Best Korean Dramas H1 2026

2026 First Half Drama Wrap-up — Six Months Revisited with Numbers

The first half of 2026 was a period when terrestrial broadcasters showed their presence again after a long time in Korean dramas. Two MBC Friday-Saturday dramas shared the top spots in viewership ratings, while tvN took the buzz on cable. Netflix Originals also ranked first in domestic buzz.

This page summarizes the first half based on two axes: viewership ratings and buzz. Viewership ratings are based on Nielsen Korea's national standard, and buzz is based on Good Data Fundex TV·OTT integrated weekly standard. The two indicators often diverge, and these points of divergence often reveal the nature of the work.

1. Top 5 Viewership Ratings

Four out of the top five dramas were scheduled for Friday-Saturday or Saturday-Sunday. This means weekend nights are still the stronghold of Korean dramas.

2. No. 1 — 21세기 대군부인

This is an MBC Friday-Saturday drama starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok. It recorded the top spot in the first half with a national viewership rating of 13.8% for its final episode.

It was also strong in terms of buzz. IU ranked first in Good Data's performer buzz in early April (Week 14). It is a representative work of the first half that captured both viewership ratings and buzz.

3. No. 2 — 판사 이한영

The figure of a peak moment of 17.2% shows the nature of this drama. It means viewers flocked to specific scenes, and such a curve is typical of works with strong suspense. It is unusual to achieve such a rating in a January slot, opening the year.

4. No. 3 — 언더커버 미쓰홍

Although it ranked 3rd in viewership ratings, it dominated the early first half in terms of buzz. It ranked 1st in Good Data's integrated drama buzz in early February (Week 6), and at that time, three tvN works monopolized the top 10.

The setting of an office comedy set in Yeouido in the late 1990s was this work's weapon. The theme of late-century corporate culture becomes a comedy when viewed now, and at the same time, it evokes nostalgia.

5. Ranks 4-5 and OTT

멋진 신세계 (SBS Friday-Saturday, 14 episodes) recorded a peak of 11.8%. Lim Ji-yeon ranked 1st in drama buzz in mid-June (Week 25). The fact that its viewership rating was 4th but its buzz was 1st at that point means it gained momentum as it progressed into the latter half.

신입사원 강회장 (JTBC Saturday-Sunday) recorded a peak of 11.0% as of episode 8.

In the OTT sector, Netflix Original 사냥개들 시즌2 ranked 1st in Good Data's drama buzz category (21.20% share) in early April (Week 14). The fact that it took 1st place on the same chart as broadcast dramas is significant.

6. Points Where Viewership Ratings and Buzz Diverged

Viewership ratings count people who watch the live broadcast, while buzz counts people who talk about it. The pattern of terrestrial weekend dramas leading in viewership ratings and tvN and Netflix leading in buzz was repeated throughout the first half. Looking at only one side means missing half the picture.

7. Dramas Currently Airing in July

Since we've summarized the first half, let's also look at what's currently available. As of July 10, 2026.

8. Upcoming Dramas

The summer schedule is officially beginning. The arrival of 오싹한 연애 in the tvN Saturday-Sunday slot is noteworthy. In the first half, 언더커버 미쓰홍 generated buzz in this very slot.

9. See Also

• Spin-off Medical Drama: 언젠가는 슬기로울 전공의생활
• See What to Watch: 볼만한
• New this Month: 7월 볼만한
• All Dramas: 드라마

10. Summary

In the first half of 2026, the No. 1 drama in viewership ratings was 21세기 대군부인 (MBC Friday-Saturday, final 13.8%), followed by 판사 이한영 (13.6%, peak moment 17.2%) and 언더커버 미쓰홍 (13.1%). In terms of buzz, 언더커버 미쓰홍 took early February, 사냥개들 시즌2 took early April, and 멋진 신세계 took mid-June.

Looking back over the six months, the pattern is clear: terrestrial weekend dramas garnered viewership, while cable and OTT platforms captured buzz. If you only look at viewership charts, you don't see what tvN and Netflix achieved, and if you only look at buzz charts, you don't see the power of MBC's Friday-Saturday dramas.

The July schedule has already begun. It remains to be seen which names will appear in the second half's wrap-up.