Top 10 Most-Watched K-Dramas of the First Half of 2026: Star-studded Dramas Melt Fans’ Hearts

The first half of 2026 offered a diverse selection of Korean dramas on Netflix, Disney+, TVING and other international platforms. From real-life contract marriages and supernatural legal cases to workplace investigations and military life, these ten productions have attracted significant attention.

1. Perfect crown

Set in a fictional modern Korea still operating under a constitutional monarchy, Perfect crown follows common-born chaebol heiress Seong Hui Ju (IU) and royal prince Lee Ahn (Byeon Woo Seok).

The couple enters into a marriage contract for personal gain, but their calculated agreement soon becomes entwined with political ambition, real expectations, and genuine emotion.

2. The judge returns

The judge returns combines courtroom drama with time travel. After becoming part of a corrupt legal system, a judge is sent ten years into the past to pursue a wrongful case that ends in tragedy. Retaining his memories, he begins to correct his mistakes and confront the powerful figures behind the most serious crimes.

3. Miss Hong undercover

Set during the 1997 Asian financial crisis, Miss Hong undercover centers on talented financial investigator Hong Keum Bo (Park Shin Hye).

To uncover financial corruption, he disguises himself as an intern at a suspicious investment firm. The assignment forces her to balance workplace comedy with the dangers of unmasking an elaborate criminal network.

4. My royal nemesis

A notorious Joseon era villain unexpectedly awakens in the body of an unknown actress in modern-day Seoul.

As he struggles with technology and contemporary social rules, he repeatedly clashes with a cold and highly rational chaebol heir. Their hostile encounters gradually develop into a fun romantic relationship that bridges two different eras.

5. Born-again beginner

Born-again beginner follows the powerful President Kang Do Joon (Son Hyun Joo), who is betrayed by his family and seriously injured.

His soul awakens in the body of a young football player, forcing him to exchange corporate authority for athletic discipline and teamwork. The experience also pushes him to reconsider the values ​​he had previously sacrificed.

6. Ghost lawyer

Shin I Rang (Yoo Yeon Seok) is a disgraced lawyer whose life changes after discovering he can see spirits.

Working with fellow lawyer Han Na Hyun (Esom), he begins representing wronged ghosts and investigating hidden deaths. Their unusual cases gradually erase the line between the living and the dead.

7. Question of love

This workplace romance follows former internal auditor Noh Ki Joon (Gong Myung) after a career failure forces him to work under mysterious audit director Joo In Ah (Shin Hye Sun).

Their relationship begins with suspicion and conflict, but Ki Joon’s secret investigation reveals hidden parts of In Ah’s past. Professional tension eventually becomes increasingly personal.

8. The Scarecrow

The Scarecrow is a mystery thriller about unsolved murders committed between 1988 and 2019 in a remote rural community.

Demoted detective Kang Tae Ju (Park Hae Soo) joins forces with prosecutor Cha Shi Young (Lee Hee Jun), despite their rocky history. They eventually discover that the crimes may be part of a ten-year plan rather than the work of an isolated killer.

9. The legend of the soldier in the kitchen

This military drama presents military life through soldiers working in the kitchen. An inexperienced recruit initially considers cooking an unimportant task. Under strict discipline, however, he learns cooperation and responsibility as he discovers how meaningful a hot meal can be for exhausted soldiers.

10. To my beloved thief

To my beloved thief combines action and romance through the story of a highly skilled criminal who lives outside the law.

His carefully controlled life changes after he becomes involved with a mysterious woman linked to dangerous events. In the end he will have to choose between staying hidden and risking everything to protect her.

Together, these dramas demonstrate how Korean television has continued to experiment with unconventional genre combinations and settings in early 2026. Their variety has also helped K-drama maintain broad appeal among both domestic viewers and international streaming audiences.

Sources: Saostar

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