TVN is known as a "Korean drama production machine" that routinely pumps out quality content.

In recent years, Korean dramas have expanded beyond just appearing on syndicated television and has become popular on streaming sites that compete for space in the market.

This inspires the larger networks like tvN and JTBC to make sure that they are putting out their best content as much as they can.

Looking at the popular Korean dramas of the past two years, most of them are produced and broadcast by cable channels.

At this time when this year is about to end, everyone is looking forward to the Korean dramas that will be broadcast on tvN in 2021. So let's take a look and see if we can predict the next hit. 

BULGASAL: IMMORTAL SOULS
불가살

Cast: Lee Jin-wook, Kwon Na-ra, Gong Seung-yeon, Lee Joon

Release Date: December 18, 2021

Source: tvN

Lee Jin-wook plays Dan Hwal, a being who has been immortal for the past 600 years. Kwon Na-ra plays Min Sang-woon, a woman who used to be immortal but has been reincarnated as a human. Lee Joon plays Ok Eul-tae, an immortal who lives in hiding and uses his wealth to help the needy and controll politions. Gong Seung-yeon plays Dan Sol, Dan Hwal's past wife.

This drama sounds like it'll be an interesting fantasy drama and it's set to premier after the conclusion of Jirisan.

BAD AND CRAZY
배드 앤 크레이지

Cast: Lee Dong-wook, Wi Ha-jun, Han Ji-eun

Release Date: December 17, 2021

Source: tvN

This drama is about bad and crazy police officers fighting against police corruption. Lee Dong-wook plays Ryu Soo-yeol, a good police officer with questionable morals. Wi Ha-jun, now a star after Squid Game, plays K, a righteous person with a crazy sense of justice. We can't wait to see these two on our screens!

MELANCHOLIA
멜랑꼴리아

Cast: Lim Soo-jung, Lee Do-hyun

Release Date: November 10, 2021

Source: tvN

This drama is being released as tvN's 15th anniversary special project. It will tell the story of a mathematics teacher at a corrupt private high school, Ji Yoon-soo (Lim Soo-jung), and her relationship with a genius math student Baek Seung-yoo (Lee Do-hyun).

SECRET ROYAL INSPECTOR AND JOY
어서와 조이

Cast: Ok Taec-yeon (2PM), Kim Hye-yoon

Release Date: November 8, 2021

Source: tvN

This drama is a historical comedy drama about the unexpected combination of a royal inspector and woman in the middle of a divorce.

Taec-yeon plays a man who wants to open a restaurant, but ends up passing the civil servant exam and becoming a royal inspector against his wishes. He meets Kim Jo-yi (Kim Hye-yoon), a very progressive woman for the Joseon period who wants to divorce her husband.

Together, they investigate corrupt politicians.

HAPPINESS
해피니스

Cast: Han Hyo-joo, Park Hyung-sik, Jo Woo-jin

Release Date: November 5, 2021

Source: tvN

Unlike the title suggests, this drama is actually an apocalyptic thriller show that explores class discrimination.

Set in the near future where infectious disease have become the norm, a high-rise apartment building has been newly constructed in the big city. The apartment building has residents from diverse backgrounds who must struggle to survive when a new infectious disease breaks out.

JIRISAN
지리산

Cast: Jun Ji-hyun, Ju Ji-Hoon, Sung Dong-il

Release Date: October 23, 2021

The network spared no expense to assemble the crew for this drama as the team behind such smash-hits like, Mr. Sunshine, Dokkaebi, and, Descendents of the Sun are at the helm for this one as well. 

With a resume like that, we can expect good things.

Filming took place primarily in Namwon City in the south of Korea and it has never looked better.

Jun Ji-hyun plays the administrator and best forest ranger working on Jiri Mountain.

She is joined by Ju Ji-Hoon portraying a hotshot rookie. They work together to protect the mountain and the nature surrounding it, as well as solving any crimes that occur there.

Jiri Mountain provides a scenic backdrop for this drama, providing a massive juxtaposition of beautiful nature and suspense.

It is set for release in 2021 and will also be cast on iQiyi for viewers in China and Taiwan.

HOMETOWN
홈타운

Release Date: September 22, 2021

Cast: Yoo Jae-myung, Han Ye-ri, Uhm Tae-goo

 Taking place in the year 1999, a mysterious tape holding recordings of a murder is found.

