Even before its first episode airs, a Korean drama has already claimed the top spot. With its premiere still days away on February 2, ENA’s new Monday–Tuesday series Honour has surged to No.1 in viewer interest, overtaking highly anticipated titles from Netflix and Disney+. The early lead suggests that, for many potential viewers, the decision has already been made.

According to Consumer Insight’s “January Week 4, 2026 OTT K-Original Content Viewer Evaluation Report,” released on January 22, Honour recorded a 5% viewer intention rate, ranking first among upcoming drama launches. Close behind was Netflix’s The Art of Sarah at 5%, while Disney+’s Bloody Flower followed at 2%. The numbers clearly show where audience anticipation is concentrating even before any episodes have been released.

Honour is an ENA drama directed by Park Gun-ho and written by Park Ga-yeon. Adapted from a Swedish series of the same name, it revolves around a 20-year-old secret that the three lawyer friends buried, which resurfaces and throws their lives into chaos. The story centers on Yoon Ra-young (played by Lee Na-young), Kang Shin-jae (Jung Eun-chae), and Hwang Hyun-jin (Lee Chung-ah), as they unravel hidden truths behind present-day cases. Rather than debating who is right or wrong, the drama builds tension by relentlessly asking what has been concealed and why.

One major factor behind the drama’s early buzz is Lee Na-young’s return to television after nearly three years. She revealed that she was instantly drawn to the script, saying she read it in one sitting “like a novel,” unable to stop because she wanted to know what happened next. For her, the appeal lay in the fast-paced narrative and in Ra-young’s journey facing old wounds while pushing forward to uncover the truth. Lee described the role as a clear departure from her previous characters, both in personality and genre, making it a challenge she was eager to take on.

Yoon Ra-young is portrayed as a glamorous, celebrity lawyer with hundreds of thousands of social media followers, serving as the public face of the women-focused law firm L&J (Listen & Join). Yet beneath that polished exterior lies a deeper motivation. Lee Na-young explained that Ra-young wears “armor” to protect herself believing that power is necessary to defend victims and restore their dignity, even if it means hiding her own vulnerabilities. As a result, the courtroom becomes not just a place of legal battles, but an emotional battlefield as well.

The casting of Jung Eun-chae and Lee Chung-ah further cements the drama’s “luxury lineup” reputation. Jung Eun-chae plays Kang Shin-jae, the sharp, lion-like head of L&J, a strategist who will do whatever it takes to get what she needs. Calm, calculating, and always planning her next move, Shin-jae is also a steadfast ally to her colleagues. Jung described the project as one she chose because of the trust and patience shown by the production team, emphasizing that the people behind Honor were as important as the story itself.

Supporting the three leads is a strong ensemble cast, including Yeon Woo-jin, Seo Hyun-woo, Choi Young-joon, Kim Mi-sook, and Lee Hae-young. In mystery-driven dramas, credibility is crucial and this lineup helps ensure the story never loses its sense of realism. When characters feel convincing, the suspense naturally intensifies.

Another reason Honour stands out is its topical relevance. Beyond being a mystery thriller, the drama tackles the dark reality of digital sex crime cartels, depicting the intellectual battles and relentless pursuit required to dismantle hidden networks of evil. As the protagonists draw closer to the truth, each revelation raises the stakes, blending realistic subject matter with gripping, dramatic storytelling. This balance is what has fueled expectations of a “well-made mystery investigation drama.”

At the heart of the series is the bond between the three lawyers. More than former law school classmates, they are bound by a shared past incident that makes them witnesses, survivors, and ultimately each other’s only refuge. Their alliance sometimes fragile, sometimes fierce adds emotional depth to the high-stakes narrative, promising both genre-driven thrills and lasting emotional impact.

Online reactions to the trailer have been explosive, with comments like “This lineup is insane,” “ENA is really making great dramas now,” and “How are we supposed to wait until February?” flooding social media.

Honour premieres on February 2 at 10 p.m. KST on ENA and will also be available on KT Genie TV. The key question now is whether its No.1 ranking in pre-release anticipation can turn into No.1 word-of-mouth once it airs. Judging by the current momentum, the starting line is already far ahead of the competition.

Sources: Wikitree