Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Woo Do-hwan: A 'Triangle of Desire' 9 Years Later

Actors Hyun Bin, Jung Woo-sung, and Woo Do-hwan have revealed a deeper presence and acting synergy through a photoshoot for the fashion magazine Elle. Reunited in the Disney+ original series 'Made in Korea Season 2', the three actors portray characters harboring different desires and beliefs, yet they create a tense atmosphere within a single frame.

The core of this photoshoot does not lie merely in the combination of superstars. As the three characters have changed after a nine-year gap since Season 1, the actors also expressed the time accumulated in their characters' inner selves and appearances in their own ways. Through only their gazes and restrained expressions, they compactly demonstrate the dynamics of the relationships in the drama, raising expectations for Season 2.

Hyun Bin returns as Baek Ki-tae, who stood at the center of desire in Season 1. After nine years, Baek Ki-tae transforms into a character who pursues even greater power and fearlessly expands his ambitions.

Regarding the character's transformation, Hyun Bin explained, "He has become bolder. The more power one grasps, the bolder one's way of dealing with things naturally becomes." He added that it wasn't just about increasing the intensity of the dialogue, but also about meticulously changing the way he speaks to people, his gait, his mannerisms, and even the expression of his tie and shirt collar.

This shows that the character of Baek Ki-tae has not simply aged with time, but has humanly degenerated and expanded as he experienced power. Incorporating clothing and body language into the realm of character building is also a way to visualize how the desire for power changes not only a character's psychology but also their physical attitude.

Hyun Bin also revealed that he has developed special feelings after playing Baek Ki-tae for a long period. He stated, "This is the first time I have embraced a character for this long. My feelings toward Baek Ki-tae have a somewhat more special point." For an actor, the process of internalizing a single character for a long time is an experience beyond simple acting, as they must continuously accumulate the character's past, present, and the logic of their change.

Jung Woo-sung, who plays Jang Geon-young and launches a counterattack against Baek Ki-tae, also explained that the nine-year period has moved his character to a completely different position. Jung revealed, "Geon-young, who has suffered for nine years, has become firmer and has taken an offensive stance."

However, Jung did not define the relationship between Jang Geon-young and Baek Ki-tae as a simple conflict between good and evil. He pointed to a clearer aspect in Season 2, noting, "Both Jang Geon-young and Baek Ki-tae are ultimately like small bubbles swept away by that era."

This statement implies that 'Made in Korea' is a work that explores the relationship between humans and their era, moving beyond individual success and failure. It asks whether a choice is truly one's own when an individual tries to carry out their own desires and values within the massive structure of an organization.

Jung explained, "'Made in Korea' is a story that shows a group of humans struggling within an organization, and it poses the macro question, 'Does achieving the value one pursued truly make it a justifiable value?'"

Woo Do-hwan, who returns as Baek Ki-tae's younger brother Baek Ki-hyeon, also stated that his character has grown over the nine years. Woo said, "Ki-hyeon has been promoted and has become more mature. He had more things to be responsible for, and he would have thought he needed to build his own strength to protect his family."

For Ki-hyeon, power operates in a different way than for his brother. While Baek Ki-tae pursues power to expand his desire, for Ki-hyeon, power is closer to a means of protecting his family and the relationships he belongs to. The fact that they view power differently even within the same family makes the relationship between the three characters even more complex.

Woo revealed that while working with the two senior actors, he learned not only acting but also the attitude of an actor. He said, "I closely observed how the two seniors approach acting and life," and added that he approached the director's direction with an open mind.

He continued to reveal his long-term goals as an actor, saying, "I have prepared more than anyone else. I also aspire to be an actor who can do such good works even after 10 or 20 years pass."

The change over nine years expressed by the three actors ultimately converges into the question of 'how time changes humans.' Those who grasp power become bolder, those who pass through hardships become firmer, and those who take on responsibility need strength. However, whether that change makes a human grow or simply makes their respective desires more sophisticated is a separate matter.

'Made in Korea Season 2' tells the story of characters moving toward even greater desires, set nine years after the events of Season 1. It will be released on Disney+ on September 9.

The photoshoot and interview with the three actors can be found in the September issue of Elle and on its website, with YouTube and digital content featuring their chemistry to be released sequentially.