Actor Hyun Bin has shared his thoughts on the acting controversy surrounding veteran actor Jung Woo Sung, his co-star in the Disney+ original series 'Made in Korea'.
On January 27, Hyun Bin met with reporters at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, where he spoke candidly about the mixed reactions following the release of the series. While Hyun Bin has been praised for his villainous performance, public attention has largely shifted toward criticism of Jung Woo Sung’s acting, particularly his intense, shouting delivery in the role of prosecutor Jang Geon Young.
'Made in Korea' is set in the turbulent 1970s, a period marked by both chaos and rapid growth in South Korea. The series follows Baek Gi Tae (played by Hyun Bin), an ambitious KCIA official who seeks wealth and power by turning the nation itself into a profit model, and Jang Geon Young (played by Jung Woo Sung), a relentless prosecutor who pursues him with near-obsessive determination. The project is directed by Woo Min Ho, known for films such as 'Inside Men', 'The Drug King', 'The Man Standing Next', and 'Harbin'.
Asked about how Jung Woo Sung’s controversy, Hyun Bin responded carefully. “There is something unfortunate about it,” he said, adding, “but the sense of disappointment is probably much greater for Jung Woo Sung himself than for me.”
He continued, “I’m being cautious because I believe this applies to all actors. No matter who it is, everyone puts immense thought and effort into portraying their role. When the reaction turns out the way it has, I think the person who faces it most directly is the actor himself.”
Hyun Bin also pointed out that 'Made in Korea' is not limited to a single season. “This isn’t the end with season one; there’s a season two as well,” he explained. “I believe he’ll reflect on it deeply and aim to show an even better side of the character moving forward.”
Regarding their on-set chemistry, Hyun Bin emphasized mutual respect and communication. “We talked a lot throughout filming,” he said. “During rehearsals and even while watching edited footage, we constantly discussed how certain scenes could be adjusted or improved. That process is still ongoing.”
He added, “Jung Woo Sung has far more experience than I do, and he sees things from a different perspective. He’s even directed before, and there were many moments where he pointed out things I had missed. That kind of exchange made the process enjoyable and meaningful.”
Hyun Bin also hinted at the direction of season two, which may be set in 1979. “There’s a lot of room to show new sides of the story and the characters,” he said, though he admitted that details could still change.
Reflecting on what he hopes audiences take away from the series, Hyun Bin said, “I hope it’s a project that keeps asking questions. Although it’s set in 1970s Korea, these are issues that could still happen today and aren’t limited to one country. I think it’s a story that international audiences can also relate to.”
'Made in Korea' concluded its six-episode first season on January 14 and is scheduled to return with a second season.
SEE ALSO: "Is Gi Tae really that evil?" Hyun Bin on playing a villain audiences can't help but root for
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