Debut in an occult drama, Lee Jun-hyeok to become a baseball coach with Kim Rae-won.. SBS solidifies its reputation as a genre drama powerhouse [★FOCUS]

*This content was translated by AI.

Actor Lee Jun-hyeok is taking on his first occult-themed project since his debut, while Kim Rae-won is set to make his return to television screens after four years, this time transforming into a baseball coach through an SBS drama.

Recently, SBS held the drama media day "Next Episode" at Hotel Naru Seoul in Mapo-gu, Seoul, at the Seoul M Gallery. At the event, SBS unveiled its past achievements and announced its global content distribution and programming strategies to respond to the rapidly changing media landscape.

The most core keywords at this Media Day were the season system, genre works, and the utilization of artificial intelligence (AI). First, SBS has continued its strategy of cumulatively building box office success by continuously expanding characters and worldviews. Through this approach, the network has successfully marketed season-based dramas such as the "Romantic Doctor Kim" series, which broke a peak viewership rating of 28.4 percent; the "Model Taxi" series, which recorded a peak viewership rating of 25.6 percent; and the "Hot Blooded Priest" series, a founding drama of SBS's Friday-Saturday drama lineup, thereby establishing a unique worldview.

A wide genre spectrum unique to SBS is also a feature. From occult to sports and legal detective stories, SBS will present a variety of genre works in 2027 as well. Additionally, drama production utilizing AI technology cannot be overlooked. Studio S Hong Seong-chang (CEO) stated, "AI is a supportive tool that aids creativity," and added, "It can realize what creators could not. We believe the current drama production market is approaching an AI revolution, so we have incorporated AI technology extensively into dramas."

The opening salvo of LINE's second-half lineup will be the new Friday-Saturday drama "Manager Kim," which has confirmed its premiere on the 26th. Adapted from the webtoon of the same name on Naver, "Manager Kim" is a father-universe revenge action drama in which a father, described as "the most ordinary in the world," becomes "the most dangerous man in the world" to fight for the return of his only daughter. So Ji-seop will take on the role of Manager Kim, a father named Min-ji, who was formerly a special agent. Joining him are Chae Woo-hyun and Yoon Kyung-ho, who will deliver spectacular action and cheerful bromance.

The drama "Chaebol X Detective," which received widespread acclaim during its first season, is set to return with a second season this year. According to SBS, Season 2 will feature the collaborative story of Jin Su-woo (played by Ahn Bo-hyun), a chaebol third-generation detective who returns to the Major Crimes Unit 1 after completing formal training at the police academy, and Joo Hye-ra (played by Jung Eun-chae), his former demonic instructor who has newly assumed the role of team leader.

In October, "Doctor X: The Era of the White Mafia," starring Kim Ji-won, Lee Jung-eun, Son Hyun-joo, and Kim Woo-seok, is scheduled to air. The drama is based on the "Doctor X" series, which aired on TV Asahi and achieved a mega hit, featuring a genius surgeon who operates solely on skill to tackle a medical power structure steeped in corruption.

It is a medical noir depicting the activities of X, played by Kim Ji-won.

The hit drama "Good Partner," which drew attention for the meeting of Jang Na-ra and Kim Hye-yun, is also set to return for its second season this year. "Good Partner 2," a human courtroom office drama in which Cha Eun-kyung (played by Jang Na-ra), the managing partner of Korea's first divorce law firm, joins hands with a partner bound by an intense connection to face an unavoidable challenge, is expected to generate even more anticipation as divorce attorney Choi Yu-na returns to write the script.

The drama 'Nine to Six', scheduled to air in the second half of 2026, is a realistic office romance featuring Kang Ji-ji (played by Park Min-young), a rational deputy legal team manager who has proven herself through her work; Han Seon-woo (played by Yuk Sung-jae), an intern whose kindness is his weapon; and Park Hyun-tae (played by Ko Soo), the department head. Park Min-young, Yuk Sung-jae, and Ko Soo have confirmed their participation. In particular, Ko Soo will return to the romance genre for the first time in 15 years with this drama, while Park Min-young will meet viewers through an SBS drama for the first time in 10 years.

A lineup of dramas set to broaden their genre spectrum in 2027 is taking shape. Lee Jun-hyeok, who is taking on his first occult genre role since his debut, will transform into Father Antonio in "Awakening," which is scheduled to air next year. "Awakening" tells the story of a demon exorcist who risks his soul to save children amidst a chaotic world of exam hell in hanbok, fueled by jealousy and desire, where students, lured by performance-enhancing stimulants, awaken strange abilities and watch their friends die one by one.

Lee Je-hoon, who rose to the ranks of SBS's flagship actors with "Model Taxi," is teaming up with SBS once again with "There Is a Chance." Expectations are high for the transformation Lee Je-hoon will showcase through this cheerful, comedic legal detective series, in which Kwon Baek (played by Lee Je-hoon), a former lawyer and current office manager, leads a law firm that turns hopeless battles into winnable ones in a way never seen before.

Kim Nam-gil, who delivered a memorable performance in "The Fiery Priest," returns with "Nightmare." "Nightmare" is a drama depicting a vigilante group that imprisons villains who cannot be punished by law not in prison but in nightmares, realizing their fantastic sense of justice that transcends the boundary between dreams and reality. Kim Nam-gil takes on the role of detective Kim Tae-i. Lee Yu-mi stars as Jang Gyu-eun, the mysterious nightmare designer.

As befits SBS, which has presented well-made sports dramas to date, 'Full Count' will be unveiled in 2027. 'Full Count' depicts the survival struggles of those who stake everything on a sports battlefield where schemes abound in the quest to claim the throne of 'professional baseball manager'. Kim Rae-won, returning to the living room stage after four years, will play Hwang Jin-ho, the interim manager of the popular team Stars, while Park Hun will take on the role of Jo Dong-hee, a pitching coach ranked as the top candidate for the next manager, delivering a meticulous battle of wits and confrontation.

It is becoming increasingly curious whether "Full Count" can carry on the legacy of the popular baseball drama "Stove League," which was widely loved from 2019 to 2020.

While SBS continues to ride the wave of success from its genre drama powerhouse, concerns also remain.

It is essential that SBS has clear strengths, given the flood of content across various genres on platforms ranging from OTT to TV dramas. Additionally, addressing the fatigue and sense of familiarity that viewers may feel due to the repetitive treatment of certain themes remains a key challenge.

These days, it has become difficult to encounter human dramas on television as it used to be. This is a result reflecting viewers' needs, as well as a strategy chosen to survive competition with OTT platforms. Consequently, sensational themes such as exorcism, possession, and crime are repeatedly adopted, and the accumulation of these elements is criticized for hindering the diversity of dramas and evoking a sense of familiarity.

Furthermore, it must stand out as distinct from well-made genre works that aim to capture both viewers and critics. Only something that cannot be measured solely by ratings can move the hearts of the public.

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*This content was translated by AI.