For romance and fantasy lovers: Perfect Crown
Release: Q2 2026
Arguably one of the most anticipated K-dramas of the year, Perfect Crown is set in an alternate modern-day Korea governed by a monarchy, where social status means more than personal feelings.
Starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok, the story centers on a contract marriage that gradually evolves into something bigger. Expect a mix of fantasy and romance with slow-burn tension, which Korean shows tend to excel at.
For criminal drama lovers: Gold Land
Release: First half of 2026
Gold Land follows the story of a security officer played by Park Bo Young, who unintentionally becomes entangled in the criminal world full of corruption, greed, and betrayal. As she gains possession of smuggled gold, she’s forced to confront not only external threats but also her own fears and weaknesses.
This series is promising to be an exciting psychological thriller on morals, temptation, and survival in a ruthless, money-driven world.
For period drama lovers: The Scandal
Release: Q3 2026
Like the title suggests, The Scandal is all about morally ambiguous choices, court intrigue, and tension – both in politics and romance. Set in the late Joseon era, it explores complex relationships that unravel as the dynasty fades. The series leans into darker emotional territory, with difficult decisions and the personal cost of desire, loyalty, and power.
Explore Korean culture at ITMO
Members of ITMO's Cover Dance Korean Dancing Club. Photo provided by Elizaveta Laktionova
Craving a deeper dive into Korean culture? ITMO has a lot of student clubs to choose from, including one for Korean culture lovers – Cover Dance Korean Dancing Club. It’s open for all students, including those without dancing experience, as long as you’re ready to train and improve your skills.
In addition to regular dance classes, the club hosts movie nights where you can watch K-dramas and meet new friends. We asked the club’s head Elizaveta Laktionova to share what new releases they're excited to see in 2026:
“We can’t wait to see the K-drama titled Boyfriend on Demand. It’s coming out soon – in March – and Jisoo from BLACKPINK is starring in it.”
For more watchlist recommendations from ITMO NEWS, explore our previous stories under the tag TV Shows.
