Somewhat of a disappointment
I know these rumors have been disproven before this drama aired, however it still was a disappointment.The story itself started very strong with EP1 being very fast paced and having a lot of plot. Watching "The Good News" kinda ruined this drama for me because there were just too many parallels and basically a copy pasted plot of a movie rushed in a single episode.
I came with huge expectations after being a fan of "The Drug King" and having rewatched it many times, as after all it still is an underrated movie that was its time ahead when it comes to crime, violence and political dramas. This drama proved why The Drug King is a masterpiece.
Made in Korea is the name of the product that helped the ML in The Drug King to work himself from rags to riches and it was a very nice plot. It should've deserved a 6 EP series instead of a rushed movie, this is what I actually expected when hearing Made in Korea drops, whereas I was hyped for it the entire year.
The way this story unfolds is just a huge disappointment and I have no visions or hope for it. After all, a second season was announced meaning we have to wait and are being left with an open plot once EP6 drops.
EP2 was very slow and the drop off from EP1 was kinda to be expected. Way too rushed and too much unnecessary plot just to introduce the ML. Perhaps it's just that Good News ruined it for me.
The only thing that saves this drama is really the cast because Hyun Bin is THE goat! I can't give it a bad rating because he is back. I would wish for a stronger female cast because it is pretty disappointing as of now as well.
I would really suggest to watch The Drug King, because I assume its suited for the same audience. Who would watch Made in Korea expecting a romantic drama? The Drug King objectively remains the top in its genre as of today.
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?️ Made in Korea — Power, Politics & Hyun Bin Doing His Thing
Hyun Bin is back — and yes, the acting is as solid as ever. 🙌 This drama leans heavily into the political side of things, showing how parties play their cards to look like they’re protecting the nation, while in reality… they might just be shielding criminals. And honestly, that angle feels uncomfortably realistic.I’m really enjoying the political drama so far — the power games, the moral grey areas, and the tension between truth and image. Acting-wise, it’s strong across the board, with Hyun Bin carrying that calm-but-dangerous presence perfectly.
That said, don’t come here expecting a sweeping love story. Romance is clearly not the focus, and the OST is also pretty low-key — it does the job, but it won’t stay stuck in your head.
So if you’re into serious political dramas, smart storytelling, and watching powerful people expose their own hypocrisy, Made in Korea is definitely worth checking out. If romance is your priority… you might want to look elsewhere. 😅
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