On January 27, Hyun Bin sat down for an interview at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, where he shared his thoughts on Made in Korea’s reception. “I’m happy that so many people have responded positively,” he said. “I’m grateful that viewers appreciated the different perspectives and situations of the character I wanted to portray through a series format, especially how the story becomes more gripping toward the later episodes.”
Made in Korea is set in the turbulent yet ambitious 1970s, a period of both chaos and rapid growth in South Korea. The story follows Baek Ki Tae (played by Hyun Bin), a ruthless businessman who seeks wealth and power by turning the nation itself into a profit model, and prosecutor Jang Geon Young (played by Jung Woo Sung), who relentlessly hunts him down. Their clash unfolds through massive, era-defining events.
The series boasts a strong ensemble cast including 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 Next, and Inside Men, all known for their sharp portrayal of modern Korean history.
Many viewers commented that Made in Korea showcased one of Hyun Bin’s most striking performances to date. Reacting to the praise, he said, “I feel proud hearing people say that. It wasn’t something I even anticipated myself, so it seems the director’s intention really hit the mark.”
One of the most talked-about moments was the ending of episode six. Hyun Bin shared, “On the morning of the shoot, after setting up and heading to base camp, the director suggested a new approach for that scene. I wanted to express it in Baek Ki Tae’s own way, so we ended up filming it spontaneously.”
When asked about taking on his first true villain role, Hyun Bin responded, “Is Ki Tae really a villain?” He explained, “The director seems to enjoy drawing out new sides of actors, as he did in Harbin and now Made in Korea. I personally don’t see Baek Ki Tae as a straightforward villain. He does wrong things, but there are parts you can understand and even empathize with yet he’s still an uncomfortable character.”
As for the possibility of a second season, Hyun Bin revealed that many acquaintances have been asking him about it. “My answer is ‘no comment,’” he said firmly. “I hope viewers hold onto the lingering impact of episode six and wait patiently.”
To fully embody Baek Ki Tae, Hyun Bin gained around 14 kilograms. “I was satisfied seeing how full and solid I looked on screen,” he admitted. “My wife (Son Ye-jin) couldn’t watch it with me since she was filming as well, but I know she watched the entire series. I heard she really enjoyed it and was satisfied seeing sides of me she hadn’t seen before.”
With his physical transformation and layered performance, Hyun Bin once again demonstrated his dedication to his craft earning both critical praise and personal approval from his biggest supporter at home.
Sources: Nate
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