Francesca Next Door (Korean:옆자리, 프란체스카) is an upcoming South Korean romantic fantasycomedy television series written by Lee Myung-hoon, directed by Park Sang-woo, and starring Han Su-a[ko], Kim Hyun-jin, and Lee Seung-gyu[ko]. It is a spin-off of the 2005–2006 MBCsitcomHello Franceska, the series shifts the original vampire universe into a high school setting and follows the story of a teenage vampire who wants to live a normal life. It is scheduled to premiere on Wavve on November 6, 2026, and will also be available for streaming on Kocowa.
Premise
Pi Na-yeong is a teenage vampire who leaves Romania to navigate the human world, finding herself completely out of her depth in a modern high school classroom. Her world shifts when she meets Jang Wu-ju, a dedicated student whose strict focus on medical school is tested when he is enlisted to help her acclimate. Balancing warnings from a shadowy fellow vampire, Yu-hyeol, with the pressures of teenage life and a budding romance with Wu-ju, Na-yeong must keep her true nature hidden.
Cast and characters
Main
Han Su-a[ko] as Pi Na-yeong / Francesca, a vampire who want to live like a normal high school student
Kim Hyun-jin as Jang U-ju, a second-year class president at Duil High School and the youngest son of a medical family
The series is a high school romantic fantasyspin-off of the 2005–2006 cult-classicMBCsitcomHello Franceska. While the original series followed a family of vampires in a family-oriented sitcom format, the spin-off is reimagined as a mid-form school comedy set in 2026. The series is jointly produced by MBC and CAC Corporation. It is directed by Park Sang-hoon and written by rookie screenwriter Lee Myung-hoon.
In September 2026, Yoo Young-woo, Chung Seung-je[ko], and Yoo Byun-kwon joined to play supporting roles.
Release
The series was reported for a November 2026 release. Later, Wavve confirmed the premiere date to be on November 6. It will also be available for streaming on Kocowa in selected territories.
↑Yoo, Jung-min (August 20, 2026). 한수아, '옆자리 프란체스카'로 첫 주연...뱀파이어 소녀 된다[Han Su-a, first leading role in Francesca Next Door...becomes a vampire girl]. iMBC (in Korean). Retrieved October 22, 2026.
↑Lee, So-jung (September 2, 2026). [공식] 의사 집안 막내아들 됐다...11년 만에 부활한 '프란체스카', 김현진 캐스팅 확정[[Official] Became the youngest son of a doctor's family...Francesca Next Door, revived after 11 years, confirms casting of Kim Hyun-jin]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved October 22, 2026.
123Kim, Hyun-rok (August 20, 2026). [단독]'안녕, 프란체스카' 돌아온다...심혜진→'안성댁' 박희진, 20년 만의 귀환(종합)[[Exclusive] Hello Franceska is returning...Shim Hye-jin to 'Ahn Seong-daek' Park Hee-jin, a return after 20 years (Comprehensive)]. SPOTV News (in Korean). Retrieved October 22, 2026.
123Nam, Jung-hyun (August 25, 2026). "젠젠젠 젠틀맨이다"...'안녕, 프란체스카' 스핀오프로 돌아온다["Gen-gen-gen, it's a gentleman"...Returning as a spin-off of Hello Franceska] (in Korean). Newsis. Retrieved October 22, 2026.
↑Kim, Hyun-deok (September 16, 2026). [단독]유영우·정승제, '옆자리, 프란체스카' 캐스팅[[Exclusive] Yoo Young-woo and Jung Seung-je cast in Francesca Next Door]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Retrieved October 22, 2026.
↑Hwang, Ji-hye (September 18, 2026). 두호코퍼레이션, 배우 유병권 드라마 '옆자리, 프란체스카' 합류[Doohong Corporation, actor Yoo Byung-kwon joins the drama Francesca Next Door]. Sports World (in Korean). Retrieved October 22, 2026.
