Actor Woo Do Hwan has shared candid thoughts on what drew him to Disney+’s upcoming original series Made in Korea, revealing that the opportunity to act alongside Hyun Bin and Jung Woo Sung was the deciding factor. Woo spoke at the production press conference for Made in Korea, held on December 15 at the Grand InterContinental Seoul Parnas in Gangnam. When asked what it was like to perform between two of Korea’s most respected actors, he answered without hesitation.“I wanted to work with my seniors,” Woo said. “That was honestly the biggest reason I wanted to do this project.”
Learning on Set From Veteran Actors
Woo Do Hwan went on to share personal anecdotes from his time on set, describing the contrasting yet complementary approaches of Hyun Bin and Jung Woo Sung. “After meeting Jung Woo Sung for the first time, I told him, ‘Senior, I’ll work really hard,’” Woo recalled. “He told me, ‘Just have fun. Enjoy it and play well.” Hyun Bin, on the other hand, took on a more hands on role during filming. “He constantly tried to find something more on set,” Woo explained. “Not just for his character, Kitae, but he also gave me a lot of advice about how to approach Kihyun. When we were building scenes together, he shared many ideas with me.” Woo concluded by expressing gratitude, saying, “I’m always learning so much from my seniors. I’m really thankful.”
A Story Set in a Turbulent Era
Made in Korea is set in the 1970s, a time marked by both upheaval and rapid growth in South Korea. The series follows Baek Kitae (Hyun Bin), a man who seeks wealth and power by turning the nation itself into a business model, and Jang Geonyoung (Jung Woo Sung), a prosecutor who relentlessly pursues him with near-obsessive determination.
The two characters collide amid sweeping historical events that define the era. The series is directed by Woo Min Ho, known for films such as Inside Men and Harbin, raising expectations for a dense, politically charged narrative.
A Strong Ensemble Cast
In addition to Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Woo Do-hwan, the series features an extensive ensemble. Woo plays Baek Kihyun, Kitae’s younger brother and a military officer trained at the Korea Military Academy. Jo Yeo Jeong appears as Bae Geumji, a powerful madam who secretly manipulates political forces behind the scenes. Other cast members include Seo Eun Soo, Won Ji An, Jung Sung Il, Kang Gil Woo, Noh Jae Won, Lily Franky, and Park Yong Woo, each portraying figures entangled in crime, politics, and international power struggles.
Release Schedule
Made in Korea consists of six episodes. Episodes 1 and 2 will premiere on December 24, followed by episodes 3 and 4 on December 31. Episode 5 will be released on January 7, with the final episode arriving on January 14.
Editor’s Notes
Woo Do Hwan’s reason for joining Made in Korea reveals something deeper than simple casting appeal. It reflects a strategic and almost traditional approach to career growth in the Korean film and drama industry.
Choosing a project based on co-stars rather than just script or screen time suggests a mindset focused on learning and long-term development. Working alongside actors like Hyun Bin and Jung Woo Sung is not just about visibility. It is about absorbing experience, observing different acting philosophies, and refining one’s own craft in real time.
What stands out even more is the contrast Woo described between the two veterans. Jung Woo Sung’s advice to “enjoy the process” reflects a level of confidence that comes from experience, while Hyun Bin’s hands-on involvement highlights a more meticulous, detail-driven approach. Being exposed to both styles gives Woo a unique position to evolve his own acting identity.
The project itself also plays a role in this decision. A politically charged story set in the 1970s requires layered performances, not just surface-level intensity. For an actor like Woo Do Hwan, who has already shown versatility, this becomes an opportunity to deepen his range within a more complex narrative structure.
In a broader sense, this casting dynamic mirrors a generational transition in Korean cinema and streaming content. Established stars are no longer just leading projects. They are shaping the next wave of actors through collaboration on set.
For Woo Do Hwan, Made in Korea may not just be another role. It could be a defining step in moving from a rising actor to a fully matured leading presence.