SBS is gearing up to dominate primetime in late 2026 and early 2027, banking on massive franchise power, a star-studded cast, and bold tech innovation.
At the SBS Drama Media Day event 'Next Episode' held on the 1st, the network dropped a slate of large-scale new projects set to lead its drama strategy, instantly grabbing industry attention.
Programming chief Kim Gi-seuk, Studio S CEO Hong Sung-chang, directors Lee Seung-young and Kwon Da-som, and actors So Ji-sub, Lee Je-hoon, and Hayoung attended the showcase.
Kim Gi-seuk named 'series power' as the core keyword behind the lineup. He declared, "Even under the weight of the crown to keep up our strong track record, we're meticulously planning well-made originals that will fully meet viewers' rising standards and expectations."
In recent years, SBS solidified itself as the ratings leader with back-to-back mega-hits like Taxi Driver, Dr. Romantic, and The Fiery Priest. On this, CEO Hong Sung-chang said, "The secret to season-based success is the deep trust between production teams and actors," adding, "Leveraging the know-how from over 60 quality dramas since Studio S launched, we'll keep delivering consecutive blockbusters."
Their differentiated production strategy and tech vision also turned heads. Kim emphasized, "Our competitive edge lies in helping PDs and writers grow continuously and encouraging them to take on bold, unconventional subjects." Hong added, "We'll go beyond traditional methods and actively use AI as a creative assist tool, leading technological innovation and evolving the production environment."
The unveiled lineup features highly anticipated titles with rich worlds and striking characters, including Manager Kim, Flex x Cop 2, Doctor X: The Era of the White Mafia, and Good Partner 2. In early 2027, a wave of genre shows will keep the momentum going with EXCITATIO, Seungsan Isseumnida, Akmong, and Full Count.
Fans can also expect shocking transformations from top stars. Returning to SBS with Manager Kim, So Ji-sub teased unrestrained action that cranked up the hype. Lee Je-hoon in Seungsan Isseumnida also breaks away from his previous image with a fresh, game-changing character promising intense immersion.
Right after the record-breaking lineup dropped, online communities and social media exploded with reactions like, "No time to breathe with this fall lineup," "The year-end acting awards race is already brutal," and "This is a must-watch live."
Meanwhile, the new Friday–Saturday drama Manager Kim premieres on the 26th at 9:50 p.m.