Heads up to all fans of survival thrillers and webtoon-based dramas—an exciting new K-Drama is coming your way! “The Defects” is a gripping survival action thriller premiering this month, featuring a powerhouse cast led by Yum Jung Ah, Won Jin A, Choi Young Joon, and Dex which centers on a harrowing tale of abandoned children who narrowly escape death and fight for survival and revenge against a dark and twisted system.
“The Defects”
Casts: Yum Jung Ah, Won Jin A, Choi Young Joon, Dex, Lee Na Eun
Synopsis: Tells the story of children abandoned by their adoptive parents, and their struggle to survive while seeking revenge against a corrupt illegal adoption ring—one that selects only children with “superior genes.”
Genre: Survival, Mystery, Thriller, Action
Creators: Oh Ki Hwan, Ahn So Jung
Premiere Date: July 21, 2025
Get To Know The Characters
Yum Jung Ah as Kim Se Hee
Yum Jung Ah, best known for her impressive performance in “Royal Family,” returns as the complex and chilling character Kim Se Hee. She is the chairwoman of a major hospital and head of a well-known charitable foundation. While she’s seen as a respected celebrity doctor in the public eye, behind closed doors, she runs a horrifying child trafficking ring. Her belief? Only those with superior genes deserve to survive. She oversees a disturbing operation known as “Child Shopping” and doesn’t hesitate to cross any ethical line to achieve her twisted ideals.
Won Jin A as Kim Ah Hyun
Won Jin A, beloved for her emotional performance opposite Lee Jun Ho in “Rain or Shine,” transforms into Kim Ah Hyun—a girl who was returned by her adoptive parents, survived a traumatic past, and rose to become the leader of the surviving children. Strong and determined, Ah Hyun leads with a fierce desire for revenge, but her journey also forces her to confront difficult truths about herself and the world she’s fighting against.
Choi Young Joon as Woo Tae Sik
Choi Young Joon plays Woo Tae Sik, a conflicted and remorseful subordinate within the trafficking organization. However, behind the scenes, he secretly works to rescue and protect the abandoned children. Driven by guilt and a desire to atone for his past, Tae Sik becomes a quiet guardian—teaching the children survival skills and helping them hide from the horrors of the world.
Dex as Jung Hyun
Dex, who made a name for himself in variety shows like “Adventure by Accident,” takes a dark turn in his K-Drama debut as Jung Hyun. Raised by Kim Se Hee to be a weapon of loyalty, he serves as the enforcer of her illegal empire. He operates the trafficking ring from the shadows and follows Se Hee’s orders without hesitation. Ruthless, cold, and emotionally detached, Jung Hyun’s character brings an intense and unpredictable presence to the screen.
Reasons To Look Forward to “The Defects”
The Defects is shaping up to be one of the most intense and unique K-Dramas of the year thanks to its gripping and unconventional premise. While the K-Drama world has explored crime, survival, and thriller genres before, it’s rare to find a series that dives this deep into the disturbing world of illegal adoption rings.
At the heart of the story is a well-respected doctor and philanthropist who secretly runs a horrifying operation that selects children based on so-called genetic “superiority.” On the other side are the abandoned children—those who were rejected or returned—now led by a fierce survivor determined to fight back and expose the truth. With a ruthless human weapon enforcing the system and a secret ally working from within, “The Defects” promises a story packed with moral conflict, emotional depth, and edge-of-your-seat suspense.
The cast is reason enough to tune in. With veteran actress Yum Jung Ah, trusted star Won Jin A, the always-versatile Choi Young Joon, and rising actor Dex—each brings something powerful to the table. Their performances in this dark, survival-themed drama are expected to be intense, dynamic, and emotionally charged.
On top of that, the drama is directed by Oh Ki Hwan, known for “SF8: Love Virtually,” so you can expect a visually compelling series with a tense, immersive pace. Since “The Defects” is based on a popular webtoon, a lot of us are eager to see how the raw and emotional source material will come to life on screen.
So, have you added “The Defects” to your watchlist yet? No need to search far because it will be coming to KOCOWA+ starting on July 21 with multiple subtitles!
Stay tuned!
