‘Made in Korea Season 2’: Well-Crafted Noir Returns at Packed Production Showcase

Nine years later, the noir drama 〈Made in Korea Season 2〉, which follows Baek Gi-tae’s perilous rampage toward greater ambition, has successfully wrapped its production showcase ahead of its premiere on Sept. 9 (Wednesday). Director Woo Min-ho, along with Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, Woo Do-hwan, Seo Eun-soo, Won Ji-an, Jung Sung-il, Noh Jae-won and Cha Hee, attended the event. They discussed the series’ many points of interest, including the characters’ intensified ambitions, sharper relationships and fiercer power struggles after nine years, raising expectations for the new season. 

Much of the attention first focused on Baek Gi-tae, Jang Geon-young and Baek Gi-hyun, the central figures of Season 2. Hyun Bin, who plays Baek Gi-tae, a man who rises through a successful business career and repeated promotions to become the No. 2 official in the Korean Central Intelligence Agency, said, “Baek Gi-tae is someone who wants a higher position and greater wealth. At the same time, as he confronts forces that emerge to stop him, he finds himself in increasingly lonely and dangerous circumstances. I paid close attention to portraying those complex sides of him.” He described his efforts to depict both Baek Gi-tae’s escalating ambition as he nears the pinnacle of power and the loneliness beneath it in three dimensions.

Jung Woo-sung, who plays Jang Geon-young, returns as a special adviser to the Joint Investigation Headquarters after losing everything and enduring nine years. “He tries to bring down Baek Gi-tae without even realizing that what he feels is a desire for revenge,” Jung said. “If you watch the direction in which he moves, you will be able to see the contradictions of the era and the dilemmas of human beings.” His remarks heightened curiosity about the fierce battle between the two men after years apart and the weighty message at the heart of the series.

Woo Do-hwan, who plays Baek Gi-hyun as he climbs toward his own peak, said, “In Season 2, I tried to express Baek Gi-hyun’s sense of having grown into an adult. I also put a lot of effort into making viewers wonder what choice Baek Gi-hyun will make.” His comments increased anticipation for the character’s role as a new variable, torn between his brother Baek Gi-tae and his own convictions.

The actors’ new challenges and transformations, as they take on faces unlike those they showed in Season 1, also drew attention. Seo Eun-soo, who plays Oh Ye-jin, who rises to become South Korea’s first female prosecutor, said, “I had to become much tougher to survive in a drug investigation unit made up entirely of men and make my way to Seoul. I thought my voice, eyes and way of speaking all needed to convey strength. I wanted to become an Oh Ye-jin who was more solid and more reckless.” She previewed a fearless character who charges toward her goal without regard for the consequences.

Won Ji-an, who plays Ikeda Yuji, the power behind the lobbying operation for a Japanese underworld organization, also said, “I hope you will look forward to seeing her pursue her goal without holding back, both in the action and through her outward transformation.” She raised expectations by previewing a bolder character who puts a long-prepared plan into action.

The actors’ seamless chemistry as they portray the altered relationships among the characters amid a reshaped power structure also made for compelling discussion. Jung Sung-il, who plays Cheon Seok-jung, the chief of staff at the presidential office, said, “The scope of his movements has changed completely. In Season 2, he meets new people, and I spent a lot of time thinking about his relationships with them.” He previewed far more complicated ties among characters entangled in their competing interests.

Noh Jae-won, who plays Pyo Hak-soo, director of the Korean Central Intelligence Agency’s Busan branch, said, “The relationship between Baek Gi-tae and Pyo Hak-soo is completely different in Season 1 and Season 2. It felt new while I was acting, and I also felt frustrated.” His remarks fueled curiosity about the tension created by the pair’s reversal from rivals in Season 1 to superior and subordinate.

Cha Hee, who plays Baek So-young, Baek Gi-tae’s younger sister and the person in charge of Baekho Trading, said, “She returns in a completely different form from Season 1. Over nine years, she becomes deeply involved in her brother Baek Gi-tae’s business. I hope you will watch to see how she changes and what ambitions she develops.” She added to anticipation for Baek So-young’s transformation and the precarious relationship among the three siblings as she is caught between Baek Gi-tae and Baek Gi-hyun.

Director Woo Min-ho said of the new series, “If Season 1 was filled with different stories in each episode, Season 2 is a single story that runs from Episode 1 through Episode 6. If Season 1 was a fight among kids, Season 2 is a fight among adults.” He previewed a story that is heavier and denser than its predecessor. He also said, “In Season 2, I thought we needed to show much more of Baek Gi-tae’s family. The characters’ emotions have become much more intense, and I wanted to express feelings of love and hatred.” His comments raised expectations for an expanded family-centered narrative and deeper emotions.

Hyun Bin said, “I think this will be a great gift for those who watched Season 1 with interest. We are preparing to meet you with a deeper and more varied story, and I hope many people will watch it.” Jung Woo-sung said, “I sincerely thank you for the love and interest you showed Season 1. I sincerely hope Season 2 will live up to that love.” Woo Do-hwan said, “I hope 〈Made in Korea Season 2〉 will make you a little happier during Chuseok, when all the episodes are released.” Seo Eun-soo said, “I think this will become the project I am most proud of. I hope it becomes a series that stays in viewers’ hearts for a long time.” Won Ji-an said, “Please look forward to and show lots of love for Season 2 as well.” Jung Sung-il said, “I would be grateful if you would spend your precious time as viewers watching 〈Made in Korea Season 2〉.” Noh Jae-won asked viewers to “show it lots of love,” while Cha Hee said, “This is a project that many people have poured their affection into, and we gave it our all.” Director Woo Min-ho said, “Putting everything else aside, the actors did such a great job, as if they were wearing clothes tailored for them. The series is more than worth watching for the actors alone. Please show it lots of interest.” With those messages to viewers who had been awaiting Season 2, the 〈Made in Korea Season 2〉 production showcase concluded amid an enthusiastic atmosphere.

The Disney+ original series 〈Made in Korea Season 2〉, returning with the powerful acting chemistry of South Korea’s leading stars and a polished production, will release two episodes exclusively on Disney+ on Sept. 9, 2026 (Wednesday), two more on Sept. 16 (Wednesday) and the final two on Sept. 23 (Wednesday), for a total of six episodes.