Set in South Korea during the turbulent 1970s, Made in Korea centers on the intense rivalry between Baek Ki-tae (Hyun Bin), a man who turns the nation itself into a business model in his ruthless pursuit of power, and prosecutor Jang Geon-young (Jung Woo Sung), who relentlessly hunts him. Set against the backdrop of a politically unstable era, the drama offers a dense narrative, full of large-scale events and moral conflicts, drawing viewers into its dark and gripping world.
According to data from FlixPatrol, Made in Korea ranked first in the Disney+ TV Shows category in South Korea for eight consecutive days starting January 1. In addition to Korea, the series also took first place in Hong Kong and Taiwan, proving its overwhelming popularity across Asia. On the global charts, it continues to maintain a place in the Top 3, signaling a powerful worldwide reception.
The most recently released episodes three and four significantly raised the stakes as the two protagonists’ ambitions collided head-on. Baek Ki-tae’s double life, both as a national intelligence agent and a key figure in a drug syndicate, has come into sharper focus. His alliance with presidential security chief Cheon Seok-joong (Jung Sung-il) in an attempt to gain supreme power developed alongside a grand plan to dominate the Japanese market using lobbyist Choi Yu-ji (Won Ji-an). Meanwhile, the psychological warfare between Baek Ki-tae and prosecutor Jang Geon-young intensified as the latter got closer to the smuggling routes.
The response from viewers was overwhelmingly enthusiastic. Audiences and critics alike praise not only the series’ refined direction and stunning production design, but also its ability to raise the overall quality standard of OTT series. Instead of relying solely on shock value, Made in Korea carefully builds its story through layered character choices and evolving relationships.
On YouTube and other video platforms, many viewers have drawn comparisons to acclaimed Korean political noir films such as Inside men AND The man standing next. Comments often highlight the understated yet powerful performances, noting how Hyun Bin’s piercing gaze and Jung Woo Sung’s controlled intensity create a suffocating tension whenever they share the screen. Others praise the meticulous production design for vividly recreating the atmosphere of 1970s Seoul, while applauding the drama’s ability to maintain emotional depth despite the fast-paced narrative.
The ensemble cast further strengthens the series. Beyond the central clash between Hyun Bin and Jung Woo Sung, the extraordinary performances of actors such as Cho Yeo-jeong, Woo Do-hwan and others add complexity and emotional weight to the narrative, enriching the overall impact of the drama.
Planned as a six-episode series, Made in Korea will release its final two episodes on January 7 and 14. With its cinematic quality and growing global momentum, all eyes are now on whether this Korean drama can maintain its dominance until 2026.
Sources: Wikitree
