In Part 1, we explored six of the most anticipated K-dramas of 2026 and the product placement opportunities each one presents. In this second installment, we cover six more upcoming productions — each with its own distinct genre, audience profile, and brand fit. Whether you are a global brand or an international agency planning your Korea marketing strategy, this guide will help you identify the right drama for your next PPL campaign.
7. My Guilty Person (나의 유죄인간)
Genre: Thriller Romance | PPL Fit: ★★★★★
Starring Im Si-wan and Seol In-ah, My Guilty Person blends psychological tension with romantic chemistry — a combination that consistently delivers strong viewership in Korea and internationally. Im Si-wan has built a reputation for choosing high-quality, critically acclaimed projects, while Seol In-ah brings a younger, digitally engaged fanbase.
The thriller-romance genre attracts a premium audience demographic — older millennials and younger Gen X viewers with strong purchasing power — making this drama particularly appealing for brands in the luxury and lifestyle space.
Recommended PPL Categories:
- Luxury fashion and accessories
- Premium automotive brands
- High-end skincare and beauty
- Premium food and beverage brands
- Smartwatches and wearable technology
Best Fit For: Luxury and premium lifestyle brands targeting Korean consumers aged 25–42 seeking aspirational, emotionally resonant brand associations.
8. Forhands (포핸즈)
Genre: Youth / Music Coming-of-Age Drama | PPL Fit: ★★★★★
Starring Song Kang, Lee Jun-young, and Jang Gyu-ri, Forhands is a music-centered coming-of-age drama with a cast that carries significant fandom weight. Song Kang in particular has become one of Korea’s most sought-after leading men, with a dedicated global fanbase across Asia and beyond.
Music and youth dramas are among the most social-media-friendly K-drama formats — fan communities actively share scenes, OST releases, and behind-the-scenes content, creating organic amplification that extends a brand’s PPL exposure well beyond broadcast. For brands targeting Gen Z and younger millennials, this drama represents one of the strongest opportunities in the 2026 lineup.
Recommended PPL Categories:
- Beverage and café brands
- Youth fashion and streetwear
- Headphones, earbuds, and audio devices
- Streaming and music platforms
- Skincare and beauty (male and female)
Best Fit For: Youth-oriented global brands in F&B, fashion, and tech targeting Korean and pan-Asian consumers aged 16–30.
9. My Favorite Employee (최애의 사원)
Genre: Office Romance / Growth Drama | PPL Fit: ★★★★☆
Starring Kang Hoon, Kim Hye-jun, and Cha Woo-min, My Favorite Employee is a workplace romance centered on personal and professional growth. Office romance dramas are among the most consistently popular formats in Korean television — they attract a broad female-skewing audience and provide an exceptionally natural environment for product integration across multiple categories.
The everyday workplace setting means brands can be woven into the fabric of the drama with ease — on desks, in break rooms, during meals, and across characters’ daily routines.
Recommended PPL Categories:
- Coffee brands and premium beverage lines
- Office technology and productivity tools
- Professional fashion and workwear
- Food delivery platforms and packaged snacks
- Beauty and cosmetics (female-skewing audience)
Best Fit For: F&B, tech, and lifestyle brands targeting Korean working women aged 22–38 in a relatable, everyday context.
10. Chilling Romance (오싹한 연애)
Genre: Occult Romance | PPL Fit: ★★★★★
Starring Park Eun-bin and Yang Se-jong, Chilling Romance is one of the most eagerly anticipated dramas of 2026. Park Eun-bin is currently one of Korea’s hottest actresses following the global success of Extraordinary Attorney Woo, while Yang Se-jong brings strong romantic lead credentials and a loyal fanbase.
The occult-romance genre occupies a unique space — it blends mystery and emotional depth in a way that resonates with a sophisticated, highly engaged audience. This drama is expected to generate significant domestic and international buzz, making early PPL commitment particularly valuable for brands that want to ride the wave of its anticipated success.
