Disney+’s original series ‘Made in Korea’ is generating buzz among prospective viewers with the release of production stills that highlight its impressive scale.
‘Made in Korea’ unfolds in South Korea during the 1970s—a period of turmoil and progress—following Baek Ki-tae (Hyun Bin), who aims to reach the pinnacle of wealth and power by exploiting the nation as a business model. Prosecutor Jang Geon-young (Jung Woo-sung) relentlessly pursues him as they face monumental events that define the era.
Stills from the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, where the ambitions of Chief Baek Ki-tae, his colleague Pyo Hak-soo (No Jae-won), and Director Hwang Kook-pyeong (Park Yong-woo) clash, have garnered significant attention. The agency’s lighting design vividly contrasts light and darkness, effectively revealing the complex interplay of fervent ambition and cold detachment among the characters.
Lighting director Kim Kyung-seok heightens anticipation, visualizing Baek Ki-tae’s unrestrained energy and desire with intense sunlight-like illumination. In contrast, Kim Kyung-seok drapes Jang Geon-young (Jung Woo-sung), accustomed to darkness, in dim lighting and heavy tones, naturally conveying the character’s personality and emotions.
Baek Ki-tae’s office and other key settings meticulously recreate the era with detailed props, enhancing realism. Additionally, scenes depicting Jang Geon-young on a ship against the vast night sea with a tense expression, alongside military units standing in orderly formation under red lighting, underscore the series’ grand scale and pervasive suspense. Contrasting imagery of Baek Ki-tae dressed as both a businessman and a soldier, along with key figures Ikeda Yuji (Won Ji-an) and Ikeda Osamu (Lily Franky), conveys the extensive location work undertaken in Korea, Thailand, and Japan.
Director Woo Min-ho, aiming to craft each episode like a film, stated, “I wanted to create a historical drama that could communicate with the present era. It was important to reflect on that time with today’s viewers.” This ambition fuels anticipation for ‘Made in Korea,’ which successfully blends modern sensibilities with a richly woven narrative and diverse characters.
The meticulously crafted production stills released by Disney+ elevate expectations for ‘Made in Korea,’ which will stream exclusively on the platform. Disney+ will premiere the six-episode series with two episodes on December 24, followed by two on December 31, and one each on January 7 and January 14.
