“Is Gitae really that bad?” - Hyun Bin
Baek Gi Tae is a man who believes power itself is a form of ability. He does not hide his desires. He expands the board, moves people at will, and charges relentlessly toward wealth.
He is a character who commits violence and murder, yet it feels insufficient to dismiss him as a simple villain. His desire to rise is deeply human - and he possesses the capability to make it happen.
Explaining why Gi Tae remains compelling despite being a villain, Hyun Bin said, “I didn’t approach him as a villain. I was drawn to Gitae’s ambition and his straight-line pursuit of wealth and power. I think viewers probably felt the same way.”
Dispatch recently sat down with Hyun Bin to talk about his new role as Baek Gi Tae, revealed through Disney+’s 'Made in Korea' (directed by Woo Min Ho).
The K James Bond
'Made in Korea' is set in the 1970s and follows Baek Gi Tae, a man determined to reach the pinnacle of wealth and power by turning the state itself into a profit model, and prosecutor Jung Geon Young (played by Jung Woo Sung), who relentlessly pursues him. Their clash unfolds against the backdrop of massive, era-defining incidents.
Hyun Bin takes on the role of Baek Gi Tae, a senior official at the Korean Central Intelligence Agency who seeks absolute power and wealth. His slick 9:1 pomade hairstyle, perfectly pressed suit, and razor-sharp appearance reflect his calculating personality.
The nickname “K James Bond” soon followed. From the very first episode, the impact was undeniable. Drawing on the real-life Yodo Go hijacking incident, the series introduces the fictional character of Gi Tae to establish his presence.
Hyun Bin said, “I found it fascinating that Gitae was positioned as the mastermind behind an actual historical event. It also worked as a device to show that the KCIA director was secretly operating behind the scenes.”
He added, “It was my first time acting in Japanese. The challenge was performing naturally in the same language as Japanese actors without feeling out of place. Showing action scenes inside the confined space of an airplane was also far from easy.”
A Villain You’re Drawn To
During Korea’s authoritarian era, Baek Gi Tae manufactures drugs under the pretense of ‘serving the leader’ and sells them to Japan. Judging by his actions alone, he is undeniably a villain.
Yet reactions poured in saying, “He’s a villain, but he’s strangely compelling.” Hyun Bin himself chose not to define Gi Tae strictly as a villain, instead focusing on his unfiltered desires.
“His actions are wrong, but I didn’t see him simply as a villain,” Hyun Bin explained. “I was drawn to the character’s ambition and his direct, unhesitating drive. More than anything, I thought this role would allow me to show a side of myself I hadn’t shown before.”
He continued, “There are aspects of Gitae that feel understandable, even relatable - though they’re uncomfortable. Still, you find yourself rooting for him in some way. That tension is what makes the character appealing.”
To heighten Gitae’s intimidating presence, Hyun Bin also bulked up physically. “I wanted him to feel imposing even without dialogue. I gained about 14 kilograms,” he said.
“Gi Tae is extremely calculating. He looks two steps ahead, resolves things quickly, and takes full responsibility for his decisions. I wanted that sharpness to come through in the pomade hair and the suit - like someone you could stab and not draw a single drop of blood.”
“I Could Relate to the Weight on His Shoulders”
While drawn to Gi Tae, Hyun Bin also found himself empathizing with him. Gitae lost his parents in a Korean community in Osaka during childhood and returned to Korea with his younger siblings in tow.
He was dishonorably discharged from the Vietnam War and endured a harsh journey before finally securing a position in the KCIA. Hyun Bin said he understood Gitae’s early pain, resentment, and experiences of discrimination.
“He must have hated that time so much to struggle this desperately just to never go back,” Hyun Bin said. “Of course, that doesn’t justify his actions.”
He added, “Gi Tae also carries the burden of being the head of the family. When Gi Hyeon (played by Woo Do Hwan) says he’s going to the Vietnam War, Gitae scolds him harshly. I think it came from a place of wanting all that suffering to end with him.”
“When filming scenes with Gihyeon, there was always a mix of love and strictness. I could relate to wanting your younger sibling - almost like a child - to move forward safely, leaning on you without obstacles.”
Hyun Bin also praised Woo Do Hwan, saying, “He really captured the feeling of someone raised under a strict older brother. Every time he talked back, I genuinely felt myself getting heated. He’ll play an even bigger role in Season 2.”
Again with Woo Min Ho
Following the film 'Harbin,' Hyun Bin reunited with director Woo Min Ho. Woo praised Hyun Bin’s performance, saying, “As the first person to see the finished version, the thrill is impossible to fully put into words.”
Hyun Bin responded modestly, “After seeing me as Ahn Jung Geun in Harbin, watching me play Baek Gi Tae - a drug dealer - must have made it even more thrilling.”
“Director Woo has a great eye for picking up on small details and emotional nuances an actor brings. I’m grateful because he finds sides of me I hadn’t been able to show before.”
No scene was taken lightly. “On set, we always talked things through - director, co-stars, everyone. We rehearsed, added what was needed, removed what wasn’t,” Hyun Bin recalled.
“The lighting and cinematography team would watch that process and reset everything accordingly. It was never about one person - it was a collective effort. That’s why the work feels so solid.”
Describing Woo Min Ho, Hyun Bin said, “He’s a director who keeps questioning things until the very end.” Scenes were often changed at the last minute, including an interrogation scene between Gitae and Geon Young.
“He called me that morning and asked if I could take over the interrogation dialogue. I reviewed it for about 30 minutes and said I’d give it a try. He constantly rethinks each scene - even on the day of shooting. But when you see the edited result, you realize he was right every time.”
Again with Woo Min Ho
Following the film 'Harbin,' Hyun Bin reunited with director Woo Min Ho. Woo praised Hyun Bin’s performance, saying, “As the first person to see the finished version, the thrill is impossible to fully put into words.”
Hyun Bin responded modestly, “After seeing me as Ahn Jung Geun in Harbin, watching me play Baek Gitae - a drug dealer - must have made it even more thrilling.”
“Director Woo has a great eye for picking up on small details and emotional nuances an actor brings. I’m grateful because he finds sides of me I hadn’t been able to show before.”
No scene was taken lightly. “On set, we always talked things through - director, co-stars, everyone. We rehearsed, added what was needed, removed what wasn’t,” Hyun Bin recalled.
“The lighting and cinematography team would watch that process and reset everything accordingly. It was never about one person - it was a collective effort. That’s why the work feels so solid.”
Describing Woo Min Ho, Hyun Bin said, “He’s a director who keeps questioning things until the very end.” Scenes were often changed at the last minute, including an interrogation scene between Gi Tae and Geon Young.
“He called me that morning and asked if I could take over the interrogation dialogue. I reviewed it for about 30 minutes and said I’d give it a try. He constantly rethinks each scene - even on the day of shooting. But when you see the edited result, you realize he was right every time.”
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