Netflix has officially begun production on Long Vacation, a new Korean romance series that brings together some of the industry’s most respected creative minds and fastest-rising stars. The streaming giant announced the start of principal photography and shared initial images from the show’s first table read in Seoul, marking a significant step in its ambitious 2026 Korean content slate. Helmed by Lee Jung-hyo, the visionary director behind the globally acclaimed mega-hit Crash Landing on You, and penned by Jung Hyun-jung, one of Korea’s most prolific and cherished romance scribes, Long Vacation is poised to captivate audiences worldwide with its unique narrative and compelling character dynamics.
The series is set to unite two of Korea’s most promising young talents: Choo Young-woo and Lee Se-young. Choo Young-woo, who garnered significant industry recognition last year by winning the prestigious Baeksang Award for Best New Actor for his standout performances in recent hits such as The Tale of Lady Ok, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, and Head Over Heels, takes on the challenging role of Demon 3375. This enigmatic character is depicted as a powerful, ancient being who has existed for centuries without ever comprehending the complexities of human love. Opposite him, the versatile and critically acclaimed actress Lee Se-young, known for her compelling roles in dramas like The Red Sleeve and What Comes After Love, portrays Deul-pan, a diligent and capable hotel room attendant whose everyday life is far from easy. The narrative unfolds as the paths of Demon 3375 and Deul-pan repeatedly intersect at a picturesque seaside hotel, sparking an improbable relationship that challenges the demon’s long-held beliefs and shakes the very foundation of his existence.
The Powerhouse Creative Team: Architects of Global K-Drama Success
The anticipation surrounding Long Vacation is largely fueled by the formidable pedigree of its behind-the-scenes creative team. Director Lee Jung-hyo has firmly established himself as one of Netflix’s go-to hitmakers in the Korean drama landscape. His directorial prowess first garnered international attention with Crash Landing on You (CLOY), a series that transcended cultural boundaries to become one of the most-watched K-dramas in the platform’s history. CLOY’s unprecedented global success, which saw it consistently ranking in the top 10 on Netflix in numerous countries and sparking a surge in interest for K-dramas worldwide, cemented Lee’s reputation for crafting emotionally resonant narratives combined with grand cinematic visuals. Following CLOY, he continued his successful collaboration with Netflix, directing the youth romance Doona! (2023), which explored themes of celebrity life and personal connection, and the highly anticipated Jeon Do-yeon thriller The Price of Confession (2025), showcasing his versatility across genres. His consistent ability to deliver critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects makes him a crucial asset in Netflix’s Korean content strategy.
Complementing Lee Jung-hyo’s directorial vision is writer Jung Hyun-jung, a celebrated figure in the K-drama romance genre whose writing credits span over a decade. Jung is renowned for her nuanced portrayal of modern relationships and her ability to craft witty, relatable, and deeply emotional scripts. Her extensive portfolio includes beloved hits such as I Need Romance (a pioneering series that explored realistic adult relationships), Romance Is a Bonus Book (a charming story set in a publishing house), Lovestruck in the City (a unique mockumentary-style romance), and Discovery of Love (a thoughtful exploration of past and present relationships). Jung Hyun-jung’s consistent success in creating compelling romantic narratives that resonate with a wide audience positions her as an ideal partner for Long Vacation, promising a script that will be both engaging and emotionally profound. The combination of Lee’s visual storytelling and Jung’s intricate character development is expected to create a romance series that is both grand in scope and intimate in its exploration of love.
The Rising Stars: Choo Young-woo and Lee Se-young
The casting of Choo Young-woo and Lee Se-young represents a strategic move by Netflix to feature fresh, yet proven, talent in leading roles. Choo Young-woo’s recent Baeksang Award win for Best New Actor is a significant testament to his rapidly ascending career and formidable acting capabilities. The Baeksang Arts Awards, often referred to as the "Korean Golden Globes," are among the most prestigious accolades in South Korea, and his recognition highlights his exceptional potential. His roles in diverse projects like the historical drama The Tale of Lady Ok, the medical drama The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call, and the youth romance Head Over Heels demonstrate his versatility and commitment to embodying a wide range of characters. As Demon 3375, Choo faces the unique challenge of portraying a centuries-old being grappling with a newfound emotion, a role that demands subtle yet powerful acting to convey the character’s journey from detached power to vulnerable understanding.
Lee Se-young, a veteran actress despite her young age, has consistently impressed critics and audiences alike with her depth and range. Her performance in the historical romance The Red Sleeve (2021) earned her widespread acclaim, significant viewership ratings, and numerous awards, solidifying her status as a leading lady capable of carrying complex narratives. Her ability to convey both strength and vulnerability will be crucial in her portrayal of Deul-pan, a hotel room attendant navigating the harsh realities of life while unexpectedly encountering a being from another realm. Her previous work in What Comes After Love further showcases her capacity for sensitive and intricate character portrayals. The pairing of Choo Young-woo and Lee Se-young offers a fresh dynamic, with the potential for compelling on-screen chemistry as their characters navigate the complexities of an inter-dimensional romance.
