Notes from the Last Row (Korean:맨 끝줄 소년) is a 2026 South Korean psychological drama television series written by Jang Myung-woo, directed by Kim Gyu-tae, and starring Choi Min-sik, Choi Hyun-wook, Huh Joon-ho, Yunjin Kim, and Jin Kyung. Based on the Spanish play El chico de la última fila[es] by Juan Mayorga, the series follows a disillusioned literature professor and failed novelist who becomes increasingly obsessed with the literary talent of a quiet student sitting in the back row of his classroom. It was released on Netflix on June 26, 2026.
Synopsis
Heo Mun-oh is a university professor of Korean Literature and a failed novelist who has abandoned writing after struggling with feelings of defeat, powerlessness, and lingering insecurity caused by harsh criticism from a peer during his youth. Living an unfulfilled life, Mun-oh harbors a hidden disdain for his students, who struggle to compose proper sentences. His routine changes when he notices Lee Kang, an engineering student who consistently sits in the very back row of the lecture hall. Upon reading Kang's work, Mun-oh becomes deeply captivated by the young man's mysterious persona and innate literary talent. Driven by a desire to nurture a gifted student, Mun-oh offers Kang private writing tutorials. As the lessons progress, Kang's brilliance reignites Mun-oh's long-dormant creative ambitions and personal desires. However, Mun-oh's growing obsession with the student's writing begins to cloud his judgment. Entrapped by the narratives Kang weaves, Mun-oh undergoes behavioral shifts and ultimately becomes entangled in an unexpected series of events that blur the line between reality and fiction.
In February 2025, OSEN reported that Choi Min-sik was positively reviewing to star as Heo Mun-oh. The next month, My Daily[ko] reported Choi Hyun-wook would join opposite Choi as Lee Kang. The role of Mun-oh's wife, Jo Hyeon-suk, was initially reported to be under consideration by Moon So-ri in mid-March, but replaced by Jin Kyung the following month. Concurrently, Huh Joon-ho reportedly joined the cast as Kim Su-hun. Additional casting reports included Lee Jin-woo, Moon Jeong-hee, Jo Han-chul, and Han Ji-eun in unconfirmed roles. By May 2025, Netflix finalized its primary casting lineup, with the inclusion of Yunjin Kim as Ahn Eun-joo.
Netflix confirmed Notes from the Last Row is scheduled to be released in the second quarter of 2026 as part of its annual Korean contents lineup. By May 2026, the series was confirmed to premiere globally on June 26, 2026.
References
12Ha, Su-jeong (February 18, 2025). [단독] 최민식, 천만 '파묘' 다음은 '맨 끝줄 소년'..2년만에 드라마 복귀(종합)[[Exclusive] Choi Min-sik chooses Notes from the Last Row following 10-million-seller Exhuma..Returning to drama after 2 years (Comprehensive)]. OSEN (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
↑Park, Ro-sa (March 4, 2025). [단독] '대세' 최현욱, 최민식 제자된다...'맨 끝줄 소년' 주연[[Exclusive] 'Trending' Choi Hyun-wook to Become Choi Min-sik's Disciple...To Star in Notes from the Last Row]. My Daily (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 4, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
↑Yoo, Ji-hee (March 14, 2025). [단독] 문소리, 최민식 만난다...'연기 장인' 대결 '맨 끝줄 소년' 출연[[Exclusive] Moon So-ri to meet Choi Min-sik...A showdown of 'Acting Masters' as she joins the cast of 'Notes from the Last Row']. Ilgan Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
↑Lee, Deok-haeng (April 14, 2025). [단독] 진경, 최민식 아내 된다..'맨 끝줄 소년' 합류[[Exclusive] Jin Kyung to play Choi Min-sik's wife..joins Notes from the Last Row]. Ize (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 27, 2025. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
↑Kim, Ji-won (April 14, 2025). [단독] 허준호, '보물섬' 끝나자마자 기쁜 소식...'맨 끝줄 소년' 출연 유력[[Exclusive] Huh Joon-ho receives good news right after finishing Buried Hearts...highly likely to star in Notes from the Last Row]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 18, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
Lee, So-jung (April 15, 2025). [단독] '고현정 아들' 이진우, 최민식·허준호 만난다...'프듀' 해남이의 배우 도약[[Exclusive] 'Go Hyun-jung's Son' Lee Jin-woo to Meet Choi Min-sik and Huh Joon-ho...Produce Haenami's Leap into Acting]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
Lee, So-jung (April 19, 2025). [단독] 이병헌과 부부 호흡 한창인데...문정희, 최민식·허준호 만나 열일 행보ing[[Exclusive] Right in the middle of working as a married couple with Lee Byung-hun...Moon Jung-hee to join Choi Min-sik and Huh Joon-ho, continuing her hard-working streak]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
Lee, So-jung (April 20, 2025). [단독] '50대 믿보배' 조한철, 굵직한 필모 또 남긴다...'우리들의 블루스' 감독과 첫 작업[[Exclusive] 'Trusted Actor in His 50s' Jo Han-chul to Add Another Major Work to His Filmography...First Time Working with Our Blues Director]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 29, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
Kim, Ye-eun (April 23, 2025). [단독] 한지은, 차기작 정했다...'맨 끝줄 소년' 합류[[Exclusive] Han Ji-eun decides on next project... to join Notes from the Last Row]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 17, 2026. Retrieved May 29, 2026.
