Hyun Bin returns as a man hungry for power in ‘Made in Korea’ season two

Hyun Bin is returning as Baek Ki-tae in Made in Korea season two. This time, his character faces a bigger battle as power, ambition and personal choices begin to collide.

During the virtual press conference for the upcoming season, Hyun Bin opened up about reprising the role of Ki-tae, who has risen to become the acting director of the KCIA after the events of season one.

“Compared to season one, Ki-tae now has more power and more wealth. But even after climbing the ladder, he still wants more,” Hyun Bin said.

The actor explained that Ki-tae’s hunger for success continues to drive him, as he seeks greater influence and control.

“He has even greater ambition and greed. He wants more money, more wealth and more power,” he added.

However, Hyun Bin noted that Ki-tae’s pursuit of power also comes with challenges, as opposing forces begin to threaten his position.

“While he relentlessly pushes forward, there are other forces trying to stop him, which leads to many clashes with the other players. Sometimes he feels lonely, sometimes he has to make very bold choices, and sometimes he is placed in very dangerous situations,” he said.

For season two, Hyun Bin focused on portraying the different sides of Ki-tae — a man who appears to have everything but continues to struggle with difficult decisions and conflicts.

Deeper story beyond history

Following the success of season one, which earned him recognition including a Best Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards, Hyun Bin admitted that returning for the second season came with pressure.

“It would be a lie to say I didn’t feel any pressure, but I’m very grateful that so many people loved the first season,” he said.

The actor believes that season two will offer a more immersive experience for audiences because the groundwork has already been established.

“In season one, every episode had to introduce new characters and explain the situation. There was a lot that was required,” Hyun Bin explained.

“But with season two, once the story begins in the first episode, there’s no turning back. It’s just a consistent flow of the story, and I feel like that’s going to make it much more immersive for the audience.”

Hyun Bin also discussed the connection between Made in Korea and the historical film 12.12: The Day, which depicts the same period in Korean history.

While both projects draw inspiration from historical events, the actor emphasized that the series takes a different approach by focusing on fictional characters and their personal struggles.

“These historical events are used as subject matter to tell a story,” he said.

“I feel like Made in Korea is really more about human ambition and human desire. It’s really about human nature.”

Unlike 12.12: The Day, which focuses on the decisions of real historical figures, Hyun Bin said Made in Korea allowed him greater creative freedom because Ki-tae is a fictional character.

“Characters like Ki-tae and Tang Yong live in a system that is hyper-focused on power. The story talks about how much value there is in individual freedom and individual decision-making within a social structure that is so focused on power,” he said.

For Hyun Bin, the relevance of the series extends beyond its historical setting, as it reflects recurring patterns in human behavior.

“I think history repeats itself. The decisions that we make as human beings, our errors in decision-making, and the choices that shape history — there is a cycle to that,” he said.

“While the times are different, when we look at great historical moments, we can still see those patterns repeating themselves even today.”

Made in Korea season 2 continues the story of Ki-tae as he navigates a dangerous world of political power struggles, personal ambition and the consequences of the choices he makes.