Best K-dramas to watch in October 2026: From Kim Yoo-jung’s historical spy romance, 100 Days of Deception to Doctor X: Mafia in White

There will be a vivid range of Korean dramas that are set to premiere in October 2026, including historical spy thriller, medical drama, psychological thriller, and romance drama. With Kim Yoo-jung being involved in an espionage drama about a young girl who works for the resistance against Japanese occupation in Korea to Kim Ji-won, whose new drama will revolve around the medical world, there are many interesting things to look forward to in October.

5 notable K-dramas are scheduled to arrive across streaming platforms and Korean television networks in October, offering viewers a mix of genres and international co-productions. Here are some of the titles to add to your watchlist.

100 Days of Deception brings historical espionage and romance

Premieres October 10 | Kim Yoo-jung, Park Jin-young | tvN/Netflix

One of the many breathtaking shows that is set to release in October, 100 Days of Deception, is based in the Japanese colonization period in Korea from 1910 to 1945. Kim Yoo-jung stars as Ga Gyeong, an experienced pickpocket who is tasked to become a spy inside the Japanese Government-General of Korea for the independence movement.

However, her assignment takes an unanticipated turn when she meets Kim Tae-woong, a Korean interpreter played by Park Jin-young. With her assignment turning out to be a risky espionage task, the series will take viewers through espionage, historical conflict, and romance. According to the SCMP, the drama airs from October 10 onwards every weekend.

Doctor X: Mafia in White explores corruption in medicine

Premieres October 9 | Kim Ji-won, Lee Jung-eun, Son Hyun-joo | SBS/Netflix

For viewers interested in medical thrillers, Doctor X: Mafia in White brings Kim Ji-won back to television as Gye Soo-jung, a highly skilled surgeon who refuses to compromise her principles to accommodate hospital politics.

Fans of medical dramas will find that Doctor X: Mafia in White sees the return of actress Kim Ji-won as Gye Soo-jung, an excellent surgeon who does not budge when it comes to compromising her integrity for the sake of hospital politics.

Based on the Japanese series Doctor-X: Surgeon Michiko Daimon, the series tells the story of Soo-jung as she begins work at Guseo University Hospital amidst administrative corruption at the facility. Her conflict with the hospital's director, Bu Seung-kwon, played by Son Hyun-joo, puts medical practice at the forefront of the story.

Between Steps offers a story of recovery and romance

Premieres October 5 | Choo Young-woo, Kim So-hyun | ENA/Disney+

Between Steps is all about Park Min-jae, who is portrayed by Choo Young-woo. This talented individual is an aspiring swimmer until a life-threatening bone cancer resulted in losing a leg and putting an end to his career. Later in life, he decides to try his luck in the field of mechanics and robots.

This romantic drama also includes themes such as reconstructing one’s life after going through a major obstacle.

Take Charge of My Heart adds a fantasy twist to romance

Premieres October 9 | Kim Young-kwang, Chae Soo-bin | Netflix

Take Charge of My Heart follows Na Bo-bae, a screenwriter who can deliver electric shocks through physical contact, and Baek Ho-rang, a corporate heir with an artificial heart that needs recharging.

After being struck by lightning as a child, Bo-bae develops an unusual condition that makes physical relationships difficult. Her life changes when she meets Ho-rang, who is immune to her electric touch. Their unusual connection becomes central to a romantic comedy that combines fantasy, humour and emotional vulnerability.

Merry Berry Love brings a Korea-Japan romance

Premieres October 7 | Ji Chang-wook, Mio Imada | Disney+

In the film Merry Berry Love, the pairing is that of Ji Chang-wook, a South Korean actor, and Mio Imada, a Japanese actress, in a collaboration between Korea and Japan. In the movie, Ji is cast as Lee Yoo-bin, a man who travels from Korea to a small Japanese island for a new beginning after failing in Korea.

On the island, he encounters Karin Shirahama, an ailing strawberry farmer, played by Mio Imada. The emerging bond between the two men makes up the heart of the story.

More K-dramas to watch in October

Several other releases offer different storylines for viewers looking beyond historical and medical dramas.

• Make Me Tingle (October 15 | Tving): Nam Ji-hyun plays Yeon-su, a marketing professional raised in a conservative family who holds strict views about romance. Her outlook is challenged when she meets Dokgo Dal, played by Kim Jae-young, who runs a company selling adult products.
• Love in Disguise (October 19 | tvN/Prime Video): Im Si-wan stars as a corporate heir suspected of murdering his secretary. Seol In-ah plays a police officer who goes undercover as his personal secretary and bodyguard to investigate the case.
• Final Table (October 24 | JTBC): Ahn Hyo-seop plays a star chef who enters a competition to determine Korea's best chef after becoming involved in an unfortunate incident. Hong Hwa-yeon co-stars as a restaurant manager hoping to save her family's business.
• The Perfect Lie (October 30 | MBC): Seo Hyun-jin and Yoo Yeon-seok star in a mystery thriller about a cardiac surgeon and his son's teacher whose recollections of a date differ dramatically. Their conflicting accounts lead to questions about what really happened.

With releases spread throughout October, the month's K-drama lineup spans romance, suspense, history, medicine and coming-of-age stories. The selection also brings together performers from established hits and international co-productions, giving viewers a broad range of new series to follow as the month progresses.