Mad Concrete Dreams
2026 South Korean television series
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Mad Concrete Dreams (Korean: 대한민국에서 건물주 되는 법) is a 2026 South Korean crime thriller black comedy television series written by Oh Han-ki, directed by Yim Pil-sung, and starring Ha Jung-woo, Im Soo-jung, Kim Jun-han, Jung Soo-jung, and Shim Eun-kyung. The series follow a building owner who becomes involved in a kidnapping plot to resolve his mounting debts. It aired on tvN from March 14, to April 19, 2026, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:10 (KST). It is also available for streaming on TVING, HBO Max, and Rakuten Viki.
| Mad Concrete Dreams | |
|---|---|
Promotional poster | |
| Hangul | 대한민국에서 건물주 되는 법 |
| Hanja | 大韓民國에서 建物主 되는 法 |
| Lit. | How to Become a Building Owner in South Korea |
| RR | Daehanmingugeseo geonmulju doeneun beop |
| MR | Taehanmin'gugesŏ kŏnmulchu toenŭn pŏp |
| Genre | |
| Written by | Oh Han-ki |
| Directed by | Yim Pil-sung |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Dalpalan |
| Country of origin | South Korea |
| Original language | Korean |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Running time | 70 minutes[1] |
| Production companies |
|
| Original release | |
| Network | tvN |
| Release | March 14 – April 19, 2026 |
Synopsis
Ki Su-jong acquires a building in Seoul by utilizing maximum available loans, a practice known as "Yeongkkeul" (gathering every available penny for loans). Despite achieving the status of a property owner, he faces severe financial distress due to the resulting debt. To prevent the foreclosure of the building and support his family, Su-jong becomes involved in a criminal scheme. However, the plan deviates from the original intent, leading to unforeseen legal and personal complications.
Cast and characters
Main
- Ha Jung-woo as Ki Su-jong
- The owner of Seyun Building, who is determined to achieve wealth and provide a better life for his wife and his brilliant, hearing-impaired daughter. Struggling with debt, tenant issues, and the threat of losing his building, he is lured into a kidnapping scheme by Hwal-seong's promise of easy money, only to become involved in crime.
- Im Soo-jung as Kim Seon
- Su-jong's wife and a strong-willed mother. She resolves to protect her daughter and family, refusing to let their lives collapse because of Su-jong's choices.
- Kim Jun-han as Min Hwal-seong
- Su-jong's friend who is desperate to prove himself to his wealthy wife and disapproving mother-in-law. After borrowing money from a dangerous loan shark, he devises a fake kidnapping scheme to raise money and pulls Su-jong into it, ultimately dragging him into a dangerous scheme.
- Jung Soo-jung as Jeon Yi-kyung
- Hwal-seong's wife and only daughter of a wealthy businesswoman. Her seemingly peaceful life is shattered when Hwal-seong and Su-jong's fake kidnapping scheme spirals out of control.
- Shim Eun-kyung as Yona
- A ruthless operative at Real Capital's South Korea branch who has her sights set on Su-jong's building.
