Netflix's Granny Adaptation Officially Begins Filming Starring Lee Jung Eun and Kim Mu Yeol

Published 06/29/2026, 11:00 AM EDT

via Imago

Netflix has quietly turned South Korea into one of the most exciting homes for prestige thrillers. From the relentless tension of Kingdom and the emotional weight of Juvenile Justice to the psychological unease of The Frog and the global phenomenon of Squid Game, the platform has built a reputation for stories that are never content with simple heroes or villains. Every new addition to its Korean slate arrives with the promise of something darker, stranger, and emotionally sharper.

The streaming giant has also shown a growing appetite for adapting acclaimed webtoons, proving that some of Korea's strongest stories already exist on the page before making their way to the screen. That strategy has consistently delivered memorable genre fare, and another ambitious adaptation has quietly entered production.

Netflix's new Korean adaptation officially begins filming

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Netflix's upcoming Korean Original Granny will officially begin filming on July 5, 2026. Production is expected to continue for several months before wrapping in early 2027, placing the series on track for either a late 2027 debut or, more realistically, an early 2028 release. While the project remains in its early stages, it has already attracted attention thanks to its leading cast and its unusual premise.

So far, only two cast members have been attached to the series. Lee Jung Eun will lead the drama as Jung Suk Ja, while Kim Mu Yeol stars as Seo Yeon U. The casting alone makes Granny an intriguing reunion for longtime Netflix viewers. Lee Jung Eun has become one of the platform's most recognizable faces through projects including The Trunk, The Frog, Daily Dose of Sunshine, Our Blues, Juvenile Justice, Law School, and Heavenly Ever After.

Kim Mu Yeol is equally familiar to Netflix audiences after appearing in Sweet Home Seasons 2 and 3, sharing the screen with Lee Jung Eun in Juvenile Justice.

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The premise itself hints at something very different from Netflix's usual Korean thriller formula. Instead of centering on detectives, prosecutors, or survival games, this adaptation places an elderly grandmother at the heart of an uncompromising revenge tale. 

Why Granny could become one of Netflix's most unique Korean thrillers

Granny is an upcoming South Korean Netflix Original action thriller directed by Han Dong Wook and based on the webtoon Granny by author Jae Hu. The project was initially developed as a co-production between Sanae Pictures and Studio Dragon. However, reports indicate that Sanae Pictures exited the production following a dispute over profit sharing, leaving Studio Dragon to continue as the sole production company.

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The story follows Jung Suk Ja, whose grandson Kwon Yong Hui is the center of her life until he is left in a coma after a brutal attack. Despite overwhelming evidence, the members of the notorious Black Star Mob walk free. Everything changes when two mysterious men offer to train the grieving grandmother so she can hunt down those responsible herself. Reluctant at first, Jung Suk Ja embraces the opportunity, transforming from an ordinary grandmother into an unlikely force of vengeance. 

With filming now ready to begin, Granny is shaping up to be one of the most distinctive Korean Originals on Netflix's upcoming slate. If the adaptation successfully captures the emotional intensity and brutal action of Jae Hu's webtoon, it could become another standout addition to the platform's growing collection of Korean thrillers.

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Are you excited to see Lee Jung Eun and Kim Mu Yeol reunite for Granny? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Sarah Ansari

747 articles

Sarah Ansari is an entertainment writer at Netflix Junkie, transitioning from four years in marketing and automotive journalism to storytelling-driven pop culture coverage. With a background in English Literature and experience writing across NFL, NASCAR, and NBA verticals, she brings a research-led, narrative-focused lens to film and television. Passionate about exploring how stories are crafted and why they resonate, Sarah unwinds through sketching, swimming, motorsports—and yearly winter Harry Potter marathons.

Edited By: Hriddhi Maitra

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