Netflix has officially confirmed the release date for Tantara, its upcoming period K-drama set in post-war Korea, starring Song Hye Kyo (The Glory) and Gong Yoo (Squid Game). The series will arrive on the platform on December 11, 2026.
Tantara was previously known under the working title Show Business and has also circulated under the name Slowly and Intensely. It is a Netflix original production directed by Lee Yoon Jung (Argon) and written by screenwriter Noh Hee Kyung (Our Blues). The series is produced by Studio Dragon and GTist, regular Netflix collaborators in the K-drama genre.
When does Tantara premiere on Netflix?
It has been known since the beginning of the year that Tantara would arrive during the fourth quarter, and the date of December 11, 2026, had been circulating preliminarily for several months. Netflix has now officially confirmed that this will be the final release date.
What is the plot of Tantara?
Netflix has released an official synopsis for the series:
The story revolves around Min-ja (Song Hye Kyo), who enters the music business after surviving a childhood marked by poverty, during which she had to take any job to survive. By her side is Dong-gu (Gong Yoo), her childhood friend, who fights alongside her to protect their dreams. They are joined by Min-hui (Kim Seol Hyun), a bold talent with a captivating voice who becomes their first artist, and Seok Gil-yeo (Cha Seung Won), the greatest hitmaker of the era, capable of turning any beginner into a megastar. Rising from the bottom of society after overcoming great adversity, the characters pursue their ambitions with passion, in a story that seeks to connect deeply with audiences around the world.
Confirmed cast of Tantara
The series features five confirmed leads: Song Hye Kyo, Gong Yoo, Lee Ha Nee, Kim Seol Hyun, and Cha Seung Won.
Song Hye Kyo as Min-ja
Song Hye Kyo became known on Netflix for her role as Moon Dong Eun in the hit revenge thriller The Glory. The actress will also appear soon as a guest in All the Love You Wish For. Outside of Netflix, she has starred in K-dramas such as Descendants of the Sun, Encounter, and Full House. According to the official synopsis, she will play Min-ja.
Gong Yoo as Dong-gu
Gong Yoo is known for his role as the salesman in Squid Game, a character he will reprise in the second season. He also starred in the sci-fi series The Silent Sea and is remembered for his roles in the fantasy-romance drama Goblin and the iconic South Korean horror film Train to Busan. In Tantara, he will play Dong-gu.
Lee Ha Nee, in her first leading role on Netflix
Lee Ha Nee last appeared on Netflix in 2019 as a guest in Be Melodramatic, although she will take on her first leading role on the platform in Aema, released in 2025. The material available regarding her character in Tantara is contradictory, as different references link her to both the name Min-hui and Yang-ja, so her exact role in the series cannot yet be confirmed with precision.
Kim Seol Hyun as Min-hui
Kim Seol Hyun last appeared on Netflix in the historical drama My Country the New Age. Since then, she has starred in series such as Awaken, The Killer's Shopping List, Summer Strike, and Light Shop. According to the official Netflix synopsis, she will play Min-hui.
Cha Seung Won as Seok Gil-yeo
Cha Seung Won's last leading role on Netflix was in the K-drama Our Blues. Since then, he has had a guest role in The Trunk and will appear soon in the series Mercy for None. In Tantara, he will play Seok Gil-yeo.
Kim Jeong Woo in a supporting role
Kim Jeong Woo, who recently played Father Peter in seasons 2 and 3 of Sweet Home, will have a supporting role in Tantara.
Production status of Tantara
Filming for the series, then under the title Show Business, began on December 12, 2024. It was expected that filming would conclude on December 22, 2025, although the wrap party was held recently, which places the production in the post-production phase ahead of its release in December 2026.
Frequently asked questions about Tantara
When does Tantara premiere on Netflix?
Netflix has confirmed that Tantara will premiere on December 11, 2026.
Who are the stars of Tantara?
The confirmed main cast includes Song Hye Kyo, Gong Yoo, Lee Ha Nee, Kim Seol Hyun, and Cha Seung Won.
What is Tantara about?
The series follows Min-ja, a woman who enters the music business after a childhood marked by poverty, alongside her childhood friend Dong-gu, as they try to protect their dreams in the post-war music industry alongside other key characters.
Did Tantara have another title before its release?
Yes, the series was previously known under the working title Show Business and has also circulated under the name Slowly and Intensely before being confirmed as Tantara.
What stage of production is Tantara in?
Filming began in December 2024 and, according to available information, the series is currently in the post-production phase ahead of its release in December 2026.
