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Poster: Director's Arena

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Director's Arena

디렉터스 아레나

2026EndedSouth Korea

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Reality audition survival competition reality show directors short-form drama

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What's it about?

In the first-ever directorial survival show, short-form drama directors compete to prove they have what it takes to capture audiences' attention.

Where to stream?

1 offer

Rakuten Viki

Free with ads · Subscription

Checked 08/22/2026 · last check was a while ago · United States catalog · account required.

Available (check outdated)

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Availability data partly provided by JustWatch via TMDB.

Cast

20 of 67 people — scroll sideways

Crew

Producer

홍수현, Choi Jong-hun

Episodes

Season 1 — 8 episodes · from 05/15/2026

Page 1 of 1 · Episodes 1–8

Still from episode 1

Episode 1

S01E0105/15/202674 min

Thirty-three directors gathered in "The Director's Arena" to engage in a brutal survival battle with 90-second short drama trailers; viewers could be eliminated if they paused the video, officially unveiling the real battlefield of the short drama world.

7 guest appearances

Shin Ye-eun (Self (archive footage)), Yu-sin (Self (archive footage)), Park Hyeon (Self (archive footage)), Lee Hyo-jeong (Self (archive footage)), Ko Chang-seok (Self (archive footage)), Jang Hye-ji (Self (archive footage)), Park Ju-won (Self (archive footage))

Still from episode 2

Episode 2

S01E0205/22/202674 min

In the second episode, the strengthened individuality of the participating directors and the potential of the short drama market are fully revealed. Directors with diverse genres and styles, including the number one ranked short drama director, appear to engage in a fierce competition to capture …

10 guest appearances

Cha Sun-woo (Self (archive footage)), Na Hae-ryung (Self (archive footage)), Ha Ye-eun (Self (archive footage)), Ahn Jung-hun (Self (archive footage)), Yoon Do-gun (Self (archive footage)), Choo Ye-jin (Self (archive footage)), Lee Myung-joon (Self (archive footage)), Dong Hyun-bae (Self (archive footage)), 김건호 (Self (archive footage)), Moon Da-in (Self (archive footage))

Still from episode 3

Episode 3

S01E0305/29/202672 min

Episode 3 continues the director’s unpredictable challenge. The 30-million-won star Choi Gwi-hwa pushes beyond his limits as a director, while director Ah Min-a shows her own style by taking on the occult genre. Add in short films made entirely with AI, the arrival of highly qualified elite …

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4 guest appearances

Hyun Woo-seok (Self (archive footage)), Im Dong-yun (Self (archive footage)), Oh Man-seok (Self (archive footage)), Lee Sae-rom (Self (archive footage))

Still from episode 4

Episode 4

S01E0406/05/202674 min

In Episode 4, the actual competition of the second round begins. The 16 directors who passed the first round take on the challenge of reinterpreting a popular webtoon IP and completing a joint webtoon directing assignment. Since the webtoon must be adapted into a short film, they receive a new …

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7 guest appearances

Yunhyeong (Self (archive footage)), Lee Shin-ki (Self (archive footage)), Lee Cha-min (Self (archive footage)), 김규한 (Self (archive footage)), Han Ye-ji (Self (archive footage)), Jung Jung-hwan (Self (archive footage)), Lee Jae-Mu (Self (archive footage))

Still from episode 5

Episode 5

S01E0506/12/202673 min

After fierce competition that tested their ability to interpret source material, directing skills, and collaborative aptitude, the ten directors advancing to the next round are determined. The surviving directors then face an even more grueling mission in the third round. They must produce short …

5 guest appearances

Ji Ho-geun (Self (archive footage)), Seo Jin-won (Self (archive footage)), Jo Deok-hyeon (Self (archive footage)), Seol Ji-won (Self (archive footage)), Lee Soo-min (Self (archive footage))

Still from episode 6

Episode 6

S01E0606/19/202677 min

The ten remaining directors engage in fierce competition, producing short dramas that showcase their unique personalities and strengths. Notably, Lee Joo-seung—who has taken on the new challenge of transitioning from actor to director—shocks everyone by delivering unexpected results. Meanwhile, the …

10 guest appearances

Lee Hwan (Self - Judge), Jeong Gu-hyeun (Self (archive footage)), Park Tae-rin (Self (archive footage)), Jeong Ho-gyun (Self (archive footage)), Kim Kyu-jong (Self (archive footage)), Hyun Bong-sik (Self (archive footage)), Kim Han-yeong (Self (archive footage)), Park Woo-jin (Self (archive footage)), Yoon So-Yi (Self (archive footage)), Moon Da-in (Self (archive footage))

Still from episode 7

Episode 7

S01E0706/26/202675 min

After a fierce battle, Lee Joo-seung defies everyone's expectations and makes a powerful impression. However, the deathmatch does not mark the end of the competition; eliminated contestants get one last chance to survive through a "resurrection round" decided by subscriber votes. Viewers determine …

11 guest appearances

Shin Ye-eun (Self (archive footage)), Yu-sin (Self (archive footage)), Park Hyeon (Self (archive footage)), Ko Chang-seok (Self (archive footage)), Jang Hye-ji (Self (archive footage)), Park Ju-won (Self (archive footage)), Lee Hwan (Self - Judge), Woo Ji-han (Self (archive footage)), Song Ha-jin (Self (archive footage)), Nam Taek-jun (Self (archive footage)), Jung Gyu-min (Self (archive footage))

Still from episode 8

Episode 8

S01E0807/03/202674 minFinale

Finally, the ultimate winner of *Director's Arena*—Korea's first survival competition for short-form drama directors—will be crowned. Who will emerge victorious from this intense battle?

12 guest appearances

Park Hyeon (Self (archive footage)), Ko Chang-seok (Self (archive footage)), Jang Hye-ji (Self (archive footage)), Lee Hwan (Self - Judge), Jeong Gu-hyeun (Self (archive footage)), Park Tae-rin (Self (archive footage)), Jeong Ho-gyun (Self (archive footage)), Kim Kyu-jong (Self (archive footage)), Kim Han-yeong (Self (archive footage)), Park Woo-jin (Self (archive footage)), Yoon So-Yi (Self (archive footage)), Moon Da-in (Self (archive footage))

Image gallery

Posters (2)

Posters (Korean)

Posters (Korean)

Stills (5)

Stills

Stills

Stills (Korean)

Stills (English)

Stills

Images © their respective rights holders · Source: Poster: TMDB