Supporting
- Real Capital
- Lee Shin-ki as Dr. Jang, Yona's attendant
- Miyavi as Morgan Lee, an executive at Real Capital and Yona's superior
- Sejeong-ro Redevelopment Project
- Kim Geum-soon as Jeon Yang-ja, owner of Pyeongbukgwan and Yi-kyung's mother
- Park Sung-il as Aide Nam, policy advisor at Seoul City Hall
- Police
- Lee Joo-woo as Go Joo-ran, Assistant Inspector at Yongdaemun Police Station
- Shin Mun-sung as Squad Chief Geum, Senior Inspector at Yongdaemun Police Station
- Yoon Jun-won as Yoon Bo-ram, a detective at Yongdaemun Police Station
- Seyun Building
- Hyun Bong-sik as Oh Dong-gim, cafe owner
- Nam Myeong-ryeol as Mr. Kim, owner of Hanmaeum Building
- Ryu Abel as Jang Hee-joo, Sejeong-ro real estate agent
- Other
- Park Seo-kyung as Ki Da-rae, Su-jong's daughter
Special appearances
- Kim Nam-gil as Kim Kyun
- Ju Ji-hoon
Production
Development
The series was developed under the working title Building Owner (Korean: 건물주; RR: Geonmulju) before being finalized as Mad Concrete Dreams. It is planned by Studio Dragon, a co-production between Mindmark and Studio 329, directed by Yim Pil-sung, and written by Oh Han-ki, a critically acclaimed novelist (winner of the 7th Young Writers' Award) making his debut as a TV screenwriter.[2] The plot is a crime thriller and black comedy centered on the financial pressures of property ownership and a "fake kidnapping" that escalates into a genuine criminal incident.[3]
Casting
The casting process was finalized in late June 2025.[3] Ha Jung-woo was cast in the lead role, marking his return to a domestic television network 19 years after the 2007 series H.I.T.[3][4] Im Soo-jung joined the cast, this project is her first television role since 2021 and her second collaboration with Ha following the 2011 film Come Rain, Come Shine.[3][5] Kim Jun-han, Jung Soo-jung, and Shim Eun-kyung were also cast.[4][6][7] The role marks Shim's return to South Korean television after six years of working primarily in Japan.[3] While Kim Geum-soon to play a supporting role and a special appearances for Kim Nam-gil and Ju Ji-hoon.[8][9][10] Japanese rock star Miyavi would also make a special appearance marking his first in a Korean drama.[11]
Filming
Principal photography began in July 2025.[3]
Release
Mad Concrete Dreams was slated to air on tvN in the first half of 2026.[3] In early 2026, it was reported that the series is scheduled to premiere in March 2026, following Undercover Miss Hong.[12][13] The series was confirmed to premiere on March 14, in tvN's Saturday–Sunday timeslot at 21:10 (KST).[2] It will also be available for streaming on TVING and Wavve in South Korea, and internationally on HBO Max and Rakuten Viki.[14][15]
Viewership
According to Nielsen Korea, the first episode of Mad Concrete Dreams recorded an average nationwide household rating of 4.1% and a peak of 5.1%. In the Seoul metropolitan area, the episode averaged 4.4% with a peak of 5.4%.[16]
| Season | Episode number | Average | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | |||
| 1 | 1069 | 1125 | 724 | 916 | 659 | 838 | 697 | 677 | 471 | 715 | 596 | 884 | 781 | |
| Ep. | Original broadcast date | Average audience share (Nielsen Korea)[17] | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | Seoul | ||
| 1 | March 14, 2026 | 4.124% (1st) | 4.372% (1st) |
| 2 | March 15, 2026 | 4.533% (1st) | 4.963% (1st) |
| 3 | March 21, 2025 | 3.131% (1st) | 3.140% (1st) |
| 4 | March 22, 2026 | 3.922% (1st) | 4.173% (1st) |
| 5 | March 28, 2026 | 2.605% (2nd) | 2.412% (2nd) |
| 6 | March 29, 2026 | 3.548% (1st) | 3.557% (1st) |
| 7 | April 4, 2026 | 2.948% (1st) | 3.131% (1st) |
| 8 | April 5, 2026 | 2.784% (1st) | 2.647% (1st) |
| 9 | April 11, 2026 | 2.025% (3rd) | 2.123% (2nd) |
| 10 | April 12, 2026 | 3.125% (2nd) | 3.178% (1st) |
| 11 | April 18, 2026 | 2.441% (1st) | 2.883% (1st) |
| 12 | April 19, 2026 | 3.718% (1st) | 3.876% (1st) |
| Average | 3.242% | 3.371% | |
Accolades
| Award ceremony | Year | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Director's Cut Awards | 2026 | Best Actress (Drama) | Shim Eun-kyung | Nominated | [18] |
| Best New Actress (Drama) | Nominated |
