Image Credit: MBC
The first show to debut is Judge Lee Han-young, featuring Ji Sung and Park Hee-soon in leading roles. Scheduled to air on January 2, this drama explores themes of justice and time travel. Lee Han-young (portrayed by Ji Sung) is depicted as a former subordinate in a powerful law firm who travels back ten years to rewrite his destiny and confront the formidable antagonist, Kang Shin-jin (played by Park Hee-soon). The series promises an intense acting duel between Ji Sung and Park Hee-soon, which has generated much excitement.
Next in the lineup is The Brilliant Season of You, a heartfelt romance meant to provide warmth during winter. The narrative follows Chan (played by Chae Jong-hyeop), who experiences life as a perpetually thrilling summer, and Ran (played by Lee Sung-kyung), who has chosen to live in self-imposed isolation. Their fortuitous meeting sparks change and thaws the frozen passage of time. The drama also features Lee Mi-sook, Kang Seok-woo, Han Ji-hyun, and Oh Ye-ju.
In the drama 21st Century Grand Duchess, IU and Byun Woo-seok portray characters in a modern constitutional monarchy in Korea. The story centers on Seong Hee-joo (IU), a wealthy individual frustrated by her non-royal status, and Prince Ian (Byun Woo-seok), who laments his lack of possessions despite his noble background. This production, celebrated in MBC's drama script competition, is eagerly awaited in 2026.
The series Fifties Professionals is an action-packed comedy focusing on three men with past successes who are thrust back into action by destiny. Although life's challenges have taken a toll, their camaraderie and inherent skills endure as they navigate the later stages of their lives. Shin Ha-kyun, Oh Jung-se, and Heo Sung-tae join forces to deliver both action and humor.
Slated for release in the year's latter half, Married Woman Killer presents the story of a working mother with a highly dangerous profession, juggling her career and personal life. Yoo Bo-na (Gong Hyo-jin) returns to work after parenting leave as a criminal eliminator, all while managing familial chaos. Her husband, portrayed by Jung Joon-won, is keen to uncover the truth about his wife's secretive career.
Liar delves into the psychological thriller genre, featuring two characters locked in a battle to validate their differing recollections of a singular event. Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin come together once more, following their collaboration in Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim.
Your Ground tells a youthful love story revolving around a baseball player (Gong Myung), whose career is disrupted until he meets a former lawyer turned agent (Han Hyo-joo), who aids him in making a sports comeback.
An MBC drama spokesperson explained, “Our 2026 drama selection has been carefully curated not only to deliver outstanding shows but also to offer a variety of genres to our audience,” underscoring the lineup's genre diversity.