August 2026 brought an unusually varied slate of new Korean dramas, spanning a Netflix noir-romance twist, a father-son thriller reunion, a returning crime-comedy franchise, and a coming-of-age piano rivalry — giving viewers four very different reasons to tune in within the same month. From Jung Hae-in's Netflix comeback to Song Kang's first post-military lead role, the lineup covers nearly every corner of the K-drama genre spectrum at once.
Our Sticky Love: Jung Hae-in's Netflix Comeback
Our Sticky Love stars Jung Hae-in and dropped all episodes on Netflix on August 7, 2026. Set in a close-knit rural village, the series blends humanist drama, romance, and noir elements, building toward what its own marketing has teased as a major narrative twist. The all-at-once release format meant the entire story became available to binge from day one, a rollout choice that's become Netflix's standard approach for its Korean original dramas.
Mousetrap: Ryu Jun-yeol and Sul Kyung-gu Team Up
Mousetrap, premiering on Netflix on August 28, 2026, pairs Ryu Jun-yeol and Sul Kyung-gu in a thriller built around the tension between its two leads. Details of the plot have been kept relatively under wraps ahead of release, with marketing leaning on the pairing of two well-established leading men as the draw rather than an elaborate premise reveal.
Flex X Cop Season 2: A Bigger, Flashier Return
Flex X Cop returns for a second season on SBS, premiering August 7, 2026 in the network's Friday-Saturday drama slot, with Ahn Bo-hyun and Jung Eun-chae reprising their lead roles. The show's marketing has promoted the new season as a scaled-up version of its predecessor, leaning further into the original's blend of chaebol-heir comedy and police procedural action.
Four Hands, Two Sonatas: Song Kang's Post-Military Comeback
Four Hands, Two Sonatas premieres on tvN on August 29, 2026, marking Song Kang's first lead role since completing his military service. Set at an elite arts high school, the coming-of-age drama follows piano prodigy Kang Bi-o (Song Kang), late-blooming rival Choi Jeong-yo (Lee Jun-young), and violist Hong Jae-in (Jang Gyu-ri) as their friendship, rivalry, and musical partnership develop from adolescence into their careers as professional pianists. The title refers to "four hands," a piano term for a duet performed by two people on a single instrument. The network has described the story as a coming-of-age "bromance" centered on music and friendship rather than a romance, and the drama also marks Lee Jun-young's final project before his own military enlistment.
August 2026 New Dramas at a Glance
| Drama | Lead Cast | Platform | Premiere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Our Sticky Love | Jung Hae-in | Netflix | August 7, 2026 |
| Flex X Cop Season 2 | Ahn Bo-hyun, Jung Eun-chae | SBS | August 7, 2026 |
| Mousetrap | Ryu Jun-yeol, Sul Kyung-gu | Netflix | August 28, 2026 |
| Four Hands, Two Sonatas | Song Kang, Lee Jun-young, Jang Gyu-ri | tvN / Netflix (global) | August 29, 2026 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Our Sticky Love about?
It follows a story set in a close-knit village that blends humanist drama, romance, and noir elements, building toward a significant plot twist, starring Jung Hae-in.
Is Flex X Cop Season 2 a direct continuation of Season 1?
Yes, it brings back leads Ahn Bo-hyun and Jung Eun-chae in a scaled-up second season continuing the show's chaebol-comedy and police procedural format.
Is Four Hands, Two Sonatas a romance between the two male leads?
The network has described it as a coming-of-age "bromance" centered on friendship, rivalry, and music rather than a romantic storyline between the two leads.
Where can I watch Mousetrap?
Mousetrap premieres on Netflix on August 28, 2026, and is available globally through the platform.
Is this Song Kang's first project since finishing military service?
Yes, Four Hands, Two Sonatas marks Song Kang's comeback lead role following his discharge from mandatory military service.
Release dates and episode counts can shift after announcement — check each platform or network's official channels for the most current schedule.