HONG KONG — Disney unveiled a sweeping lineup of upcoming originals from Korea and other countries for its streaming platform Disney+, reaffirming the significance of Korean productions in expanding the platform’s presence and global reach.
“Korean storytelling — already beloved in Asia Pacific and the U.S. — is seeing significant growth and audience interest in Latin Amverica, with the strongest engagement in Brazil and Mexico,” Luke Kang, president of the Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific, said during the Disney+ Originals Preview event at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on Thursday, reflecting Disney’s strategy of focusing on original Korean content as a key driver for expanding global viewership.
At the event, attended by nearly 400 journalists from 14 countries, Disney spotlighted new series headlined by top Korean stars and emphasized the surging global demand for Asian storytelling.
“It’s so encouraging to see the audience’s momentum and excitement around storytelling originating from our region. That said, when it comes to our production choices, we remain very selective and strategic about the stories we invest in,” Kang added.
He noted that Korean originals have been a major driver for the platform.
“We’ve also earned our creative credentials with award-winning hits like ‘Moving,’ ‘Nine Puzzles,’ ‘Big Bet’ and ‘Gannibal,’” he said.
Actor Jung Woo-sung, second from left, speaks about his upcoming Disney+ series “Made in Korea” during the Disney+ Originals Preview event in Hong Kong, Thursday. From left are director Woo Min-ho, Jung, and actors Hyun Bin and Woo Do-hwan. Korea Times photo by Baek Byung-yeul
New Korean originals unveiled
During the event, Disney+ provided exclusive previews of upcoming Korean originals, many featuring the nation’s top talent.
Among the new offerings, “Made in Korea,” a crime drama set in the 1970s starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, was positioned as a flagship release. Directed by Woo Min-ho, known for films “Inside Men” (2015), “The Man Standing Next” (2020) and “Harbin” (2024), this work marks his first time directing a series.
Lead actor Jung described the series as a drama that explores characters driven by their own desires.
“It’s a work that places fictional scenarios within real historical events. ‘Made in Korea’ shows how people act in extreme ways to stay true to their own ambitions and desires,” he said.
Co-lead actor Hyun Bin also said he was drawn to the project because it blends real 1970s settings with fictional elements.
“Each character has their own story and common threads. I hope viewers enjoy the emotions that surface when their desires collide,” he said.
Actors Ji Chang-wook, left, and Mio Imada introduce their upcoming Disney+ romantic comedy “Merry Berry Love” during the Disney+ Originals Preview event in Hong Kong, Thursday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company
Other dramas in the upcoming lineup for Disney+ include “Gold Land”; “A Shop for Killers” Season 2; “The Remarried Empress”; “Perfect Crown,” starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok; and “Delusion,” starring Suzy and Kim Seon-ho.
Jung and Hyun Bin weren’t the only Korean stars in the spotlight. The global event also welcomed Ji Chang-wook and Doh Kyung-soo from the current streaming hit “The Manipulated,” with Ji giving fans a first look at his next Disney+ project, “Merry Berry Love,” a romanctic comedy.
Actors Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon and Lee Se-young attended the event to introduce “The Remarried Empress,” a highly anticipated webtoon adaptation, expressing both excitement and nervousness about bringing the beloved story to life.
“It’s such a well-loved original, and I was a fan who eagerly anticipated seeing it adapted into a drama,” Shin said.
Ju shared his enthusiasm for expanding the fantasy universe.
“I was attracted by this world that embraces East and West, crossing races and cultures. I was curious about what it would mean for me to take part in this world,“ he said.
From left, director Lee Kwon, actors Kim Hye-jun and Lee Dong-wook attend the Disney+ Originals Preview event to introduce their upcoming series “A Shop for Killers” Season 2 in Hong Kong, Thursday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company
In addition, actors Lee Dong-wook and Kim Hye-jun attended the event to introduce “A Shop for Killers” Season 2, scheduled for release next year. Lee reflected on the success of the first season of “A Shop for Killers.”
“I’m so grateful and thrilled that the first season did so well, allowing us to make Season 2,” Lee said, adding that while the pressure for the new season is even greater, he hopes it will receive just as much love.
Actor Park Bo-young introduces her upcoming Disney+ series “Gold Land” during the Disney+ Originals Preview event in Hong Kong, Thursday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company
Meanwhile, Park Bo-young and Kim Sung-cheol joined the event to present “Gold Land,” set to premiere next year.
The series centers on Hee-ju (Park), an airport security screening officer who unexpectedly comes into possession of a stash of gold bars. She finds herself caught in a smuggling scheme and becomes embroiled in betrayal among those vying for the bars.
“At first, she thinks the gold belongs to someone else. But she gradually justifies keeping it, convincing herself it isn’t rightfully owned. I hope viewers will be drawn to the way desire slowly changes her character and decisions,” Park explained.
Luke Kang, president of Disney Asia Pacific, speaks during the Disney+ Originals Preview event in Hong Kong, Thursday. Courtesy of Walt Disney Company
Disney’s commitment is bolstered by new strategic partnerships, including its recent collaboration with CJ ENM to bring the streaming platform Tving’s Korean lineup to Disney+ in Japan.
“Our long-term ambition is to scale originals from Asia Pacific into global franchises, leveraging our ecosystem of IP, talent and platforms,” Kang said.
