THE FUTURE IS ASIAN

Disney+ unveils lineup of upcoming Korean and Japanese content, with a focus on good storytelling and global appeal

- STORY: SUWITCHA CHAIYONG

Korean series, especially Moving in 2023 and A Shop For Killers in 2024, have become the most watched local originals on Disney+ in the Asia Pacific Region.

Likewise, Japanese series also attracted global viewers in 2024 such as Shogun, which was produced by FX studio in the US. Due to the success of Korean and Japanese series, Disney+ has continued to produce more such content.

At the international press conference Disney+ Originals Preview 2025 in Hong Kong, there were star-studded presentations regarding upcoming Korean, Japanese and global content.

The long list of Korean shows includes A Shop For Killers Season 2 (starring Lee Dong-wook and Kim Hye-jun), Made In Korea (starring Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung), Are You Sure? Season 2 (starring Jimin and Jung-kook of BTS), Gold Land (starring Park Bo-young and Kim Sung-cheol) and Portraits Of Delusion (starring Suzy and Kim Seon-ho).

Lee, the lead in A Shop For Killers, revealed that although he believed the series did well, he did not expect there to be a second season. He commented that the action scenes in the second season are on a bigger scale and more intense than the first season.

Meanwhile, Made In Korea is a big production series. Set in turbulent 1970s Korea, Hyun Bin, who plays Kitae, a double agent, said he accepted the part because the script was new and solid. Woo-sung, another lead actor, explained that Made In Korea is a fictional story rooted in historical events and explores the expression of human desire, inner conflict and the drive to survive in that time period. He believes that audiences will find it fascinating.

Although Disney+ is famous for Korean action and thriller content, the list of upcoming series also featured a romantic drama comedy (Perfect Crown starring IU and Byeon Woo-seok) and one drama series adapted from a webtoon (The Remarried Empress starring Shin Mina, Ju Ji-hoon and Lee Jong-suk).