Disney+ rolls out Korean originals for second half of 2025

A scene from Disney+'s Korean original series "Nine Puzzles" / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

Riding high on the phenomenal success of its Korean originals last year, Disney+ is set to make an even bigger splash in the second half of 2025 with a bold new lineup of content.

Korean series dominated the global stage last year — an impressive nine out of the 15 most-watched Disney+ originals outside the U.S. were Korean productions, a testament to the worldwide appetite for the country’s sophisticated storytelling and cinematic excellence.

Among these hits, “A Shop for Killers” stood out as the crown jewel, captivating audiences with its inventive universe and stylish action. The series not only claimed the title of most-watched Korean original on Disney+ in 2024, but also sparked such fervor that the streamer has officially greenlit a second season.

As Disney+ doubles down on its investment in Korean content, viewers can expect an electrifying lineup that continues to set the pace for global streaming — and cements Korea’s place at the forefront of premium entertainment.

Among the most eagerly awaited titles, slated to debut for the second half of this year, are the gripping mystery thriller "Nine Puzzles," the gritty crime saga "Low Life," the intense conspiracy thriller "Tempest," the electrifying action series "The Manipulated" and the epic narrative "Made in Korea." Each promises to captivate audiences with bold storytelling, stellar casts and cinematic flair.

A scene from Disney+'s original series "Tempest" / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

“Disney+ has consistently made strategic investments in high-quality Korean content, and these efforts have translated into global box office success, further raising viewers’ expectations. Moving forward, we will continue to present works that combine Disney+’s distinctive storytelling with genre diversity and depth, connecting audiences worldwide — including those in Korea — through the universal power of compelling stories," said Yeonu Choi, head of Local Content at Walt Disney Company Korea.

Kicking off the highly anticipated lineup is the mystery thriller “Nine Puzzles,” premiering May 21. The series follows E-na (Kim Da-mi), who, after stumbling upon her uncle’s lifeless body beside a single puzzle piece 10 years ago, became a profiler, determined to unlock the truth of that fateful night. Detective Han-saem (Son Suk-ku) has spent 10 years doggedly suspecting her. When a chilling new string of murders erupts — each crime scene marked by a mysterious puzzle piece — Han-saem’s suspicions resurface, setting the stage for a tense cat-and-mouse pursuit where every clue brings them closer to a truth buried in the shadows of the past.

Adding further heat to the lineup is the crime drama “Low Life,” based on a webtoon by acclaimed writer Yoon Tae-ho. The series, starring Ryu Seung-ryong, Yang Se-jong, and Lim Soo-jung, will transport viewers to the 1970s when a group of hardworking small-town misfits set their sights on a sunken treasure ship off the coast — a true story that once captivated the nation. Their quest for fortune unfolds into a gripping tale of ambition, camaraderie and high-stakes adventure.

A scene from Disney+'s original "The Manipulated" / Courtesy of Walt Disney Company Korea

A star-studded cast of Kang Dong-won, Jun Ji-hyun and John Cho met with film "Decision to Leave" writer Jeong Seo-kyeong, drama "Queen of Tears" director Kim Hee-won and "The Roundup: Punishment" director Heo Myung-haeng for "Tempest." The espionage drama follows former U.N. ambassador Mun-ju (Jun) and special agent San-ho (Kang) teaming up to uncover the hidden truth behind a major incident threatening the future of the Korean Peninsula. The drama is drawing high expectations as one of the most impressive lineups in both Korea and Hollywood.

“The Manipulated,” starring Ji Chang-wook and Doh Kyung-soo, will deliver a pulse-pounding crime action spectacle. The series centers on Tae-jung (Ji), a mild-mannered man whose ordinary life is shattered when he is wrongfully imprisoned for a brutal crime. Inside prison walls, he uncovers the chilling truth that his downfall was meticulously orchestrated by the enigmatic Yo-han (Doh). Consumed by vengeance, Tae-jung embarks on a relentless quest to make Yo-han pay. With breathless pacing and psychological warfare at its core, “The Manipulated” promises an immersive, edge-of-your-seat experience.

Disney+’s upcoming series “Made in Korea,” directed by acclaimed filmmaker Woo Min-ho and starring Jung Woo-sung and Hyun Bin, unfolds against the turbulent backdrop of 1970s Korea. The story centers on Ki-tae (Hyun), a man relentlessly driven by ambition, and Geon-young (Jung), the unyielding prosecutor determined to bring him down.

This gripping action thriller marks Woo’s much-awaited television directing debut after a string of celebrated films including “Inside Men,” “The Man Standing Next” and “Harbin.” “Made in Korea” promises to deliver a sweeping, cinematic experience, weaving together the defining events of Korea’s modern history with riveting storytelling and grand-scale visuals.