A detective believes it might be connected to a terrorist attack that took the life of his wife 10 years ago.

HIGH CLASS
하이클래스

Release Date: September 6, 2021

Cast: Cho Yeo-jeong, Kim Ji-soo, Kim Young-jae

This is a drama about what goes on behind the scenes of the lives of Korea's richest families, which seems to be a common theme in dramas these days!

It takes place on Jeju Island and is about three women whose children go to an elite international school and a new teacher who was a former ice hockey player.

Drama and mysteries unfold as Song Yeo-wool (Cho Yeo-jeong) is framed for her husband's murder.

HOMETOWN CHA-CHA-CHA
갯마을 차차차

Network: tvN

Cast: Shin Min-a, Kim Seon-ho, Lee Sang-yi

Release Date: August 28, 2021

This romantic comedy drama is also available for streaming on Netflix and is already receiving high viewer ratings.

It's a heartwarming story about the lives of dentist Yoon Hye-jin (Shin Min-a), who must move to a small village from the big city, and kind and helpful Hong Du-sik (Kim Seon-ho).

We can't wait to see how this love story will unfold!

DARK HOLE
다크홀

Networks: OCN, tvN

Release Date: April 30, 2021

Cast: Kim Ok-bin, Chae Seo-jin, Jang Dong-gun, Shin Ha-kyun

Strange smoke from a sinkhole turns people into human variants where they bleed black blood and hunt for human flesh.

The story shows survivors who fight together in the epidemic, one of whom did not turn into a human variant even though she inhaled the smoke.

DOOM AT YOUR SERVICE
어느 날 우리집 현관으로 멸망이 들어왔다

Cast: Park Bo-young, Seo In-guk, Lee Soo-hyuk, Kang Tae-oh

Release Date: May 10, 2021

A web fiction editor decides to bet her life and love on an unexpected fate that intervenes in her ordinary life.

HOSPITAL PLAYLIST SEASON 2
슬기로운 의사생활 시즌 2

Cast: Cho Jung-Seok, Yoo Yeon-Seok, Jung Kyung-Ho, Kim Dae-Myung, Jeon Mi-Do

Release Date: June 17, 2021

tvN is looking to expand the already impressive cast from season 1. 

The main crew of 5 people will remain unchanged, but season 2 will see several new faces that the network is hoping will add some newfound wit and humor to the drama. 

At the end of the first season, the production team laid the groundwork for the arrival of the second season.

It is currently set to be filmed in early December, so all the casting and preparatory work will be completed in November.

In 2021, we can see the vitality of the Gang of Five again!

The production team also stated in an interview that although the broadcast time and date have not yet been confirmed, it will be broadcast in June 2021 at the latest. 

MOUSE
마우스

Release Date: March 3, 2021

Cast: Lee Seung-Gi, Lee Hee-Joon, Park Joo-Hyun

Lee Seung Gi is scheduled to star in tvN's new drama, Mouse, which will be broadcast in 2021, as a new officer in the police station.

The central pillar to the story of Mouse rises based on questions such as: if psychological illness could be detected in the womb, what should society do with psychopathic and sociopathic people?

 Lee Seung-Gi will face off against the mentally ill murderer who has caused panic in Korea.

The production team also stated that Mouse will be filmed in a completely different and unique way from other television series that focus on mental illness. 

Lee Hee-Joon, a veteran actor, will also join he cast of Mouse. Park Joo-hyun, known for her explosive performance in Extracurricular, will also join. There is no shortage of talent already slated to appear in this thriller.

NAVILLERA
나빌레라

Cast: Park In-Hwan, Song Kang, Hong Seung Hee

Release Date: March 22, 2021

Navillera, adapted from the web comic of the same name, is confirmed to be broadcast on tvN in the first half of 2021.

The subject matter may be relatively unfamiliar to everyone, but those who follow manga in Korea will be familiar with Navillera.

It has been serialized since 2016, with a high score of 9.9/10 for certain volumes and praised as a "legendary webcomic".

The story tells the story of a 70-year-old man who is at the end of his life and a 23-year-old boy who has just begun to live his. 

Song Kang is determined to play the role of the ballet boy in Navillera.

The production team of Navillera said that the combination of veteran actors and young up-and-comers make for a wonderful combination because there is an air of mentorship and healthy competition.

We can all look forward to this entourage of talent.