New month, new K-dramas, and a new wave of obsession coming our way! As May reminds us to slow down and focus on our mental health, what better time to unwind with stories that move us, comfort us, and offer a little escape. Don’t miss these 15 new K-dramas hitting our screens this May.
Spring of Youth — May 6
Spring of Youth is an upcoming youth-romance drama about Sa Gye (Ha Yoo-joon), a former K-pop idol ousted from his band after an assault scandal. Hoping for a fresh start, he enrolls at Hanju University, where he meets Kim Bom (Park Ji-hu), a gifted music student and former Ivy League student who juggles multiple part-time jobs to support herself. As Sa Gye falls for Kim Bom and joins a college band, his passion for music is reignited.
Also joining the cast is N.Flying’s Lee Seung-hyub as Seo Tae-yang, a medical student and the only son of the Hanju University Hospital president. Although his father expects him to follow in his footsteps, Tae-yang dreams of pursuing music and carving his own path. Following his standout role in tvN’s hit drama Lovely Runner, Lee Seung-hyub is set to deliver another memorable band performance on screen through this character.
Together, the three form a college band called Two Sa Gye and support one another as they chase their dreams, navigate love, and face the challenges of youth.
Virus — May 7
The upcoming film Virus follows the story of Ok Taek-seon (Bae Doona), who becomes infected with a mysterious virus that causes people to fall in love without explanation. As a result, she sets off on an unpredictable journey alongside three men: Soo-pil (Son Suk-ku), a researcher studying the Toxo virus who unintentionally infects her; Yeon-woo (Chang Ki-ha), her former classmate; and Lee Kyun (Kim Yun-seok), the only expert who may be able to develop a cure.
Tastefully Yours — May 12
Tastefully Yours tells the story of Han Beom-woo (Kang Ha-neul), a chaebol heir of a major food conglomerate, and Mo Yeon-ju (Go Min-si), a fiery, headstrong chef running a humble fine dining restaurant in Jeonju. On a quest to hunt for unique recipes to prove himself as the rightful successor of his family’s business, Beom-woo butts heads with Yeon-ju over their clashing values until circumstances force them to co-run the restaurant. What starts as constant bickering soon simmers into unexpected romance.
Joining the flavorful mix are Yu Su-bin as Shin Chun-seung, a playful yet warmhearted heir to a gukbap (rice soup) joint, and Kim Shin-rok as Jin Myeong-sook, a seasoned pro in the gukbap scene. With sizzling chemistry and delicious visuals, Tastefully Yours promises a feel-good feast for all five senses, blending heart-fluttering romance with irresistible culinary delight.
Second Shot at Love — May 12
Second Shot at Love is a romantic comedy centered around alcohol. The story follows Han Geum-ju (Girls’ Generation’s Sooyoung), a self-proclaimed “reasonable drinker”. She unexpectedly crosses paths with her first love, Seo Ui-jun (Gong Myoung), who despises alcohol. Following their reunion, Geum-ju makes the bold decision to quit drinking.
Sooyoung and Gong Myoung play ex-drinking buddies who slowly drifted apart, and we’re left wondering what drove them apart in the first place.
Boy in the Pool — May 14
Still obsessed with Go Hyun-tak from Weak Hero Class 2? Don’t miss Lee Min-jae in Boy in the Pool, a tender coming-of-age film by director Ryu Yeon-su. Rather than a typical teen romance, it emphasizes the emotional complexities of adolescence, the push and pull of friendship, jealousy, and self-discovery.
Set in the summer of 2007, it follows 13-year-old Seok-young (Lee Ye-won), an earnest swimmer who meets Woo-ju (Yang Hee-won), a quiet boy with webbed toes and a natural gift in the water. As their bond deepens through a shared love for swimming, Seok-young’s envy slowly builds as Woo-ju’s talent outshines her own. Eventually, their paths split when Woo-ju moves to Seoul to chase his dream.
In 2013, Woo-ju (Lee Min-jae) returns at 18, losing the physical trait that once defined him. When he confides in Seok-young (Hyo-woo of HOOK), her anger leads to a painful betrayal that derails his future. The film earned recognition at the Jeonju International Film Festival for its honest portrayal of adolescence.
