Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
INTERVIEW ‘Made in Korea’ is mirror of human greed, ambition, Hyun Bin says
Actor Hyun Bin / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
By Baek Byung-yeul
"Made in Korea" is a tense crime drama that explores the dark collision of power and ambition during the 1970s, while questioning the difficult choice between personal greed and national interest. According to lead actor Hyun Bin, the story depicts universal human desires that could happen in any country, not just in Korea.
Hyun Bin takes on the role of Baek Ki-tae, a calculating intelligence director navigating the shifting tides of Korea’s modern history.
"I did not approach the character of Baek Ki-tae with the mindset that he is a simple villain," the actor told The Korea Times in an interview in Seoul, Tuesday. "I view the character as a man driven by clear beliefs and a strong will to survive, which gave me a sense of satisfaction playing a person who acts quickly and directly without worrying about what is right or wrong."
Directed by Woo Min-ho, the Disney+ series focuses on the fierce rivalry between Baek, an agent of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, and Jang Geon-young, an uncompromising prosecutor played by Jung Woo-sung. The first season recently finished with Baek reaching the top. The second season is set to be released in the second half of this year.
Hyun expressed hope that the drama would act as a mirror for modern viewers, warning that "if we are not careful, anyone can become a person like Baek in today's world."
To physically express the oppressive presence of an official from that era, Hyun gained about 14 kilograms.
“I thought it was necessary to fill the screen with a sense of pressure and authority,” Hyun said.
He mentioned that the process was difficult following his role in the film “Harbin,” also directed by Woo.
“While filming ‘Harbin,’ the director asked for a much thinner look. I was satisfied when I saw my bulked up appearance on the monitor because it matched the image I had in mind," he said.
Regarding the experience of his first streaming platform project, Hyun said that while the filming felt the same as being on a movie set, the global reach of Disney+ was new.
"I find it interesting how different viewers interpret the motives of each character," he said. "I hope the series remains a work that makes people ask questions about the nature of success and conscience.”
Hyun Bin in a scene from Disney+ series “Made in Korea” / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea
The actor also praised his colleagues for their dedication on set.
"Won Ji-an must have felt a lot of pressure because her character has to speak Japanese perfectly and I could see how much she prepared," he said. He also described Seo Eun-soo as a "tough performer" who brought great energy to the set.
On working with Jung, Hyun said that it was a great experience and they often shared ideas to improve scenes.
"Because he has experience as a director, he finds points that I might have missed, and that communication made the filming process very enjoyable," he added.
The actor’s personal life was also a topic of interest, as his wife, actor Son Ye-jin, has been watching the series despite her own busy filming schedule.
"My wife told me she saw a completely new face of me as an actor through this role," he said.
He also shared how his perspective has shifted since becoming a father. "I now feel a stronger responsibility to be a great actor that my child can be proud of in the future," he said.
"I believe these are universal stories of human desire that can be understood by anyone around the world," the actor said.