[Interview] Hyun Bin: "Baek Gitae Is a Mirror of an Era Questioning Success and Conscience"

Actor Hyun Bin. Provided by The Walt Disney Company Korea

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"In the past, I would have played the role of prosecutor Jang Geonyeong. But this time, I was drawn to the character Baek Gitae. It was a set where I could express gestures and facial expressions I had never tried as an actor before."

On January 27, at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Hyun Bin still seemed to carry the afterimage of Baek Gitae from the Disney+ original series "Made in Korea." Set against the backdrop of the turbulent 1970s, Baek Gitae is a Central Intelligence Agency section chief who channels his ambitions by making the state his profit model. He is the roughest and most dangerous character in Hyun Bin's filmography to date.

For this role, Hyun Bin completely changed his appearance. Having shed all his muscle mass for his previous film "Harbin" (2024), this time he gained 13 to 14 kilograms, creating a commanding presence on screen. He explained, "Director Woo Minho wanted a James Bond-like vibe for the airplane scene in the first episode. I gained weight with the hope that the suit would fit my bulked-up body perfectly, like a uniform."

Baek Gitae is a character who calculates thousands of possible scenarios in his mind before moving with precision. Hyun Bin said, "In real life, I can't act as boldly as Baek Gitae, so I experienced a sense of vicarious satisfaction through acting. The entire set was created to feel like the 1970s, so filming was more stimulating and refreshing than ever."

Although the story is set in the 1970s, major events such as martial law are closely connected to the present. He said, "I hope the series continually poses questions to viewers. The incidents in the story are still happening everywhere today. It's a universal narrative that resonates not only in Korea but in any country."

Regarding season 2, which is set in 1979, he commented, "I hope it serves as an opportunity to reflect on the present through the past and to deeply consider the choices we are making." He also made it clear that he wanted to go beyond a simple historical reenactment and portray the essential human dilemma of "success versus conscience."

When asked about the perception of Baek Gitae as a "villain," Hyun Bin raised a question in return. He said, "Baek Gitae probably believed his actions were patriotic. He is a character who only acts with justification, and even if that justification strays from his conscience, he rationalizes it for the sake of success."

'Made in Korea' still. Provided by Walt Disney Company Korea

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Hyun Bin believes that every character in the drama is ultimately another side of Baek Gitae. He said, "Cheon Seokjung, Section Chief Pyo, Director Hwang, and even Geonyeong-all of them make choices based on their own sorrowful desires and ambitions. The discord that arises from this rationalization process is the essence of this struggle." He added, "Baek Gitae is like a mirror reflecting our times, a figure anyone could become if they let their guard down."

This is also a declaration of breaking away from the "perfect man" image he built through works like "My Name is Kim Samsoon" (2005), "Secret Garden" (2010), and "Crash Landing on You" (2019), and of aggressively expanding his acting spectrum. Hyun Bin said, "My biggest concern is how the questions posed by Baek Gitae will be delivered to viewers. I hope this work becomes a mirror for all of us living in an era where anyone could become Baek Gitae if they are not careful."

Regarding the controversy over Jung Woosung's acting, who starred alongside him, Hyun Bin was cautious but showed firm trust. He said, "More than anyone, I know how much effort a fellow actor puts into embodying a role. Since this project continues into season 2 rather than ending with season 1, I believe he will show an even better side after much thought."

About his chemistry with Noh Jaewon, who played Pyo Haksoo-the information chief at the Busan branch of the Central Intelligence Agency and Baek Gitae's classmate-he said, "There was a thrill in the mismatched rhythm of our acting. It was a lot of fun." When asked about his wife Son Yejin's reaction, he smiled and said, "Since I was filming, we couldn't watch every episode together, but she cheered me on, saying she saw a new side of me as an actor that she hadn't seen before."

Upon its release, "Made in Korea" ranked No. 1 for 21 consecutive days in the Disney+ TV show category in Korea, according to FlixPatrol, and also climbed to the top ranks across Asia, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Japan. Now that season 1 has concluded, questions about the ending continue, but Hyun Bin remained tight-lipped. He said, "No comment on the ending. Since the lingering feeling after episode 6 is so strong, I hope you'll look forward to season 2 with high expectations."

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