Shark: The Storm — May 15
TVING’s original series Shark returns with a brand-new season. First released in 2021, Shark: The Beginning quickly gained attention as TVING’s debut original film. The story continues as a six-episode series titled Shark: The Storm, based on the same popular webtoon.
This season follows Cha Woo-sol (Kim Min-seok), who commits to becoming a professional mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter after his release from prison. However, just as he begins to rebuild his life, he becomes entangled in a dangerous battle against a new and merciless enemy, Hyun Woo-yong (Lee Hyun-wook). With more at stake than just his own survival, Woo-sol now fights to protect the people he loves.
Dear Hongrang — May 16
Set in the Joseon era, the mystery-romance period drama stars Lee Jae-wook as Hongrang, who reappears at the powerful Sim merchant household after vanishing as a child twelve years ago. Now grown but suffering from amnesia, his return sends shockwaves through the family. His half-sister Jae-yi (Cho Bo-ah) is convinced he’s not her dear long-lost brother and sets out to uncover the truth.
The series also features Jung Ga-ram as Mu-jin, the adopted son who assumed Hongrang’s place; Uhm Ji-won as Min Yeon-ui, the formidable mother of Hongrang; Park Byung-eun as Sim Yeol-guk, the patriarch of the Sim family; and Kim Jae-uck as Grand Prince Hanpyeong, a royal known for his artistic finesse. With secrets to unveil and identities to question, Dear Hongrang offers a captivating mix of suspense, romance, and historical charm.
Nine Puzzles — May 21
Nine Puzzles is an upcoming Disney+ mystery thriller that explores a chilling case left unsolved for a decade. Kim Da-mi, known for her dynamic range across genres, stars as Yoon Yi-na, a profiler with a haunting past. As a teenager, she was the only witness and a potential suspect in the brutal murder of her uncle, Senior Superintendent Yoon Dong-hoon. Since then, the trauma has left her with no memory of what happened, forcing her to live with the agonizing fear that she may have been the one responsible.
Driven to uncover the truth, Yi-na becomes a criminal profiler. However, the past resurfaces when a string of new murders emerges, each linked to the same puzzle piece, just like the one found at her uncle’s crime scene. This disturbing connection pulls her back into the case that has defined her life.
Son Suk-ku plays Kim Han-saem, a detective from the Violent Crimes Unit at the Hangang Police Station. Ten years ago, his very first case was the murder of Senior Superintendent Yoon Dong-hoon, and he has never let it go. Convinced that Yi-na was the key suspect, he has spent the last decade searching for evidence to prove her involvement.
Coach Maeng’s Hater — May 23
MBC’s upcoming drama Coach Maeng’s Hater is a comedy that follows professional basketball coach Maeng-gong (Park Sung-woong), who is on the verge of losing his job due to his team’s poor performance. Hoping to turn things around, he unexpectedly joins forces with his online hater, Hwa-jin (Park Soo-oh).
Our Unwritten Seoul — May 24
Our Unwritten Seoul stars Park Bo-young in her most challenging role yet. She takes on four distinct personas along with a striking blonde transformation. The drama follows Yu Mi-ji and Yu Mi-rae, identical twin sisters who look alike but lead completely different lives. They end up swapping identities for an unknown reason. Their charade intertwines with Lee Ho-su (GOT7’s Jinyoung), a top attorney at a prestigious law firm. He’s composed and widely admired, but he hides a painful past.
Our Unwritten Seoul hopes to offer comfort to viewers while promising strong character transformations, soul-stirring depth, poignant storytelling, all set against the ever-changing backdrop of Seoul. And perhaps, it might just gift us our new favorite Park-Park pairing! Catch Park Bo-young and Jinyoung become each other’s safe haven in Our Unwritten Seoul, with 12 episodes premiering on Netflix.
Midnight Sun — May 28
Midnight Sun is a Korean remake of the 2007 Japanese film of the same name. This music-driven romance film follows Mi-sol (Jung Zi-so), an aspiring singer-songwriter, and Min-joon (Cha Hak-yeon), a fruit truck vendor by day who trains to become an actor at night. Due to Mi-sol’s XP syndrome, the two can only meet at night. However, as they grow closer through music, they fall in love and support each other in chasing their dreams.
