The Husband begins with a marriage that has already collapsed emotionally. Kang Taeju, a respected neurosurgeon and hospital director, asks his wife Ko Seyun for a divorce. The next day, she is abducted. Because the timing is so damaging and the couple’s conflict is visible, Taeju quickly becomes the main suspect in the disappearance he is trying to solve.
The Korean romantic thriller premiered on July 4, 2026, and runs for 12 episodes through August 9. New episodes are available through Disney+ in many international markets and through Hulu in the United States. The final two episodes are scheduled for August 8 and August 9.
The story combines a missing-person mystery with the pressure of a damaged relationship, making it a strong option for viewers who enjoyed the identity puzzles in Bodies or the morally complicated family conflict in A Normal Family.
The Husband at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Premiere date | July 4, 2026 |
| Finale date | August 9, 2026 |
| Total episodes | 12 |
| Genre | Romantic thriller, mystery and crime drama |
| Network | KBS2 in South Korea |
| Streaming | Hulu in the U.S.; Disney+ in supported international regions |
| Director | Kim Jung-hyun |
| Writer | Jung Jae-ha |
The Husband cast and characters
| Actor | Character | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Namkoong Min | Kang Taeju | Neurosurgeon and hospital director suspected of abducting his wife |
| Lee Seol | Ko Seyun | Hospital chairperson and Taeju’s missing wife |
| Kim Dae-myung | Noh Manhui | Computer-academy owner connected to the mystery |
| Lee Sang-hee | Kim Gyeongae | A mysterious woman who appears before Seyun |
| Park Byung-eun | Lee Suhyeong | A key supporting character in the conspiracy |
| Jang Gwang | Ko Dongchan | Member of Seyun’s family |
| Oh Min-ae | Choi Sookyoung | Member of Seyun’s family |
| Choi Yeon-soo | Kang Hayun | Younger figure in Seyun’s family circle |
Namkoong Min as Kang Taeju

Namkoong Min leads the series as Kang Taeju, a highly successful neurosurgeon who also serves as director of Woorihamgge Hospital. His professional status initially makes him look controlled and credible, but the investigation exposes private anger, marital resentment and choices that can be interpreted in the worst possible way.
Taeju’s position is unusually difficult because he must act as both fugitive and rescuer. The police see a husband with motive, access and suspicious timing. Taeju sees a wife in immediate danger and believes that waiting for the formal investigation may cost her life. Every attempt to help Seyun can therefore create new evidence against him.
Lee Seol as Ko Seyun

Lee Seol plays Ko Seyun, Taeju’s wife and the ambitious chairperson of their hospital. The character is not written simply as a missing victim. Her marriage, professional authority and secrets are central to understanding why the abduction occurs and why so many people have incomplete ideas about what happened.
Seyun and Taeju were once admired as a successful couple, but years of conflict have replaced affection with hostility. That history gives the thriller an emotional problem beyond rescue. Even if Taeju finds her, both must confront whether the marriage can survive what the investigation reveals.
Kim Dae-myung as Noh Manhui

Kim Dae-myung plays Noh Manhui, who operates a computer academy and becomes increasingly important as the hidden structure of the case emerges. The role gives Kim space to move away from the warmth many viewers associate with his better-known ensemble characters. Manhui’s knowledge and motives are not immediately transparent, which keeps him positioned between helper, witness and possible threat.
Lee Sang-hee as Kim Gyeongae

Lee Sang-hee appears as Kim Gyeongae, a mysterious woman who enters Seyun’s orbit. Her presence widens the story beyond a conflict between husband, wife and kidnapper. Gyeongae represents the possibility that Seyun’s disappearance is linked to relationships and grievances that Taeju never understood.
Park Byung-eun as Lee Suhyeong

Park Byung-eun adds another experienced thriller performer to the cast as Lee Suhyeong. The character’s placement within the wider mystery makes him one of the people viewers should watch carefully, especially as the ransom narrative begins to reveal a more complicated plan.
What is The Husband about?
The official premise describes Taeju and Seyun as a once-envied couple whose marriage deteriorated into constant arguments. After Taeju drunkenly demands a divorce, Seyun is abducted. Taeju is falsely accused and forced to avoid the authorities while trying to locate her.
The apparent kidnapping for ransom gradually opens into a larger truth. The show uses the police chase to maintain urgency, but its title points back to the central question: what does Taeju actually know about his wife, and what kind of husband does he become when fear replaces resentment?
The series is more relationship-driven than a conventional action thriller. Viewers seeking another atmospheric international drama can also explore the High Tides Netflix review, while fans of procedural mysteries may prefer the more police-focused cast of The Defeated.
The Husband episode schedule
| Episode | Release date |
|---|---|
| Episode 1 | July 4, 2026 |
| Episode 2 | July 5, 2026 |
| Episode 3 | July 11, 2026 |
| Episode 4 | July 12, 2026 |
| Episode 5 | July 18, 2026 |
| Episode 6 | July 19, 2026 |
| Episode 7 | July 25, 2026 |
| Episode 8 | July 26, 2026 |
| Episode 9 | August 1, 2026 |
| Episode 10 | August 2, 2026 |
| Episode 11 | August 8, 2026 |
| Episode 12 | August 9, 2026 |
Where to watch The Husband
The Husband is available on Hulu in the United States and on Disney+ in supported international markets. It airs first on KBS2 in South Korea. Platform pages and subtitle availability can differ by location, so viewers should search using both the English title The Husband and the literal title The Completion of Marriage when necessary.
Is The Husband based on Gone Girl?
The premise naturally invites comparisons to Gone Girl because a wife disappears near the end of a troubled marriage and public suspicion falls on the husband. However, the series is presented as an original Korean romantic thriller written by Jung Jae-ha. Similar setup does not mean the story follows the same explanation or ending.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Korean drama has 12 episodes.
Episodes 11 and 12 are scheduled for August 8 and August 9, 2026.
Namkoong Min plays the neurosurgeon and hospital director suspected in his wife’s disappearance.
Lee Seol plays Taeju’s wife and hospital chairperson Ko Seyun.
The series streams on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ in many international regions.