Disney+, What to Expect in 2026?…From Webtoon Adaptations to the First Japan-Korea Collaboration and Survival Variety Shows!

Global online video service (OTT) Disney+ officially announced its 2026 Korean original lineup, combining fantastical imagination and experimental attempts. At the 'Disney+ Original Preview 2025' held at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel on the 13th (local time), a total of 9 Korean original series were unveiled.

The most notable feature of this lineup is the inclusion of numerous popular webtoon adaptations. Starring Lee Jong-suk and Shin Min-a, 〈The Remarried Empress〉 is set in a fictional Dongdae Empire and tells the story of Empress Nabie, who decides to divorce, and Prince Heinrich, who falls in love with her. The webtoon of the same name has recorded a global cumulative view count of approximately 2.6 billion.

Starring Kim Seon-ho and Suzy, 〈Illusion〉 is set in 1935 Gyeongseong and unfolds the story of a painter who approaches the secret of a woman who does not age by painting her portrait.

Starring IU and Byun Woo-seok, 〈21st Century Grand Duchess〉 is a romantic comedy set in a Republic of Korea with a constitutional monarchy, while Park Bo-young stars in 〈Goldland〉, a crime drama about accidentally obtaining gold bars from a smuggling organization.

New attempts are also prominent in terms of format. Disney+ will present the first Japan-Korea collaborative series 〈Mary Berry Love〉 (working title), co-produced with CJ ENM and Japan's Nippon Television (日テレ). Starring Ji Chang-wook and Imada Mio, it is a youth romance where a Korean space designer meets a Japanese strawberry farmer on a remote Japanese island.

The large original variety show 〈Fate War 49〉 is also noteworthy. Directed by the production team of 〈Black and White Chef: Cooking Class War〉, it is a K-shamanism survival variety show where 49 fortune tellers test their fate through missions. Broadcaster Jeon Hyun-moo, comedian Park Na-rae, actress Park Ha-sun, singer Shin Dong, and announcer Kang Ji-young will appear.

The most anticipated content set to be released is 'Made in Korea' starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung. It is a period drama set in the 1970s, and even before its premiere on December 24, the production of Season 2 has already been confirmed. With the participation of Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, expectations are high, and director Woo Min-ho, known for films 〈The Insider〉 and 〈The Chief of Namsan〉, will take charge of the first series direction.

The lineup for seasonal programming has also been strengthened. Season 2 of the action-packed series 〈Killers' Shopping Mall〉, which gained attention last year starring Lee Dong-wook and Kim Hye-jun, will feature new faces such as Hyun Ri, Okada Masaki, and Jung Yoon-ha, while the travel variety program featuring BTS's Jimin and Jungkook, 〈Is This Right?!〉 Season 2 is set to premiere on December 3.