Disney+ Launches Production of "The Koreans," a Reimagining of "The Americans"

Disney+ has commenced production on "The Koreans," a reimagining of the acclaimed FX series "The Americans." This new series stars Lee Byung-hun and Han Ji-min as North Korean spies living undercover in South Korea during the early 1990s, a period marked by significant democratization and cultural modernization. The narrative centers on a middle-class family concealing their true identities as elite operatives working to destabilize the South from within. As they navigate their dual lives, they grapple with conflicting loyalties to their homeland and their family, all while a determined Korean counterintelligence agent closes in on their secret.

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The adaptation is directed by Ahn Gil-ho, known for his work on "The Glory," and the screenplay is penned by Park Eunkyo, recognized for "Made in Korea" and "Mother." This marks Disney's first local-language adaptation of one of its scripted series, with a significant budget allocated for production, indicating the company's commitment to expanding its Korean content offerings.

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Eric Schrier, president of Disney Television Studios, expressed initial hesitation regarding the remake, given his close ties to the original series' creators, Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields. However, he acknowledged the unique storytelling opportunities presented by adapting the premise to a Korean context. Schrier emphasized that the project emerged organically from Disney's content relationships in Korea, rather than as a corporate initiative to exploit existing intellectual property.

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Carol Choi, Disney's executive vice president of content strategy and marketing in the Asia-Pacific region, highlighted the show's potential appeal due to its rich family dynamics and the star power of Lee Byung-hun. She noted that the series would resonate with Korean audiences by exploring the complexities of a couple living as spies while navigating the ideological divide between North and South Korea.

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Disney+ has confirmed that "The Koreans" will stream exclusively on their platform internationally and on Hulu in the United States. Schrier mentioned that he consulted with the original series' stars and creators, all of whom expressed support for the adaptation. He noted, "Joe and Joel were very curious, but chose not to be involved... They said they want to visit the sets."

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While there has been enthusiasm for the project, some critics may question the necessity of remaking a series that has already received critical acclaim. Concerns about cultural sensitivity and the portrayal of North Korean characters in a sympathetic light may also arise, given the historical context of the original series.

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"The Koreans" is set to premiere in 2027, as part of Disney's broader strategy to accelerate local-language content production in key Asia-Pacific markets, including South Korea, Japan, and Australia. This initiative aims to enhance Disney+'s competitive position in the streaming landscape, focusing on content that resonates with local audiences.

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• “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.” — Eric Schrier, President of Disney Television Studios

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• “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,” — Carol Choi, Executive VP of Content Strategy and Marketing, Disney

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