Production has begun on “현혹,” a big-budget drama adaptation of a popular Korean webtoon, directed and written by Han Jae-rim — the filmmaker behind acclaimed features “The Show Must Go On,” “The King,” and “Emergency Declaration” — marking one of 2026’s most anticipated prestige webtoon-to-screen adaptations, reuniting stars Kim Seon-ho and Suzy, who previously worked together on the hit drama “Start-Up.”
Set in 1935 Gyeongseong (colonial-era Seoul), the story follows Yoon Yi-ho, a painter who becomes captivated by Song Jeong-hwa, a mysterious woman who has lived concealed from the world — a period-mystery premise that gives the production considerable scope for the kind of elaborate 1930s production design and costuming that has become a signature strength of high-budget Korean historical dramas in recent years.
Han Jae-rim’s involvement brings significant directorial pedigree to the adaptation, having built a reputation across both film and television for visually ambitious, tonally complex storytelling — a track record that has generated considerable advance interest in how his directorial sensibility will translate the original webtoon’s mystery and romance elements to screen, particularly given the period setting’s demands for historical authenticity alongside genre-driven narrative tension.
The Kim Seon-ho and Suzy reunion adds another significant draw: both actors have built substantial individual fanbases since “Start-Up,” and their prior on-screen chemistry has generated specific anticipation for how a considerably different genre and period setting will showcase their range compared to their earlier contemporary romantic-comedy pairing.
With filming now underway, “현혹” is expected to be positioned as a flagship prestige drama release once complete, joining a growing slate of high-budget webtoon adaptations that Korean studios are increasingly using to demonstrate the format’s capacity for premium, awards-oriented production values rather than purely commercial genre content.
Source: Korean drama industry coverage of “현혹” production start, Han Jae-rim direction, Kim Seon-ho and Suzy casting, 2026.
