The Korean drama industry has already produced a rich lineup of romance, thriller, fantasy and action series in 2026. While some dramas have quietly faded away, others have become true cultural phenomena.
Koreaboo recently conducted a fan survey to determine the most beloved Korean drama series released so far this year, and the results highlighted five standout titles currently dominating streaming platforms and online discussions.
5. If wishes could kill
In fifth place with 6% of the votes, If wishes could kill emerged as one of Netflix’s surprise horror hits of the year.
The supernatural school thriller follows five students who discover a mysterious app called “Girigo” capable of granting any wish recorded via video. However, each fulfilled wish triggers a deadly 24-hour countdown leading to the user’s death.
The drama stars Kang Mi Na alongside Jeon So Young, Baek Sun Ho and Hyun Woo Seok. The series also incorporates themes of Korean shamanism, continuing the growing popularity of occult-inspired Korean entertainment following the success of Connection in 2024.
The drama currently holds an impressive 8.2/10 rating on MyDramaList.
4. Bloodhounds Season 2
Also receiving 6% of the vote, but narrowly beating If wishes could kill – was Bloodhounds Season 2.
Woo Do Hwan and Lee Sang Yi returned as fan-favorite duo Gun Woo and Woo Jin, while legendary singer and actor Rain shocked audiences by taking on his first major villain role in over two decades.
The second season expands the scale from loan shark gangs to international clandestine combat organizations. The series currently holds a rating of 8.6/10 on MyDramaList and continues Netflix’s strong momentum for Korean action dramas.
3. Sara’s art
In third place with 11% of the votes, Sara’s art has become one of the most critically acclaimed mystery dramas of 2026.
The story centers on Sarah Kim, a woman who infiltrates high society under a false identity while hiding secrets related to a mysterious murder investigation.
The drama brought Shin Hye Sun and Lee Jun Hyuk together for the first time since then Unknown in 2017. Critics particularly praised the subtle emotional chemistry between the leads and the show’s lush visual direction.
2. Perfect crown
One of the most interesting releases of the year, Perfect crown in second place with 16% of fan votes.
The MBC drama stars IU and Byeon Woo Seok in their first on-screen collaboration.
Set in a fictional constitutional monarchy, the story follows wealthy heiress Seong Hui Ju and royal prince Yi An, who enter into a marriage contract to make up for what each lacks in life.
The unique royal setting combined with the star power of IU and Byeon Woo Seok made the drama one of the most anticipated Korean series of the year.
1. Can this love be translated?
*Topping the list with 18% of votes was the Netflix romantic drama Can this love be translated?.*
The series stars Go Youn Jung and Kim Seon Ho as a multilingual interpreter and a prominent celebrity whose approaches to love are completely at odds.
Written by the famous Hong Sisters, creators of Alchemy of souls – the drama has gained enormous popularity for its emotional storytelling and international scale production filmed in Japan, Canada and Italy.
The series reportedly dominated Korea’s integrated TV-OTT charts for three consecutive weeks, while both lead actors simultaneously topped the actor popularity charts.
Its cultural influence has become so massive that even South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s official YouTube channel would borrow the drama’s visual branding style for politics-related promotional content, an extremely rare phenomenon in the history of Korean television.
