Mad Concrete Dreams () 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.

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 as Dr. Jang, Yona's attendant Miyavi as Morgan Lee, an executive at Real Capital and Yona's superior

Sejeong-ro Redevelopment Project as Jeon Yang-ja, owner of Pyeongbukgwan and Yi-kyung's mother as Aide Nam, policy advisor at Seoul City Hall

Police Lee Joo-woo as Go Joo-ran, Assistant Inspector at Yongdaemun Police Station 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 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 () 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. 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.

Casting The casting process was finalized in late June 2025. 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. 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. Kim Jun-han, Jung Soo-jung, and Shim Eun-kyung were also cast. The role marks Shim's return to South Korean television after six years of working primarily in Japan. While to play a supporting role and a special appearances for Kim Nam-gil and Ju Ji-hoon. Japanese rock star Miyavi would also make a special appearance marking his first in a Korean drama.

Filming Principal photography began in July 2025.

Release Mad Concrete Dreams was slated to air on tvN in the first half of 2026. In early 2026, it was reported that the series is scheduled to premiere in March 2026, following Undercover Miss Hong. The series was confirmed to premiere on March 14, in tvN's Saturday–Sunday timeslot at 21:10 (KST). It will also be available for streaming on TVING and Wavve in South Korea, and internationally on HBO Max and Rakuten Viki.

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%.

+ Average TV viewership ratings Original broadcast date Average audience share(Nielsen Korea)Nielsen Korea ratings:

Nationwide Seoul 1 March 14, 2026 4.124% 4.372% 2 March 15, 2026 3 March 21, 2025 3.131% 3.140% 4 March 22, 2026 3.922% 4.173% 5 March 28, 2026 2.605% 2.412% 6 March 29, 2026 3.548% 3.557% 7 April 4, 2026 2.948% 3.131% 8 April 5, 2026 2.784% 2.647% 9 April 11, 2026 10 April 12, 2026 3.125% 3.178% 11 April 18, 2026 2.441% 2.883% 12 April 19, 2026 3.718% 3.876% Average In the table above, the represent the lowest ratings and the represent the highest ratings. This series aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC, and EBS).

Accolades Award ceremony Year Category Recipient(s) Result Director's Cut Awards2026Best Actress (Drama) Shim Eun-kyung Best New Actress (Drama)

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