Is Kim Tae-ri finally stepping into the world of variety shows? Will we see her as a teacher guiding young students in a rural school? How will she adapt to the lighthearted and heartwarming environment of a variety program? And what makes her one of South Korea’s most celebrated actresses today?
Kim Tae-ri, known for her breakout role in The Handmaiden (2016), has continued to impress audiences with standout performances in Mr. Sunshine, Twenty-Five Twenty-One, and her award-winning role in Revenant. Now, discussions are underway for her first-ever fixed variety show, After-School Theater Club, creating high anticipation among fans and the media alike.
Let’s explore what makes this new venture so exciting and why Kim Tae-ri’s variety debut is one of the most anticipated events of 2026.
Show Concept
The After-School Theater Club appears to be a lovely and therapeutic variety show that will feature both moments of laughter and of heartfelt sentiment. In the context of the show, Kim Tae-ri will act as a drama instructor at an elementary school in a rural location, leading the young students through lessons in acting and bringing stories to life through the students’ performances onstage.
What is most charming about the show is not just the acting lessons, but also the relationship building between Tae-ri and her students, the small wins and joyfulness, and the authentic feelings that emerge in the classroom. The show will feature humor, warmth, and touching storytelling, and viewers will get a different look at Kim Tae-ri as the story unfolds.
Agency Statement
Management MMM, the agency of Kim Tae-ri, confirmed they are “in discussions” for her appearance in After School Theater Club and that “nothing has been finalized.” Although details are being ironed out, tvN is moving forward with preparations for the program, eyeing a release in the first half of 2026.
Careful management shows both excitement and anticipation for Kim Tae-ri’s variety debut, as fans are looking forward to confirmation and more information about the show.
Significance of the Challenge
For Kim Tae-ri, After-School Theater Club marks a significant milestone: it is her first fixed variety show in a decade since her breakout role in The Handmaiden (2016). Colloquially a “variety natural monument” and usually shunning the entertainment world, this program showcases the actress and Kim Tae-ri the person behind the screen.
But aside from variety, many fans and critics are asking, Is Kim Tae-ri the best actress in 2025? To many, they respond in agreement recalling her recent Daesang (Grand Prize) and in 2025 SBS Drama Awards for excellent performance in Revenant, which draws line between excellent acting and variety making this episode more evocative and fascinating.
Career Highlights
Since her debut, Kim Tae-ri has solidified an outstanding career with several incredible projects that have gained critical acclaim from reviewers and fans alike. She exploded onto the scene with her performance in The Handmaiden (2016), which left critics and audiences aware of her potential.
Shortly thereafter, she garnered attention for her parts in Mr. Sunshine, Little Forest, and Twenty-Five Twenty-One. Gordon and Annies created an unreasonable poll to ask: Which drama is Kim Tae-ri best actress for? People have settled on Revenant, which she earned at the 2025 SBS Drama Awards, which provides proof of Kimberly’s outstanding talent. Twenty-Five Twenty-One helped her gain even more popularity by taking on different genres and connecting with the viewers deeply.
Recent Projects
In 2024, Kim Tae-ri portrayed Yoon Jeong-nyeon in the tvN drama Jeongnyeon, impressively showing a depth and nuance of emotion that received considerable acclaim.
It sparked fans’ curiosity: “Did Kim Tae-ri actually sing in Jeongnyeon?”. The answer is yes—Kim Tae-ri sang the songs featured in Jeongnyeon, revealing that she is a multi talented performer beyond acting.
“Did Kim Tae-ri really sing in Jeongnyeon?” → Yes, Kim Tae-ri herself performed the songs in the drama Jeongnyeon, revealing another of her multi-talents.
The drama showcased her gifts and aptitude not only for acting but also her readiness to learn and take on new challenges as she prepares to make her variety show debut later in the year.
Fan Anticipation
Fans have been wishing for Kim Tae-ri to appear on variety shows for years, especially after her vlog encapsulated her candid and endearing personality. With the new series launching, the anticipation is at an all time high to see her with children and also witness her navigating a new onscreen identity in After-School Theater Club.
Many people are wondering: What happened to Kim Tae-ri? To be clear, right now she is at the height of her career and as she is entering new territory with another hit project and her first variety show venue.
Broadcast Info
tvN is developing a project called After-School Theater Club that is scheduled for release in early 2026. The network has provided initial details about the premise of the series but not about its format or airing schedule, with anticipation from the fandom for various aspects of news and confirmation.
The behind the scenes preparation is indicative of the network’s dedication to a great quality program that is a mix of entertainment, emotional narratives, and Kim Tae-ri’s peculiar allure.
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conclusion
The After-School Theater Club has the ability to change Kim Tae-ri’s image for audiences, shifting the perception of her from just an ostensibly talented actress to a real, warm person. This variety debut is a fulfilling new stage in her growing career, showcasing a different side of herself through TV and building on her impressive profile as an actress as she brings newfound warmth to the screen.
With her innate talents and authenticity, as well as the charm that made her immensely popular, expectations for the show are very high, with fans welcoming the opportunity to share a journey that will weave in elements of fun and charm, laughter, emotion, and memories.
