Kidnap Game Korean Drama 2026 Wiki: Cast, Story, Episodes, Characters & More
kiDnap GAME is one of the most ambitious thriller dramas arriving in 2026, bringing together actors and production teams from South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, the Philippines, and Thailand.
The drama stars Lee Joon-gi as Han Ki-joo, a former genius surgeon from Seoul whose young daughter is kidnapped, and Kentaro Sakaguchi as Japanese detective Niide Toshiro, whose wife is also taken.
The story begins when simultaneous kidnapping cases occur in seven Asian cities: Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Naha, and Manila. The victims’ families then receive mysterious messages telling them that they have entered a deadly game. Each participant receives a different mission, and they have a limited amount of time to complete it if they want to save the person they love.
Although it is often searched for as a Korean drama because of Lee Joon-gi and its Channel A broadcast, kiDnap GAME is actually an international co-production involving Fuji Television, Hong Kong’s MakerVille, and South Korea’s SIMSTORY.
Kidnap Game Korean Drama 2026 Quick Details
Drama Information
Drama Title: kiDnap GAME
Korean Search Title: Kidnap Game
Japanese Title: キッドナップ ゲーム
Year: 2026
Genre: Thriller, Crime, Action, Suspense, Survival
Premiere Date: October 6, 2026
Episodes: 11
Korean Network: Channel A
Japanese Network: Fuji TV
Streaming: Viu in selected markets
Main Cast: Lee Joon-gi, Kentaro Sakaguchi, Alice Ko, Stanley Yau, Carrie Wong, Joel Torre, Praew Narupornkamol Chaisang
Director: Yusuke Kato
Production: Fuji Television, MakerVille, SIMSTORY
Countries/Regions Involved: South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong and other Asian production locations
The official Fuji TV listing schedules the Japanese broadcast for Tuesdays at 9 p.m. from October 6, while Channel A’s Korean broadcast is scheduled for Tuesdays at 10 p.m. KST. The series is planned for 11 episodes.
Kidnap Game Release Date
kiDnap GAME premieres on October 6, 2026.
In South Korea, the series is scheduled to premiere on Channel A at 10 p.m. KST. In Japan, Fuji TV is scheduled to air the drama on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m.
The drama is also being distributed internationally, with Viu among the platforms carrying the series in selected markets.
Kidnap Game Story
The story begins with a terrifying situation that spreads across Asia.
People are kidnapped simultaneously in seven major cities:
- Seoul
- Tokyo
- Taipei
- Singapore
- Bangkok
- Naha
- Manila
At first, the incidents appear to be separate kidnapping cases. Soon, however, the families of the victims receive a mysterious message.
The message reveals that their loved ones are connected to something much bigger: a deadly survival game.
Each participant is given a completely different mission. They are told that they must complete their assignment before the other participants if they want to rescue the person they love.
The central question is not simply who kidnapped the victims.
The bigger mystery is why these particular people were selected, who created the game, and what the mastermind actually wants.
The participants also come from very different backgrounds. They include a detective, a former surgeon, an international lawyer, a flight attendant, a taxi driver, a nightclub hostess, and other characters connected to the seven cities.
Their different personalities and moral beliefs become increasingly important as the game forces them into situations where personal survival can conflict with helping someone else.
Han Ki-joo Character
Lee Joon-gi as Han Ki-joo
Lee Joon-gi plays Han Ki-joo, a highly talented former surgeon from Seoul.
Ki-joo was once considered an exceptional doctor, but he has left active medical practice and now lives a much quieter life.
His peaceful existence is destroyed when his young daughter is kidnapped.
Ki-joo is then forced to become a participant in the mysterious Kidnap Game.
What makes his situation particularly difficult is that the missions he receives challenge the principles he developed during his career as a doctor.
A physician is expected to protect human life, but the game pushes Ki-joo toward decisions where his responsibilities as a father may conflict with his professional and moral beliefs.
The character therefore has two very different sides: the calm and controlled former surgeon and the desperate father who wants to bring his daughter home.
Niide Toshiro Character
Kentaro Sakaguchi as Niide Toshiro
Kentaro Sakaguchi plays Niide Toshiro, a Japanese detective.
