Pearl in Red (Korean: 붉은 진주) is a 2026 South Korean television series written by Kim Seo-jung, directed by Kim Sung-geun, and starring Park Jin-hee, Nam Sang-ji, Kim Kyung-bo, Kang Da-bin, Choi Jae-sung, Kim Hee-jung, and Cheon Hee-joo. The series follows the intertwined fates of two women who return under false identities to uncover the truth and sins hidden in the Adele family, in a web of secrets and retribution. It aired on KBS2 from February 23, to August 7, 2026, every Monday to Friday at 19:50 (KST).
Contents
Synopsis
Two women driven by tragic losses are targeting Adele Group. It begins with Kim Dan-hee assuming her deceased twin sister's identity, Kim Myeong-hee, and bringing her nephew into the Adele family as her son, aiming to gain control of the Adele Group and seeking revenge on the people who murdered and betrayed her twin sister. Baek Jin-ju, betrayed by a jealous friend and witnessing her father die in a horrible accident, grows into a person seeking punishment against those responsible for her father's death, under the name Chloe Lee. Both women are under disguise, seeking retribution and to uncover the group's dark secrets.
Cast and characters
Main
Park Jin-hee as Kim Myeong-hee / Kim Dan-hee
Kim Myeong-hee: The older of the twins, who works as a nurse and dreams of having an ordinary family, tragically dies. Left orphaned at a young age, she dedicated her life to protecting her twin sister, Dan-hee. To raise money for Dan-hee's surgery, she gets entangled with Tae-ho, but ultimately finds herself exploited and betrayed while pregnant with his child.
Kim Dan-hee: The younger of the twins, who sacrificed her life and lives under her deceased sister's name, plots meticulous revenge to take over the Adele Group after learning the truth behind her sister's death. She raised her deceased sister's son, Park Min-jun, as her own child in the Adele family and is determined to protect him from any danger plotted by Jung-ran. To crush Jung-ran's dreams of power, she strategically positioned her nephew Min-jun as Adele's successor. She herself climbed the corporate ladder, initially working as a jewelry appraiser before ultimately becoming the group's president.
Nam Sang-ji as Baek Jin-ju / Chloe Lee
After being betrayed by a friend and losing her father in a horrible car crash and explosion, she reinvents herself as a top brand consultant and infiltrates the Adele Group to get revenge. Her life takes a complicated turn as she becomes embroiled with her former lover Min-jun and his half-brother Hyun-jun.
Kim Kyung-bo as Park Min-jun
Dan-hee's nephew, who is the first director of Adele Group. The shadow of his mother's status as a mistress haunted his childhood. As a grown man, he faced relentless succession struggles and suffered the crushing loss of his first love, Jin-ju. His life is turned upside down by Chloe, a Jin-ju lookalike. As he uncovers her true identity and the Adele family's dark secrets, he transforms into a man determined to protect his love at any cost.
Kang Da-bin as Park Hyun-jun
Min-jun's half-brother and Jung-ran's son who is the second division head of the Adele Group. Despite his bold and cunning nature, he shows little interest in vying for the succession. Only after losing Jin-ju did he realize she was his first love. Chloe's appearance sparks a growing obsession, clouding his judgment and driving him to make destructive choices.
Supporting
Ha Jae-sook as Jung Yoon-jung
Dan-hee's close friend and secretary.
Geum Ho-suk as Jung Woo-jin
Yoon-jung's younger brother.
Ban Hyo-jung as Madam Han
A renowned hanbok designer and owner of Ihwachae, who secretly supports Dan-hee.
Jung Ui-gap as James Lee
Chloe's father and Jin-ju's godfather, he assumes the role of godfather to Jin-ju and uses his deceased daughter's name as a means to seek vengeance on her behalf.
Nam Seong-jin as Baek Jun-ki
The CEO of Temi Bio, who is Jin-ju's father.
Cha Kwang-soo as Choi Sam-sik
Yu-na's father.
Kim Kyung-sook as Hong Young-sil
Yu-na's mother.
Lee Myung-ho as Song Geun-tae
Jung-ran's chauffeur.
Kim Bo-mi as Ok Hye-kyung (Butler Ok)
Tae-ho's housekeeper.
Ban Sang-yoon as Kang Myeong-seok (Manager Kang)
Tae-ho's secretary.
Production
Development
Pearl in Red is directed by Kim Sung-geun, who helmed Unpredictable Family (2023–2024) and My Merry Marriage (2024–2025), and the screenplay is written by Kim Seo-jung, while DK E&M and Monster Union jointly managed the production.
Director Kim described the series as focusing on character relationships and solidarity, following a healing journey where two women, previously masked by revenge, find self-discovery and learn to embrace their true selves. It conveys themes of self-forgiveness and love. Writer Kim S.J. added that the story explores the irony of finding truth through lies, aiming to challenge the notion that lies are inherently evil and truth is good. Instead, the work questions how human choices determine morality, conveying a profound message on the nature of truth and deception.
Casting
In November 2025, Park Jin-hee was cast as the lead, and the script reading was already in preparation.
Nam Sang-ji and Park J.H. were officially confirmed to lead the series on January 5, 2026. Both play characters who are involved in intense revenge under false identities after losing something precious. Two days later, Choi Jae-sung, Kim Hee-jung, Kim Kyung-bo, Kang Da-bin, and Cheon Hee-joo were confirmed their casting. It also reveals that Nam Sang-ji's character's real name is Baek Jin-ju. Lee Myung-ho, Kim Bo-mi, Cha Kwang-soo, Kim Kyung-sook, Jung Ui-gap, Ha Jae-sook, and Geum Ho-suk were revealed to have joined the cast by January 14, 2026.
Release
On December 31, 2025, KBS officially unveiled Pearl in Red as part of its 2026 drama lineup. By January 2026, the series was confirmed to premiere on KBS2 on February 23, 2026, airing every Monday to Friday at 19:50 (KST).
