On January 27, Hyun Bin sat down for an interview at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, where he shared his thoughts on Made in Koreathe reception. “I’m happy that so many people responded positively,” she said. “I’m grateful that viewers appreciated the different character perspectives and situations I wanted to represent through the series format, especially how the story becomes more compelling towards later episodes.”
Made in Korea is set in the turbulent but ambitious 1970s, a time of chaos and rapid growth for South Korea. The story follows Baek Ki Tae (played by Hyun Bin), a ruthless businessman seeking wealth and power by turning the nation itself into a model of profit, and prosecutor Jang Geon Young (played by Jung Woo Sung), who relentlessly hunts him. Their clash unfolds across massive, era-defining events.
The series boasts a strong cast that includes Hyun Bin, Jung Woo Sung, Woo Do Hwan, Cho Yeo Jeong, Seo Eun Soo, Won Ji An, Jung Sung Il, Kang Gil Woo, Roh Jae Won, Lily Franky and Park Yong Woo. It also marks director Woo Min Ho’s first OTT project, following his acclaimed films Harbin, The man standing nextAND Inside menall known for their insightful portrayal of modern Korean history.
Many viewers commented on it Made in Korea showcased one of Hyun Bin’s most astonishing performances to date. Reacting to the praise, he said, “I feel proud to hear people say something like that. It wasn’t something I had foreseen myself, so it seems like the director’s intention really hit the mark.”
One of the most talked about moments was the end of the sixth episode. Hyun Bin shared, “On the morning of the shoot, after we settled in and headed to base camp, the director suggested a new approach for that scene. I wanted to express it the Baek Ki Tae way, so we ended up shooting it spontaneously.”
When asked if he would play his first real villain role, Hyun Bin responded: “Is Ki Tae really a villain?” He explained, “It seems that the director enjoys bringing out new sides of the actors, as he did in Harbin and now Made in Korea. I personally don’t see Baek Ki Tae as a simple villain. He does things wrong, but there are parts you can understand and even empathize with, but he’s still an uncomfortable character.
As for the possibility of a second season, Hyun Bin revealed that many acquaintances have asked him about it. “My response is ‘no comment,’” he said firmly. “I hope viewers keep the lingering impact of the sixth episode and wait patiently.”
To fully embody Baek Ki Tae, Hyun Bin gained approximately 14 kilograms. “I was pleased to see how full and solid I looked on screen,” he admitted. “My wife (Son Ye-jin) couldn’t watch it with me since she was also filming, but I know she watched the entire series. I heard she really enjoyed it and was satisfied to see sides of me she had never seen before.”
With his physical transformation and layered performances, Hyun Bin has once again demonstrated his dedication to his craft by earning both critical praise and the personal approval of his biggest supporter back home.
Sources: Nate
