If you’re hunting for the 50-episode marathon that is the 2016 revenge thriller Monster, you’ve probably realized by now that tracking down older Korean dramas in 2026 is a bit like a digital scavenger hunt. It isn’t always as simple as hitting play on Netflix.
Finding the right monster kdrama where to watch depends entirely on whether you’re looking for the MBC classic starring Kang Ji-hwan and Sung Yu-ri or one of the several other Korean projects with the exact same name. Seriously, there are like four of them.
Where to Actually Watch Monster (2016) Right Now
Most people searching for "Monster" are looking for the sprawling, 50-episode saga of Lee Guk-cheol. In 2026, the licensing for this MBC drama has shifted quite a bit. Honestly, your best bet is KOCOWA+ if you’re in North or South America. Since KOCOWA is a joint venture between the big three Korean broadcasters (MBC, SBS, and KBS), they usually keep the rights to these long-form "makjang" style dramas longer than anyone else.
If you have Viki, it’s a bit of a toss-up. Depending on your region, it might be available under its literal title Monseuteo. However, Viki often rotates older titles out of their "Standard" pass into the "Plus" tier, or they lose the license entirely when it expires.
What about Netflix? Currently, the 2016 Monster isn't a staple there. Netflix tends to prioritize their own originals or high-budget tvN/JTBC hits like Crash Landing on You. If you search "Monster" on Netflix, you’re more likely to find the 2023 Japanese film by Hirokazu Kore-eda or maybe even the anime. Don't get those confused. They are masterpieces, sure, but they won't give you the 50 hours of corporate espionage and "superhuman hearing" revenge you're probably craving.
Why This Show Still Hits Different
The plot is wild. Basically, you have Lee Guk-cheol (played by Kang Ji-hwan), a spoiled heir who loses everything—his sight, his parents, and his fortune—thanks to his greedy uncle. He survives multiple murder attempts, lives as a beggar, and eventually gets surgery to change his face and restore his vision.
He becomes Kang Ki-tan.
It’s the ultimate "zero to hero" revenge story. What makes it weirdly unique is that Guk-cheol develops "superhuman hearing" while he’s blind. It’s a bit of a comic-book trope dropped into a gritty corporate melodrama, but it works. You’ve got the tension of him being an intern at Dodo Group, the very company that ruined him, while hiding his true identity from everyone, including his first love, Oh Soo-yeon (Sung Yu-ri).
Avoiding the "Monster" Name Confusion
Look, Korea loves the word "Monster." Before you spend fifteen minutes setting up a trial on a new streaming site, make sure you aren't clicking on these:
👉 See also: Hall & Oates Voices: Why Their Vocal Blend Actually Works
- Beyond Evil (2021): The literal Korean title for this is Goemul, which translates to Monster. It’s a psychological thriller about a serial killer in a small town. It’s on Netflix and Viki, and it’s incredible—but it’s not the 2016 MBC drama.
- Monster (2014 Movie): This stars Kim Go-eun and Lee Min-ki. It’s a brutal, bloody thriller about a girl chasing a serial killer who murdered her sister. You can often find this on Amazon Prime Video or Tubi.
- White Christmas (2011): This 8-episode cult classic is sometimes titled Monster. It’s about students trapped in a high school during a blizzard.
Streaming Quality and Subtitles
If you manage to find the 2016 series on a platform like Amazon Prime (which sometimes hosts older MBC content via the "MBC Content" add-on channel), be prepared. These older, 50-episode shows were shot in 1080i for broadcast television. They look okay, but they won't have the 4K HDR "cinema" look of a 2026 Disney+ original.
Subtitles can also be a bit "vintage." On platforms like KOCOWA, they are professional. On some smaller, third-party sites, you might find the timing is slightly off or the translations are a bit literal.
💡 You might also like: Why Amy Brown is the Soul of The Bobby Bones Show
Your Watchlist Checklist
- Check KOCOWA+ first. It’s the most reliable source for MBC's back catalog.
- Verify the Cast. If you don't see Kang Ji-hwan or Park Ki-woong in the credits, you’re watching the wrong Monster.
- Clear Your Schedule. 50 episodes is a massive commitment. Each episode is about an hour. That's a full work week of television.
- Use a VPN if needed. Sometimes the show is licensed in Southeast Asia (on platforms like Viu) but blocked in the US or Europe.
While many fans are moving toward shorter, 8-episode "seasons" on streamers like Disney+, there is something uniquely satisfying about the slow-burn revenge of the 2016 era. It gives the characters room to breathe—or in this case, room to plot some seriously complicated corporate takeovers.
Start with a trial on KOCOWA+ to see if the first two episodes (the "younger" years featuring Highlight’s Lee Gikwang) grab you. If they do, you're in for a long, intense ride through the dark side of the Dodo Group.
👉 See also: The Lawgiver: What Most People Get Wrong About Judge Dredd's Iconic Gun
To get the most out of your viewing experience, you should check your current streaming subscriptions for "MBC" branded channels or add-ons, as these often house the full 50-episode run without the licensing headaches of general platforms.