As the Lunar New Year holiday swept across South Korea in mid-February 2026, streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, WAVVE, and TVING rolled out a buffet of new content, vying for viewers’ attention during one of the year’s most festive seasons. From dark mysteries to reality reunions and culinary meditations, this year’s releases offered something for every taste—and plenty of surprises along the way.
Netflix led the charge with the highly anticipated release of Lady Dua on February 13. According to Newspim, this mystery thriller centers on Sarakim, a woman whose ambition to become a luxury brand—real or fake—drives her down a dangerous path. The story opens with a grisly discovery: a disfigured corpse found frozen in a sewer beneath the glittering luxury district of Cheongdam-dong. Detective Mugyeong, played by Lee Jun-hyuk, takes the case. Clues—a tattoo on the ankle and a designer bag—lead him to identify the body as Sarakim, the Asian branch manager of the high-end brand Buduoa. Yet, as Mugyeong delves deeper, each interview with Sarakim’s acquaintances peels back another layer of mystery, leaving him (and the audience) increasingly uncertain about who Sarakim truly was.
Shin Hye-sun’s portrayal of the enigmatic Sarakim has drawn praise for its intensity and ambiguity. The series, directed by Kim Jin-min—already acclaimed for his work on Extracurricular and My Name—and written by newcomer Chu Song-yeon, promises unpredictable twists and a densely woven plot. As Newsis noted, the show asks a provocative question: “If a fake is indistinguishable from the real thing, can we still call it fake?” The tension between authenticity and illusion pulses through every scene, making Lady Dua a standout in Netflix’s growing library of Korean thrillers.
But Netflix didn’t stop there. Riding the wave of popularity from its longest-running reality series, the platform also released Solo Hell Reunion, a spin-off from the wildly successful fifth season of Solo Hell. The original show, set on a remote island dubbed ‘Hell Island,’ challenges singles to form couples in order to escape. This season shattered records, climbing to number two on the Netflix Top 10 non-English shows list, as reported by Newsis and Newspim. The reunion special brings fan-favorite contestants back together, offering candid behind-the-scenes stories and updates on relationships that blossomed—or fizzled—after the cameras stopped rolling. For viewers who couldn’t get enough of the show’s emotional rollercoaster, this reunion delivers fresh drama and genuine moments, all under the watchful eye of an ever-curious global audience.
Meanwhile, Disney+ expanded its own slate with a mix of thrilling and contemplative offerings. The dark drama Bloody Flower, which dropped episodes five and six on February 18, explores the chilling premise of a serial killer who possesses the miraculous ability to cure incurable diseases. As Newsis explained, the series poses a haunting dilemma: what if a murderer’s motive was to save countless lives through medical breakthroughs? Ryoun stars as the killer Lee Woo-gyeom, with Sung Dong-il playing a desperate lawyer trying to save his ailing daughter and Geum Sae-rok as a prosecutor seeking to prove her worth in a high-stakes trial. The show’s blend of moral ambiguity and suspense has struck a chord with viewers looking for more than just a standard whodunit.
Disney+ also ventured into the world of reality competition with Destiny War 49, a survival show featuring 49 fortune-tellers—experts in tarot, astrology, shamanism, and physiognomy—competing in a series of fate-testing missions. According to Newsis, the show’s eclectic cast and imaginative challenges, assembled by some of South Korea’s top variety producers, offer viewers a quirky, unpredictable ride. The first four episodes were released on February 11, and the presence of Park Na-rae, making her return to television after a hiatus, added an extra layer of intrigue for fans.
For those seeking a quieter, more reflective experience, WAVVE’s The Chefs of the Monastery (released in full on February 13) provided a serene contrast to the high-stakes drama elsewhere. This food reality program follows six master monks—some of whom gained international recognition through shows like Chef’s Table—as they prepare and share temple cuisine. The series, as highlighted by Yonhap News TV, goes beyond mere cooking demonstrations, delving into the philosophy and spiritual discipline that underpin every dish. As one monk explains, “The word ‘offering’ means ‘sharing.’ That’s why temple food must come out into the world.” The show’s meditative tone and focus on mindful eating resonated with holiday viewers seeking comfort and meaning.
Not to be outdone, Netflix also released The Korean Chef, a documentary series spotlighting six Michelin-starred chef-owners and their relentless pursuit of perfection. According to Newspim, the series peels back the curtain on the high-pressure world of fine dining, where even a millimeter’s mistake can mean disaster. The cast includes Kang Min-gu of Mingles (Korea’s only Michelin three-star chef), Park Jung-eun and Park Jung-hyun of Atomix (ranked North America’s number one restaurant), Shin Chang-ho of Joo Ok, Lee Yong-woo of Harris, Lee Ha-sung of Oyat, and Lim Ki-hak of Lespoir. The show captures each chef’s struggle to balance artistry and business, revealing the sacrifices and triumphs that define their careers.
Adding to the holiday smorgasbord, TVING released an exclusive concert by singer Lim Young-woong, recorded in November 2025 in Seoul. As Yonhap News TV reported, the concert brought together fans of all ages, delivering hit songs and heartfelt performances straight to living rooms across the country—a perfect soundtrack for family gatherings and festive meals.
Disney+ also catered to fans of science fiction and psychological thrillers. Predator: Deathland, the latest entry in the beloved Predator franchise, premiered with a fresh twist: instead of following the usual unstoppable hunter, the film centers on a young, inexperienced predator embarking on his first hunt. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg and starring Elle Fanning as the humanoid Tia, the film expands the franchise’s universe and offers new perspectives on its iconic monsters. Additionally, the 2005 film Stay, starring Ryan Gosling, Ewan McGregor, and Naomi Watts, was re-released on the platform—reminding viewers of the enduring appeal of psychological suspense and star power.
With such a diverse selection, it’s no wonder that this Lunar New Year felt especially vibrant for streaming audiences. Whether it was the high-octane drama of Lady Dua, the introspective calm of The Chefs of the Monastery, or the adrenaline rush of Predator: Deathland, South Korea’s OTT landscape continues to push creative boundaries and cater to every viewer’s taste. The holiday may have come and gone, but the stories—and the conversations they spark—are sure to linger well into the year.