Toshiro is known for his strong sense of justice and his determination to pursue criminals.
His wife is kidnapped, turning a professional investigation into an intensely personal mission.
Toshiro receives an especially difficult assignment: he must arrest the mastermind behind the kidnapping incident.
The problem is that his wife’s safety is connected to his ability to complete the mission.
This creates a conflict between his duties as a detective and his desire to save the person he loves.
As the game continues, Toshiro’s ideas about justice and right and wrong are placed under increasing pressure.
Kidnap Game Main Cast
Alice Ko as Christina
Alice Ko plays Christina, a Taiwanese influencer and housewife.
Christina is also associated with modeling and is a mother of young children. She has built much of her life around her family and especially the dreams of her children.
Her husband is kidnapped, forcing Christina into the deadly game.
Her storyline adds a family-focused perspective to the larger survival mystery.
Stanley Yau as Andy
Stanley Yau plays Andy, an international lawyer from Hong Kong.
Andy is highly capable in his profession, but he is also known for being willing to use aggressive methods to win cases.
His legal skills could become particularly important when the game’s participants need to understand complicated information, negotiate, or manipulate situations.
Carrie Wong as Janice
Carrie Wong plays Janice, a Singaporean flight attendant.
Janice is described as friendly and kind. She had hoped to marry her fiancé and eventually become a homemaker.
Her plans change completely when her fiancé is kidnapped and she becomes one of the participants in the game.
Joel Torre as Miguel
Joel Torre plays Miguel, a taxi driver connected to Manila.
Miguel grew up in poverty and has spent much of his life working hard so that his children and grandchildren can have an easier future.
His grandson is kidnapped, giving Miguel a deeply personal reason to enter the game.
His character brings a working-class family perspective into the international storyline.
Praew Narupornkamol Chaisang as Ayun
Praew Narupornkamol Chaisang plays Ayun, a nightclub hostess from Bangkok.
Ayun has a free-spirited personality and has previously become involved in illegal activities while trying to maintain the lifestyle of her wealthy roommate.
Her roommate is eventually kidnapped, pulling Ayun into the survival game.
Her background is very different from Ki-joo and Toshiro, making her storyline another important part of the drama’s international structure.
Kidnap Game Supporting Cast
The series also includes a large supporting Japanese and Korean cast.
Some of the announced names include:
- Yuki Sakurai
- Sae Okazaki
- Shinnosuke Mitsushima
- Show Kasamatsu
- Machiko Ono
- Ryutaro Yamazaki
- Makita Sports
- Lee Seo-hwan
- Kim Jae-kyung
- Choi So-yul
The official Fuji TV cast listing confirms these performers alongside the seven international leads.
Kidnap Game Seven Main Participants
One of the most interesting aspects of the drama is that its central characters come from different countries and professions.
| Character | Actor | Location | Background |
|---|---|---|---|
| Han Ki-joo | Lee Joon-gi | Seoul | Former surgeon |
| Niide Toshiro | Kentaro Sakaguchi | Tokyo | Detective |
| Christina | Alice Ko | Taipei | Influencer and housewife |
| Andy | Stanley Yau | Hong Kong | International lawyer |
| Janice | Carrie Wong | Singapore | Flight attendant |
| Miguel | Joel Torre | Manila | Taxi driver |
| Ayun | Praew Narupornkamol Chaisang | Bangkok | Nightclub hostess |
These seven characters become connected by the same mysterious game despite having completely different lives.
Kidnap Game Rules
The basic rules of the game make the drama different from a conventional kidnapping thriller.
The participants are given individual missions.
They must complete their assignments before the other participants if they want to save their loved ones.
Recent promotional material also reveals that the participants have 10 days to complete the game and that only one person can survive under the stated rules.
This creates a difficult situation because the participants have reasons to cooperate, but the rules also encourage competition.
A participant may need information from another player while simultaneously knowing that only one person can ultimately survive.
Kidnap Game Episode Guide
The series is planned for 11 episodes, with weekly Tuesday broadcasts.
Episode 1 — October 6, 2026
The opening episode introduces the simultaneous kidnapping cases and the major characters from the seven Asian cities.
