Is 'The Art of Sarah' A True Story or Work of Fiction? The Truth Behind Korean Thriller

Published 02/10/2026, 11:00 AM EST

The global appetite for South Korean thrillers has reached a fever pitch as audiences seek out stories that challenge the boundaries of trust and reality. And The Art of Sarah is currently the centerpiece of this digital excitement, promising a narrative where every smile hides a sinister motive. This atmospheric tension prepares the ground for a deep dive into the motivation behind the plot.

What is the origins and the intricate plot of this highly anticipated drama?.

The Art of Sarah: The fact and fiction behind the fraud

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The Art of Sarah is a work of fiction and an upcoming South Korean mystery-thriller series produced for Netflix, set to release on February 13, 2026. It is not based on a true story but is instead an original screenplay written by Chu Song-yeon and directed by the acclaimed Kim Jin-min.

The narrative centers on Sarah Kim, a woman who constructs a fake, luxurious identity to infiltrate the most exclusive circles of high society. The plot begins when a body believed to be hers is discovered, prompting a detective to uncover that her entire life was a carefully crafted illusion.

As the investigation deepens, it becomes clear that there are no official records of her background or true origins. This series explores a slow-burning psychological journey with the most deserving cast into the consequences of extreme identity fraud and the vanity that drives such a dangerous and deceptive lifestyle.

Netflix Expands Its K-Drama Vault With ‘The Art of Sarah’: Release Date, Cast, and All About Upcoming Crime Thriller

Those who are eager for suspenseful storytelling can find several other gripping options currently available.

Alternatives of The Art of Sarah for the hurried viewer

If viewers cannot wait until February 13, several excellent thrillers on Netflix explore similar themes of mystery and social commentary. The Glory offers a dark look at vengeance and the hidden lives of the wealthy, providing the same level of intensity and high-stakes drama.

Another strong choice is Celebrity, which focuses on the cutthroat world of social media influencers and the dark secrets behind their public personas. For those who enjoy a more police-centric investigation, Beyond Evil remains a premier example of the genre with its complex characters and constant plot twists.

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These shows capture the essence of South Korean noir and will satisfy the craving for suspense while the countdown to the premiere continues. Each of these titles provides a deep dive into human nature and the masks people wear to survive in a competitive and unforgiving world.

Netflix Confirms a New Mystery K-Drama Starring Shin Hye-Sun and Lee Joon-Hyuk 

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What do you think about the upcoming Korean thriller The Art of Sarah? Let us know in the comments.

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Soma Mitra

908 articles

Soma is a journalist at Netflix Junkie. With a postgraduate degree in Mass Communication, she brings production experience from documentary films like Chandua: Stories on Fabric. Covering the true crime and docu-drama beat, she turns psychological thrillers into sharp, audience-aware storytelling.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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