Eric Schrier, president of Disney Television Studios, admitted to initial reservations when the concept of a local-language remake of the acclaimed FX series The Americans was first presented. The ambitious project, titled The Koreans, aims to transplant the espionage thriller’s core premise to a 1990s South Korean setting, featuring a star-studded cast led by renowned actors Lee Byung-hun and Han Ji-min as North Korean operatives embedded in Seoul. Schrier’s hesitation stemmed from his deep personal connection to the original series, having been instrumental in its development during his tenure as president of FX Entertainment. “I was the guy who developed The Americans,” Schrier stated. “I’m still very close with Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields, the originals’ creators, so I wasn’t so sure about this idea, because it’s all very near and dear to my heart.”
From Hesitation to Vision: The Genesis of The Koreans
The transformative shift in Schrier’s perspective occurred as he began to grasp the profound storytelling potential inherent in recontextualizing The Americans for a Korean audience. The initiative for The Koreans emerged organically from Disney’s established relationships within the Korean content creation landscape, rather than a top-down directive to leverage existing intellectual property. This groundbreaking adaptation marks a significant milestone for Disney+, representing its inaugural local-language reimagining of a successful scripted series from its global portfolio. The production is slated to receive one of the most substantial budgets allocated to Disney+’s Asian original productions to date, underscoring the company’s commitment to high-quality, region-specific content.
Schrier elaborated on the moment the concept resonated: “The similarities of the two premises – North Koreans embedded in the South, instead of Russians spying in 1980s America – started to make sense to me. But it was really the passion of our Korean team that got me excited. And I could see that, because Korea is still divided, this could be a very culturally relevant story for the local audience, which is always the primary priority for our local original content.” This strategic pivot reflects a broader industry trend toward localization, recognizing that authentic storytelling resonates most powerfully with regional viewers.
The Legacy of The Americans and the Korean Context
The Americans, created by former CIA officer Joe Weisberg and showrun by Weisberg and Joel Fields, captivated audiences for six seasons from 2013 to 2018. The series starred Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys as Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, deep-cover KGB agents posing as an ordinary American couple in suburban Washington D.C. during the heightened tensions of the Cold War. The show masterfully blended the intricate world of espionage with a compelling marital drama, exploring the protagonists’ evolving moral compass and the profound psychological toll of their clandestine mission. The Americans garnered critical acclaim, earning 18 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and winning four, solidifying its place as a landmark achievement in television history and a consistent fixture on "best series" lists.
The Koreans is set against the backdrop of South Korea’s dynamic period of democratization and rapid cultural modernization in the early 1990s. The narrative will center on a seemingly ordinary middle-class family harboring a dangerous, treasonous secret. While presenting a façade of normalcy to their community, friends, and even their children, both parents, portrayed by Lee Byung-hun and Han Ji-min, are in fact elite North Korean spies tasked with destabilizing the South from within. The series promises to explore the profound ideological chasm between the two Koreas, delving into the spies’ internal struggles with patriotism, loyalty, fractured identities, and evolving affections. Adding a layer of suspense, a relentless South Korean counterintelligence agent will be closing in on their true identities.
Creative Powerhouse Assembles for The Koreans
The adaptation is penned by Park Eun-kyo, a celebrated screenwriter known for her co-writing contributions to Bong Joon-ho’s critically acclaimed film Mother and the Disney+ series Made in Korea. Directing The Koreans is Ahn Gil-ho, the visionary behind the immensely popular Netflix psychological thriller The Glory. In a departure from the typical U.S. production model that often employs a writers’ room and rotating guest directors, Disney has confirmed that The Koreans will adhere to the established Korean industry standard. This means a consistent writer and director will oversee every episode, fostering a cohesive vision and directorial voice throughout the series.
Adding further star power to the ensemble, Korean actor Lee Hee-joon, recognized for his roles in 1987: When the Day Comes and Handsome Guys, has also been cast in a significant, though undisclosed, leading role. This assembly of talent signals Disney’s commitment to delivering a production of exceptional quality that honors the original series while forging a distinct identity.
Strategic Growth and Regional Appeal: Disney+’s Asia-Pacific Ambitions
Carol Choi, Disney’s Executive Vice President of Content Strategy and Marketing for the Asia-Pacific region, expressed significant optimism regarding The Koreans‘ potential to captivate audiences both within South Korea and across the broader Asian markets where Disney+ is actively seeking to expand its subscriber base. Choi highlighted two pivotal factors driving this confidence: the inherent richness of the show’s family dynamics and the formidable presence of Lee Byung-hun in a central role.
“There are a lot of geopolitical spy thriller-type stories in the market now, but what got us really excited are the couple and family dynamics, and the drama and humor involved in two spies living as husband and wife while trying to bridge the ideological divide of the two Koreas – all of which will feel very relevant for the Korean audience,” Choi explained. She further emphasized, “And obviously, Lee Byung-hun is a big win for us.”
Lee Byung-hun stands as one of South Korea’s most globally recognized and respected actors. His career trajectory includes a breakthrough performance in Park Chan-wook’s Joint Security Area (2000), a seminal film that offered a sympathetic portrayal of North Korean characters. His international profile surged with his compelling performance as the enigmatic villain in the global phenomenon Squid Game, and more recently, his nuanced portrayal of a family man with hidden secrets in the acclaimed tragicomedy No Other Choice further cemented his status. Choi added, “He’s personally very interested in this role and we’re very excited about the interpretation he brings to it. It’s the type of role that will really allow him to show his stuff.”
Schrier indicated that The Koreans is a cornerstone of Disney’s broader strategy to accelerate local-language content production across key Asia-Pacific markets, including South Korea, Japan, and Australia. This strategic push, initially outlined by former CEO Bob Iger, aims to significantly enhance Disney+’s competitive standing in these crucial territories. “We’re only interested in general entertainment with these originals – adult content,” Schrier clarified. “Our strategy is local for local, with shows that have strong appeal to these specific regions, with our unrivalled slates from Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, Disney, FX, Hulu and ABC as a complement.” This dual approach of investing in local narratives while leveraging its established powerhouse brands is designed to create a robust and diversified content offering.
A Blessing from the Original Creators
In a testament to the collaborative spirit and respect for the original work, Schrier confirmed that he had engaged in discussions with The Americans‘ stars Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, as well as its creators Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields, regarding the Korean remake. All parties reportedly offered their unequivocal support and blessings for the project.
“Joe and Joel were very curious, but chose not to be involved – for emotional reasons, I think,” Schrier shared. “They declined to read the scripts, but they said they want to visit the sets.” He humorously speculated on their motivations, adding, “They’re fun, curious guys – I suspect they just want to get to Korea for the first time to check out the culture and eat some Korean food.” This endorsement from the original architects of the beloved series lends significant weight to the artistic integrity and potential of The Koreans, suggesting that the reimagining will be undertaken with a deep understanding and reverence for its source material. The success of The Koreans could pave the way for further localized adaptations of popular Western series, signaling a new era of cross-cultural storytelling within the global streaming landscape.
