Mad Concrete Dreams
| 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 (2026年03月14日) – April 19, 2026 (2026年04月19日) |
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.
Synopsis
[edit ]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
[edit ]Main
[edit ]- 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
[edit ]- Real Capital
- Lee Shin-ki [ko] 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 [ko] as Jeon Yang-ja, owner of Pyeongbukgwan and Yi-kyung's mother
- Park Sung-il [ko] 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 [ko] 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 [ko] as Jang Hee-joo, Sejeong-ro real estate agent
- Other
- Park Seo-kyung as Ki Da-rae, Su-jong's daughter
Special appearances
[edit ]- Kim Nam-gil as Kim Kyun
- Ju Ji-hoon
Production
[edit ]Development
[edit ]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
[edit ]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 [ko] 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
[edit ]Principal photography began in July 2025.[3]
Release
[edit ]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
[edit ]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
[edit ]| 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 |
References
[edit ]- ^ "Mad Concrete Dreams". CJ ENM . Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ^ a b Kim, Mi-ji (February 4, 2026). 하정우·임수정, 부부 호흡 어떨까...'건물주 되는 법' 3월 첫 방송 [Ha Jung-woo and Im Soo-jung to Play a Married Couple...Mad Concrete Dreams Premieres in March]. Maeil Business Newspaper (in Korean). Retrieved February 4, 2026.
- ^ a b c d e f g Kim, Su-jin (June 26, 2025). 하정우→임수정, '대한민국에서 건물주 되는 법' 캐스팅 공개 [공식] [Ha Jung-woo→Im Soo-jung, Casting Revealed for Mad Concrete Dreams [Official]]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 26, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ a b Moon, Ji-yeon (January 14, 2025). [단독] 하정우, '건물주' 되는데 15년 안 걸렸다..정수정과 '건물주' 주인공 [[Exclusive] Ha Jung-woo, it didn't take 15 years to become a 'building owner'..Lead in Mad Concrete Dreams with Jung Soo-jung]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ Kim, Ji-won (April 10, 2025). [단독] 임수정, '건물주' 하정우 아내 된다...'대한민국에서 건물주 되는 법' 캐스팅 [[Exclusive] Im Soo-jung to play 'Building Owner' Ha Jung-woo's wife...cast in Mad Concrete Dreams]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ Choi, Bo-ran (April 23, 2025). [단독] '굿파트너' 김준한, 스릴러로 연기 변신...'건물주 되는 법' 주역 [[Exclusive] Good Partner's Kim Jun-han undergoes acting transformation for thriller...takes lead role in Mad Concrete Dreams]. YTN (in Korean). Retrieved January 24, 2025.
- ^ Choi, Yi-jung (June 16, 2025). [단독] 심은경, 드라마 복귀..하정우X임수정과 '대한민국에서 건물주 되는 법' 출연 [[Exclusive] Shim Eun-kyung returns to dramas..joins Ha Jung-woo and Im Soo-jung in Mad Concrete Dreams]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ Jang, Jin-ri (May 30, 2025). [단독]'폭싹' 제니 엄마 김금순, 이번엔 정수정 엄마 된다...'건물주' 합류 [[Exclusive] When Life Gives You Tangerines "Jenny's Mom" Kim Geum-soon to play Jung Soo-jung's mother this time...joins Mad Concrete Dreams]. SPOTV News (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 7, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ Jang, Jin-ri (June 25, 2025). [단독]김남길, 하정우와 BL 대신 '건물주'...임수정 동생 된다 [[Exclusive] Kim Nam-gil joins Mad Concrete Dreams with Ha Jung-woo instead of a BL...will play Im Soo-jung's younger brother]. SPOTV News (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 5, 2025. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ Yoon, Hyo-jung (January 28, 2026). [단독]주지훈, 하정우 드라마 복귀작 '건물주' 특별출연...'찐친' 의리 [[Exclusive] Ju Ji-hoon to make special appearance in Ha Jung-woo's drama comeback Mad Concrete Dreams...'Besties' showing loyalty]. News1 (in Korean). Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ^ Kim, Ji-hye (March 12, 2026). 일본 록스타 미야비, 하정우 만난다... '건물주' 특별 출연 [Japanese Rock Star Miyavi to Meet Ha Jung-woo... Special Appearance in Mad Concrete Dreams]. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
- ^ Go, Seung-a (January 1, 2026). '붉은 말'의 해...임윤아·이영지·하정우·남궁민·지석진, 연예계 말띠 스타들은 [The Year of the 'Red Horse'...Im Yoon-ah, Lee Young-ji, Ha Jung-woo, Namkoong Min, Ji Seok-jin, Who are the Entertainment Industry's Horse-Zodiac Stars]. News1 (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2026. Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ Hwang, Yeon-do (January 20, 2026). 임윤아·이준호·정경호, tvN 주말극 살린 흥행 제조기들 [Im Yoon-ah, Lee Jun-ho, and Jung Kyung-ho are the hitmakers who saved tvN's weekend dramas]. AtStyle (in Korean). Retrieved January 24, 2026.
- ^ Songco, Pauline (March 2, 2026). "New comedies, award buzz, and must-watch K-dramas". Daily Tribune . Makati: Concept and Information Group, Inc. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
- ^ Ramachandran, Naman (March 4, 2026). "Ju Ji-hoon, Ha Ji-won, Ha Jung-woo K-Drama Thrillers Set Rakuten Viki Debuts (Exclusive)". Variety . Los Angeles: Penske Media Corporation. ISSN 0042-2738. OCLC 60626328. Archived from the original on March 8, 2026. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
- ^ Ahn, Byung-gil (March 15, 2026). '건물주' 영화 같았다! 첫방 최고 5.1% 궁금한 출발 [Mad Concrete Dreams was like a movie! Premiere peaked at 5.1%, a curious start]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved March 16, 2026.
- ^ a b Nielsen Korea ratings:
- "Ep. 1". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 14, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- "Ep. 2". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 15, 2026. Retrieved March 15, 2026.
- "Ep. 3". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 21, 2026. Retrieved March 22, 2026.
- "Ep. 4". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 22, 2026. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
- "Ep. 5". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 28, 2026. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
- "Ep. 6". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). March 29, 2026. Archived from the original on March 29, 2026. Retrieved March 29, 2026.
- "Ep. 7". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 4, 2026. Archived from the original on April 4, 2026. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- "Ep. 8". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 5, 2026. Archived from the original on April 5, 2026. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- "Ep. 9". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 11, 2026. Archived from the original on April 11, 2026. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
- "Ep. 10". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 12, 2026. Archived from the original on April 12, 2026. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
- "Ep. 11". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 18, 2026. Archived from the original on April 18, 2026. Retrieved April 19, 2026.
- "Ep. 12". Nielsen Korea (in Korean). April 19, 2026. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- ^ Lee Seung-mi (May 11, 2026). 박지훈, 영화·시리즈 동시 노미...제24회 디렉터스컷 어워즈, 후보 공개. Sports Dong-A (in Korean). Naver . Retrieved May 15, 2026.
External links
[edit ]- Official website Edit this at Wikidata (in Korean)
- Production website at Studio Dragon (in English and Korean)
- Mad Concrete Dreams at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
- Mad Concrete Dreams at HanCinema Edit this at Wikidata
- 2020s black comedy television series
- 2020s crime television series
- 2026 South Korean television series debuts
- 2026 South Korean television series endings
- Korean-language television shows
- South Korean black comedy television series
- South Korean crime television series
- South Korean thriller television series
- Television series by Studio Dragon
- TvN (South Korean TV channel) television dramas