A lineup of new releases from different genres with exciting storylines are set to premiere this November. Are you ready to commit for a new set of characters to love? Check out this 10 new releases next month!
1. Melancholia
- Release date: November 3, 2021
- Airs on: Wednesdays & Thursdays
- Episodes: 16
- Genre: Drama, Romance, School
- Cast: Im Soo Jung, Lee Do Hyun
- Watch it on: tvN, iQiYi
“Melancholia” tells the lovely tale of a math instructor and a genius math scholar. The story is set in a corrupt private high school that is known for some preferential treatment. Here, Ji Yoon Soo (Im Soo-jung) works as a math teacher who is good-natured, but also gets very tenacious and stubborn whenever she makes up her mind. With her passion for math, she encourages her students to love it as well.
Meanwhile, Math genius Baek Seung Yoo (Lee Do-hyun) is a man of few words. What he lacked socially, he makes up for in his performance in math performance. He has no friends in school, but he also hides a shocking past.
‘Melancholia’ is directed by Kim Sang Hyub, who helmed ‘True Beauty’ and penned by Kim Ji Woon, the writer behind ‘Doctor John.’
2. The Red Sleeve Cuff
- Release date: November 5, 2021
- Airs on: Fridays & Saturdays
- Episodes: 16
- Genre: Historical, Melodrama, Drama, Romance
- Cast: 2PM’s Lee Jun Ho, Lee Se Young, Kang Hoon
- Watch it on: MBC
‘The Red Sleeve Cuff’ is a historical Korean drama which adapted from a famous novel “The Sleeve’s Red Cuff” (옷소매 붉은 끝동) by Kang Mi Kang (강미강).
Set in the Joseon period way back in the 18th century, this drama depicts a love story between Yi San/King Jeongjo (Lee Jun-ho) and the court lady Sung Deok-im (Lee Se-young). The red sleeve cuff is a symbol of a court lady who becomes a royal concubine and later becomes the mother of the crown Prince.
The story delves into the journey of the strong-willed and free-spirited Deok-im. As she eases into her new role as an official concubine, she understands that becoming a royal consort to the future king may be prestigious, but it can be restricting. Although this position may lead Deok-im to sacrifice her freedom, it’s also apparent to her that Yi San truly loves her. She also believes that this union could ultimately benefit a troubled realm.
This drama was based on a 2017 novel by Kang Mi Gang, but it was written for TV by Jung Hae-ri and Directed by Jung Ji-in. It’s one of the most anticipated drama to watch this November. It will also be 2PM’s Lee Jun-ho’s return to TV series after his military discharge in 2021.
3. Happiness
- Release date: November 5, 2021
- Airs on: Fridays & Saturdays
- Episodes: 12
- Genre: Drama, Action, Thriller, Fantasy
- Cast: Han Hyo Joo, Park Hyung Shik, Jo Woo Jin
- Watch it on: TVING, tvN, iQiYi
‘Happiness’ is an apocalyptic thriller that takes place in the near future where a new type of deadly virus spread throughout the city. The story zeroes in on a high-rise apartment building where occupants are stratified by social standing.
This building gets sealed off when the new infectious disease is slowly consuming the city. Besides fearing for their help, the residents also face fierce psychological battles as they find themselves in a desperate struggle for survival within the confines of the building. Conflicts among the residents arise as they strive to survive in this living arrangement.
“Happiness” reunites Director Ahn Gil Ho and writer Han Sang Woon who previously worked together in ‘Watcher.’ It will premiere on November 5 at 10:40 p.m. KST.
4. Let Me Be Your Knight
- Release date: November 7, 2021
- Airs on: Sundays
- Episodes: 12
- Genre: Music, Drama, Romance, Comedy
- Cast: Lee Jun Young (U-KISS Jun), Jung In Sun, Kim Jong Hyun (NU’EST JR), ex-Wanna One’s Yoon Ji Sung, AB6IX’s Kim Dong Hyun, ex-INFINITE’s Jang Dong Woo
- Watch it on: SBS
“Let Me Be Your Knight” is a rom-com musical drama that follows the story of Yoo Tae-in (Lee Jun-young), a famous idol who suffers from sleepwalking. In Yoon-ju (Jung In-sun) is a mysterious doctor who is secretly brought in to treat him. During this period, the female doctor experience a series of sweet and intense stories with the other 5 band members.
This drama comes with a colorful cast mostly composed of K-pop idols. It will be directed by Ahn Ji Sook, who is also the 2019 drama, ‘Kill It’. ‘Let Me Be Your Knight’ premieres on November 7 at 11:05 pm KST
5. The Secret Royal Inspector Joy
- Release date: November 8, 2021
- Airs on: Mondays & Tuesdays
- Episodes: 16
- Genre: Historical, Comedy, Drama, Mystery
- Cast: 2PM’s Ok Taecyeon, Kim Hye Yoon, Lee Jae Kyoon, Bae Jong Ok, Jeong Bo Seok, Min Jin Woong
- Watch it on: tvN, iQiYi
After playing an irresistible and handsome villain in Vincenzo, Ok Taecyeon returns to the small screen as the secret royal inspector, Ra Yi-eon in this comedic historical drama. He desired to open a dumpling store in the capital, but because of his intelligence, he passed the examination in the Office of Special Advisors. Since this was not his original plan, it took a lot from him to go into these secret missions.