The Narrative Hook: An Ancient Being, A Modern Life, and A Seaside Hotel
The premise of Long Vacation cleverly blends fantasy elements with relatable human experiences, a formula that has often proven successful in the K-drama landscape. The concept of a powerful, immortal being who lacks understanding of fundamental human emotions like love, forced to confront them through interaction with a grounded, ordinary individual, echoes popular and beloved fantasy romances such as Goblin (2016) and My Love From the Star (2013). This trope allows for both comedic moments arising from cultural misunderstandings and profound emotional arcs as the immortal character learns about humanity through the eyes of their mortal counterpart.
The setting of a "seaside hotel" adds another layer of aesthetic and thematic richness to the series. Seaside locations in K-dramas often symbolize tranquility, escape, new beginnings, or even a sense of timelessness, perfectly aligning with the fantastical elements of the plot. Visually, it promises stunning cinematography and a romantic atmosphere that will enhance the unfolding love story. The juxtaposition of Demon 3375’s ancient power and Deul-pan’s everyday struggles within this idyllic yet potentially transient setting creates a fertile ground for exploring themes of destiny, fate, personal growth, and the transformative power of love. The initial interactions and subsequent deepening of their "unlikely relationship" at this specific location are expected to be central to the series’ emotional core, challenging the demon’s centuries of detachment and perhaps offering Deul-pan a perspective beyond her challenging daily life.
Netflix’s Unwavering Commitment to Korean Content and Global Strategy
The commencement of production for Long Vacation is not an isolated event but rather a reaffirmation of Netflix’s deep and strategic investment in Korean content, which continues to play an outsized role as one of the streamer’s most important content engines outside the United States. Since 2016, Netflix has reportedly invested billions of dollars in Korean content, a commitment that has yielded extraordinary returns, significantly contributing to its global subscriber growth and cultural influence. This strategy was dramatically underscored by the unprecedented global phenomenon of Squid Game in 2021, which became Netflix’s most-watched series ever and demonstrated the immense global appeal and commercial viability of Korean storytelling.
In January, Netflix unveiled an ambitious 33-title Korean slate for 2026, showcasing a diverse range of series and films across various genres. This slate features everything from new seasons of popular reality shows like Singles Inferno to highly anticipated romantic comedies such as Boyfriend on Demand, starring Blackpink’s Jisoo, and prestigious cinematic works like Lee Chang-dong’s Possible Love. Lee Chang-dong, a revered auteur whose films have garnered international critical acclaim, is making his return to cinema after an eight-year hiatus with Possible Love, a project that is already being touted as a likely contender at major film festivals later this year. This broad spectrum of content highlights Netflix’s multi-pronged approach to catering to diverse audience preferences within the Korean market and globally.
The cultural impact of Netflix’s Korean content strategy was further amplified just last week by the live broadcast of the BTS comeback concert from Seoul’s Gwanghwamun Square. The event drew an astonishing 18.4 million viewers globally and hit the No. 1 spot on Netflix in 24 countries, demonstrating the immense power of K-pop and Korean culture when amplified through Netflix’s global platform. This event underscored not only the immense popularity of Korean artists but also Netflix’s evolving role in delivering live, culturally significant events to its global audience, further integrating Korean cultural phenomena into the mainstream.
Broader Implications and Industry Outlook
The consistent production of high-caliber Korean dramas like Long Vacation carries significant implications for both Netflix and the broader global entertainment industry. For Netflix, it reinforces its competitive edge in the streaming wars by offering unique, high-quality non-English language content that attracts and retains subscribers worldwide. The success of K-dramas has proven that compelling storytelling transcends language barriers, allowing Netflix to tap into diverse demographics and expand its global footprint.
For the Korean entertainment industry, Netflix’s investment provides crucial funding, state-of-the-art production resources, and an unparalleled global distribution platform. This partnership enables Korean creators to tell their stories on a grander scale and reach audiences that would have been inaccessible through traditional distribution channels. This influx of capital and global exposure further solidifies South Korea’s position as a global cultural powerhouse, continuing the momentum of the Hallyu, or Korean Wave. The ongoing collaboration nurtures local talent, creates job opportunities, and contributes significantly to the national economy through increased cultural exports and tourism.
Industry analysts suggest that the combination of Lee Jung-hyo and Jung Hyun-jung, coupled with the rising star power of Choo Young-woo and Lee Se-young, positions Long Vacation as a strong contender for critical acclaim and global viewership. The series is expected to not only contribute to Netflix’s robust library of Korean content but also further evolve the romantic fantasy genre within K-dramas, offering a fresh take on classic tropes while maintaining the emotional depth and narrative sophistication that fans have come to expect. As production continues, the series will undoubtedly be one to watch, symbolizing another chapter in the remarkable global journey of Korean storytelling.
