By September the year’s K-drama slate is usually settled. Not this one. Two of the biggest remaining titles still do not have a locked date, and one of them has two competing dates in circulation.
That makes planning awkward. Here is what is confirmed for the rest of 2026 and what is genuinely still unknown — separated, so you are not left guessing which is which.
The Scandal on 18 September is the last firmly dated Netflix premiere of the year.
An untitled Son Suk-ku crime thriller is set for either 30 October or 20 November.
Portraits of Delusion arrives on Disney+ in the second half of the year, date unannounced.
Confirmed with a date
The Scandal — 18 September, Netflix
Eight episodes of historical romance with Son Ye-jin and Ji Chang-wook leading, supported by Nana, Chani and Han Sun-hwa. Adapted from a 2003 Korean film.
Eight episodes is short for a period drama. That usually signals a self-contained story rather than a multi-season political arc.
Update, October 2, 2026: Netflix has since dated the rom-com Take Charge of My Heart for October 9, with all 10 episodes at once.
Dated, but not settled
Untitled crime thriller — 30 October or 20 November, Netflix
An international crime thriller pairing Son Suk-ku with Japanese actor Nagayama Eita. Two release dates are circulating, which almost always means the platform has not committed publicly.
The casting is the interesting part. A Korean lead with a Japanese co-lead points to a cross-market production aimed at both audiences rather than a Korea-first release. That structure has become more common but is still not the norm.
Confirmed, no date
Portraits of Delusion — Disney+, second half of 2026
Set in the late Joseon period with Son Ye-jin as the noblewoman Madam Jo. This is the year’s notable sageuk, and it is not on Netflix.
Worth noting that this puts Son Ye-jin in two period dramas releasing in the same window, on two different platforms. That is unusual scheduling for a lead of her standing.
Mousetrap — expected August, may have shifted
A crime thriller adapted from a popular webtoon. It was flagged for August but coverage described it as a possibility rather than a confirmation, so it may land later.
How to tell a confirmed date from a rumour
This is worth knowing because K-drama coverage rarely distinguishes clearly.
- A single specific date repeated across sources — generally reliable
- Two competing dates — the platform has not locked it
- “Expected in [month]” — no announcement, an estimate
- “Second half of 2026” — confirmed for the window, no date set
- Episode count without a date — production is done or nearly done, scheduling is not
Applying that here: The Scandal is solid. The Son Suk-ku thriller is close but not fixed. Portraits of Delusion is happening but unscheduled. Mousetrap is the least certain of the four.
What this says about the year
Two patterns are visible in the remaining slate.
First, period drama is back in force. Two of the four notable remaining titles are historical, and both feature the same lead actress on competing platforms.
Second, Netflix no longer holds the calendar alone. Disney+ has built a Korean slate substantial enough that missing it means missing the year’s main sageuk. For international viewers this changes the subscription calculation rather than just the watchlist.
In short
The Scandal on 18 September is the last firmly dated premiere of 2026. After that, the Son Suk-ku international thriller sits between 30 October and 20 November, and Portraits of Delusion is confirmed for Disney+ without a date.
Two of the year’s remaining highlights are period dramas, and one of them is not on Netflix. That is the practical takeaway if you are planning what to watch.
Frequently asked questions
What is the last confirmed K-drama premiere of 2026?
The Scandal on 18 September, on Netflix. It is the only remaining title with a single firmly reported date.
When does the Son Suk-ku thriller release?
Either 30 October or 20 November 2026. Two dates are in circulation, which generally means Netflix has not locked the release publicly yet.
What is Portraits of Delusion?
A Disney+ historical drama set in the late Joseon period, with Son Ye-jin playing the noblewoman Madam Jo. It is confirmed for the second half of 2026 but no specific date has been announced.
Is Mousetrap still coming?
Coverage flagged it for August as a possibility rather than a confirmation, so it may have shifted. Of the remaining titles it is the least certain.
Why is Son Ye-jin in two period dramas at once?
She leads The Scandal on Netflix and plays Madam Jo in Portraits of Delusion on Disney+, both releasing in the same window. Scheduling two period roles on competing platforms is unusual for a lead at her level.
Do I need Disney+ as well as Netflix now?
For the full slate, yes. Disney+ has expanded its Korean lineup for 2026 and holds the year’s main historical drama. A single subscription no longer covers the notable releases.