He is partnered with Kim Jo-yi (Kim Hye-yoon), who is also making a comeback since ‘Extraordinary You’ in 2019. She is free-spirited but unhappy with her marriage, which is why she believed that women shouldn’t suffer in a marriage. Together with Yi-eon, they go undercover to find the truth and eliminate the corrupt politicians who are plaguing the country.
Secret Royal Inspector Joy will air its first episode on November 8 at 10:30 PM on tvN.
6. Idol: The Coup
- Release date: November 8, 2021
- Airs on: Mondays & Tuesdays
- Episodes: 12
- Genre: Drama, Music
- Cast: EXID’s Hani, Kwak Si-yang, Kim Min-kyu-V, Han So-eun, Laboum’s Solbin, WJSN’s Exy, Kim Ji Won
- Watch it on: JTBC, iQiYi,
This series is another Idol-themed drama to hit the small screen this November. It sheds light on the highly demanding life of those who are training to become an idol. The story follows a failing K-pop group named, Cotton Candy, who is pressured by their entertainment company to make a one-time hit before disbanding. If they become successful, this record just might be their career lifeline.
The members decide to leave on their own terms, which shows the realistic side of what it’s like to be in the industry. But it also leaves audiences an important message about mental health.
This series is written by Jun Yoon-Jung (Misaeng) and directed by No Jung-chan (The War of Flowers). It will air on JTBC on November 8 at 9 PM.
7. School 2021
- Release date: November 17, 2021.
- Airs on: Wednesday & Thursdays
- Episodes: 16
- Genre: Youth, School, Melodrama, Romance
- Cast: Kim Yo Han, Choo Young Woo, Jo Yi Hyun, Hwang Bo Reum, Kim Kang Min, Seo Hee Seon
- Watch it on: KBS2
This is a much-awaited drama because it’s another installment of the “School” series, whose last season was School 2017. It was supposed to be followed by School 2020, but due to some controversy involving one of its lead actors, the release was moved to November of this year but they choose to go with a different plot.
The story revolves around the story of students in specialized high school. They want to pursue their dreams instead of preparing for college like everyone else. As they go about this path that they’ve chosen, they discover and learn about true love, friendship, passions, and growing up in an intense environment.
Catch School 2021 as it airs on November 17th at 8:30 PM on KBS2.
8. Hellbound
- Release date: November 19, 2021.
- Airs on: Fridays
- Episodes: 6
- Genre: Mystery, Horror, Drama, Supernatural
- Cast: Yoo Ah-in, Park Jung-min, Won Jin-ah, Kim Hyun-joo
- Watch it on: Netflix
The series will bring back the concept of the death angel. People hear predictions about when they will die. When that time comes, a death angel appears in front of them and takes their life without warning.
In this alternate universe, supernatural creatures materialize to drag humans to hell. It involves angels off death who comes in to take lives without warning. This led a lawyer, a PD, and a detective to seek the truth about the mystery behind the phenomenon. They also investigate the Saejinrihwe group, which is lled by someone who believes that these death angels from hell are actually revelations from God.
‘Hellbound’ should be on your watchlist this November, mainly because it’s directed by Yeon Sang-Ho, who helmed the masterpiece zombie movie ‘Train to Busan,’. Catch it on Netflix on November 19th.
9. Now We’re Breaking Up
- Release date: November 12, 2021
- Airs on: Fridays & Saturdays
- Episodes: 16
- Genre: Melodrama, Drama, Romance
- Cast: Song Hye Kyo, Jang Ki Yong, Choi Hee Seo, Kim Jo Heon, EXO’s Sehun, Girls’ Day Yura
- Watch it on: SBS, Viu
‘Now We’re Breaking Up’ is also a highly anticipated K-drama this November as it marks the comeback of Song Hye Kyo after a two-year hiatus since, ‘Encounter,’ with Park Bo Gum.
Set in the in the world of high fashion where Ha Young-eun (Song Hye-kyo) is a hardworking team manager of a fashion label. Meanwhile, Yoon Jae-guk (Jang Ki-yong) is a talented freelance photographer. In this love story, these two characters cross paths but will their apprehensions result in a meaningful relationship? One is a pragmatist, while the other is cautious and less passionate about love.
For Jang Ki-yong’s fans, he leaves you this romance drama before going into military enlistment. It will sure be an interesting series to watch as Director Lee Gil Bok from ‘Vagabond,’ ‘My Love From the Star,’ and ‘Dr. Romantic 2’ takes the director chair. Watch out for Now We’re Breaking Up on November 12 at 10 PM on SBS.
10. One Ordinary Day
- Release date: November 27, 2021
- Airs on: Saturdays
- Episodes: 8
- Genre: Drama, Mystery, Crime, Law
- Main Cast: Kim Soo Hyun, Cha Seung Won
- Watch it on: Viu
‘One Ordinary Day’ is an 8-episode legal drama which is a remake from BBC series titled “Criminal Justice.” It is directed by Lee Myung Woo, who was responsible for projects such as “Punch,” “Whisper,” and “The Fiery Priest,”.
This drama delves into the criminal justice system through the story of two men who are embroiled in the murder of a woman. In this story, Kim Hyun-soo (Kim Soo-hyun), who is an ordinary college student was embroiled in a gruesome murder of a woman with whom he spent the night with. Due to that unfortunate circumstance, he became the primary suspect.
Only one lawyer is willing to help him out. Both of them must fight to uphold justice and bring the real culprit to justice. Moreover, this case will change their lives and shake up the country’s criminal justice system.
If you’re into crime-thrillers, watch out for One Ordinary Day on November 27th on Viu.