Recommended PPL Categories:
- Luxury hotel and hospitality brands
- Premium beauty and fragrance
- High-end food and beverage brands
- Lifestyle and home décor brands
- Fashion brands with an editorial, mood-driven aesthetic
Best Fit For: Premium and luxury brands seeking association with a high-buzz, critically watched production featuring two of Korea’s most talked-about stars.
11. Still Going to Work (내일도 출근)
Genre: Office Romance | PPL Fit: ★★★★☆
Starring Park Ji-hyun and Seo In-guk, Still Going to Work is a classic office romance with one of 2026’s strongest leading cast combinations. Seo In-guk’s presence in two dramas on this list reflects his status as one of Korea’s most in-demand leading men, while Park Ji-hyun brings a warm, relatable appeal that resonates strongly with domestic audiences.
Office romances reliably deliver consistent ratings and strong female viewership — a demographic with significant influence over household purchasing decisions across categories including food, beauty, technology, and home goods.
Recommended PPL Categories:
- Consumer electronics and smart home devices
- Office fashion and accessories
- Coffee and premium beverage brands
- Food delivery apps and packaged food
- Beauty and personal care products
Best Fit For: Consumer electronics, F&B, and personal care brands targeting Korean women aged 24–40 through a warm, relatable narrative setting.
12. Secret Audit (은밀한 감사)
Genre: Office Comedy Romance | PPL Fit: ★★★★☆
Starring Shin Hye-sun and Gong Myung, Secret Audit brings together two actors with strong domestic reputations and loyal fanbases. Shin Hye-sun is one of Korea’s most critically respected actresses of her generation, known for choosing projects with strong writing and character depth. Gong Myung, meanwhile, brings charm and comedic sensibility to the pairing.
The office comedy-romance format is highly watchable and inherently social — humor-driven moments are widely shared on social media, giving brand integrations an extended life beyond the broadcast window. For brands that want visibility in a lighter, more joyful narrative context, this drama is an excellent choice.
Recommended PPL Categories:
- Office fashion and professional accessories
- Beauty and cosmetics (female-skewing audience)
- Coffee and premium beverage brands
- Packaged snacks and convenience food
- Stationery and office lifestyle brands
Best Fit For: Beauty, F&B, and lifestyle brands seeking warm, comedic brand associations with a highly watchable, social-media-friendly production.
How to Choose the Right K-Drama for Your Brand
With twelve strong options across diverse genres, the question is no longer whether to invest in K-drama product placement in 2026 — it is which drama best serves your brand’s specific objectives.
Match genre to product category. Sports dramas suit performance and wellness brands. Office romances work for F&B, tech, and beauty. Thriller and premium dramas elevate luxury and lifestyle positioning.
Align cast to target audience. Younger idol-adjacent casts like Song Kang (Forhands) or Park Ji-hoon (Promoter) drive fandom-powered social amplification. Veteran actors like Jeon Do-yeon (Widaehan Bang Ok-sook) or Cha Seung-won lend prestige and credibility.
Consider platform reach. Dramas distributed internationally via Netflix offer global brand exposure. Domestically aired dramas on tvN, JTBC, or Tving deliver deeper penetration within Korea’s premium consumer segment.
Engage early. The most effective PPL integrations are secured before production begins. The earlier a brand enters the conversation, the more organically the product can be woven into the drama’s narrative.
TALENTism: Your K-Drama Product Placement Partner in Korea
Navigating K-drama product placement as an international brand requires more than market knowledge — it requires trusted relationships with the right people, at the right time.
TALENTism is a Seoul-based Integrated Marketing Agency that helps global brands and international marketing agencies execute successful campaigns in Korea. From identifying the right drama and securing PPL agreements to managing on-set integration and post-broadcast reporting, we handle every stage of the process in-market.
We also work closely with global agencies as a local partner — providing the expertise, connections, and execution capability that makes Korea campaigns possible without a local office.
→ Get in Touch with TALENTism Planning a K-drama product placement campaign for 2026? Contact us today to explore the right opportunity for your brand.
