hee Won and they have one-night stand. She too has zero interest in having a romantic relationship. But things change for both, when she discovers she’s pregnant.
Review: If you’re in the search of a cute drama with a nice romance and some twists here and there, then Positively Yours may be a good pick for you. This drama reminded of Fated to Love You so much (because of the plot, but also Choi Jin Hyuk who plays in both!). That’s the kind of stories I really enjoy, so I just went for it. The intrigue is ok, even if you have some stereotypical situations like the best friend confessing to the female lead or the evil stepdaughter working hard to destroy Kang Du Jun’s life. These were acceptable, although I believe they forgave the atrocious behavior of some characters way too easily. The ending was a bit rushed, but they tied loose ends. All in all, Positively Yours is nice drama to keep you entertained, but don’t expect too much from it.

Spring Fever ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Country: Korea | Year: 2026 | Episode: 12 | Channel: tvN, Prime Video
Cast: Ahn Bo Hyun & Lee Joo Bin
Plot: Yoon Bom is a popular and beloved school teacher who settles down in small town for unknown reasons. There, she meets Seon Jae Gyu, who is her student’s uncle. He’s big and looks tough, yet he is a warm and pleasant guy. He develops feelings for her.
Review: Spring Fever is the perfect example of what a real romantic comedy is. There’s love, humor, cheesy scenes, endearing characters and no complicated or far-fetched plot twists. I think this is exactly what made me enjoy the drama so much. Yoon Bom and Seon Jae Gyu both have their respective trauma that they have yet to overcome. There’s a clear evolution between the characters at the beginning and the end. Moreover, the plot was so straightforward. I really appreciated that they didn’t add any childhood connection, amnesia, accident or anything of the sort that generally pop up in dramas of this genre. Here, we just have two adults falling for each other and trying to make things work. I also need to speak about Ahn Bo Hyun as Seon Jae Gyu. He got me captivated throughout the entire show. First, his handsomeness and hot body. Second, his actions that made me believe he was either Superman or the Hulk and third his candor and sincerity. He’s such a cute, simple and moving character. His relationship with his nephew was so beautiful as well, and Han Gyul with Jae In were also great. Now, the drama remains unsurprising and linear, don’t expect anything extraordinary out of it. But you will surely be entertained and spend a good time while watching it!

The Art of Sarah ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Country: Korea | Year: 2026 | Episode: 12 | Channel: Netflix
Cast: Shin Hye Sun & Lee Jun Hyuk
Plot: Sarah Kim is a mysterious figure at the head of the Asian branch of a luxurious brand. One day, she gets involved in a bizarre murder case. Mu Kyung is the detective on the case. While investigating, he uncovers Sarah’s real identity.
Review: The Art of Sarah surprised me so much! I didn’t expect to be that immersed in the story. The pace is really good and there are many twists that turn the story upside down every time. Each episode ends with a cliffhanger that makes you want to see what’s coming next. The narration is brilliant because we uncover Sarah Kim’s life through the testimonies of those who knew her. I particularly enjoyed the play on identities regarding Shin Hye Sun’s character. She has so many faces that it’s impossible to know who she truly is. The reflection on how to define a luxurious product and a fraud are super interesting as well. All in all, this drama may be quite short, but it’s suspenseful, well-written and intelligent. Highly recommend it!

The Judge Returns ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5)
Country: Korea | Year: 2026 | Episode: 14 | Channel: MBC, Viki
Cast: Ji Sung, Park Hae Soon & Won Jin Ah
Plot: Lee Han Young is a corrupt judge who did dirty deeds for his father-in-law’s law firm. But, when he decides to stop with the corrupt dealings, he’s killed and goes back 10 years in the past. He struggles to live a new life and right his wrongs by punishing evil people.
Review: I will start by saying that I’m not the biggest fan of intrigues that revolve around corruption in the political and judicial systems. That’s exactly what this show is about – and I was not expecting so much political scheming. That’s why, there were many moments when I was not really into the story, if not completely disconnected from the action. That being said, The Judge Returns is a good drama. Even if I was not paying attention, I could understand what was going on in the story. I also like the premise of having a corrupt judge go back in time to make things right and clear his conscience. Lee Han Young is such a clever puppeteer who’s always ahead of the game. This made the twists quite thrilling – and I was 100% focused in those moments! The reflection on justice is quite interesting as well. Han Young and Shin Jin have two visions that are both rationally valid, but are diametrically different. The atypical team was probably my favorite part of the show with a judge, two prosecutors, a big man and a journalist. I could also sense some romantic vibes here and there, which was quite nice. All in all, The Judge Returns is objectively a good show, but it was not entirely for me.

To My Beloved Thief ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Country: Korea | Year: 2026 | Episode: 16 | Channel: KBS2, Viki
Cast: Nam Ji Hyun & Moon Sang Min
Plot: Hong Eun Jo is a physician during the day and a thief named Gil Dong at night who steals from corrupt officials to save people. One day, an unexpected incident takes place and she becomes entangled with Prince Lee Yeol who enjoys catching criminals.
Review: I’ll admit that I was not really into the drama at first. The plot revolved around a Prince and a commoner falling in love, but hindered by social ranks and families. The female lead was also dutiful, filial and way too sacrificial for me. Then, they added a gender-bender and I got quite confused. However, I’m so glad I kept on watching because the intrigue only got better one episode after another. Surprisingly, they managed to avoid many of the clichés generally found in this genre. The second male lead had a real evolution, a moral compass and red thread that turned him into a valuable asset. I also enjoyed not seeing a love triangle for once, as well as the usual power strifes within a family. Hong Eun Jo’s quite close to her father and brother, despite their difference in status. The gender-bender was properly explained – at least its rules, the fight agains the tyrant King was cleverly handled and the ending was so satisfying. But the best part, in my opinion, is the way they used legends as foundation of the story. You have Shim Chong (the filial daughter), but first and foremost Hong Gil Dong, the legendary thief. I loved how the drama showed the way a single individual can turn into a myth – which is probably what happened at the time. I highly recommend the drama, it was a great watch!

Undercover Miss Hong ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Country: Korea | Year: 2026 | Episode: 16 | Channel: tvN, Netflix
Cast: Park Shin Hye & Ko Kyung Pyo
Plot: Set in 1990s, Hong Geum Bo is in an elite supervisor for the Financial Supervisory Service. She goes undercover as a high school graduate named Hong Jang Mi at a company with suspicious flows of funds. There, she meets CEO Sin Jeong Woo. He becomes entangled with Jang Mi, whose face resembles that of his first love Geum Bo.
Review: It’s been a while since I’ve watched a 16-episode long K-Drama, and I was not disappointed with the result. Undercover Miss Hong is a great undercover investigation with good elements of comedy and History. The drama is set in the 1990s amidst the IMF crisis, so you really get to deep dive into themes like the place of women in the workplace for instance. With that in mind, it’s obvious that this is a women-centric drama. You have a strong quartet at the core of the story (the 4 roommates) and many characters gravitating around. Though Geum Bo is isolated in the company at first, she slowly makes allies here and there to take the chairman down. The group formed around her is quite eclectic. Moreover, each and every character has a role to play and a real story to tell which gave more depth and rhythm to the story. The romance was slightly present, but they focused more on Geum Bo’s mission and the female friendship – which was not too bad to be fair. My only criticism would be regarding the pace. I was fully immersed in the drama at the beginning, but the plot started to drag a bit in the middle (eps. 9/10 to 13). Apart from that, I really recommend this drama. Park Shin Hye is stunning, as always!