Korean storytelling is reaching global audiences like never before, and “Made in Korea” is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about series of the year. The Disney+ drama — available to U.S. audiences on Hulu — has generated major buzz thanks to its high-profile cast and bold approach to historical storytelling. (Watch the video above.)
Set in the 1970s, “Made in Korea” revisits one of South Korea’s most turbulent eras, blending real historical events with fictional characters to examine corruption, ambition and the consequences of power. The series stars Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, two of South Korea’s most recognizable actors, and is directed by Woo Min-ho, known for award-winning films including “Harbin” and “Inside Men.” That combination of talent has fueled anticipation even before the series’ premiere.
The series follows Baek Kitae (Hyun Bin), a KCIA agent in Busan, and Jang Gunyoung (Jung), a prosecutor in the city’s district attorney’s office. By day, Baek is a sharp-suited intelligence officer; by night, he operates as a smuggler. Ambitious and determined, he navigates a treacherous path to amass wealth and influence amid social and political upheaval, while the relentless Jang works to bring him down.
Rather than keeping a strict boundary between fact and fiction, “Made in Korea” deliberately blurs the line.
“Usually for a piece like this, in order to make sure that people understand it’s fictional, the characters are written in a way where you keep a distance between the characters and what really happened in history,” Jung said. “‘Made in Korea’ takes on a bold attempt in really intertwining actual historical events, but also with these fictional characters that have been developed for the story.”
The ambition extends beyond the narrative.
“In Season 1, it consists of six episodes, and each episode will feel like cinema,” Hyun Bin said. “That’s how much quality and effort we all poured into it, and I think audiences will notice that as well.”
That confidence has already been validated. “Made in Korea” has earned an early renewal for a second season, signaling strong interest ahead of its debut.
The series also comes amid a broader surge in Korean and Asian storytelling worldwide. Over the past five years, Disney has built an Asia-Pacific original lineup of more than 155 titles, including Korean productions such as “Moving” and “Nine Puzzles.”
At the “Disney+ Original Preview” in Hong Kong, Luke Kang, president of The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, highlighted the global reach of these stories.
“Storytelling from South Korea and Japan has already gained popularity in the Asia-Pacific and the U.S., and recently, it has seen explosive growth in Latin American countries like Brazil and Mexico,” Kang said.
Hyun Bin said the worldwide interest in Korean storytelling is rooted in the country’s distinct culture and history.
“I think Korea’s creativity and our unique and own sentimentality and history along with the technological advancements, as well as intense tenacity, has all led to the development of Korean storytelling as we see it today,” he said. “And I think that is the reason why so many people around the world will come across Korean storytelling and feel like there’s something unique about it.”
Jung noted that this sense of pride is relatively new. Early in his career, much of the industry focused on emulating Hollywood rather than developing its own voice.
“It hasn’t been that long since Koreans felt a true sense of pride about Korean storytelling,” Jung recalled. At the time, he said, many filmmakers asked, “How do we emulate Hollywood?”
There was a widespread belief that Korean cinema might “never be able to be on the same level as Hollywood,” he added. But that mindset ultimately pushed the industry to experiment and evolve.
“Korean storytelling is very Asian, but there are also a lot of Western elements to it,” Jung said. “All of that mixed together created a uniquely Korean style.”
″Made in Korea” premieres Dec. 24 on Hulu and Disney+.
About the Author
