Disney+ is going all-in for its year-end K-content push with the political crime drama, “Made in Korea.” The show is reportedly one of the most expensive K-dramas ever produced, boasting a massive $47 million (70 billion won) budget spread across two confirmed seasons.
That’s a serious chunk of cash, and it shows how determined Disney is to compete for the global K-drama crown.
Star Power and Period Detail
The production brought together some heavy hitters. It marks the first original streaming series for two of Korea’s most respected actors: Hyun Bin (Crash Landing on You) and Jung Woo-sung (12.12: The Day).
They are joined by film director Woo Min-ho, known for blockbusters like Harbin, who is making his debut in serialized streaming drama. He insisted on a cinematic quality, approaching each of the six episodes like a standalone film.
Read More: K-Drama’s $2.5 Billion Bet: How a Geopolitical Crisis Forced South Korea into Netflix’s Global Orbit
The story is set in the chaotic 1970s South Korea, an era of intense political change. It centers on the rivalry between Gi-tae (Hyun Bin), an ambitious man determined to seize power, and Geon-young (Jung Woo-sung), the relentless prosecutor hunting him down.
Gaining Weight for Authority
Hyun Bin revealed the physical commitment he made for his role as the ambitious agent, Gi-tae. The actor confirmed he gained a significant 14 to 15 kilograms—the biggest physical change he’s ever undergone for a part.
He explained the weight gain was strategic. Gi-tae works for the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, the most powerful institution at the time. Hyun Bin “wanted the imposing authority of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency… to be visible in the character’s very presence.”
Meanwhile, Jung Woo-sung was drawn to the project’s provocative style. He noted the creative freedom in placing fictional characters directly into real historical incidents.
Relevance to Today
While the show is rooted in the 1970s, director Woo Min-ho believes the themes are universal and relevant to modern audiences.
“Much like today, that era was marked by turbulence and chaos, with people rushing headlong toward their desires,” he said. The director expects viewers to easily draw comparisons between that time and the world we live in now.
The first season of “Made in Korea” premieres globally on Disney+ on December 24. A second season has already been greenlit.
