SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Yonhap) -- Actor Hyun Bin on Wednesday promised audiences a more intense second season of the hit Disney+ series "Made in Korea," saying the power game at the heart of the story deepens in the new season.

Set in 1979, nine years after the first season, the Korean political thriller follows Baik Ki-tae (Hyun Bin), a government intelligence operative who moonlights as a drug dealer, as his relentless pursuit of power and wealth shows no sign of abating.

The second season centers on the power struggle between Baik and prosecutor Jang Keon-young (Jung Woo-sung), who returns after losing everything in his dogged pursuit of Baik during the first season.

Actor Hyun Bin poses during a press conference for the Disney+ series "Made in Korea 2" in Seoul on Sept. 2, 2026. (Yonhap)

"In the second season, Baik Ki-tae harbors even greater ambitions and seeks more wealth despite having risen to a higher position than in the first season," Hyun Bin said at a press conference in Seoul. "I tried to portray Baik's complex character, capturing both the moments when he is alone and those when he makes bold choices as he clashes with characters trying to keep him in check."

Given the popularity of the first season, which became the most-watched Korean show on Disney+ last year, Hyun Bin said it would be a lie to say there was no pressure.

"I cannot say I feel no pressure. But at the same time, I anticipate that those who enjoyed the first season will also watch the second," the actor said.

"The story runs deeper. While each episode stood alone in the first season, the second season features a continuous narrative that runs from the first episode to the last. I think that will help audiences become more immersed in the series," he added.

(From L to R) Director Woo Min-ho of the Disney+ series "Made in Korea 2" and actors Cha Hee, Roh Jae-won, Jung Sung-il, Won Ji-an, Seo Eun-soo, Woo Do-hwan, Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung pose during a press conference for the Disney+ series "Made in Korea 2" in Seoul on Sept. 2, 2026. (Yonhap)

Director Woo Min-ho, who helmed the second season after the first one, agreed the continuity of the episodes makes the series more intense.

"If season 1 was a game between children, season 2 is the real game between adults," Woo said. "Above all, the actors delivered superb performances in the second season. I can guarantee that, they acted as if they were wearing tailored suits and the series itself is compelling to watch because of the actors."

"Made in Korea" is among a slew of South Korean films and dramas depicting the country's tumultuous political climate of the 1970s and 1980s, alongside works like the films "The Man Standing Next" (2020), also directed by Woo, and "12.12: the Day" (2023).

While the earlier films are based on real-life characters that were caught up in political turmoil, "Made in Korea" depicts modern history from the perspectives of fictional characters, giving it a distinctive edge, Woo added.

Actor Jung Woo-sung poses during a press conference for the Disney+ series "Made in Korea 2" in Seoul on Sept. 2, 2026. (Yonhap)

Jung, who also appeared in "12.12: the Day," noted that this difference allowed for more depth and freedom in portraying the characters in the second season of "Made in Korea."

When asked what message such historic dramas can give to audiences, the actor noted that history tends to repeat itself.

"The changes of an era all seem to flow on a certain course. People living through them try to make the right choices but also make mistakes ... Despite the passage of time, the significance of major historic events seems to live on in different forms, even in our era," Jung said.

"Made in Korea 2" is set to premiere Wednesday next week.