[Dispatch=Reporter Goo Min-ji] "The actors performed as if they were wearing tailor-made clothes."

Director Woo Min-ho's confidence had reason. The Disney+ original series 'Made in Korea Season 2' (hereafter 'MEINKOS2'), led by Hyun Bin, saw actors completing characters with greater depth.

"I guarantee it. The actors performed extremely well. It is a work worth watching for the performances." (Director Woo Min-ho)

Hyun Bin anchored the center. Not only the confrontation with longtime rival Jungwoo, whom he met again after 9 years, but also conflict with his younger brother Woo Do-hwan emerged as variables. Each character's desires, beliefs, and interests clash sharply.

Hyun Bin received the accolade of a career-defining character through 'MEINKOS' Season 1. He received the Best Actor Award in Broadcasting at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards and the Series Male Actor of the Year award at the 24th Directors Cut Awards.

"To be honest, there was some pressure (laughs). Season 2 has become much deeper, and I think it will be something viewers can immerse themselves in and enjoy more."

The 'MEINKOS2' production presentation was held on the 2nd at Conrad Seoul Hotel in Yeouido. Actors Hyun Bin, Jungwoo, Woo Do-hwan, Seo Eun-soo, Won Ji-an, Jung Sung-il, Noh Jae-won, Jang Hye-jin, Heo Jeong-do, Cha Hee, and Director Woo Min-ho attended.

'MEINKOS2' is a noir. It takes place 9 years after Season 1. The story of Baek Ki-tae (played by Hyun Bin), who stands at the apex of power; Jang Geon-young (played by Jungwoo), who has been preparing for a counterattack; and 'Baek Ki-hyun' (played by Woo Do-hwan), who is in conflict with his older brother.

Director Woo noted, "It's a story from October 26, 1979 through December 12," and added, "'The Ministers of the South' and 'Spring in Seoul' were made from the perspective of people directly involved, but this series features fictional characters."

He pointed out another appeal. "I focused on capturing things from the perspective of bystanders. Even though it's the same incident, because the characters are different, it will be viewed differently," he emphasized.

He said with a smile, "If Season 1 led to different episodes, Season 2 runs as one story from Episode 1 to 6. If Season 1 felt like kids fighting, Season 2 feels like adults fighting."

Family relationships are also an important point. Director Woo explained, "We didn't sufficiently handle Baek Ki-tae's family in Season 1. After 9 years have passed, I thought a lot about how their relationships and emotions might have changed."

He continued, "The emotions seem to have become very deep," and said, "They love each other because they're family, but they feel a sense of disappointment. I tried to express that mixed feeling of love and hate. When you see the family in Season 2, I think you'll be quite surprised."

Hyun Bin delivered a strong performance as 'Baek Ki-tae,' acting director of the Central Intelligence Agency. In Season 1, he was a character who rushed toward wealth and power. After 9 years have passed, he has gained more wealth and risen to a higher position.

However, his desires have not ended. Hyun Bin said, "Despite having risen to greater wealth and a higher position compared to Season 1, he has even greater ambitions," and introduced the character as "someone who is unsatisfied and wants more."

Forces also appear to stop the unfettered Baek Ki-tae's advance. Hyun Bin said, "Standing against them, there are times when he becomes lonely and isolated. There are situations where he becomes endangered by making bold choices."

The emotions surrounding his family also deepen. To him, family is the driving force behind his desires, but at the same time, the beginning of new conflict. "I paid a lot of attention to showing the complex aspects simultaneously," he recalled.

He said, "There is some pressure about Season 2. Season 1 required several devices to explain characters and situations in each episode. Season 2 continues as one story. You'll be able to immerse yourself and enjoy it," he said.

New forces also move to stop Baek Ki-tae's advance. Jungwoo (playing Jang Geon-young), who lost everything 9 years ago, returns as a special advisor to the Martial Law Command's Joint Investigation Headquarters. He appears in a darker form.

Jungwoo analyzed and introduced the character. "Jang Geon-young is a person who lost everything and was thrown to the bottom," he said, adding, "In a sense, he has shifted from public sense of justice to private thirst for revenge."

He continued, "He is not aware of this private revenge motive. He falls into self-rationalization that he is realizing justice, trying to bring down Baek Ki-tae. He is a character that can well show the human dilemma to the audience," he explained.

Jungwoo previously directly acted out the December 12 Incident through the film 'Spring in Seoul.' "Of course, the historical timeline narrative does continue. 'MEINKOS' uses that massive historical event as a device," he pointed out.

He mentioned, "'Spring in Seoul' and 'The Ministers of the South' are perspectives on how people directly involved in the incident made choices, had concerns, and experienced conflict. 'MEINKOS' is, in a sense, a story that delves into the nature of one human being," he said.

He also revealed the appeal of 'MEINKOS2.' "Within an ecosystem oriented toward power, it makes you feel how valuable individual choices are and how they can influence the times. It is a work that allows you to feel compassion," he added.

Woo Do-hwan took on the role of 'Baek Ki-hyun,' a section chief at the Army Security Command's Security Division. Following Season 1, he experiences conflict between family and conviction. Woo Do-hwan introduced the character, saying, "Having 9 years pass, he has become a bit more mature."

He said, "In Season 1, he seemed like a kid. People said he was like a younger brother with second-year middle school syndrome. I tried to express it that way (through acting)," and added, "In Season 2, he feels like an adult. He has become more solid than in Season 1."

He also mentioned the family narrative. "In Season 2, details like why Baek Ki-hyun had to grow up that way gradually unfold. I made an effort so viewers would be curious about what choice Baek Ki-hyun will make," he said.

He expressed satisfaction with his chemistry with Hyun Bin. "The filming location was fun. I thought it would be nice to have an older brother like this," and said with a laugh, "As a character, he was intimidating. In Season 2, his position has risen too, so he's not just a younger brother who is only afraid."

Hyun Bin revealed that Woo Do-hwan made things much more complicated. "Compared to when I was only dealing with one Jang Geon-young, it seems like a bigger challenge has emerged. Family was one of the driving forces, but my younger brother became an obstacle," he conveyed.

He continued, "My thoughts about my younger brother and the relationship dynamics were complex. Since I'm in a position where I have to express that and convince others, I had many worries. Because there were many such scenes, I made myself more isolated during filming," he recalled.

Why did Director Woo set 'MEINKOS2' nine years later? "Nine years later (1979), the history was tremendous. A president was assassinated, and it was an era of power struggles and political intrigue to seize the position," he revealed.

He continued, "In actual history, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency assassinated the president, and with Hwang Dae-shik (played by Heo Jeong-do) as the head, power was seized. 'MEINKOS' started with the question, 'Would the Central Intelligence Agency really just sit back and take it?'" he said.

He explained, "Though not revealed in history, it seems the Central Intelligence Agency would not have simply sat idle. I imagined with my imagination whether there might not have been a counterattack, and the work began with the thought that Kim Ki-tae would have led the way."

Finally, he said with emphasis, "Setting everything else aside, the actors really performed well. They fit like custom-made clothes. The work is very worth watching for the performances. We ask for much interest in 'MEINKOS2,'" he said.

Hyun Bin also said, "I'm grateful to those who took much interest in Season 1 and watched it. Season 2 has become deeper and has a much larger spectrum with diverse stories. I hope many people will watch it."

Meanwhile, 'MEINKOS2' will be released on the 9th.

<Photos by Reporter Song Hyo-jin>