Unlike the original, which portrayed a teenage romance, the Korean adaptation shifts the focus to young adults in their twenties, offering a deeper exploration of love, ambition, and the bittersweet journey of growing up.
Lost in Starlight — May 30
Netflix’s first original animated film from Korea, Lost in Starlight, premieres on May 30. The film is brought to life by Korean animation pioneer Han Ji-won and features the voices of acclaimed actors Kim Tae-ri and Hong Kyung. Set in the year 2050, the story follows Nan-young, an astronaut dreaming of Mars, and Jay, a musician with a broken dream. Their worlds collide in a retro-futuristic version of Seoul, where their connection deepens through shared emotions and unspoken dreams.
As their relationship blossoms, the film paints a vivid picture of a near-future Seoul filled with nostalgic elements like vinyl records and record players. These cozy details contrast beautifully with the film’s cyberpunk atmosphere, creating a universe that feels both intimate and otherworldly.
However, their growing bond is soon tested by distance, as Nan-young prepares to leave for Mars. Through its stunning animation, tender performances, and stirring soundtrack, Lost in Starlight explores the enduring question: can love survive across 225 million kilometers of space?
Oh My Ghost Clients — May 30
Oh My Ghost Clients is a new comedy-action drama featuring Jung Kyung-ho as No Moo-jin, a labor attorney who can see ghosts. Though immature, broke, and often clueless, he remains oddly charming. Seol In-a plays Na Hee-ju, Moo-jin’s sister-in-law and the driving force behind their unusual law firm. Unlike Moo-jin, who struggles with business sense, Hee-ju is both sharp-witted and skilled in combat, using her intelligence and fearless nature to lead the team and expand their operations.
Cha Hak-yeon joins the cast as Go Kyun-woo, a former journalist who now creates video content. He brings a unique blend of brains and eccentric charm to the group, often handling undercover tasks with his unconventional style. Together, the trio tackles strange legal cases involving ghosts while navigating the chaos of each client’s situation.
Created by Kim Bo-tong, the writer behind the acclaimed D.P., this comic action series delves into the world of labor law, exploring workplace conflicts, social dynamics, and the relationships that emerge between the living and the dead.
ONE: High School Heroes — May 30
Adapted from a popular webtoon, ONE: High School Heroes is a high-energy action drama set in a high school. The series stars Kim Ui-gyeom (Lee Jung-ha, Moving), a model student burdened by his controlling father. Meanwhile, Kang Yoon-gi (Kim Do-wan, Start-Up) exploits Ui-gyeom’s fighting skills for his own agenda. The two eventually team up to form a masked vigilante group called “High School Heroes”, channeling their pent-up anger to challenge and dismantle the school’s violent hierarchy.
Good Boy — May 31
Good Boy dives into the lives of former elite athletes who trade their medals for police badges after being recruited through a special program. These once-celebrated sports heroes now face a world plagued by corruption, deception, and deep-rooted injustice. After his incredible role as Yang Gwan-sik in When Life Gives You Tangerines, Park Bo-gum returns to the screen as Yoon Dong-joo, a gold medalist boxer turned special forces police officer.
Joining him are sharpshooting champion Ji Han-na (Kim So-hyun), fencing silver medalist Kim Jong-hyun (Lee Sang-yi), wrestling bronze medalist Go Man-sik (Heo Sung-tae), and discus throw bronze medalist Shin Jae-hong (Tae Won-suk). Though each once stood at the top of their game, their post-glory reality is far from glamorous. The harsh reality of police life replaces fame with fatigue and glory with the mundane.
However, their lives take a sharp turn when a new enemy emerges. Min Joo-young (Oh Jung-se) is a notorious villain manipulating Inseong City from the shadows. He becomes the group’s greatest threat with his chilling presence and utter disregard for justice. But these so-called “Goodvengers” refuse to back down. Fueled by the same spirit that once drove them to victory, they rise to the challenge. This time, they’re fighting not for medals but for justice.
Which of these new K-dramas are you most excited to watch this May? Let us know on Instagram and X/Twitter!
Featured Image Credit: STUDIO GENIE / Netflix Korea / tvN Drama Official X / JTBC Drama Official Instagram
