# South Korean television drama trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-television-drama-trends
> Updated: 2026-09-30T01:00:00.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

The South Korean television industry in 2026 is characterized by high viewership ratings and a diverse range of genres, including romantic-family dramas, action-thrillers, and psychological mysteries.

Early in September, specific series such as the KBS2 romantic-family drama ‘Love on the Menu’ achieved significant national ratings, peaking at 16.6 percent. Other successful broadcasts included the action-thriller ‘A Bona Fide Killer’ and the series ‘Flex x Cop 2’. 

As the month progressed, the market saw a broad expansion of content across various platforms. Notable productions include Netflix original ‘Teach You a Lesson’ and the action-thriller ‘Agent Kim Reactivated’. The industry also shows a trend toward complex storytelling, seen in mystery titles like ‘Nine Puzzles’ and psychological thrillers such as ‘Bloody Flower’. The alternative history drama ‘Perfect Crown’ remains a significant point of discussion across these developments.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-30: South Korean dramas see diverse 2026 releases

South Korean television is seeing a surge in high-profile drama releases for 2026, ranging from action-packed Netflix originals like ‘Teach You a Lesson’ to psychological mystery thrillers.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-dramas-see-diverse-2026-releases

### 2026-09-06: South Korean dramas see high viewership and ratings in 2026

South Korean dramas are seeing high viewership in 2026, led by ‘Love on the Menu’ with a 14.2% rating, alongside popular titles like ‘A Bona Fide Killer’ and ‘Perfect Crown’.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-dramas-see-high-viewership-and-ratings-in-2026

---
Cite as: South Korean television drama trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-television-drama-trends