With Korean food, music, dramas and celebrities continuing to rank amongst some of the world’s most talked about pop cultural references, Disney+ Hotstar is helping viewers get their daily dose of Korea with five new weekly Korean variety shows launching from Friday to Tuesday starting August 22.

Covering a range of themes from speed dating and food challenges to fitness, celebrity shopping habits and more, the upcoming mid-form variety shows with about 25 minutes run time each, are sure to more than satisfy viewers’ Korea cravings.

Starting from August 22, viewers can enjoy:

Anchovy Physical Camp - Released every Friday starting August 22, this upcoming variety series sees some of Korea’s less active celebrities use nothing but grit and their complete lack of physical prowess to compete in a series of fun fitness challenges.

60 Minutes to Love – Released every Saturday starting August 23, this series follows Running Man star Ji Yeeun on her quest to find love. Throughout the 20-episode series, Ji Yeeun will go on 60-minute speed dates with men of all types and personalities in a bid to find her one true love.

Belly Showdown - Released every Sunday starting August 24, this upcoming series sees six personalities compete in a high-calorie comedic food challenge, using their unstoppable appetites to beat the competition.

YOO Got a Minute? - Released every Monday starting August 25, this series will be split into two parts. For the first 10 weeks Yoo Byungjae’s popular Why Did I Buy It series returns as You Bought What?! a variety series that examines celebrities’ bizarre spending habits. From week 11-20 the series will pivot to The Quiet Interview, a hilarious concept where interviewees struggle to keep a straight face during a series of bizarre interviews with only one rule – if you laugh the interview’s over!

Chef’s Go-To - Released every Tuesday starting August 26, take a trip off the eaten path with Korea’s famous chefs to explore some of their favorite back-alley eateries and hidden delights - all with the goal of helping you find your next unforgettable meal.

Each with 20 episodes until the year end, the upcoming debut of these five variety shows is the latest in a series of exceptional Korean content releases to debut on Disney+ Hotstar in recent years. In 2025 alone, viewers have immersed themselves in a world of mystery and murder with the year’s most watched Disney+ Hotstar Korean series - Nine Puzzles, have scrubbed in and gone under the scalpel with Hyper Knife, and have most recently explored treachery and treasure in ‘70s Korea with Low Life. 

Get your daily dose of K-Variety starting August 22 on Disney+ Hotstar.

When an assassination attempt is made on a presidential candidate, a multinational conspiracy involving rogue nations, security agencies, and classified intelligence will threaten the stability of the Korean peninsula in Tempest - a new spy thriller launching September 10 exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar internationally.

Featuring one of the most impressive international line-ups in a Korean drama to date, Tempest follows Seo Munju, a skilled former diplomat, as she tries to uncover the truth behind an attempt on a presidential candidate’s life. After discovering the candidate was accused of being a North Korean spy, Munju digs into his past, unlocking a Pandora’s box of deception, state secrets and more. Protected by Paik Sanho, a mercenary with a suspicious history and a hidden backer, Munju repeatedly finds herself under attack as she uncovers an international conspiracy stretching all the way to the White House. But, with danger drawing ever closer, will Sanho be able to keep his principal safe and his emotions in check?

Tempest stars:

• Gianna Jun (My Love From The Star, Kingdom) as former UN ambassador Seo Munju 
• Gang Dongwon (Peninsula, Uprising) as highly trained operative Paik Sanho 
• John Cho (Star Trek, Murderbot) as Assistant Secretary of State Anderson
• Lee Misook (Queen of Tears, The Plot) as Jang Junik’s mother Lim Okseon
• Park Haejoon (When Life Gives You Tangerines) as Presidential candidate Jang Junik
• Christopher Gorham (The Lincoln Lawyer, Ugly Betty) as Ethan, a mercenary
• Michael Gaston (Daredevil: Born Again, Bridge of Spies) as Secretary of Defense Eagleton
• Spencer Garrett (Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood) as President Houser

Tempest is directed by Kim Heewon (Queen of Tears, Vincenzo), co-directed by Korea’s leading martial arts director Heo Myeonghaeng (THE ROUNDUP: PUNISHMENT, Badland Hunters), and is written by Chung Seokyung (Decision to Leave, Little Women). The series is produced by Imaginus in association with Showrunners, AA, and Skydance.

Tempest will debut with a three-episode premiere on September 10, followed by two episodes a week until the two-part finale on October 1.

