Looking for the best new K-dramas released in January 2026? Start from here 🙂

1. The Judge Returns (판사 이한영)

Genre: Legal thriller, time-slip, revenge
Starring: Ji Sung
Based on: Naver Webtoon
Episodes: 14
Airs: Jan 2 – Feb 14, 2026
Where to watch: MBC, Viki (international) | Steam it here. 

A corrupt judge travels 10 years into the past and decides to rewrite his fate by punishing powerful criminals he once protected. This time-slip legal thriller blends courtroom drama with revenge and moral redemption, making it one of the strongest dark K-dramas of early 2026. The series is based on the Naver Webtoon of the same name, created by Lee Hae-nal.

Best for viewers who like: legal thrillers, anti-hero leads, revenge plots

2. To My Beloved Thief (은애하는 도적님아)

Genre: Historical romance, fantasy, body-swap (sageuk fusion)
Starring: Nam Ji Hyun, Moon Sang Min
Episodes: 16
Airs: Jan 3 – Feb 22, 2026
Where to watch: KBS2, Viki | Stream it here.

A legendary masked thief and a crown prince accidentally swap bodies, triggering palace chaos and unexpected romance. This fusion sageuk mixes comedy, royal politics, and identity-swap hijinks.

Best for viewers who like: historical rom-coms, body-swap stories, royal romance

3. Can This Love Be Translated?  (이 사랑 통역 되나요?)

Genre: Romantic comedy, celebrity romance
Starring: Kim Seon Ho, Go Youn Jung
Episodes: 12
Release: Jan 16, 2026 (full drop)
Where to watch: Netflix

A multilingual interpreter becomes entangled with a top celebrity client, where emotional misunderstandings are harder to decode than languages. A global Netflix K-romance with strong star power and fast binge appeal.

Best for viewers who like: celebrity romance, workplace rom-com, binge releases

4. No Tail To Tell(오늘부터 인간입니다만)

Genre: Fantasy rom-com, supernatural
Episodes: 12
Airs: Jan 16 – Feb 21, 2026
Where to watch: Netflix

A Gen Z gumiho who refuses to become human crosses paths with a superstar footballer. Instead of chasing humanity, she questions it — flipping the usual fox-spirit drama formula.

Best for viewers who like: fantasy romance, gumiho stories, light supernatural comedy

5. Undercover Miss Hong (언더커버 미쓰홍)

Genre: Undercover, romantic comedy, retro setting
Starring: Park Shin Hye
Episodes: 16
Airs: Jan 17 – Mar 8, 2026
Where to watch: Netflix

Set in the 1990s, a financial regulator goes undercover as a young office worker inside a suspicious securities firm. Expect retro style, hidden identities, and slow-burn workplace romance.

Best for viewers who like: undercover plots, retro dramas, workplace romance

6. Spring Fever (스프링 피버)

Genre: Workplace romance, slice of life
Starring: Ahn Bo Hyun, Lee Joo Bin
Episodes: 12
Airs: Jan 5 – Feb 10, 2026
Where to watch: Amazon Prime

A character-driven office romance that explores career pressure, adult relationships, and emotional healing through everyday work life.

Best for viewers who like: grounded romance, office drama, character growth

7. Positively Yours (아기가 생겼어요)

Genre: Romantic comedy, webtoon adaptation
Episodes: 16
Airs: Jan 17 – Mar 8, 2026
Where to watch: Viki | Stream it here.

After a one-night stand leads to pregnancy, a career-focused woman is shocked when the child’s father — a chaebol CEO — insists on marriage. Based on a popular webtoon, this drama mixes contract marriage tropes with heartfelt comedy.

Best for viewers who like: webtoon K-dramas, contract relationships, pregnancy rom-com

8. IDOL I (아이돌아이)

Genre: Mystery, courtroom romance, crime
Starring: Sooyoung, Kim Jae Young
Episodes: 12
Release: Dec 2025 – Jan 2026
Where to watch: Netflix

A celebrity lawyer defends her favorite idol after he is accused of murder. The case blurs the line between fandom, truth, and justice in this mystery-courtroom hybrid.

Best for viewers who like: legal mystery, idol dramas, crime romance

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Best January 2026 K-Dramas by Mood

For dark and twisty legal stories

• The Judge Returns

• IDOL I

For romantic comedies with unique hooks

• Can This Love Be Translated?

• No Tail To Tell

• Positively Yours

• Undercover Miss Hong

For historical and fantasy K-dramas

• To My Beloved Thief

• No Tail To Tell

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