Han Ki-joo and Niide Toshiro are introduced as two of the central participants after their loved ones are kidnapped.
Episode 2 — October 13, 2026
The participants begin confronting the rules of the Kidnap Game and the missions assigned to them.
The mystery surrounding the organization behind the kidnappings starts becoming more important.
Episode 3 — October 20, 2026
The different participants continue working toward their individual objectives while the pressure of the survival game increases.
Episode 4 — October 27, 2026
The international nature of the game becomes increasingly important as the stories from the different cities begin connecting.
Episode 5 — November 3, 2026
The participants face further challenges as they attempt to protect their loved ones while following the game’s instructions.
Episode 6 — November 10, 2026
The pressure on the players continues to grow, with trust becoming increasingly difficult.
Episode 7 — November 17, 2026
The investigation into the people behind the game continues while the participants deal with new dangers.
Episode 8 — November 24, 2026
The relationships between the participants become more complicated as the survival rules continue to influence their decisions.
Episode 9 — December 1, 2026
The mystery surrounding the game’s purpose moves closer to the central storyline.
Episode 10 — December 8, 2026
The remaining characters move toward the final stage of the deadly game.
Episode 11 — December 15, 2026
The scheduled final episode is expected to bring the survival game and its central mystery toward a conclusion.
Note: Episode-specific titles and full plot details have not been officially confirmed for every episode, so this guide avoids inventing episode spoilers or unofficial titles.
Kidnap Game Seven Cities
The seven cities are an essential part of the show’s identity.
Seoul
Seoul is connected to Han Ki-joo, played by Lee Joon-gi.
His story focuses heavily on his kidnapped daughter and his struggle between his principles as a doctor and his instincts as a father.
Tokyo
Tokyo is the home of detective Niide Toshiro.
His wife is kidnapped, forcing him to become personally involved in the investigation.
Taipei
Taipei is connected to Christina, played by Alice Ko.
Her story centers around her family and her kidnapped husband.
Singapore
Singapore is represented by Janice, played by Carrie Wong.
Her fiancé’s kidnapping changes the future she had planned for herself.
Bangkok
Bangkok is represented by Ayun, played by Praew Narupornkamol Chaisang.
Her complicated personal history becomes part of the survival game.
Manila
Manila is represented by Miguel, played by Joel Torre.
Miguel enters the game after his beloved grandson is kidnapped.
Naha
Naha is the seventh city connected to the wider kidnapping case.
Together, these locations create a storyline much larger than a single-country crime drama.
Main Mystery in Kidnap Game
The biggest mystery is the identity of the person or organization controlling the game.
The participants know that their loved ones have been kidnapped, but they do not initially understand why they were selected.
The game appears to have carefully designed missions for each participant.
This raises several questions:
- Why were these seven people chosen?
- Who knows their personal weaknesses?
- How were the kidnappings coordinated across seven cities?
- What is the purpose of the missions?
- Why is only one survivor allowed?
- Who benefits from the game?
- Is the stated objective actually the real objective?
These questions are expected to drive the mystery throughout the series.
Kidnap Game Themes
Love and Family
Every major participant has someone they desperately want to save.
The game therefore uses family and romantic relationships as the emotional motivation behind the characters’ decisions.
Justice
Toshiro’s storyline explores the difference between professional justice and personal responsibility.
Morality
Ki-joo’s situation is particularly focused on moral choices because his missions challenge his beliefs as a doctor.
Survival
The participants are forced to make decisions under extreme pressure.
Trust
The players cannot easily determine whether another participant is an ally or a competitor.
Human Choices
The drama’s central idea is what ordinary people might do when someone they love is placed in danger.
Kidnap Game Production
kiDnap GAME is a major international production involving Fuji Television, Hong Kong’s MakerVille, and South Korea’s SIMSTORY.
The production involved filming in Japan and multiple overseas locations, reflecting the show’s seven-city concept.
The project was also announced as a major international collaboration, with distribution planned across numerous territories.
Who Is the Director of Kidnap Game?
The director associated with the series is Yusuke Kato.
Fuji TV’s production materials identify Kato as a key producer/director on the project, while current cast and crew databases also list Yusuke Kato as the director.
