As a total drama fan, I have to say, “Made in Korea” absolutely killed it with its first episode! It really gives Disney+ a boost as we head into 2025. Netflix definitely opened the door for K-dramas to become huge worldwide, but now everyone is getting in on the action – Apple TV, Hulu, you name it. And honestly, Disney+ has already given us some pretty great K-dramas over the last couple of years, but this one feels different.
Disney+ gained significant traction in Korea with the superhero series Moving, but it’s shown it can offer more than just that genre with emotionally rich fantasy (Light Shop) and compelling mysteries (Nine Puzzles). Though past shows helped establish Disney+ as a leading streamer, its latest release, the historical drama Made in Korea, could be its most successful K-drama to date.
What Is Made In Korea About?
Hyun Bin Plays A Captivating Triple Agent
After just two episodes, Made in Korea is proving to be a thrilling K-drama full of mystery. Starring veteran actor Hyun Bin as Baek Ki-tae, a powerful figure in the Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA), the show begins with a clever deception. In the first episode, we see Ki-tae secretly directing the response to a plane hijacking while posing as a Japanese businessman.
Initially, Ki-tae appears to be calming things down by arranging the release of vulnerable passengers – women, children, and the elderly. But as the first episode concludes, it’s revealed he was actually the mastermind behind everything. He cleverly planned the plane’s secret change of course to Seoul, the hijacker’s journey to North Korea, and the aircraft’s eventual return to Japan.
Ki-tae is more than just a South Korean intelligence agent. The drama Made in Korea quickly establishes itself as a classic story of hidden identities as the plot thickens. While publicly investigating communist threats in South Korea, Ki-tae secretly builds a drug operation in Japan, working under his dishonest superior, Hwang Guk-pyeong (Park Yong-woo). Driven by his own ambition, Ki-tae is actually a triple agent, playing multiple sides.
This historical K-drama doesn’t just recreate the past – it thoughtfully examines real events and how they shaped the time period. While it portrays the 1970s with a more subdued color palette than many American movies from that era, that’s perfect for its serious, suspenseful story. The main character, Ki-tae, isn’t a glamorous figure like those often seen in period pieces; he’s a cool, calculating, and unapologetically self-interested individual.
What Critics Are Saying About Made In Korea
The First Two Episodes Have Audiences Hooked
Though the action thriller Made in Korea just premiered on December 24th, early reviews are extremely positive. Many critics are praising it as a strong return for actor Hyun Bin, who hasn’t appeared in a TV series since 2019’s Crash Landing on You. Most major publications haven’t published full reviews yet.
Decider highlighted Hyun Bin’s performance as a cool and collected, yet deceptive, intelligence agent, recommending viewers watch the Disney+ series. Critics have also praised supporting actors like Jang Geon-young (Jung Woo-sung) and Yuji Ikeda/Choi Yu-ji (Won Ji-an), noting that the strong ensemble cast enhances the drama without overshadowing the lead.
Disney+’s new thriller, Made in Korea, is getting a lot of positive attention. Although scores from major review sites like Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes aren’t available yet, it currently has an 8.3 out of 10 rating on IMDb, based on 89 reviews. This suggests that both viewers and critics generally enjoyed the show’s debut.
Despite its strengths, Made in Korea isn’t perfect. Some viewers found the first two episodes confusing because the story jumped around, and others didn’t think the comedy in episode 2 worked well. Overall, though, Made in Korea definitely started off strong and made a positive impression. The big question now is whether it can keep up that momentum in the episodes to come.
When New Episodes Of Made In Korea Release
The First Season Will Be Short But Sweet
With the main conflicts established in Made in Korea – including the tension between Ki-tae and Geon-young, the KCIA’s corruption and connections to the Yakuza, and Ki-tae’s challenging family situation – viewers are excited to see what happens next. Star Hyun Bin has hinted that the show only improves, making the upcoming third episode particularly anticipated.
Disney+ is releasing its new show, Made in Korea, differently than Netflix. While Netflix usually releases shows over two days each week, Disney+ started with episodes 1 and 2 on December 24th, then will release episodes 3 and 4 just six days later on December 30th. The release schedule gets even more unpredictable after that.
| Made In Korea Episodes | |
|---|---|
| Episode | Release Date |
| Episode 1 (“A Businessman”) | December 24, 2025 |
| Episode 2 (“The Power of the Dog”) | December 24, 2025 |
| Episode 3 (TBA) | December 30, 2025 |
| Episode 4 (TBA) | December 30, 2025 |
| Episode 5 (TBA) | January 7, 2026 |
| Episode 6 (TBA) | January 14, 2026 |
Following a double episode release on December 30th, episode 5 of Made in Korea will be available on January 7, 2026. The season will conclude with the finale on January 14th. While this release schedule—releasing episodes individually instead of all at once—is uncommon, Disney+ has used similar strategies for its popular K-dramas.
Even though the first six episodes will probably feel short, Made in Korea has already been renewed for a second season, so fans won’t have to wait long for more. Production on season 2 has already started, with an expected release in late 2026. But first, the show needs to successfully complete its current, first season.
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2025-12-27 01:00