Start 2026 with a bang with a fresh collection of dramas, variety shows and sports from CJ ENM
CJ ENM is ushering in the New Year with a diverse lineup of new content with fresh excitement.
This January, CJ ENM is bringing viewers a diverse range of dramas, from romance to retro comedy. A romantic K-drama that quietly but irresistibly draws you in like a spring day, tvN’s new Monday-Tuesday drama series “Spring Fever” premiered on January 5. On January 17, the retro office comedy “Undercover Miss Hong,” set against the backdrop of the late 1990s, will air on tvN.
On the variety side, CJ is serving up a new slate of diverse shows. The counseling program “LHS Counseling Center” premiered on tvN STORY on January 6, offering practical guidance on resolving family relationship issues. On January 8, the new tvN variety show “Cha’s Family” aired, following Cha Seung-won and Choo Sung-hoon as they team up and travel in search of authentic Korean-level spiciness. Another upcoming tvN variety show set to air this month, “The Village Barber,” features Park Bo-gum, Lee Sang-yi, and Kwak Dong-yeon as they face the challenges of running a hair salon in a rural village. Adding to this breadth of genres, the legendary Mnet series “SHOW ME THE MONEY” returns in January 2026 with its 12th season, closing out a diverse entertainment lineup.
Also on the way is more sports content to further heat up the new year. The 2026 Australian Open, which signals the start of the tennis season, will be broadcast on tvN SPORTS. Global attention is focused on the first head-to-head matchup of the season between Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
A Pink-Tinted Spring Romance: ‘Spring Fever’
Starring: Ahn Bo-hyun, Lee Joo-been, Cha Seo-won, Cho Jun-young and Lee Jae-in
tvN’s first romantic comedy of 2026, “Spring Fever,” premiered on the small screen on January 5. The series tells the story of a romance between Yoon Bom, a teacher as chilly as the winter wind, played by Lee Joo-been, and Seon Jae-gyu, a man with a heart on fire, portrayed by Ahn Bo-hyun.
The teaser trailer captures Seon Jae-gyu, a walking troublemaker whose outrageous behavior throws the village into turmoil, and Yoon Bom, who finds herself helplessly drawn to him. Seon Jae-gyu’s line, “Come on. Are you afraid you might fall for me?” hints at the bold, straight-shooting flirtation he’ll unleash on Yoon Bom as the story unfolds.
Helping Solve Family Relationship Issues: ‘LHS Counseling Center’
Starring: Lee Ho-sun, Jang Young-ran and In Gyo-jin
tvN STORY’s new variety show “LHS Counseling Center” premiered on January 6. Renowned as a tough love psychologist, professor Lee Ho-sun takes on a wide range of family conflicts with her signature no-nonsense, hard-hitting counseling style. Joining her as panelists adding sincere, experience-based advice of their own are broadcaster Jang Young-ran and actor In Gyo-jin, widely regarded in the entertainment industry as people who prioritize family.
Moving deftly between sharp facts and warm reassurance, professor Lee Ho-sun’s realistic and deeply empathetic guidance has already captivated viewers.
A Raw and Spicy Sitcom About a Gangster-like Family: ‘Cha’s Family’
Starring: Cha Seung-won, Choo Sung-hoon, Tommy, DINDIN and Danny Koo
Some of the hottest men of 2025 set off across Asia in search of a brand-new kind of heat. “Cha’s Family” is a real spicy sitcom that follows a gang-like family as they chase a once-in-a-lifetime shot at success by developing an all-new spicy sauce.
Led by actor Cha Seung-won and mixed martial artist turned broadcaster Choo Sung-hoon, the cast also includes rapper DINDIN, classical violinist Danny Koo, and a mysterious new face known only as Tommy, rounding out an eclectic and high-energy lineup.
The teaser video heightens curiosity as it shows Cha Seung-won and Choo Sung-hoon heading to Thailand to develop a K-style spicy sauce. Flaunting their undeniable aura, the two declare, “See you in a spicy New Year!” teasing the arrival of a “real gangster sitcom.” “Cha’s Family” premiered on January 8 on tvN.
A Retro Office Comedy: ‘Undercover Miss Hong’
Starring: Park Shin-hye, Go Kyung-pyo, Ha Yoon-kyung and Cho Han-gyeol
An elite securities supervisor in her 30s goes undercover as a low-ranking high school graduate employee in her 20s. tvN’s new weekend drama series “Undercover Miss Hong” is a retro office comedy set in the late 1990s, when a securities supervisor infiltrates a firm after suspicious financial activity is detected, triggering a series of chaotic and comedic events.
Park Shin-hye returns to tvN for the first time in eight years since “Memories of the Alhambra,” taking on a bold transformation with her comedic performance. She is joined by Go Kyung-pyo, Ha Yoon-kyung and Cho Han-gyeol — a cast with a unique chemistry that’s already drawing strong interest from K-drama fans.
Despite her top-notch professional skills, undercover agent Hong Geum-bo finds herself at the very bottom of the corporate hierarchy. Her unpredictable journey begins with the series premiere on January 17.
The Legendary Series Returns After Three Years: ‘SHOW ME THE MONEY 12’
Starring: ZICO, Crush, GRAY, Loco, J-Tong, Hukky Shibaseki, Lil Moshpit and JAY PARK
Mnet’s “SHOW ME THE MONEY” returns with its 12th season after a hiatus of nearly three years. As South Korea’s first hip-hop survival show, “SHOW ME THE MONEY” has played a pivotal role in bringing hip-hop into the mainstream and stands as the longest-running survival program in the country.
This season’s scope has been expanded with the introduction of global auditions alongside regional rounds, promising a scale and intensity greater than ever before. The star producer lineup — featuring ZICO, Crush, Loco, J-Tong, Hukky Shibaseki, Lil Moshpit and JAY PARK — has already ignited strong anticipation among music fans.
And for the first time in the franchise’s history, the new season will be co-produced with No.1 K-content streaming platform, TVING. In addition to the traditional broadcast on Mnet, the series will also unfold with TVING-exclusive storytelling, creating a dual-track narrative that moves between broadcast and streaming.
“SHOW ME THE MONEY 12” premieres on January 15 on Mnet.
Where Hair and Heart Are Refreshed: ‘The Village Barber’
Starring Park Bo-gum, Lee Sang-yi and Kwak Dong-yeon
Having earned a professional barber’s license during his military service, Park Bo-gum transforms into a hair designer for tvN’s new variety show “The Village Barber.” Set in a remote rural village, the reality program follows the cast as they run a small hair salon, share everyday moments with local residents and build warm, meaningful memories together.
Joining Park Bo-gum are Lee Sang-yi, who’s been steadily showcasing his abilities across both dramas and variety shows, and Kwak Dong-yeon, whose capable, hands-on skills mark him as a true all-rounder who gets things done. The show also highlights the genuine, close-knit chemistry of the three as they work side by side to operate the salon.
More than just styling hair, Park Bo-gum, Lee Sang-yi, and Kwak Dong-yeon aim to refresh hearts as well. Their heartfelt salon story, “The Village Barber,” is set to premiere this January.
The First Grand Slam of 2026: The 2026 Australian Open
The first Grand Slam of the season, the 2026 Australian Open 2026, which ushers in the new year, gets underway on January 12.
As the tournament that opens the tennis calendar, the Australian Open is widely seen as the stage offering an early glimpse into the rest of the season. Who will be the first player of the year to lift a Grand Slam trophy? Anticipation is running especially high among Korean tennis fans as Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, currently locked in a battle for the world No. 1 ranking, visit Korea just one week ahead of the tournament’s opening, further fueling excitement.