Tempest is the latest world class Korean drama set to debut on Disney+ Hotstar. Fans of unmissable storytelling can sign-up to Disney+ Hotstar today to enjoy instant access to other gripping series including the year’s most watched Disney+ Hotstar Korean drama Nine Puzzles, as well as A Shop For Killers, Hyper Knife, Moving and a huge range of other premium talent-driven scripted Korean dramas.

An ancient evil will rise again to threaten modern day Seoul in Twelve an action-packed fantasy series coming August 23 to Disney+ Hotstar.

A long time ago in an era long forgotten, twelve zodiac guardians fought against evil spirits in a last ditch attempt to save the human race. After a monumental sacrifice, the evil forces were sealed away and humanity continued to thrive. Today, only a few of those guardians remain, working odd jobs to protect individuals, but when evil once again begins to rise, the Twelve will be brought together under Taesan’s leadership to save modern day Seoul and the Korean peninsula from being consumed by darkness. 

Twelve stars Don Lee (Eternals, Train to Busan) as Taesan, the leader of the Twelve, and Park Hyungsik (Buried Hearts, Soundtrack #1), as Ogwi, an ancient sealed away for a thousand years. The series is written by Kim Bonghan (The Golden Holiday) and Don Lee, and is directed by Kang Daekyu (Pawn, Harmony) and Han Yunseon (18-Eighteen Noir).

Fans of unmissable Korean storytelling can also sign up to Disney+ Hotstar today to enjoy immediate access to series including the year’s most watched Disney+ Hotstar Korean drama Nine Puzzles, as well as A Shop For Killers, Hyper Knife, Moving and a huge range of other premium talent-driven scripted Korean dramas.

Stream Twelve starting August 23 on Disney+ Hotstar.

When a group of opportunistic chancers who’re down on their luck hear about a world of riches discovered at the bottom of the sea, knives will be drawn in Low Life - a new Korean drama coming July 16 exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar. 

Set in 1970s Korea, Low Life follows Oh Gwanseok and Oh Heedong, an uncle and nephew who’ve spent the best part of their lives chasing get-rich-quick schemes. When word begins to spread that an ancient treasure ship has been discovered off the coast of Korea, the two will race against time and other opportunists to recover the sunken treasure and claim the lives they’ve always dreamt of. But with competition around every corner, will the duo be able to salvage their fortune in time? 

Starring Ryu Seungryong (Moving, Chicken Nugget) as Oh Gwanseok, Yang Sejong (Doona!, Temperature of Love) as Oh Heedong, and Lim Soojung (Melancholia, Single in Seoul) as Yang Jungsook, Low Life is written and directed by Kang Yunsung (Big Bet, The Outlaws).

An 11-part series, Low Life will launch with a three-episode premiere on July 16, followed by two episodes released each week until an exciting two-part finale on August 13.

Low Life is the latest Korean original set to debut exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar. In 2025 alone, audiences have immersed themselves in the world of a serial killer in Hyper Knife and been captivated by the most watched Korean drama of 2025 on Disney+ Hotstar - Nine Puzzles. Later this year, audiences can also look forward to the arrival of Tempest starring Gianna Jun, Gang Dongwon, and John Cho; and Made In Korea, starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woosung. Audiences can also sign up to Disney+ Hotstar today to enjoy unlimited access to an ever-expanding library of unmissable APAC and global tentpole series and titles.

Stream the first three episodes of Low Life from July 16 only on Disney+ Hotstar.

After building a huge international fanbase and pulling in over 2.6 billion views to date, the smash Korean web novel and webtoon series The Remarried Empress is being adapted for live-action audiences exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar. 

Based on the chart-topping webtoon of the same name, The Remarried Empress is an upcoming romantic fantasy series that tells the story of Navier, a perfect empress whose husband shocks her one day when he returns home with his mistress and demands a divorce. Unwilling to let the Emperor ruin her life, Navier grants his request but, in return asks to marry a rival prince of the Western Kingdom - igniting a tale of political intrigue, romance, and a fight to reclaim her stolen power.

Shin Mina (Karma, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha) stars as beloved Empress Navier. Ju Jihoon (Light Shop, The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call) portrays Emperor Sovieshu of the Eastern Empire. Lee Jongsuk (Big Mouth, W) plays Heinrey, the Crown Prince of the Western Kingdom who harbors a hidden secret. And Lee Seyoung (The Red Sleeve, The Crowned Clown) as Rashta, the former runaway slave-turned-concubine of Sovieshu who sets her sights on the empress’s throne. The Remarried Empress will be adapted for streaming by Yeoh Geena and Hyun Choongyeol (The Uncanny Counter) and directed by Cho Suwon(Still 17, Pinocchio).