Is Kidnap Game a Korean Drama?
kiDnap GAME is not a purely Korean drama.
It is better described as a pan-Asian international drama with major Korean involvement.
South Korean actor Lee Joon-gi plays one of the two central characters, Han Ki-joo, and South Korean production company SIMSTORY is part of the production.
The story also includes Japanese, Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Singaporean, Filipino, and Thai characters and actors.
For viewers searching for a Kidnap Game Korean drama, Lee Joon-gi’s role and Channel A broadcast make the Korean connection especially important.
Where to Watch Kidnap Game?
In South Korea, kiDnap GAME is scheduled to air on Channel A.
In Japan, it is scheduled for Fuji TV.
The series is also being distributed through Viu in selected markets. International availability can vary by country.
Is Kidnap Game Based on a Webtoon?
There is no confirmed indication that kiDnap GAME is a webtoon adaptation.
It is presented as an original international thriller project created around the seven-city kidnapping and survival-game concept.
Kidnap Game Ending
The complete ending is not available before the drama finishes airing.
The story is expected to eventually reveal the mastermind behind the kidnapping game, the reason the seven participants were selected, and the true purpose of the missions.
Because the drama’s official promotional material deliberately keeps these mysteries hidden, the ending should not be spoiled or described as confirmed before the final episode airs.
Will Kidnap Game Have Season 2?
A second season has not been confirmed.
The first season is planned as an 11-episode thriller, so any decision about a continuation would depend on the production and official announcements after the first season.
Until an official announcement is made, Kidnap Game Season 2 remains unconfirmed.
Kidnap Game Korean Drama 2026 FAQs
What is Kidnap Game Korean drama about?
kiDnap GAME is a pan-Asian thriller about simultaneous kidnappings in seven Asian cities. Seven people are forced into a deadly game and receive different missions that they must complete to save their loved ones.
Who is the main actor in Kidnap Game?
The two central stars are Lee Joon-gi and Kentaro Sakaguchi.
Who does Lee Joon-gi play in Kidnap Game?
Lee Joon-gi plays Han Ki-joo, a former genius surgeon whose young daughter is kidnapped.
Who does Kentaro Sakaguchi play?
Kentaro Sakaguchi plays Niide Toshiro, a Japanese detective whose wife is kidnapped.
When does Kidnap Game premiere?
The drama premieres on October 6, 2026.
How many episodes does Kidnap Game have?
The series is planned for 11 episodes.
Where does Kidnap Game air in Korea?
The drama is scheduled to air on Channel A at 10 p.m. KST on Tuesdays.
Is Kidnap Game a K-drama?
It is a pan-Asian co-production rather than a purely Korean drama. It has major Korean involvement through Lee Joon-gi, SIMSTORY, and the Channel A broadcast.
Who are the seven main participants?
The major participants are Han Ki-joo, Niide Toshiro, Christina, Andy, Janice, Miguel, and Ayun.
What are the seven cities in Kidnap Game?
The story connects Seoul, Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, Naha, and Manila.
Is Kidnap Game a romance drama?
Romance is not the primary genre. The series is mainly a thriller, crime, action, suspense, and survival drama, although love and family relationships are central motivations for the characters.
Is Kidnap Game based on a true story?
There is no indication that the drama is based on a true kidnapping case. It is presented as a fictional thriller.
Final Thoughts on Kidnap Game
kiDnap GAME stands out because it does not limit its story to one country or one group of characters.
The drama connects seven Asian cities and places characters with completely different professions, cultures, and personal histories into the same survival game.
Lee Joon-gi’s Han Ki-joo provides the emotional story of a father trying to save his daughter, while Kentaro Sakaguchi’s Niide Toshiro approaches the crisis from the perspective of a detective trying to save his wife and uncover the truth.
Around them are Christina, Andy, Janice, Miguel, and Ayun, each carrying their own reason for entering the game.
The biggest attraction of the series is therefore not only the kidnapping mystery but also the choices the characters are forced to make.
With its international cast, seven-city setting, psychological tension, and limited-survival premise, kiDnap GAME is positioned as a large-scale 2026 thriller that blends crime investigation with a deadly survival game.