Fans of Korean dramas are set to be thrilled this Christmas with the release of the highly anticipated series Made in Korea, featuring celebrated actor Hyun Bin. This marks his return to television following the success of his 2019 Netflix series, Crash Landing on You, and his first project since becoming a husband and father. Set to premiere on December 24, 2025, the show is a political thriller that explores the turbulent landscape of South Korea in the 1970s.
In Made in Korea, Hyun Bin portrays the complex antihero Baek Gi-tae, who poses as a Central Intelligence Agency agent while secretly engaging in international drug trafficking. His character’s duplicitous nature sets the stage for a gripping rivalry with the determined prosecutor Jang Geon-yeong, played by Jung Sung-il. ScreenRant recently interviewed the cast, including Roh Jae-won, who plays fellow KCIA agent Pyo Hak-su, to delve deeper into their characters and the historical context of the series.
Exploring the Historical Context
In the interview, Hyun Bin reflected on his collaboration with director Woo Min-ho, noting that Made in Korea differs from their previous project, Harbin, which was based on a historical figure. “This series deals with significant events from the 1970s but is entirely fictional,” he explained. “That allowed for more creative freedom in my performance.”
Roh Jae-won emphasized the importance of immersing oneself in the period, sharing, “I watched numerous YouTube videos and drew inspiration from Director Woo’s past works, like The Man Standing Next. The sets and locations were incredibly well designed, capturing the era’s essence.”
Dynamics Among the Characters
The interview also highlighted the intricate dynamics among the characters. Jung Sung-il expressed enjoyment in the psychological tension between his character, Gi-tae, and prosecutor Gun-yeong. “Maintaining that level of psychological tension is thrilling,” he stated. “It’s exciting to play with doubt and mind games.”
When asked about the relationship between Gi-tae and Gun-yeong, Hyun Bin noted, “From a broader perspective, they are on opposing sides. Gun-yeong constantly obstructs Gi-tae’s plans, but there’s a begrudging respect for his tenacity and unwavering principles.”
Jung Sung-il further elaborated on his character, Cheon Seok-jeong, describing him as initially stoic yet powerful. “I found my character to be very inexpressive, but he possesses strength and charisma,” he said. “I enjoyed working off the energy of my fellow actors.”
Roh Jae-won discussed the complexity of his character, Pyo Hak-su, who switches allegiances throughout the season. “Initially, I struggled to connect with Hak-su due to limited screen time,” he admitted. “However, as I immersed myself in the role on set, I discovered more aspects of his character, portraying him as someone loyal to whoever is present.”
Looking Ahead to Season 2
As the cast reflected on their experiences filming the first season, they also shared their excitement about the recently greenlit second season. Jung Woo-sung acknowledged the pressure, stating, “We believe in what we created with season one, but it ultimately depends on how audiences respond.”
Hyun Bin humorously concluded the interview, expressing optimism for the future: “I would like to cautiously say that I think season two is going to be even better than season one.”
With a compelling blend of history, intrigue, and character depth, Made in Korea promises to deliver an engaging viewing experience. As audiences await its premiere on Disney+, the anticipation for this new K-drama continues to build.
