Portraits of Delusion


Portraits of Delusion is an upcoming South Korean television series based on the eponymous webtoon series by Hongjacga, directed by Han Jae-rim, and starring Bae Suzy and Kim Seon-ho. It is co-produced by Showbox and Magnum Nine, and scheduled for release on Disney+ in the second half of 2026.

Premise

Set in 1935 Gyeongseong, the story follows struggling artist Yun I-ho, who is commissioned by the reclusive elderly Madam Song Jeong-hwa to create a portrait. In a rare moment, she allows him to see her, revealing a young woman before him. However, she requests that he paint an elderly version of herself. Hidden among the previous artist's paint tubes is a troubling letter. Yun I-ho discovers that no artist has left Madam Song Jeong-hwa's home alive or in a sound state of mind. The mystery deepens as he contemplates what she is concealing and the potential consequences of completing the portrait.

Cast

Main

Supporting cast

Special appearance

Production

Development

In June 2021, Showbox announced plans to produce dramas based on webtoons, including Delusion. On September 2, 2021, a film industry insider reported that director Han Jae-rim had begun producing a drama adaptation. The original webtoon, a mystery horror period drama set in Gyeongseong in 1935 and Shanghai in the 1800s, tells the story of a mysterious vampire, and gained significant popularity since its serialization on Naver in 2019. The specific platform for release and the timeline for filming had yet to be determined at the time.
On May 23, 2025, Disney+ confirmed that it would release Delusion as an original series in 2026. The series' production cost was approximately billion. At the Disney+ Originals Preview 2025 event held on November 13, 2025 at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Conference Center, the official English title was revealed as ''Portraits of Delusion.''

Casting

Ryu Jun-yeol and Han So-hee were initially considered for the roles of Yun I-ho and Song Jeong-hwa, respectively, but decided not to participate in Portraits of Delusion after their romantic relationship ended in March 2024. On July 30, 2024, an official from Management Soop stated to Sports Chosun that Bae Suzy received an offer to appear in the drama and was reviewing it. Initially, she had been offered the role first, but declined due to scheduling conflicts. The following August, it was reported that Kim Seon-ho was in discussion with Bae for the leading roles; the two actors had previously starred together in Start-Up in 2020.
On May 23, 2025 Disney+ released script reading photos of Bae and Kim and officially confirmed their casting.