Made in Korea with Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung: The Most Expensive K-Drama in History?

If you thought the K-drama year was already over, Disney+ just said, “Hold my soju.”

To close 2025 with fireworks, the mouse house platform is launching its riskiest and most expensive bet to date: “Made in Korea.” And when we say expensive, we aren’t exaggerating: a budget of 70 billion won (approx. $47 million USD) is reported.

But money isn’t the only thing shining here. For the first time in streaming history, two absolute legends, Hyun Bin (Crash Landing on You) and Jung Woo-sung (12.12: The Day), are facing off in a series.

What is this super-production about, and why did Hyun Bin have to gain 15 kilos for the role? Here we tell you everything.

The Plot of Made in Korea: Ambition and Power in the Chaotic 70s

Directed by Woo Min-ho (the genius behind political films like “The Man Standing Next” and “Harbin”), the series transports us to 1970s Korea, a decade marked by political turbulence and wild social transformation.

Hyun Bin is Baik Ki-tae: Far from his usual romantic roles, here he interprets a dark and complex character. Ki-tae is a government intelligence agent (KCIA) consumed by greed and the ambition for wealth. He leads a dangerous double life: he is an undercover agent by day, but operates as a drug trafficker and smuggler by night to rise to power. To bring this intimidating man to life, Hyun Bin transformed his physique by gaining 15 kilos, seeking to project the brutal authority of the most powerful institution of that era.
Jung Woo-sung is Jang Geon-young: The moral counterweight of the story. He plays a prosecutor with unwavering principles and “relentless determination.” He is the hunter who will stop at nothing to chase and take down the criminal empire that Ki-tae is building, unleashing a fierce rivalry between the two.

According to Director Woo, despite being set 50 years ago, the story is a mirror of today: “That era, much like today, was marked by chaos, with people rushing toward their desires.”

Hyun Bin Made in korea K-drama Disney+ — Hyun Bin, Made in Korea, Disney+

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Hyun Bin Unrecognizable: 15 Kilos More of Pure Power

Forget Captain Ri. To play a member of the feared Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), Hyun Bin underwent a notable physical transformation. At the press conference this Monday, the actor revealed: “I gained between 14 and 15 kilos. I wanted the imposing authority of the KCIA, the highest institution of power, to be visible in the character’s very presence. This is the biggest physique I’ve ever had in my acting career.”

Additionally, he made an important distinction regarding his work on the film “Harbin.” He explained that, while playing a real historical figure carried a strong sense of “responsibility, weight, and pressure,” embodying a completely fictional character in this series brought him “a different kind of enjoyment,” allowing him to have fun during filming by not having that historical burden.

Jung Woo-sung: Return After the Scandal

All eyes were also on Jung Woo-sung, who is making his first major public appearance following the scandal of November 2024 (where he acknowledged having a child out of wedlock with model Moon Ga-bi).

When asked how he felt about returning to the public eye, Jung maintained his elegance but was brief:

“I ask for your understanding that I can’t go into details about my private thoughts… I hope to approach viewers with an entertaining work.”

Regarding the series, he highlighted the “audacity” of the script: “Usually, in period pieces, you keep a distance from real events. ‘Made in Korea’ places fictional characters within real historical incidents. That imaginative approach gave me tremendous creative freedom.”

Why Watch “Made in Korea”?

Cinema Quality on TV: Director Woo Min-ho approached each of the 6 episodes “as if I were making a film,” focusing on quality over quantity.
Star-studded Cast: In addition to the two leads, the cast includes Cho Yeo-jeong (Parasite), Woo Do-hwan (Bloodhounds), and Jung Sung-il (The Glory).
Season 2 Confirmed: Disney+ has so much faith in the project that a second season has already been confirmed for next year.

“Made in Korea” premieres this December 24 on Disney+. Will it be the Christmas gift that political thriller fans have been waiting for?

Jung Woo-sung Made in Korea kdrama disney+ — Jung Woo-sung, Made in Korea, Disney+

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FAQs: Everything You Must Know Before the Premiere of Made in Korea

Here we answer the key questions so you can arrive at the premiere as an expert.

1. What is “Made in Korea” really about?

It is a political and crime thriller set in the 70s. It follows the deadly rivalry between Gi-tae (Hyun Bin), an ambitious man working for Korean intelligence who traffics drugs at night to gain power, and Geon-young (Jung Woo-sung), a tenacious prosecutor trying to stop him. The series mixes real historical events (like the Yodogo hijacking incident) with fictional characters.

2. Is it true that it is the most expensive K-drama in history?

It is one of the most expensive, without a doubt. With a reported budget of 70 billion won (approx. $47 million USD) for its two seasons, it sits at the top of super-productions, surpassing or matching series like Moving or Arthdal Chronicles. A large part of the money went into recreating the 70s setting and filming in international locations.

3. When does Made in Korea premiere and where to watch it?

It premieres on December 24, 2025, exclusively on Disney+ (Star+ or Hulu depending on your region). It is the perfect Christmas gift for lovers of noir and politics.

4. Why does Hyun Bin look so different in the trailers?

The actor purposely gained about 14-15 kilos of mass and bulk for the role in this new K-drama. He wanted his character to look physically intimidating and powerful, reflecting his status as an agent of the KCIA, the most feared organization of that era. It is the biggest physical transformation of his career.

Made in Korea k-drama cast disney+ — Made in Korea cast, Disney+

5. What happened with Jung Woo-sung and his recent scandal?

In November 2024, Jung Woo-sung publicly acknowledged that he is the father of model Moon Ga-bi’s child, born out of wedlock. Although they did not marry, he promised to assume responsibility for raising the child. This is his first project following the news, so there was much anticipation regarding his public appearance.

6. Is Made in Korea a true story?

Not 100%. It is historical fiction. The director uses the real context of the 70s (the dictatorship, economic development, the KCIA) and true events as a backdrop, but the protagonists and their specific actions are inventions to make the plot more entertaining and free.