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Disney+ unveils new Korean shows in star-studded event in Hong Kong
Disney+ unveils new Korean shows in star-studded event in Hong Kong
At A Glance
- Korean and Japanese stars graced the Disney+ Originals Preview on Nov. 13
HONG KONG - From Hyun Bin, Ji Chang-wook, Do Kyung-soo to Lee Dong-wook, the Disney+ Originals Preview became a star-studded affair when the popular streaming platform unveiled its new Korean, Japanese and general entertainment slate.
Disney bigwigs were in attendance at the event held on Nov. 13 at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort for the very first time.
They included Luke Kang, president of The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific; Carol Choi, executive vice president of Original Content Strategy at The Walt Disney Company Asia Pacific; and Eric Schrier, president of Disney Television Studios.
The event showcased exclusive previews and major announcements for award-winning titles, along with bold new Originals coming soon to Disney+.
“Today’s preview reflects our deepening partnerships with the region’s next generation of creative talent --- as we uncover new worlds and new stories for Disney+ audiences,” said Kang who opened the Disney+ Originals Preview at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.
He added, “Our content team has collaborated with some of the region’s most talented and exciting storytellers, who have drawn creative inspiration from different places - including webtoons, manga, novels, video games and music— all with the goal of delivering unforgettable entertainment in a way that only Disney can.”
Choi said, “Originality drives us to continually push the boundaries of storytelling -- collaborating with the next generation of creative talent, drawing inspiration from multiple creative sources, and discovering new narratives that transport audiences to extraordinary worlds.”
“From premium dramas to unscripted comedy to anime, we are proud to bring great stories that live on Disney+ -- timeless stories that will delight, surprise and resonate with audiences across generations and geographies,” she said.
In 2021, the company embarked on original content production for Disney+ in the Asia Pacific region and has since launched over 155 APAC Originals on Disney+ to date, several of which have attained critical and commercial success.
Korean titles
Korean stars and directors flew to Hong Kong to grace the Disney+ Originals Preview and to talk about their upcoming shows on the streaming service.
They were Hyun Bin, Woo Do-hwan and Jung Woo-sung of “Made in Korea,” Do Kyungsoo and Ji Chang-wook of “The Manipulated,” Lee Dong-wook and Kim Hye-jun of “A Shop for Killers” season 2, Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon and Lee Se-young of “The Remarried Empress,” and Park Bo-young, Kim Sung-cheol and Lee Hyun-wook of “Gold Land.”
Are You Sure?! Season 2
In “Are You Sure?!” season 2, K-pop superstars Jimin and Jungkook of BTS return from military service and are challenged to go on one last backpacking trip in their 20s. Armed with nothing but a guidebook and a shoestring budget, the duo set off to rediscover themselves and their friendship one step at a time.
Made in Korea
“Made in Korea” stars Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung and Woo Doh-hwan and will premiere on Disney+ on Dec. 24.
Even before the premiere of season 1, Disney+ announced at the event that “Made in Korea” was renewed for season 2 and the production has already started.
Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung and Woo Do-hwan were joined at the Disney+ Originals Preview by director Woo Min-ho.
Set in 1970s Korea, “Made In Korea” season 1 follows Baek Kitae, an ambitious Korean Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA) agent who’s living a double life.
Driven by his thirst for power, Kitae works as an agent by day and a smuggler by night. Smart, cunning and capable, Kitae rapidly moves up the ranks after using his smuggling operation to consolidate power, protect his brother (Woo Do-hwan), and generate vast sums of money for the agency. The only one that stands in his way is a tenacious prosecutor (Jung Woo-sung) who can't be bought, bribed or reasoned with.
The first two episodes of “Made in Korea” season 1 will debut on Dec. 24 followed by episodes 3 and 4 on Dec. 31, and one episode on Jan. 7 before the finale on Jan. 14.
On the biggest attraction of “Made in Korea” that drew him to do it, Hyun Bin said, “The script and the power. The 1970s backdrop as well as the fictional story on top of it created a solid and intriguing story. So that was for me the biggest appeal and why I wanted to join.”
Woo Do-hwan said, “First of all, for me, Director Woo Min-ho was the most appealing aspect. Yes. I've enjoyed watching a lot of his work. But the fact that I can work with him on this project was the most appealing aspect.”
Jung Woo-sung said, “As for me, it was because of Hyun bin and Woo Do-hwan. I wanted to work with them. And to be able to work together as cast members, that is something very precious for us actors.”
A Shop for Killers Season 2
Disney+ announced season 2 of “A Shop for Killers” will star Lee Dong-wook and Kim Hye-jun, who were at the Disney+ Originals Preview, Hyunri and Masaki Okada.
“A Shop for Killers” season 1 was named one of the New York Times’ “Best International Shows.”
“I thought it would go well but I didn’t think it would go this well. I’m so grateful and happy that it went this well and that we’re going to do season 2,” said Lee Dong-wook on season 1’s success.
After an epic first season that saw Jian (Kim Hye-jun) defend her childhood home from murder drones and deadly assassins, “A Shop For Killers” will return for season 2 that will follow Jian and her uncle Jinman (Lee Dong-wook) as they turn the tables - going on the offensive against the mercenary group Babylon.
