Tantara is coming to Netflix in Q4 2026 and is being eyed for a December 2026 release. An exact release date has yet to be confirmed by Netflix, but the series is being eyed for December 11, 2026. As always, official dates remain subject to change, and viewers are advised to watch for an official announcement from Netflix.
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About the Show
Tantara, formerly titled Show Business and also known as Slowly and Intensely, is an upcoming South Korean Netflix Original period drama directed by Lee Yoon-jung and written by screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung. Longtime collaborators Studio Dragon and GTist will produce the series.

The title itself carries cultural significance. The title Tantara carries significant cultural weight. Historically used as a slightly derogatory slang term for entertainers in Korea, it has been reclaimed over the decades as a badge of honour for those who dedicated their lives to the performing arts.
Release Date
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Show Name | Tantara |
| Also Known As | Show Business, Slowly and Intensely |
| OTT Platform | Netflix |
| Expected Release Date | December 11, 2026 (Not Yet Confirmed) |
| Release Quarter | Q4 2026 |
| Number of Episodes | 22 |
| Genre | Period Drama, Historical, Romance |
| Director | Lee Yoon-jung |
| Writer | Noh Hee-kyung |
| Country of Origin | South Korea |
| Original Language | Korean |
| Content Rating | 16+ |
Plot
Tantara takes place in the aftermath of the Korean War, beginning in the 1960s and following South Korea’s rapidly growing entertainment industry through the 1980s. Tantara is set during the formative decades of South Korea’s entertainment industry, spanning the 1960s through the 1980s, a time when fame was earned through sacrifice, grit, and relentless struggle. The story follows Min-ja, a woman born into poverty who dreams of success in music and show business.
Min-ja experienced all sorts of hardships while growing up. Due to her troubles, she has a stronger inner will than almost anyone else. While living her tough life, she sees an opportunity in the Korean music industry and boldly throws herself there.
Dong-gu has been friends with Min-ja since they were children. They went through a lot of turmoil together. Although he has an unpredictable personality, he listens to everything that Min-ja has to say. He also enters the music industry with Min-ja.
Min-hee has been in a love-hate relationship with Min-ja since she was a child. She follows what Min-ja says to her, but Min-hee develops both a clever and rebellious side.

Cast
There are five confirmed leads for the K-drama: Song Hye-kyo, Gong Yoo, Lee Ha-nee, Kim Seol-hyun, and Cha Seung-won.
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Song Hye-kyo | Min-ja | Lead |
| Gong Yoo | Dong-gu | Lead |
| Kim Seol-hyun | Min-hee | Lead |
| Cha Seung-won | Gil-yeo | Supporting |
| Lee Hanee | Yang-ja | Supporting |
Kim Seol-hyun stars as Min-hee, a woman in a love and hate relationship with Min-ja, and Cha Seung-won guest stars as Gil-yeo, the best composer of their time. Lee Hanee rounds out the characters as Min-hee’s mother and aspiring singer, Yang-ja.
The Lead Stars
Individually, Gong Yoo and Song Hye-kyo have been involved in epoch-making shows in the K-drama industry. Gong Yoo has been lauded as one of the best K-drama actors of all time since his debut in 2001, while Song Hye-kyo has been honing her craft for 30 years. The two have had immensely successful and long-lasting careers, but Tantara will be their first on-screen collaboration.
Song Hye-kyo was last seen on Netflix’s wildly popular revenge thriller The Glory in the role of Moon Dong-eun. She will also be seen on Netflix soon as a guest in All the Love You Wish For. Outside of Netflix, the actress has starred in K-dramas such as Descendants of the Sun, Encounter, and Full House.
Gong Yoo has already starred in numerous Netflix original K-dramas like murder mystery The Trunk and sci-fi spectacle The Silent Sea, but the beloved male lead is returning from a two-year television hiatus.
Creative Team
The series is written by the acclaimed television writer Noh Hee-kyung from Our Blues and Dear My Friends, who collaborated with the renowned director of Coffee Prince and Cheese in the Trap, Lee Yoon-jung.

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FAQs
What is the Tantara Netflix release date?
Tantara is coming to Netflix in Q4 2026 and is being eyed for December 11, 2026, though an exact release date has yet to be officially confirmed by Netflix.
What is Tantara about?
The series follows a group of ambitious individuals striving for success in the competitive and often unforgiving entertainment landscape of South Korea’s music industry between the 1960s and 1980s.
Who are the lead actors in Tantara?
Tantara features two of the most successful and awarded actors of the Korean entertainment industry, Song Hye-kyo and Gong Yoo.
Who wrote and directed Tantara?
Tantara is directed by Lee Yoon-jung and written by screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung.
Is Tantara a first collaboration between Song Hye-kyo and Gong Yoo?
The two have had immensely successful and long-lasting careers, but Tantara will be their first on-screen collaboration, and fans have incredibly high hopes for the upcoming Netflix original.





