Upcoming Netflix K-Pop Drama ‘Variety’ Featuring Jo Yu-ri and Son Ye-jin

Netflix Unveils New K-Pop Drama “Variety”Starring Son Ye-jin and Jo Yu-ri

In an exciting announcement, Netflix has given the green light to a new K-pop drama titled Variety. The highly anticipated series features acclaimed actress Son Ye-jin, known for her role in the global hit Crash Landing on You, alongside rising star and former IZ*ONE member Jo Yu-ri. This marks their first collaboration, adding to the buzz surrounding the production.

Confirmed on Monday, Netflix revealed details of the production along with images from an initial script reading in Seoul. This new endeavor takes a deep dive into South Korea’s dynamic and often ruthless idol industry.

Plot Overview: Power, Ambition, and Obsession

Set within the glamorous yet cutthroat world of K-pop, Variety chronicles the story of Sae-eun, a driven CEO managing a top boy band, and Seung-hee, a devoted fan whose loyalty veers into dangerous territory. With a promise of a gripping exploration of ambition, power dynamics, and obsession, the series is poised to resonate with audiences familiar with the complexities of fandom in the modern age.

Character Insights and Cast Details

In her role as Sae-eun, Son Ye-jin depicts a powerful executive facing the pressure of renewing her flagship group’s contract as their deal is set to expire. With her impressive career spanning over two decades, her return to Netflix after four years is highly anticipated, as she brings her signature emotional depth to the screen.

Opposite her, Jo Yu-ri takes on the character of Seung-hee, a young woman whose extreme loyalty leads her to meticulously follow her idol’s every move. Jo has garnered acclaim for her performances in the second and third seasons of Squid Game, and this role presents her most challenging and psychologically complex character to date.

Creative Team Behind the Scenes

The eight-episode series will be directed by Kim Yong-hoon, celebrated for his successful noir drama Mask Girl. Known for his knack for bold imagery and suspenseful storytelling, Kim’s involvement suggests that Variety will offer a darker, compelling twist on the conventional music-drama genre.

Production and Release Timeline

The production is a collaboration between CJ ENM Studios and newcomer UNU, marking a reunion with Netflix that follows the success of popular series like Squid Game. Filming for Variety is slated to commence in Seoul later this summer, with a global release aimed for 2026. However, a specific premiere date has yet to be announced.

Korean Content on Netflix: Growing Popularity

Analysts have noted that Korean dramas accounted for almost one-third of Netflix’s non-English viewing hours over the past year, incentivizing the platform to invest in productions that showcase both star power and fresh narratives surrounding fan culture. With Son Ye-jin’s established fanbase and Jo Yu-ri’s rising popularity, Variety is already creating significant buzz across social media and industry circles.

What’s Next?

As the production progresses, more casting details and information about the fictional idol group central to the storyline are expected to be unveiled soon. For now, the anticipated tension between a determined executive and a fan with a dangerous obsession seems to have audiences eager to mark their calendars for Netflix’s next major K-drama venture.