Squid Game’s Jo Yu-ri and Son Ye-jin to lead Netflix K-pop drama ‘Variety’

Netflix continues its aggressive push into Korean entertainment with the upcoming K-drama “Variety,” starring Jo Yu-ri of Squid Game and Son Ye-jin from Crash Landing on You.

Directed by Kim Yong-hoon, best known for the hit series Mask Girl, the show is set in the high-stakes world of K-pop and is expected to blend glamour, obsession, and cutthroat ambition.

Jo Yu-ri, who rose to fame as a K-pop idol with IZ*ONE and solidified her acting credentials in Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3, will play Seung-hui — a passionate fan navigating the complexities of idol culture. Son Ye-jin takes on the role of Se-eun, a top entertainment executive struggling to rescue a failing idol group.

The series aims to explore the intricate relationships between industry executives, idols, and fans, reflecting Korea’s evolving entertainment landscape. For Jo Yu-ri, this role marks a significant career milestone, allowing her to draw on her real-life experiences in the K-pop industry. Meanwhile, Son Ye-jin’s return to Netflix highlights her continued dominance in both film and streaming, with additional roles in Scandals and Park Chan-wook’s No Other Choice.

“Variety” is produced by CJ ENM Studios and UNU, marking another major collaboration with Netflix following successes like Squid Game, Kingdom, and Crash Landing on You. With top-tier talent both in front of and behind the camera, the series is positioned to become the next global K-drama phenomenon.