Going Head-to-Head in the ‘Made in Korea’ Series

Two of South Korea’s biggest male stars, Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, are set to go head-to-head in an upcoming crime series, “Made in Korea.”

Set in the turbulent 1970s, “Made in Korea” is a crime thriller that centers on Kitae, a man driven by an intense desire for wealth and power, and Geonyoung, a steadfast prosecutor determined to stand in his way. The contrasting paths of these two characters lead them into an era-defining incident that will alter their futures forever.

Hyun Bin, known for his roles in “Crash Landing on You” and “Confidential Assignment,” plays Kitae. Jung Woo-sung, star of “12.12: The Day” and “Hunt,” takes on the role of Geonyoung. The show’s supporting cast includes notable actors such as Won Ji-an, Seo Eun-soo, Cho Yeo-jeong, and Jung Sung-il.

The screenplay for “Made in Korea” is penned by Park Eun-kyo (“Sea of Tranquility,” “Mother”) and Park Joon-seok (“A Normal Family”). Direction is helmed by Woo Min-ho, known for his work on “The Man Standing Next” and “Inside Men.” The production is handled by Hive Media Corp., also responsible for feature films like “Inside Men” and “12.12 The Day” (also known as “Seoul Spring”).

This marks the first TV series directed by Woo Min-ho, who is also behind “Harbin,” a politically-themed action thriller premiering next month at the Toronto International Film Festival. “Harbin” will then be released in Korea on September 8.

“Made in Korea” will stream exclusively on Disney+ at an unspecified date in 2025.

In addition to “Made in Korea,” Disney+ has announced other Korean crime series scheduled for 2025. One of these is “Knock-Off,” featuring Kim Soohyun, known for his roles in “My Love from The Star” and “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay,” alongside Cho Boah, the star of “Tale of the Nine Tailed” and “Military Prosecutor Doberman.”

“Knock-Off” explores the shadowy world of counterfeit goods and follows a man whose life is shattered after the 1997 Asian financial crisis, leading him to confront his ex-girlfriend, now a special police officer.

Disney has been rapidly building up its Korean content library, with ten shows released in 2024 alone. Upcoming titles include “The Tyrant,” “Unmasked,” “Seoul Busters,” “Light Shop,” and the crime thriller “Gangnam B-Side,” which will premiere at the Busan Film Festival. For 2025, viewers can look forward to premium, talent-driven scripted dramas such as “Tempest,” “Low Life,” and “Nine Puzzles.”

Source: Variety