Netflix is expanding its portfolio of Korean original content with a new drama titled Variety, which delves into the K-pop industry. The series features Son Ye-jin, known for her leading role in Crash Landing on You, and Jo Yu-ri, a rising talent recognized for her performance in Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3.
The upcoming production is helmed by director Kim Yong-hoon, who previously directed Mask Girl, a critically acclaimed Korean series that achieved notable success on Netflix in 2023. Mask Girl maintained a presence on the streamer’s Global top 10 Non-English TV list for four consecutive weeks,reaching the number one spot in its second week of release.
Variety represents a departure in style for Kim, moving from the gritty neo-noir crime narratives of his earlier film, Beasts Clawing at Straws, to the high-stakes world of K-pop superstardom. The series is set to explore the dynamics of ambition,rivalry,and the complex relationships among industry executives,performing artists,and their dedicated fan bases.
Son Ye-jin portrays Se-eun, a prominent entertainment executive resolute to revitalize the struggling idol group she was instrumental in forming. This role adds to Son’s extensive upcoming projects, which include the Netflix period drama Scandals and Park Chan-wook’s anticipated film No Other Choice.
jo Yu-ri plays Seung-hui, a devoted fan whose intense loyalty to her favorite idol leads her into perilous situations. This casting is particularly noteworthy given Jo’s background as a former K-pop idol and a popular member of the K-pop group Iz*One.
CJ ENM Studios and UNU are producing Variety, underscoring Netflix’s continued commitment to collaborating with major Korean content creators.
