Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung and Woo Do-hwan took center stage in Hong Kong as the leads of Disney Plus’ buzziest late-2025 series, “Made in Korea.”
The trio introduced the show and teased its distinct edge at the Disney Plus Originals Preview 2025 event held Thursday morning at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
Set amid the upheaval of the 1970s, “Made in Korea” pits Baek Ki-tae, a man ravenous for wealth and power, against prosecutor Jang Geon-young, who risks everything to stop him as a seismic scandal rocks the era. It marks director Woo Min-ho’s first series after films like “Inside Men,” “The Man Standing Next,” and “The Drug King,” envisioned as part of a trilogy tracing modern Korean history.
Hyun Bin leads as Baek Ki-tae. “I was drawn to the sheer force of the script,” he said. “With a 1970s backdrop and a touch of fiction, we found warmth in the story.”
Jung Woo-sung becomes Jang Geon-young, a prosecutor with animal instinct and a fearsome drive, locking horns with Baek. “The relationships you build on a project matter,” he noted. “Working with Hyun Bin and Woo Do-hwan made this a great experience.”
He added, “We place fictional characters within real events. What fascinated me was how people survive ― the inner lives of these characters. I hope audiences lean into that.”
After teaming up in last December’s film “Harbin,” Hyun Bin and Jung reunite ― trading the Japanese occupation era for the volatile ’70s ― and keep the tension crackling on screen. With Woo Do-hwan in the mix, the series adds extra spark.
“Made in Korea” is Disney Plus’ big year-end swing for 2025. With a reported 70 billion won budget, it’s the streamer’s largest spend yet on Korean content. The six-episode first installment bows December 24, with Season 2 slated for 2026.
Renowned for probing both the light and the shadows of Korea’s modern history, Woo Min-ho said, “I was born in 1971 and grew up in a turbulent era when even the president’s right-hand man ― the KCIA chief ― was assassinated. I looked back at my own films ‘Inside Men’ and ‘The Drug King’ while crafting this, mapping twisted human desires against the times.”
The event also premiered the first teaser, spotlighting meticulous 1970s production design and set pieces, with Jung Woo-sung, Hyun Bin and Woo Do-hwan fluidly cutting between hard-hitting action and drama. The roughly one-minute clip drew cheers from the Asian press on site.
Following “Harbin,” Hyun Bin continues his streak as Woo Min-ho’s leading man. “We traded a lot of ideas on set,” he said. “Director Woo is open to actors’ input, but he’s decisive when something doesn’t fit ― and I appreciate that.”
Though it’s a period drama, the action comes big and glossy, from large-scale explosions to bare-knuckle brawls. Woo teased, “In the Season 1 finale, Episode 6, Hyun Bin and Jung deliver a cathartic burst of action in front of steel bars. Plenty of unscripted moments were born on set. Look forward to it.”
Appearing briefly in military fatigues in the teaser and stoking curiosity, Woo Do-hwan said, “Action isn’t only about throwing punches. When buildings blow or you’re running for your life, that’s action too.”
Arriving as Disney Plus looks to rebound on Korean originals after the similarly scaled “Polaris” underwhelmed in September, “Made in Korea” pairs an A-list cast with a top-tier filmmaker and major budget ― setting the stage for a strong year-end finish in 2025.
“Made in Korea” premieres December 24 on Disney Plus.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)
