Netflix's Granny K-Drama, Webtoon Adaptations, and the Streaming Giant's Korean Content Bet for 2026

Netflix Is Going All-In on Korean Content — and the 2026 Slate Proves It

If you thought Netflix's K-drama obsession peaked with Squid Game and Crash Landing on You, think again. The streaming giant is doubling down on Korean content in 2026, with a slate that includes webtoon adaptations, star-driven originals, and even comedy series targeting older demographics. Here's everything you need to know about Netflix's Korean content strategy this year.

Webtoon Adaptations Are the New Gold Mine

Netflix has identified webtoons as its next major content pipeline, and 2026 is the year this strategy goes into overdrive. The biggest announcement is Granny, a comedy K-drama adaptation of the popular Korean webtoon, starring Lee Jung-eun (Parasite, Minari) and Kim Mu-yeol (Space Sweepers). The series begins filming in July 2026 and is described as a heartwarming comedy about an elderly woman who discovers she has superpowers. Lee Jung-eun's involvement alone makes this a must-watch — she's one of Korea's most respected character actresses.

Then there's The East Palace, now streaming on Netflix, starring Nam Joo-hyuk (Start-Up, The Light in Your Eyes) in a historical fantasy that blends court intrigue with supernatural elements. The series has been compared to The Tale of Nokdu and Kingdom for its genre-mashing approach. Early viewership numbers suggest it's already trending toward Netflix's top 10 globally.

The Bigger Picture: Netflix's Korean Content Bet

Beyond individual titles, Netflix's 2026 Korean content strategy reveals three key trends:

Genre diversification: No longer just dark thrillers — Netflix is investing in rom-coms like Love in Sync (starring Kim Myung-soo of Infinite), historical fantasies like The East Palace, and comedies like Granny.
Webtoon-first development: Multiple 2026 K-dramas are adapted from popular Korean webtoons, following the success of True Beauty and Myl Demon. Netflix believes webtoon IP reduces development risk while guaranteeing a built-in audience.
Global-first commissioning: Shows like A Shop for Killers Season 2 (returning July 2026) and The Husband (KBS2, streaming internationally via Netflix) are being greenlit with global audiences in mind — not just Korean viewers.

With over 60 K-dramas having aired in the first half of 2026 alone — according to Soompi's masterlist — and Netflix investing an estimated $2.5 billion in Korean content through 2026, the strategy is clear: K-dramas are no longer a niche category. They're core to Netflix's global growth, and the 2026 slate is the most ambitious yet.