IU, Byun Woo-seok, and Gong Hyo-jin... MBC Reveals Luxurious Drama Lineup for 2026

MBC has announced its 2026 drama lineup, covering a wide range of genres from romance to action and thriller. The lineup features top stars like IU, Byun Woo-seok, and Gong Hyo-jin, showcasing its ambition to solidify its reputation as the 'drama kingdom'.

On the 4th, MBC revealed that the drama 〈21st Century Great Lady〉, starring actors IU and Byun Woo-seok, will be presented in the first half of next year.

〈21st Century Great Lady〉 unfolds against the backdrop of a constitutional monarchy in 21st century South Korea. It depicts the romance of a woman, Seong Hee-joo (IU), who is a chaebol with everything but is constrained by her commoner status, and Lee An-dae-gun (Byun Woo-seok), the king's son who cannot possess anything.

This work, which won the MBC drama script contest and is considered the most anticipated project of next year, will be directed by Park Jun-hwa, who helmed 〈Alchemy of Souls〉 and 〈What's Wrong with Secretary Kim〉.

MBC will also unveil the drama 〈Wife Killer〉, featuring actors Gong Hyo-jin and Jung Joon-won, in the second half of next year.

〈Wife Killer〉 is a lifestyle action drama that portrays a working mom with the most dangerous job in the world, who struggles to maintain work-life balance after returning to work following three years of maternity leave.

In the drama, Gong Hyo-jin plays Yoo Bo-na, a five-year housewife with a four-year-old daughter who is a killer eliminating criminals. Jung Joon-won plays Kwon Tae-seong, a newspaper reporter trying to uncover the killer's secret and Bo-na's husband. Based on a popular webtoon of the same name, this work will be directed by Yoon Jong-ho of 〈Jumping Over the Wall〉.

The drama 〈Liar〉 is a psychological thriller where a man and a woman fiercely clash over opposing claims regarding a single memory. Starring Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin, who reunite after SBS 〈Romantic Doctor Kim Sa-bu〉, this work will be directed by Jo Young-min, who created 〈The Great Show〉.

In addition, MBC will sequentially unveil 〈Judge Lee Han-young〉, starring Ji Sung and Park Hee-soon, which will premiere on the 2nd of next month, as well as 〈Your Brilliant Season〉, starring Chae Jong-hyeop and Lee Sung-kyung, and 〈Fifty Percent〉, starring Shin Ha-kyun, Oh Jung-se, and Heo Sung-tae.

An MBC drama official stated, "We will continue the year with top-notch works alongside a cast and crew worthy of the reputation of the drama kingdom."