With such an epic cast and a historical backdrop, this is definitely one you won&rsquo;t want to miss.

Disney+ has offered a first proper look at Made in Korea, one of its biggest original drama series to date. The six-episode crime drama brings together two of South Korea&rsquo;s most respected actors, Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, and marks the streaming series debut of acclaimed director Woo Min-ho. With a vast budget, a turbulent historical setting and a second season already planned, this is clearly a major priority for the platform.
Set in the 1970s, Made in Korea unfolds during a volatile period in the country&rsquo;s modern history. At its centre is Ki-tae, played by Hyun Bin, a man living a dangerous double life. By day, he works as an intelligence agent. By night, he is a smuggler, driven by a growing hunger for wealth and influence. Standing firmly in his way is prosecutor Geon-young, portrayed by Jung Woo-sung, whose relentless pursuit of justice turns the two men into bitter enemies. As their rivalry intensifies, both are willing to sacrifice everything to destroy the other.
The series is one of Disney+&rsquo;s tentpole projects this year, and the scale of ambition is clear. The studio has invested approximately 70 billion Korean won into the production, ensuring the 1970s setting is recreated in meticulous detail. From costumes and locations to large-scale set pieces, no expense has been spared in building a world designed to appeal to audiences well beyond South Korea.

The casting alone signals the importance of the project. Made in Korea is the first original streaming series for Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung and director Woo Min-ho. Woo is best known for his award-winning historical films The Man Standing Next and Harbin, and this marks his move into long-form storytelling. For Hyun Bin, the series is his second collaboration with Woo, following Harbin in 2024.
Speaking at the Disney+ press conference, Hyun Bin shared his enthusiasm for reaching a global audience through the platform. He also revealed the physical transformation he undertook for the role, gaining around 14 to 15 kilograms. &ldquo;I wanted the imposing authority of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, which was the highest institution of power, to be visible in the character&rsquo;s very presence,&rdquo; he explained. &ldquo;This is the biggest I&rsquo;ve ever been in my acting career.&rdquo; The change reflects Ki-tae&rsquo;s status and ambition, adding weight, quite literally, to the character.
Jung Woo-sung, a veteran of both film and television, described prosecutor Geon-young as &ldquo;a man of relentless determination&rdquo;. He was drawn to the project by its bold approach to history. &ldquo;Usually, when working on a period piece, you tend to keep some distance from real events or historical figures,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;&lsquo;Made in Korea&rsquo;, however, places fictional characters within real historical incidents and fully drives the story through imagination.&rdquo; That freedom allowed him to shape a character who feels both grounded and unpredictable, making the creative process especially rewarding.

Despite being rooted in the 1970s, Woo Min-ho believes the story will feel strikingly familiar to modern viewers. He noted that the era was defined by political tension, rapid change and people chasing power at any cost. &ldquo;Much like today, that era was marked by turbulence and chaos, with people rushing headlong toward their desires,&rdquo; he said. He expects audiences to draw clear parallels between past and present, adding another layer to the viewing experience.
With its high-profile cast, lavish production and morally charged storytelling, Made in Korea is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about Korean dramas of the year. Disney+&rsquo;s crime series Made in Korea will premiere on 24 December, making it an unmissable addition to the festive release schedule for fans of ambitious, character-driven drama.

Made in Korea: Disney+ Unveils Ambitious Crime Drama Starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung

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