Kakao Entertainment has unveiled an impressive roster of fall and upcoming projects featuring five of South Korea's most celebrated actresses, commonly referred to as the "queens of K-drama." The entertainment powerhouse is positioning itself at the forefront of the drama landscape with a diverse lineup spanning multiple platforms and genres, showcasing the talents of Kim Go-eun, Suzy, Han Hyo-joo, IU, and Park Bo-young.
Kim Go-eun has already made her return with the Netflix series "You and Everything Else," which premiered on September 12 and quickly gained international recognition. According to FlixPatrol, the series has secured positions in the Top 10 across 14 countries, including South Korea. In this compelling drama, Kim portrays Eun-jung, a character whose refreshingly candid charm stands in stark contrast to her intricate, decades-spanning friendship with Sang-yeon, played by Park Ji-hyun. The series masterfully traces their evolving relationship through multiple life stages, spanning from the 1990s to the 2020s, with particular attention to changing fashion trends and deepening emotional complexity. Kim Go-eun's busy schedule continues with her upcoming role in Netflix's "The Price of Confession," scheduled for later this year, where she will take on the mysterious character known among prison inmates as a "witch" due to her exceptional psychological insight.
Suzy is set to captivate global audiences starting October 3 with her starring role in the Netflix series "Genie, Make a Wish," a fantasy romantic comedy that tells the enchanting story of a genie who awakens after a thousand years of slumber and encounters Ga-young, a woman who has lost the ability to feel emotions. Beyond her Netflix project, Suzy will also appear in the upcoming film "Seven O'Clock Breakfast Club for the Brokenhearted," an adaptation of a novel that explores how people cope with loss by sharing mementos of heartbreak. In this poignant story, she plays Sa-gang, a flight attendant navigating the emotional turbulence of a recent breakup. The film has garnered significant recognition, earning an official invitation to the competition section of the 30th Busan International Film Festival.
Han Hyo-joo is preparing for her return on October 16 in the Korean-Japanese Netflix collaboration "Romantics Anonymous," where she will star alongside popular Japanese actor Shun Oguri. In this cross-cultural romantic comedy, Han takes on the role of Lee Hana, a talented chocolatier who struggles with social anxiety. The series explores how two individuals from different backgrounds find connection and love through their shared passion for chocolate, promising to deliver both heartwarming moments and cultural exchange.
Looking ahead to 2026, both IU and Park Bo-young have exciting projects in development that showcase their versatility as performers. IU, who recently gained widespread acclaim for her performance in the Netflix hit "When Life Gives You Tangerines," will next headline MBC's "21st Century Grand Prince's Wife" (working title). This intriguing drama is set in an alternate version of Korea governed by a constitutional monarchy, where IU will portray Seong Hee-joo, the ambitious daughter of a wealthy and influential family navigating the complexities of royal life and political intrigue.
Park Bo-young, who demonstrated her remarkable acting range earlier this year with a challenging dual role in tvN's "Our Unwritten Seoul," is set to headline the Disney original series "Gold Land." Scheduled for release next year, this high-stakes drama follows the story of Hee-joo, an airport security officer whose life takes a dramatic turn when she accidentally discovers gold bars connected to a dangerous smuggling operation. The series promises to explore her psychological transformation as she becomes entangled in a violent underworld struggle, grappling with themes of greed, betrayal, and moral compromise.
With these five highly respected actresses returning across various platforms and exploring different genres, Kakao Entertainment is strategically positioning itself as a major force in both the current fall season and next year's drama landscape. The diverse range of projects, from fantasy romance to psychological thrillers and historical alternate realities, demonstrates the company's commitment to producing content that appeals to both domestic and international audiences while showcasing the exceptional talent of Korea's leading actresses.
