South Korean star Hyun Bin has finally addressed the acting controversy surrounding his Made in Korea co-star Jung Woo Sung, following the mixed response to the Disney+ original series. While the show earned praise for Hyun Bin’s intense villainous turn, criticism aimed at Jung Woo Sung’s performance has dominated online discussion—prompting Hyun Bin to weigh in for the first time.
Hyun Bin responds to the controversy
During a media interaction held on January 27, 2026, at a café in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Hyun Bin spoke candidly—but cautiously—about the reaction surrounding Made in Korea. According to AllKPop, the actor acknowledged the situation without singling anyone out.
“There is something unfortunate about it,” Hyun Bin said, adding that the disappointment is likely felt more deeply by Jung Woo Sung himself. He also reminded audiences that criticism is something every actor faces at some point. “All actors, no matter who they are, work very hard at their jobs,” he noted.
Jung Woo Sung has faced backlash for his portrayal of prosecutor Jang Geon Young, with some viewers calling his performance overly loud and aggressive—especially when compared to Hyun Bin’s more controlled, layered antagonist.
‘Season one isn’t the end’
In a surprising reveal, Hyun Bin also hinted that Made in Korea is not a one-season story. “Season one isn’t the end,” he said, confirming that a second season is planned.
More intriguingly, he suggested that Season 2 could potentially be set in 1979, opening up new narrative possibilities and deeper character exploration. While he clarified that plans could still change, the comment has already sparked excitement among fans who felt the first season ended with unresolved threads.
Hyun Bin expressed confidence that feedback from Season 1—both positive and negative—would be reflected in the storytelling moving forward.
On working with Jung Woo Sung
Hyun Bin also took time to speak warmly about his on-set experience with Jung Woo Sung, pushing back against any notion of creative friction. He revealed that the two actors maintained constant communication throughout filming.
“We talked all the time—during rehearsals, while reviewing edited scenes, and even after,” he shared. According to Hyun Bin, Jung Woo Sung’s experience as both an actor and director proved invaluable. “There were many moments where he pointed out things I had missed. That exchange made the whole process enjoyable and meaningful.”
Why Made in Korea still matters
Beyond the controversy, Hyun Bin stressed that Made in Korea is meant to spark reflection, not comfort. He explained that while the series is set in 1970s South Korea, its themes—power, ambition, morality, and political compromise—are universal and still relevant today.
“The issues the story talks about could happen now, anywhere in the world,” he said, adding that this timelessness is what gives the series its global resonance.
About Made in Korea
Made in Korea is a Made in Korea original set against the backdrop of South Korea’s rapid industrial growth and political unrest in the 1970s. Hyun Bin stars as Baek Gi Tae, a KCIA agent driven by greed and ambition, while Jung Woo Sung plays prosecutor Jang Geon Young, determined to bring him down.
The series is directed by Woo Min Ho, known for films like Inside Men, The Drug King, The Man Standing Next, and Harbin. Season 1 consisted of six episodes and concluded on January 14.
Final words
While criticism around Jung Woo Sung’s performance continues to divide viewers, Hyun Bin’s response strikes a calm, reflective tone—one that emphasises empathy, collaboration, and long-term storytelling. With Season 2 quietly taking shape and a possible 1979 setting teased, Made in Korea may yet evolve beyond its rocky reception and find renewed momentum.
For now, the conversation is far from over—and that, perhaps, is exactly what the series set out to achieve.
