Mary Kills People (August 1st)
Lee Bo Young returns as an angel of death. In MBC’s new drama Mary Kills People, she takes on the role of a doctor who assists terminally ill patients with assisted suicide. Based on a Canadian series, Mary Kills People follows doctors who secretly perform euthanasia and the detectives tracking them down. Lee Min Ki plays a terminal cancer patient who clashes with the doctor, while Kang Ki Young takes on the role of a former doctor who assists with mercy killings. Since the teaser dropped, viewers have shown intrigue over the show’s controversial subject and excitement for another signature Lee Bo Young drama. Perhaps unsurprisingly given its theme, Mary Kills People is the first MBC drama in four years to receive a R-rating since The Veil. 12 episodes.
Beyond The Bar (August 2nd)
Following Law and The City, another drama spotlighting lawyers is on the way. JTBC’s Beyond The Bar focuses less on courtroom drama and more on the personal growth and lives of lawyers themselves. Jung Chae Yeon plays a clumsy yet confident rookie attorney paired with Lee Jin Wook as a veteran with sharp skills. Lee Hak Ju and Jeon Hye Bin join as fellow attorneys whose fiery passion and cool logic add spark to the story. With its run overlapping with Law and The City, all eyes are on whether this drama can carve out its own appeal. Streaming on Netflix. 12 episodes.
My Lovely Journey (August 2nd)
In the heat of summer, My Lovely Journey arrives like a much-needed escape. Channel A’s new series follows a washed-up idol turned travel reporter who takes on the task to take others’ trips for them—and along the way, rediscovers what success and life really mean. Adapted from a novel by Maha Harada, the show offers a feast of scenery, from charming towns across Korea to picturesque spots in Hokkaido, Japan. Gong Seung Yeon plays the former idol–turned–reporter, with Kim Jae Young as an aspiring filmmaker, adding romance and heart to the healing journey. 16 episodes.
Love, Take Two (August 4th)
Could this be the turning point for middle-aged romance stories so often boxed into scandal plots? With seasoned actors Yum Jung Ah and Park Hae Joon leading the way, it just might be. tvN’s Love, Take Two tells the story of a mother-daughter duo with a love-hate relationship starting their second act in life in the countryside, directed by Yoo Je Won—known for hits like Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha and Crash Course in Romance. Yum Jung Ah and Park Hae Joon play a single mom and a single dad who reunite after years apart, rekindling their youthful love. Meanwhile, Choi Yoon Ji and Kim Min Kyu add a splash of youthful romance. Expect Yoo Je Won’s signature mix of family warmth and heart-fluttering moments. Streaming on Netflix. 12 episodes.
My Troublesome Star (August 18th)
Uhm Jung Hwa and Song Seung Heon reunite on screen a decade after their film Wonderful Nightmare—this time in the rom-com My Troublesome Star. The story follows a young superstar who, overnight, wakes up as an ordinary middle-aged woman. Uhm Jung Hwa plays Bong Cheong Ja, who finds herself in the body of someone else and stripped of her glamorous life, while Song Seung Heon plays Dok Go Chul, a warm-hearted cop who helps her navigate her new reality. Rising star Jang Daa makes a special appearance as top star Lim Sera, the younger version of Bong Cheong Ja. 12 episodes.
Aema (August 22nd)
Back in the early 1980s, Korea saw a wave of erotic films—led by none other than Madame Aema. Netflix’s Aema reimagines the birth of this cultural phenomenon in a bold comedy-drama filled with wit and imagination. Lee Ha Nee plays Hee Ran, a top star who loses the titular role of Madame Aema after a feud with her production company, while Bang Hyo Rin plays Joo Ae, the rookie actress who lands the part instead. The series dives into the behind-the-scenes drama of an era when actresses were expected to bare all—and pits two ambitious women against each other in a provocative tale of power and performance. With a subject rarely tackled in Korean dramas, Aema is poised to spark serious buzz. 6 episodes.
Twelve (August 23rd)
Action star Ma Dong Seok returns to television after nine years in Twelve, an epic fantasy inspired by the twelve animals of the Eastern zodiac. The series follows a group of divine beings disguised as humans who protect mankind from the forces of evil. Ma Dong Seok plays Tae San, the all-powerful leader of these heavenly warriors, delivering the kind of earth-shaking action only he can. Park Hyung Sik takes on the role of Ogui, a formidable villain threatening both angels and humans, showcasing a darker, more chilling side. The ensemble cast includes Seo In Guk, Lee Joo Bin, and Sung Dong Il as members of the celestial twelve. Following hits like The Uncanny Counter and Moving, this series could be Korea’s next big action-fantasy phenomenon. Streaming on Disney Plus. 8 episodes.
Bon Appetit, Your Majesty (August 23rd)
This summer, YoonA doubles down on screens with both film and drama appearances. After starring in Pretty Crazy, she now returns in tvN’s new weekend drama Bon Appetit, Your Majesty. Based on a web novel, the story follows a modern-day chef who time-slips into the past and finds herself cooking for a notorious tyrant king—who also happens to possess an incredibly refined palate. After holding her own alongside stars like Lee Jong Suk, Junho, and Jo Jung Suk, YoonA now leads the series opposite rising actor Lee Chae Min. All eyes are on whether she’ll once again prove her star power and turn this drama into another hit. Streaming on Netflix. 12 episodes.
Edited by Hong Hyun Jung
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
Edited Hong Hyun Jung: I am a K-content guide who publishes various articles for people to enjoy Korean movies and dramas deeper and richer. I’ll introduce you to the works that you can laugh, cry and sympathize with.