The Remarried Empress is the latest Original series to be announced as part of the upcoming slate of Korean titles on Disney+ Hotstar. Earlier this month, A Shop For Killers – named one of The New York Times’ Best International Shows of 2024 - was renewed for a second season, and fans of Korean dramas can also look forward to other must-watch series including Nine Puzzles, a dark criminal mystery starring Kim Dami and Son Sukku; Low Life, a treasure hunting series starring Ryu Seungryong; international conspiracy series Tempest starring Jun Gianna, Gang Dongwon, John Cho, and Michael Gaston, and so much more.

Stay tuned for more news about The Remarried Empress, coming exclusively to Disney+ Hotstar.

After a sensational debut that saw the newly released cerebral crime thriller capture the attention of viewers around the world, Disney+ Hotstar today announced that Nine Puzzles has become the most viewed Korean title on Disney+ Hotstar globally and in APAC in 2025*.

First released on May 21, Nine Puzzles follows Yoon Ena, a high school student who discovers the body of her murdered uncle next to a single puzzle piece. Uncertain of how she got to the scene of the crime and unable to answer any of the police’s questions, Ena quickly becomes the police’s prime suspect. A decade later, Ena, now a criminal profiler, once again finds herself caught in the middle of a series of murders, with each victim linked to a puzzle piece like the one from the night of her uncle’s murder.

Starring Kim Dami (Itaewon Class, Our Beloved Summer) as murder suspect turned criminal profiler Yoon Ena; Son Sukku (Big Bet, D.P.) as the tenacious and suspicious Detective Kim Hansaem; Kim Sungkyun (Moving, The Fiery Priest) as Police Captain Yang Jungho, and Hyun Bongsik (When Life Gives You Tangerines, Gangnam B-Side) as Junior Detective Choi San; Nine Puzzles is directed by Yoon Jongbin (Narco Saints, The Spy Gone North) and written by Lee Eunmi (Tunnel, Navillera).

Nine Puzzles is the latest Korean Original series set to debut as part of the eagerly anticipated 2025 Disney+ Hotstar Korea slate. So far this year, audiences have been engrossed in investigative thriller Unmasked, and captivated by medical thriller Hyper Knife. Throughout the rest of 2025, audiences can also look forward to upcoming titles Low Life - a treasure hunting series starring Ryu Seungryong; international conspiracy series Tempest, starring Jun Gianna, Gang Dongwon, John Cho, and Michael Gaston, and so much more.

After setting 2025 ablaze with hits like Unmasked and Hyper Knife, Disney+ Hotstar is keeping its momentum rolling with the premiere of a gripping new Korean crime thriller: Nine Puzzles. The cerebral drama, starring Kim Dami (Itaewon Class, Our Beloved Summer) and Son Sukku (Big Bet, D.P.), will debut exclusively on the platform May 21, with all six episodes dropping at once.

Nine Puzzles follows Yoon Ena, a high school student whose life shatters when she discovers her murdered uncle’s body, beside a single, cryptic puzzle piece. Unable to recall how she ended up at the scene and unable to answer police questions, Ena becomes their prime suspect. A decade later, now a sharp-witted criminal profiler, Ena is thrust back into the shadows of her past when a chilling series of murders surfaces, each leaving behind a puzzle piece eerily similar to the one from her youth.

Joining Kim Dami and Son Sukku in this psychological rollercoaster are Kim Sungkyun (Moving, The Fiery Priest) as Police Captain Yang Jungho, and Hyun Bongsik (When Life Gives You Tangerines, Gangnam B-Side) as Junior Detective Choi San. The series is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Yoon Jongbin (Narco Saints, The Spy Gone North) and penned by Lee Eunmi (Tunnel, Navillera).

Nine Puzzles is part of Disney+ Hotstar’s ambitious 2025 Korean Original slate, which has already captivated audiences with Unmasked and Hyper Knife, the latter racing to become the most-viewed Korean premiere on the platform globally this year. Fans can also look ahead to even more heavy-hitting releases like Low Life, a treasure-hunting saga starring Ryu Seungryong, and the high-stakes international conspiracy thriller Tempest, featuring Jun Gianna, Gang Dongwon, John Cho, and Michael Gaston.

Get ready to piece together the mystery when Nine Puzzles premieres May 21, exclusively on Disney+ Hotstar.