On Wednesday, March 25, the streaming giant shared photos of the cast from script reading sessions on social media.
The Koreans is a Kdrama adaptation of the acclaimed FX series The Americans, a highly praised drama that aired for six seasons. It won Best Television Series at the 76th Golden Globe Awards and ranked 8th on the BBC’s list of the best TV shows of the 21st century. It also holds high scores on Rotten Tomatoes (96% critics’ score, 96% audience score).
The Korean version moves the story to Seoul in the 1990s. It is set in a middle-class apartment complex, a familiar setting that reflects everyday life at the time.
Lee Byung Hun plays Kim Myung Jun, an elite North Korean spy who has secretly lived in South Korea for more than 10 years. He hides his identity while living among ordinary people. Lee is globally known for his roles in Squid Game, No Other Choice, and KPop Demon Hunters.
Han Ji Min stars as Yoon Hwa Kyung, another North Korean agent. She portrays a North Korean spy who settles in South Korea as Kim Myung Jun’s elaborately disguised wife. The 43-year-old actress is loved for roles in Love Scout, Heavenly Ever After, and the ongoing The Practical Guide to Love. The role of Hwa Kyung was previously offered to Jun Ji Hyun, but she declined due to scheduling conflicts.
This marks the first time Lee Byung Hun and Han Ji Min will share the screen as a married couple. Their previous collaboration was the hit K-drama ‘Our Blues’, where they portrayed different characters.
Lee Hee Joon plays Cha Ki Seok, a former homicide detective now working in counter-intelligence. He moves in next door to the couple and begins to grow suspicious. Lee has recently worked with Han Ji Min on Love Scout, where he made a special appearance. The 46-year-old K-drama actor has appeared in The Glory, A Killer Paradox, Karma, and more.
Behind the camera, Ahn Gil Ho directs the series, known for works like The Glory, Genie, Make a Wish, and Happiness. The script is written by the award-winning Park Eun Kyo, who worked on Made in Korea, The Silent Sea, and films like Mother. Her writing often focuses on human emotions and complex situations.
The series is produced by IMAGINUS and Studio AA, and production has already started.
The original The Americans followed Elizabeth and Philip Jennings (portrayed by Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys), a seemingly ordinary married couple living in suburban Washington D.C. during the 1980s Cold War. The Koreans plan to bring that same idea into a Korean setting.
The drama will be released exclusively on Disney+ in 2027. In the United States, it is also expected to be available on Hulu. More details, including the exact release date, are expected to be announced later.
