The political thriller is having a moment, and the latest offering, Made in Korea, isn’t shying away from the darkness. Premiering in December 2025 and concluding its six-episode first season on January 14, 2026, the Disney+ series delves into the turbulent landscape of 1970s South Korea, a period defined by authoritarian rule, political maneuvering, and a rapidly changing society. Rather than focusing on futuristic tech or contemporary conspiracies, the series looks to the past to build a dense and politically charged suspense.
A Duel at the Heart of Power
The series centers on a collision between two men: Baek Ki-tae, portrayed by Hyun Bin, and Jang Geon-young, played by Jung Woo-sung. Baek Ki-tae is an ambitious operative of the KCIA (Korean Central Intelligence Agency), skillfully navigating the murky waters of power, while Jang Geon-young is a prosecutor determined to uphold the law, even as the system seems designed to undermine it. This isn’t simply a personal rivalry; it’s a clash of fundamentally different ideologies regarding the role of the state.
Hyun Bin embodies Baek Ki-tae as a calculating and impeccably dressed figure, comfortable operating within the unspoken rules of the political elite. Jung Woo-sung’s Jang Geon-young, conversely, represents a near-quixotic attempt to impose legal boundaries in an environment that punishes dissent. The series understands that investigation itself carries risk – the loss of allies, reputation, and even life.
Ambition, Corruption, and the Price of Resistance
The narrative is deeply rooted in the operations of the KCIA, an institution wielding immense and opaque influence during that era. Baek Ki-tae moves with ease among officials, criminals, and politicians, building his ascent through strategic alliances and carefully maintained silences. The series doesn’t shy away from portraying the darker side of Korea’s rapid transformation, immersing viewers in a world of drug trafficking, political conspiracies, social upheaval, and moral compromise.
Jang Geon-young’s pursuit of justice is presented as a challenging, almost futile endeavor. The series transforms interrogations, meetings, and administrative decisions into battlegrounds, highlighting the idea that true danger often lurks not in the streets, but within the confines of closed offices, behind signatures, or within unrecorded orders.
Director Woo Min-ho, who previously collaborated with Hyun Bin on the acclaimed film Harbin, set out to explore the corrosive effects of power and the ways in which a corrupt system can distort ambition. He’s stated his intention to show “the process of how history repeats itself through these characters,” rather than offering easy answers.
A Historical Thriller with Contemporary Resonance
While set in the past, Made in Korea resonates with contemporary concerns. Themes of structural corruption, political manipulation, and unchecked ambition transcend the specific historical context. The series doesn’t simply use the 1970s as a backdrop; the oppressive atmosphere is integral to the storytelling. As one article notes, the series explores how the hunger for power and a corrupt system can turn a person’s ambition into something monstrous and destructive.
With only six episodes, the first season maintains a tense and focused pace, avoiding unnecessary subplots. Each episode adds layers to the central conflict, reinforcing the idea that the greatest threats often originate not from external forces, but from within the corridors of power.
Currently available on Disney+, Made in Korea offers a compact and powerful addition to the political thriller genre. It serves as a stark reminder that, in certain historical contexts, survival and resistance were never synonymous.
