At a press conference in Seoul on Dec. 15, the star revealed he put on roughly 13-14 kilograms for the part―marking his first lead role in a streaming series. He was joined by castmates Jung Woo-sung, Woo Do-hwan, Seo Eun-soo, Won Ji-an, Jung Sung-il, Kang Gil-woo, Roh Jae-won, Park Yong-woo and director Woo Min-ho.
Set in 1970s South Korea―a turbulent era of upheaval and ambition―"Made in Korea" follows Baek Gi-tae (Hyun Bin), a man climbing to the top of wealth and power by treating the nation as his business model, and prosecutor Jang Geon-young (Jung Woo-sung), whose relentless pursuit drives them into era-defining showdowns. The series marks director Woo Min-ho’s first foray into television after films like "Harbin," "The Man Standing Next" and "Inside Men," reuniting him with Hyun Bin after "Harbin."
“While preparing 'Harbin,' the director once told me in passing, ‘It’d be better if Hyun Bin didn’t look muscular,’” the actor recalled. “So I stopped working out completely and trimmed down for that film. From that baseline, I gained about 13-14 kilos for 'Made in Korea'.”
Explaining the choice, he added, “As someone embedded in the most powerful institution of the time, I wanted the KCIA’s intimidation to read on the body itself. I bulked up and trained to build that presence. This is the biggest I’ve ever been in my acting career―bigger than any character I’ve played before.”
"Made in Korea" will roll out on Disney+ with two episodes on Dec. 24, two on Dec. 31, then one each on Jan. 7 and Jan. 14, for a total of six episodes.
[Photo: Baik Seung-Chul]
(SBS Entertainment News | Kang Sun-ae)