The second-to-last episode of the hit Disney+ series, Made in Korea, arrives this week, pushing the high-stakes conflict between its two leads to a breaking point. The show, starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, has built strong momentum since its debut, and Episode 5 will be available globally on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. This installment sets the stage for the season finale and follows significant plot turns in the previous episodes.
For viewers around the world, the episode will be released at 4:00 PM Korea Standard Time (KST). As a Disney+ and Hulu Original, the series streams on both platforms, with new episodes dropping weekly.
What to Expect in Made in Korea Episode 5
Episode 5 picks up the tense threads left by Episodes 3 and 4. The story left Prosecutor Jang Geon-yeong (Jung Woo-sung) in Osaka, attempting to track down the corrupt KCIA operative Baek Gi-tae (Hyun Bin) and his associate, Hwang. In a shocking move, Gi-tae killed Hwang and set a temple on fire to destroy the evidence. A major question for the new episode is whether Geon-yeong has discovered this murder and if he can connect it directly to Gi-tae.
Another unresolved mystery involves the fate of Bae Geum-ji, an escort who threatened Gi-tae with her knowledge of his Yakuza connections. The last time viewers saw her, Gi-tae fired a gun in her direction, but her survival was not confirmed. Episode 5 is expected to reveal whether she is alive or if Gi-tae made a deal with her instead. The episode will likely show Geon-yeong getting closer to the truth through his connection with a character named Daeil, while Gi-tae works to secure his power and eliminate any remaining threats.
Worldwide Release Time for Episode 5
The new episode follows a simultaneous global release schedule. To tune in at the exact moment it drops, viewers can use the following time zone conversions based on the 4:00 PM KST release time.
- United States (EST): 2:00 AM, Wednesday, January 7
- United Kingdom (GMT): 7:00 AM, Wednesday, January 7
- India (IST): 12:30 PM, Wednesday, January 7
- Australia (AEDT): 6:00 PM, Wednesday, January 7
- Japan (JST): 4:00 PM, Wednesday, January 7
For regions where Disney+ is the primary service, such as the UK, Canada, and Australia, the episode will be available on Disney+. In the United States, the show is branded as a Hulu Original and streams on both Hulu and Disney+ through the Hulu hub.
How Made in Korea Sets Up Its Finale and Season 2
Episode 5 is the second-to-last installment of the show’s six-episode first season. The intense battle between Gi-tae and Geon-yeong will reach its first major peak in the Season 1 finale, which is scheduled for release on January 14, 2026. The series has already been renewed for a second season, with production currently underway.
Hyun Bin hinted that the story’s conflict will grow even more intense. He told an outlet, “I would say that compared to the first season, it’s going to get even more intense and even more extreme in terms of the level of conflict”. The second season is expected to premiere in late 2026.
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Recap of Key Events from Episodes 3 and 4
For those needing a refresh, Episodes 3 and 4, which aired on December 31, 2025, introduced new complications. Bae Geum-ji emerged as a potential threat to Gi-tae, leading to the violent confrontation where her fate was left unknown. The episodes also explored Geon-yeong’s personal past, revealing that his father was an addict and that his mother was killed by his father, leaving his sister in his care.
On Gi-tae’s side, his business of selling drugs to Japan was exposed, and his monthly deal with Hwang for three hundred million won came to light. However, when Hwang conspired with another character, Haksoo, to kill Gi-tae, Gi-tae turned the tables and killed Hwang, burning down the temple where they met to hide his crime.
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