SEOUL — For Woo Do-hwan, completing Disney+’s Made in Korea was more than the end of another drama. After nearly three years devoted to the historical thriller, the actor says the experience became a major turning point in his career.
Woo, 34, reflected on the project after filming wrapped about six months ago, saying the memories of the set remain vivid. The production brought him together with veteran stars including Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung, giving him an opportunity to step back after more than a decade of leading roles.
A Decade Into His Career, Woo Do-hwan Looked Back
Woo said working alongside so many experienced actors reminded him of his early days in the industry, when he regularly learned from senior performers.
After spending more than 10 years carrying major roles, he said the Made in Korea set gave him an opportunity to reflect on his own journey and learn from actors with much longer careers.
He described the experience as a turning point in his acting career.
The change was significant for an actor accustomed to carrying the pressure of a leading role. Instead of always being the person responsible for driving a project, Woo said he could observe how veteran performers handled the demands of a major production.
Hyun Bin Became More Than a Co-Star
Woo’s relationship with Hyun Bin was another memorable part of the production.
In Made in Korea, Woo plays Baek Ki-hyun, the younger brother of Hyun Bin’s Baek Ki-tae. Their characters have a complicated relationship shaped by family loyalty, tension and competing ambitions.
Off camera, however, Woo described Hyun Bin as someone who felt more like an older brother.
The experience of working together also gave Woo an opportunity to observe how a veteran actor approached a large-scale production and maintained his professionalism on set.
Jung Woo-sung Also Changed Woo’s Perspective
Woo also spoke warmly about working with Jung Woo-sung.
The actor said simply being around veteran performers taught him lessons that extended beyond acting technique. He was particularly struck by the discipline required to maintain a long career at the highest level.
Those observations have influenced the goals Woo has set for himself.
With a 10-year age gap between himself and Hyun Bin and a 20-year gap with Jung Woo-sung, Woo said their careers gave him something to aspire to in the future.
Baek Ki-hyun Pushed Woo Into New Territory
Woo’s character also evolved significantly across the two seasons.
Baek Ki-hyun begins as a highly ambitious young officer attempting to establish his own identity outside his powerful older brother’s shadow. Over time, the character develops into a more influential figure caught in increasingly complicated power struggles.
Woo said portraying Ki-hyun for such an extended period allowed him to develop his emotional range and grow as an actor.
The production’s long timeline also meant that the character became unusually personal for him.
The Ending Left Viewers Talking
The show’s conclusion generated considerable discussion among viewers, particularly surrounding the final confrontation between the brothers.
Woo acknowledged the strong audience reaction and said he viewed the debate as evidence that the series gave viewers plenty to discuss.
Rather than simply treating the ending as the final chapter of the series, Woo appears to regard the entire production as an important chapter in his own development.
After more than a decade in the industry, Made in Korea gave him something he had been missing: the chance to step back, learn from veterans and reconsider the kind of actor he wants to become.
And now that this chapter has closed, the biggest question may be what Woo Do-hwan does with everything he learned from it.
WWC ONE MEDIA G,A
