Disney+ is putting together a major new Korean drama that brings together some of the biggest names in the industry. Lee Byung Hun, who played the Front Man in the global hit Squid Game, is joining forces with Han Ji Min, the star of the romance drama Love Scout, for a spy thriller titled The Koreans. The project officially started production in March 2026, and it is already creating a lot of talk among drama fans worldwide.
The show is a Korean version of the award-winning American series The Americans. That original show, which ran from 2013 to 2018, is considered one of the best TV dramas ever made. It won a Golden Globe for Best Drama in 2019 and sits at number eight on the BBC’s list of the 100 Greatest TV Series of the 21st Century. Now, the story is getting a fresh update for a Korean audience.
The Story Moves to 1990s Seoul with a Dangerous Secret
Instead of the Cold War in Washington D.C., The Koreans takes place in South Korea during the early 1990s. This was a time of big change for the country, with a wave of democratization and cultural modernization sweeping through society.
The story centers on what looks like a normal, middle-class family living in a Seoul apartment complex. Lee Byung Hun plays Kim Myung-jun, and Han Ji Min plays Yoon Hwa-kyung. To their friends, neighbors, and even their own children, they appear to be an ordinary married couple. But in reality, they are elite spies from North Korea who have been living undercover in the South for many years.
The series follows the pair as they try to complete their mission to weaken South Korea from the inside. They face a constant struggle between their duty to their homeland, their growing sense of self, and the bonds they have formed with their family. The tension rises when a South Korean counterintelligence agent moves in next door, putting their lives and secrets in great danger.
A Powerhouse Team Behind the Camera
It is not just the actors making this show special. The creative team behind The Koreans has an impressive record. Ahn Gil-ho is the director. He is the person behind the Netflix mega-hit The Glory, as well as other popular shows like Memories of the Alhambra and Stranger. His skill with creating tension and realistic stories is a major reason why fans are excited.
The script is being written by Park Eun-gyo, who has worked on several notable projects. Her credits include the drama Made in Korea and the sci-fi thriller The Silent Sea. She is adapting the story from the original FX series, which was created by Joe Weisberg and run by Weisberg and Joel Fields.
What to Expect from the Three Main Characters
The main cast of three gives a clear picture of what the show will be about. Lee Byung Hun’s character, Kim Myung-jun, is described as an elite spy who has been living undercover for more than ten years. His role is expected to show a character with many layers. Han Ji Min’s character, Yoon Hwa-kyung, is his wife and also a spy. She is said to bring deep emotion to her role, showing the internal conflict of a woman living a lie.
The third main character is Cha Ki-seok, played by Lee Hee-joon. He is a former violent-crimes detective who gets a new job in the national security investigation unit. He moves into the apartment next to the spy couple, which immediately creates a high level of suspense. Lee Hee-joon is known for his work in shows like Karma and Blood Free.
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Production, Release, and Where to Watch
The show is being produced by Imaginus, the company behind the drama Tempest, and Studio AA. According to Variety and other sources, the series is now in production.
The Koreans will be available exclusively on Disney+ for viewers around the world. For audiences in the United States, the show will stream on Hulu.
While Disney+ has not yet announced an exact premiere date, the series is scheduled to be released in 2027. Given the large scale of the production and the high-profile talent involved, it is expected to be one of the biggest K-drama releases of that year.
The drama is part of Disney+’s growing collection of Korean content. The platform is also working on other originals like Perfect Crown starring IU and Byeon Wooseok, and The Remarried Empress with Shin Mina and Ju Jihoon.
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