Hyun Bin in a still from ‘Made in Korea.’ Photo: Disney+, courtesy of Han Cinema.
Five years after Crash Landing on You emerged as a breakout success in 2020, Hallyu star Hyun Bin returns to television with Made in Korea—a political drama directed by Woo Min-ho, co-starring acclaimed actor Jung Woo-sung.
Set in the chaos of the 1970s, a period of severe political upheaval in Korea, the story captures how the unrest of the time had ripple effects on the future of the country and its people, as depicted by the protagonists.
Baek Ki-tae (Hyun Bin) is a ruthless, overambitious man who will do whatever it takes to grab power and money. But much to his chagrin, Jang Gun-young (Jung Woo-sung), a morally upright prosecutor who is committed to justice, will leave no stone unturned to stop his unscrupulous advances. Their conflicting views result in a plot of intrigue, corruption, and moral dilemmas, which eventually pulls back the curtain on greed, crime, and the quest for truth.
Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung aside, the drama boasts a stellar supporting cast, with Won Ji-an, Seo Eun-su, Cho Yeo-Jeong, Jung Sung-il, and Woo Do-hwan. According to reports, Kim Won-guk, CEO of Hive Media Corp. (which is producing the project), is confident about its success. He said they’ve put their best efforts into it with Disney’s support, and believes it will “change the game” upon release.
With a reported production budget of around ₩70 billion, as revealed by Hive Media, the series opens a new chapter for Woo Min-ho—best known for films like Inside Men (2015), The Drug King (2018), and The Man Standing Next (2020)—as he forays into the world of television dramas for the first time with Made in Korea.
The project reunites Hyun Bin and Woo Min-ho, following their 2024 period spy thriller Harbin, which became one of Korea’s biggest hits last year after premiering at the Toronto International Film Festival’s Gala program.
Made in Korea is expected to be released by June 2025.
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