“A Shop for Killers” season 2 is currently in production and will premiere on Disney+ in late 2026.
The Manipulated
“The Manipulated” premiered on Disney+ on Nov. 5 starring Ji Chang-wook, Do Kyung-soo, Jo Yoon-su, and Lee Kwang-soo.
The series is about Tae-joong (Ji Chang-wook) who is imprisoned for a crime he did not commit that was orchestrated by Yohan (Do Kyung-soo).
Ji Chang-wook and Do Kyung-soo graced the Hong Kong event and talked about the series.
Manila Bulletin asked Do Kyung-soo on how he felt playing his first villain role in “The Manipulated.”
“Instead of feeling nervous and scared about trying a villain role, I was very excited to try something new for the first time ever. How should I play this villain role? How should I flesh out this character–something that I focused on. As I was in production and I became a villain, I actually had a lot of fun playing the villain,” said Do Kyung-soo.
Besides “The Manipulated,” Ji Chang-wook has starred in other Disney+ projects, including “The Worst of Evil” and “Gangnam B-Side.”
“It was already on my shoulders to do well. I really focused on the feelings that Tae-joong was going through,” said Ji Chang-wook.
Do Kyung-soo said, “When people are watching the show, I want them to hate me and to hate my character. I hope they don’t want to see me anymore.”
The Remarried Empress
Shin Min-a, Ju Ji-hoon and Lee Se-young were present at the event as stars of “The Remarried Empress,” a series that will premiere on Disney+ in late 2026.
“The Remarried Empress” is a live-action adaptation of the hit webtoon of the same name and tells the story of Navier (Shin Min-a), a perfect empress whose husband (Ju Ji-hoon) shocks her one day when he returns home with a mistress (Lee Se-young) and demands a divorce. Unwilling to let the Emperor ruin her life, Navier grants his request but, in return, asks to marry the rival prince of the Western Kingdom (Lee Jong-suk), igniting a tale of political intrigue, romance, and a fight to reclaim her stolen power.
"I'm also curious about how the original work will be made into a drama and I really wanted to try it. So I decided to participate,” said Shin Min-a on why she decided to star in “The Remarried Empress.”
She added, “In the past, I only filmed modern dramas aside from historical dramas so I was a bit worried and nervous but also had some expectations. But since our drama is a romantic fantasy, it's also a bit of a new attempt at a palace story that's somewhat Western and Eastern so when I first heard about it and decided to do it, it felt a bit unfamiliar. But while filming, I heard other actors say that it feels a bit different so I felt that way a little bit. The atmosphere was fun.”
Gold Land
“Gold Land” stars Park Bo-young, Kim Sung-cheol and Lee Hyun-wook and will be released in early 2026 on Disney+.
In “Gold Land,” after landing a dream job at an international airport, Heeju (Park Bo-young) finally escapes the sleepy backwater town she grew up in, heading out to make a name for herself. After getting off to a good start, things suddenly turn south and Heeju finds herself on the run from some of Korea's most dangerous men with a van full of smuggled gold. Hurtling down the highway, Heeju finds herself heading back to the one place she swore she'd never return.
Park Bo-young said this is the first time that she has worked with Kim Sung-cheol and Lee Hyun-wook.
“This is my first time meeting and working with both of them in this drama,” she said.
Perfect Crown
“Perfect Crown” (working title) will star IU (“When Life Gives You Tangerines”) and Byeon Woo-seok (“Lovely Runner”) and is set for release on Disney+ in early 2026.
The series is set in a reimagined 21st century where Korea operates under a constitutional monarchy.
“Perfect Crown is a romantic dramedy about a prince (Byeon Woo-seok) involved in a power struggle and the heiress (IU) to one of Korea's biggest conglomerates. Both driven by personal gain, the pair begin to scheme together only to later realize the meaning of true love.
Portraits of Delusion
“Portraits of Delusion” (working title) stars Suzy and Kim Seon-ho and will be released in late 2026.
The romantic mystery series is based on the hugely popular Naver webtoon, “Delusion,” about a heartbroken vampire in mourning. Hidden away from the world for the past 50 years, Madam Song (Suzy) regularly commissions portraits of herself. One day Iho (Kim Seon-ho), a painter with a past, arrives at the hotel to begin his commission, but what he sees shocks him.
Battle of Fates
“Battle of Fates” is from the creators of “Culinary Class Wars” and is a new unscripted series that pits fortune tellers, shamans (spiritual practitioners) and other oracles against each other as they try to prove that they're the real deal. With participants from a shaman group, fate interpreters, physiognomists and tarot card readers set to join, participants will compete in a range of challenges designed to prove (or disprove) their abilities. Those who fail the task will be eliminated, while those who pass will continue to the next round.
It stars Jun Hyun-moo and Park Na-rae of “I Live Alone,” Park Haseon, Shindong of Super Junior, and Kang Jiyeong. It will premiere on Disney+ in early 2026.
Disney+ is a streaming service for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, Hulu and others. It has a collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content.
