Made in Korea (Korean: 메이드 인 코리아) is a South Korean period political television series written by Park Eun-gyo and Park Joon-suk, directed by Woo Min-ho, and starring an ensemble cast led by Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung. The series takes place over major events in Korea's modern and contemporary history in the 1970s. The first season premiered on Hulu and Disney+ on December 24, 2025. The second season was released on September 9, 2026.
Contents
Synopsis
Baek Ki-tae is a shrewd, ambitious operative for the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) who secretly controls illicit business networks to amass power and wealth, while Jang Geon-young is a principled, uncompromising public prosecutor who wants to reveal a corrupt government and law-enforcement agencies. As Geon-young starts his probe into Ki-tae's smuggling operations and their links with high-ranking officials, the two men become embroiled in a perilous rivalry fueled by political conspiracies, criminal enterprises, and conflicting visions of justice.
Cast and characters
Main
Hyun Bin as Baek Ki-tae / Matsuda Kenji
A high-ranking agent of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) who leads a secret double life. Outwardly a disciplined government official, he covertly operates smuggling networks to accumulate power and wealth.
Jung Woo-sung as Jang Geon-young
A relentless prosecutor known for his keen instincts and uncompromising pursuit of justice. He becomes the primary adversary of Ki-tae, committing himself to exposing and dismantling Ki-tae's operations regardless of personal cost.
Woo Do-hwan as Baek Ki-hyeon
Ki-tae's younger brother and an elite officer who graduated from the Korea Military Academy.
Cho Yeo-jeong as Bae Geum-ji
The madam of an upscale kisaeng house frequented by powerful figures.
Seo Eun-soo as Oh Ye-jin
A detective who works as the secretary and investigative partner to prosecutor Geon-young.
Won Ji-an as Yuji Ikeda / Choi Yu-ji
A powerful figure in the yakuza and a skilled lobbyist who collaborates with Ki-tae.
Jung Sung-il as Cheon Seok-joong
Chief of the Presidential Security Service who holds power.
Kang Gil-woo as Kang Dae-il
The underboss of the Manjae gang that controls Busan's economy.
Supporting
Cha Hee as Baek So-young
Ki-tae's younger sister.
Lee Joo-yeon as Jang Hye-eun
Geon-young's younger sister.
Production
Development
Woo Min-ho, who worked on films such as Inside Men (2015), The Drug King (2018), and The Man Standing Next (2020), is at his first directing experience for the small screen with Made in Korea. Hive Media Corp managed the production of the series, which is penned by Park Eun-gyo and Park Joon-suk.
After media reports that the series would be a spin-off of the 2018 film The Drug King, Hive Media Corp denied the correlation and said that it is a different work. The company also denied a report according to which the series would cost ₩48 billion ($US 42 million). On May 23, 2025, the CEO of Hive Media said that the production cost was approximately ₩70 billion ($US 61 million).
At the APAC Showcase in Hong Kong in November 2025, it was confirmed that a second season has already begun its production and is expected to premiere in the second half of 2026.
Casting
On February 16, 2024, Hyun Bin was reportedly cast for the series, with his agency Vast Entertainment stating that he was considering but had not decided yet, while Jung Woo-sung confirmed he would lead the series. On August 29, 2024, Hyun was confirmed to star as Jung's rival: it is the second time that Hyun and director Woo work together after Harbin (2024). On July 31, it was reported that Jung Sung-il joined the cast. On August 8, both Won Ji-an and Seo Eun-soo confirmed their appearances.
Filming
Made in Korea was filmed across multiple international and domestic locations to authentically recreate its 1970s setting. To depict the historical backdrop of 1970s Busan, the production spent approximately one month filming in Kobe, Japan, where urban areas with period-appropriate architecture and port city scenery remain relatively preserved, making it suitable for representing the era's aesthetic. Apart from Japan, the series also featured overseas shoots in Thailand under Mbrella Films, where production support services were offered for a number of locations, including Kanchanaburi and Chonburi, including The 3D Tunnel and Sangchuto Road in Kanchanaburi, Sattahip Beach and the Royal Thai Marine Naval Base Corps in Chonburi.
Release
Disney+ announced that Made in Korea would be released exclusively on their platform in 2025 under Hulu on Disney+ content hub, as well as standalone Hulu service in United States. In November 2025, Disney+ confirmed the release date of the series to be on December 24, 2025, with the first two episodes.