Disney+ Political K-Drama with $61 Million Budget: Top Production Costs for a K-Drama

Disney+ Korea is making a big splash with their newest show, Made In Korea. This political drama comes with a hefty price tag, reportedly costing around $61 million for two seasons. That’s one of the biggest budgets ever seen for a Korean drama!

The show brings together some big names in the K-content world, like Hyun Bin from Crash Landing On You fame, and Jung Woo-sung, known for 12.12: The Day and Steel Rain. It also marks the streaming debut for director Woo Min-ho, who has a history of award-winning films under his belt.

Set in Korea during the 1970s, Made In Korea follows Gi-tae (played by Hyun Bin), who is on a mission to gain power and riches during a time of great change. On the other side is prosecutor Geon-young (played by Jung), who is hot on his trail. The series dives deep into Korean history, weaving together a tale of rivalry and historical events.

At a recent press conference, Woo Min-ho shared his excitement about moving from films to a series. He approached each episode as if he were making a movie, focusing on details and quality to bring the story to life.

Hyun Bin also talked about his collaboration with Woo, mentioning their work on Harbin. This time, playing a fictional character in a made-up story brought a different kind of enjoyment for the actor, who even underwent a major physical transformation for the role.

Jung Woo-sung was drawn to the project’s creativity, which blends fictional characters with real historical events. This approach gave him freedom in shaping his character and made the project both fascinating and enjoyable.

Made In Korea is set to premiere on Disney+ on Dec 24, with a second season planned for 2026. It’s a must-watch for fans of K-dramas and historical dramas alike!