Vientiane: Disney has intensified its investment in Korean original content, driven by positive consumer responses and both critical and commercial success, a senior executive said Thursday. "With the global success we've seen with Korean originals, we have doubled down on our Korean slate," said Carol Choi, executive vice president of content strategy for Disney's Asia-Pacific region, during the company's Disney Content Showcase in Singapore.According to Yonhap News Agency, Carol Choi specifically mentioned the action drama "A Shop for Killers" and the travel reality show "Are you Sure?!" starring BTS' Jimin and Jungkook, as two of the most successful Korean originals this year. They are strong international performers, she said, which provided the company with significant data points that highlighted their impact. She also said the results underscored the growing prominence of local creators, whose productions are world-class.On the second and last day of the conference, Disney unveiled a diverse slate of upcoming Korean titles, including the surprise announcement of a second season for its breakout hit Korean original "Moving." Highlights from the slate include "The Murky Stream," the platform's first Korean historical series starring Ro-woon and Shin Ye-eun, and the star-studded "Tempest," featuring Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won. The latter series follows Moon-ju, played by Jun, a trusted Korean ambassador to the United States, as she investigates a mysterious assassination, alongside former ace mercenary San-ho (Gang), a figure cloaked in secrecy.It is penned by renowned screenwriter Jeong Seo-kyeong, known for her close collaborations with director Park Chan-wook on projects like "Decision to Leave" (2022), "The Handmaiden" (2016) and "Thirst" (2009). It will be co-directed by Kim Hee-won of the hit drama series "Queen of Tears," "Little Women," and "Vincenzo," and Heo Myeong-haeng, who directed "The Roundup: Punishment," the fourth installment of the popular film franchise starring Ma Dong-seok.Als o in development are two highly anticipated thrillers. "The Manipulated," starring Ji Chang-wook and Doh Kyung-soo, marks Ji's third collaboration with Disney following "The Worst of Evil" and "Gangnam B-Side." Another standout project is "Made In Korea," featuring A-list actors, Hyun Bin and Jung Woo-sung.Later in the day, the company revealed more details about five additional Korean originals: "Unmasked," "Hyper Knife," "Knock-Off," "Nine Puzzles," and "Low Life." Directed by You Sun-dong, "Unmasked" follows a team of investigative reporters tackling a 20-year-old cold case involving a famous actor. Veteran actress Kim Hye-soo stars as the team's determined leader, Oh So-ryong, who relentlessly pursues villains that even the police can't catch. "The Glory" actor Jung Sung-il joins as Han-do, a self-centered rookie reporter.In another upcoming series, "Low Life," director and scriptwriter Kang Yun-sung and actor Ryu Seung-ryong reunite with Disney, following their collaborations on the popular series "C asino" and the breakout hit "Moving," respectively. Set in the 1970s, the story revolves around an uncle (Ryu) and his nephew (Yang Se-jong), who are eager to take on any job to earn money.Yoon Jong-bin, director of the criminal mystery "Nine Puzzles" and previously known for Netflix's "Narco-Saints," said he could not resist the opportunity to direct the series due to the story's irresistible appeal. The series, featuring Son Suk-ku of "A Killer Paradox" and Kim Da-mi of "Itaewon Class," follows detective Kim Han-seam (Son) and criminal profiler Yoon Ena (Kim) as they form an unlikely partnership to solve a serial murder case despite their uneasy history with one another.Meanwhile, "Queen of Tears" star Kim Soo-hyun is set to make his Disney+ debut with "Knock-Off," a drama set during the economically tumultuous times in the wake of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. Kim portrays a man whose ordinary life is upended by the crisis, propelling him to the top of the global counterfeit market.Last but not le ast is the medical thriller "Hyper Knife," starring Sul Kyung-gu and "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" star Park Eun-bin. The series follows the intense confrontation and growth between two genius doctors: the once-promising young doctor Se-ok (Park) and her mentor Deok-hee (Sul), as they are reunited.All five series are scheduled to premiere next year.
- September 4, 2026
