Disney+ Plans Korean Adaptation of The Americans

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Disney+ is developing a Korean-language adaptation of The Americans.

From 2013 to 2018, the FX series The Americans told the story of two KGB spies from the Soviet Union. They lived undercover as a married couple in the United States during the 1980s. The show combined thrilling spy action with the complexities of marriage and figuring out who you really are.

The upcoming Korean version of the story will be set on the Korean peninsula. It will replace the original’s focus on Soviet spies in the U.S. with a plot about North Korean agents secretly operating in South Korea during the 1990s. As South Korea was rapidly modernizing and becoming a democracy, this couple will work from within to cause disruption.

Eric Schrier, who leads Disney’s international original content, emphasized the story’s timeliness and impact. He explained that the strong enthusiasm of the Korean production team was a key factor, and he recognized the story’s relevance to Korean audiences, given the country’s divided history. Connecting with local viewers is always Disney’s main goal for original content created in specific regions.

Production Status

The series is currently in development, and the main creative team is now in place. Park Eun-kyo, the writer of Mother, is writing the script, and Ahn Gil-ho, who directed The Glory, will be directing.

Lee Byung-hun, known for his role in ‘Squid Game,’ and Han Jimin have started filming a new K-drama for Disney+ called ‘The Koreans.’ This series is a Korean adaptation of the popular American show ‘The Americans.’

— Variety (@Variety) March 25, 2026

Several entertainment news sources have announced that Lee Byung-hun and Han Ji-min will play the main characters in the upcoming project. Both are well-known actors in Korea, with Lee Byung-hun also gaining international recognition for his role in the popular series Squid Game.

Disney in Korean Entertainment

Disney has been investing more in Korean movies and shows lately. They share these Korean originals worldwide on Disney+ and, in certain areas, on Hulu. This move comes after several Korean series became popular hits on streaming services around the globe.

As a movie and TV buff, I’ve been keeping an eye on Disney+’s push into Korean content, and it’s really starting to pay off. They had a big hit with ‘Moving,’ a really well-made action drama that everyone was talking about. Then there was ‘Big Bet’ with Choi Min-sik, which was one of their first original Korean series – a solid crime show. And ‘The Worst of Evil,’ a ’90s set crime drama, also grabbed a lot of attention worldwide. It’s clear Disney is committed to consistently producing Korean-language shows with international appeal, and these projects prove they’re on the right track.

Broader Industry Context

This adaptation is part of a growing trend in entertainment. Streaming services are increasingly remaking popular stories for different regions. These new versions usually keep the main ideas of the original but update the setting and cultural details to better suit local audiences.

Over the last ten years, Korean dramas have become increasingly popular around the world. As a result, streaming services are now creating more shows produced locally, hoping to appeal to viewers both in Korea and in other countries.

Original Series Legacy

During its broadcast, The Americans was highly acclaimed by critics. It won numerous awards and received nominations at prestigious television events. Reviewers consistently lauded the show’s strong writing and excellent performances.

I loved how this show wasn’t about clear-cut good guys and bad guys – it really explored the gray areas, and focused on how being a spy affected people’s personal lives. If anyone ever tried to remake it, they’d have a tough time living up to the original, especially getting that perfect balance between thrilling spy action and really compelling characters. It’s that mix that made it so special to me.

Current Outlook

Disney+ is continuing to grow its global content offerings with a Korean version of The Americans. This new adaptation takes a familiar story and reimagines it within a unique Korean cultural and historical context, a trend that’s becoming increasingly popular in the entertainment industry.

Now that the main pieces of the show are set, we’ll be sharing more details as it continues to develop. Expect to hear about when it will be released and who else is joining the cast in the next few months.

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2026-03-28 00:57