Jung Woo-sung pushing through a crowd of people as Jang Geon-young in Made in Korea.
Made in Korea had an incredible series premiere, giving Disney+ an edge as 2025 draws to a close. Though Netflix has paved the way for modern Korean dramas to be released on a global scale, practically every streaming service has joined the endeavor, including Apple TV and Hulu.
Consequently, there have been a few standout Disney+ K-dramas in recent years. Superhero drama Moving put Disney+ on the map in Korea, but emotional rollercoaster fantasy Light Shop and engaging mystery K-drama Nine Puzzles have proven the streaming juggernaut can handle a wide range of sub-genres. While previous titles have helped establish its dominance in the industry, 2025’s newest release— the historic Made in Korea— may be Disney+’s best K-drama yet. What Is Made In Korea About? Hyun Bin Plays A Captivating Triple Agent With only two episodes under its belt, Made in Korea is already an action-packed K-drama with endless intrigue. Leading the talented cast is industry veteran Hyun Bin as Baek Ki-tae, a high-ranking Korean Central Intelligence Agency official— but that’s not how he is first introduced. Throughout episode 1, Ki-tae manipulates a plane hijacking while undercover as a Japanese businessman. At first, it seems as though Ki-tae is defusing the situation by negotiating the release of women, children, and elderly passengers. As the pilot episode comes to an end, however, the truth becomes clear: Ki-tae was always two steps ahead, skillfully orchestrating the aircraft’s secret reroute to Seoul, the hijacker’s arrival in North Korea, and the plane’s return to Japan. Ki-tae isn’t just a KCIA agent, of course. Made in Korea instantly cements itself as an iconic secret identity K-drama as the layers unravel. When he’s not investigating threats of Communism in South Korea, Ki-tae is building a drug empire in Japan under his corrupt boss, Hwang Guk-pyeong . With his greedy ambition, however, Ki-tae is a triple agent. The period piece K-drama ties in real aspects of modern history, casting a scrutinizing, self-reflexive lens on its setting. The 1970s aesthetic is certainly less colorful than American films set in the same time period, but that’s exactly what the political thriller needs. Ki-tae is a far cry from David Bowie or Austin Powers; he’s cold, calculating, and delightfully self-serving. What Critics Are Saying About Made In Korea The First Two Episodes Have Audiences Hooked With Made in Korea only debuting on December 24, most major publications have yet to review the action thriller. That said, the critical response to Made in Korea thus far has been overwhelmingly positive, with many validating the political drama as the perfect comeback for K-drama actor Hyun Bin, who hasn’t acted on TV since 2019’s Crash Landing on You. Decider specifically praises how “Hyun Bin is steely and smooth” as the duplicitous KCIA operative, urging readers to stream the Disney+ series. Others have noted the scene-stealing performances of characters like Jang Geon-young and Yuji Ikeda/Choi Yu-ji , reflecting how the ensemble serves to strengthen the K-drama rather than distract from the main character. While aggregate review sites like Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes have yet to reveal the cumulative ratings for Disney+’s new political thriller, Made in Korea currently sits at an 8.3-star rating on IMDb. The high score is the average of 89 distinct reviews, indicating that the majority of both audiences and critics alike were impressed by the premiere. Nonetheless, Made in Korea isn’t above criticism. Some took issue with the non-linear storytelling of the first two episodes, while others critiqued episode 2’s comedic scenes as lackluster and out of place. Despite its lows, however, Made in Korea irrefutably made a strong, majorly positive first impression. The central concern now is whether the K-drama can avoid losing momentum in future episodes. When New Episodes Of Made In Korea Release The First Season Will Be Short But Sweet Now that Made in Korea has set up its major conflicts, like the rivalry between Ki-tae and Geon-young, the KCIA’s corruption and ties to the Yakuza, and Ki-tae’s complicated family life, fans are eagerly awaiting the next episodes. Plus, according to star Hyun Bin, Made in Korea only gets better from here, which makes episode 3 all the more highly anticipated. Unlike Netflix, which typically adopts a two-day weekly release schedule, Disney+ has an unconventional rollout planned for Made in Korea. Episodes 1 and 2 dropped on December 24, but the next batch comes only six days later, with episodes 3 and 4 set to release on December 30. From there, the release dates only get more confusing. After the December 30 double release, episode 5 will premiere by itself on January 7, 2026. The season finale will drop a week later, bringing Made in Korea season 1 to an end on January 14. The staggered release isn’t the typical format most platforms use, but it’s nothing new for Disney+, as its biggest K-dramas had similar schedules. Subscribe for deeper K-drama breakdowns in our newsletter Get focused episode analysis, character context, and broader K-drama perspective by subscribing to our newsletter, ideal for fans who want in-depth coverage of Made in Korea and other standout Korean dramas. Subscribe Subscribe for deeper K-drama breakdowns in our newsletter Get focused episode analysis, character context, and broader K-drama perspective by subscribing to our newsletter, ideal for fans who want in-depth coverage of Made in Korea and other standout Korean dramas. Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime. Though the six episodes will likely fly by, Made in Korea’s early renewal guarantees viewers won’t wait too long for Baek Ki-tae's return. Production has already begun on season 2, meaning fans can expect a quick turnaround in late 2026. While its future is already mapped out, however, Made in Korea still has to get through its pilot season unscathed. Made in Korea 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star Like Follow Followed Crime Release Date December 24, 2025 Network Disney+ Directors Woo Min-ho Cast See All
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