New k-dramas in August

The diverse line-up of shows premiering this month is sure to have something for almost every kind of k-drama fan. We’ve got a new high society drama, a police comedy, a military action comedy, a fantasy saeguk (historical drama), and — of course — a romance. Which ones look interesting?

The Road: Tragedy of One

We’ve got a new high-society drama from tvN, this time about the residents of "Royal the Hill" — a place reserved for only the top 1 percenters. Ji Jin-hee (Undercover, Move to Heaven) and Yoon Se-Ah (Sky Castle) lead the cast as a powerful married couple — he’s a famous news anchor and she’s a chaebol heir — alongside Kim Hye-eun (Itaewon Class), who plays a successful television announcer who isn’t satisfied with having everything she wants. Watch this on iQiyi starting Aug. 4.

Police University

Originally expected to premiere last month, this KBS drama stars Cha Tae-hyun (My Sassy Girl) as Yoo Dong-man, a former detective turned instructor at the police university. His students include Kang Sun-ho (Jin Young), a smart hacker-turned-criminal student, and Oh Kang-hee (Krystal), a righteous freshman who sticks by the rules. The chaos begins when Yoo Dong-man’s analog ways clash with his students as they try to solve a case. The fun streams on Viu every Tuesday and Wednesday starting Aug. 10.

Lovers of the Red Sky

Based on the novel “Hong Chun Gi” — from the same author as the hit k-dramas Sungkyunkwan Scandal and The Moon Embracing the Sun, this historical fantasy drama stars Kim Yoo-jung (Love in the Moonlight) as the titular character. The only female painter during the Joseon Dynasty, Hong Chun-gi was born blind but somehow regains vision and gets accepted to an art school. Along the way, she meets and falls for Ha Ram (Ahn Hyo-seop), a blind man who can tell the future by reading the stars. The drama unfolds starting Aug. 26.

D.P.

Based on a popular webtoon, this new Netflix series features Jung Hae-in (Something In the Rain) as An Joon-ho, a quiet but highly observant new soldier who is recruited by Sergeant Park Beom-goo (Kim Sung-kyun, Reply 1988) to join the D.P. — or deserter pursuit — squad. Working with him to bring deserters back safe and sound is Corporal Han Ho-yeol (Koo Gyo-hwan). The pursuit begins on Aug. 27,

Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha

One of the most anticipated releases this month, this romance drama pairs Shin Min-ah (Chief of Staff, Oh My Venus) with Kim Seon-ho (Start-up). She plays a dentist who abandons city life and moves to the seaside village of Gongjin, where she finds romance with the village chief and resident handyman. This tvN drama streams on Netflix starting Aug. 28.