AceShowbiz - Disney+ is set to produce a high-profile Korean remake of the acclaimed FX series The Americans, starring Lee Byung-hun and Han Ji-min. This ambitious project will localize the story of espionage and family drama by transplanting it into 1990s South Korea, focusing on North Korean spies living undercover as an ordinary married couple during a pivotal era of democratization and cultural change.

Eric Schrier, Disney’s head of international local originals, revealed that he initially felt hesitant about the remake concept. Having developed the original The Americans series during his tenure at FX Entertainment, Schrier was deeply connected to the original creators Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields and the story’s unique Cold War setting. Despite his reservations, he was ultimately convinced by the creative vision of the Korean team and the potential for a culturally resonant adaptation.

Unlike a typical corporate-led IP reboot, this remake originated organically from Disney’s content partnerships in Korea. It marks the first time Disney+ will produce a local-language version of one of its hit scripted shows, with one of the largest production budgets ever allocated for a Disney+ Asian original. Schrier emphasized the narrative parallels between the original’s Soviet spies embedded in 1980s America and the new series’ focus on North Korean agents covertly operating in South Korea.

The original The Americans, created by former CIA officer Joe Weisberg and showrun by Weisberg alongside Joel Fields, starred Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys as Elizabeth and Philip Jennings. These KGB operatives lived as a suburban American married couple during the Reagan administration, navigating espionage challenges while managing complex family dynamics. The critically acclaimed series aired for six seasons from 2013 to 2018, earning 18 Primetime Emmy nominations and winning four awards. It remains highly regarded as one of the defining series of modern television.

The Korean remake, titled The Koreans, will be set amid the early 1990s wave of democratization and modernization in South Korea. The storyline follows a seemingly typical middle-class family hiding a treasonous secret: both parents, portrayed by Lee Byung-hun and Han Ji-min, are elite North Korean spies working to undermine the South from within. The series will explore the emotional and ideological conflicts faced by these spies as they balance patriotism, loyalty, and identity, while contending with a relentless South Korean counterintelligence officer closing in on their true identities.

Adapted and written by Park Eun-kyo, known for co-writing Bong Joon-ho’s Mother and the Disney+ series Made in Korea, the show will be directed by Ahn Gil-ho, who helmed the Netflix psychological thriller The Glory. The Koreans will follow the Korean production norm of maintaining a consistent writer and director throughout all episodes, differing from the American model of rotating writers’ rooms and guest directors.

In addition to the leads, Korean actor Lee Hee-joon, recognized for his roles in 1987: When the Day Comes and Handsome Guys, has been cast in a significant undisclosed role. Carol Choi, Disney’s executive vice president of content strategy and marketing for Asia-Pacific, highlighted the show’s strong family dynamics and the casting of Lee Byung-hun as key factors promising success in Korea and neighboring Asian markets where Disney+ is expanding.

Choi explained, “There are many geopolitical spy thrillers currently, but what excites us is the couple and family dynamic — the drama and humor of two spies living as husband and wife while bridging the ideological divide of the two Koreas. This will resonate deeply with Korean viewers.” She added that Lee Byung-hun’s involvement is “a big win,” noting his broad appeal and talent.

Lee Byung-hun is one of Korea’s most recognized stars, having risen to prominence in Park Chan-wook’s Joint Security Area, which was South Korea’s first major film portraying North Koreans sympathetically. More recently, he garnered international acclaim for his role in the hit series Squid Game as a mysterious antagonist and for his performance in the tragicomedy No Other Choice. Disney executives praised his enthusiasm for the role and anticipate a compelling, nuanced portrayal that will showcase his range.

Schrier outlined that The Koreans is part of a broader strategy to accelerate local-language content production in key Asia-Pacific markets including South Korea, Japan, and Australia. This push, initiated under former Disney CEO Bob Iger, aims to strengthen Disney+’s competitive edge by delivering regionally tailored adult general entertainment alongside the platform’s global franchises like Marvel, Pixar, Star Wars, FX, Hulu, and ABC.

In preparation for the remake, Schrier consulted with the original The Americans stars Matthew Rhys and Keri Russell, as well as creators Joe Weisberg and Joel Fields. All expressed their support for the Korean adaptation, though Weisberg and Fields opted not to participate directly due to emotional reasons. They declined to review scripts but expressed interest in visiting the set in Korea.

Schrier commented on the creators’ enthusiasm: “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 lighthearted remark underscores the goodwill surrounding the project and the collaborative spirit driving the adaptation forward.

Set against a backdrop of intense political tension and cultural change, The Koreans promises to blend espionage thrills with intimate family storytelling, reflecting the unique historical and social circumstances of the Korean Peninsula. With a star-studded cast, experienced creative team, and Disney+’s backing, the series is poised to become a landmark in local-language adaptations of global hits.

As the project progresses, Disney+ continues to expand its slate of original content tailored specifically for Asian audiences, reinforcing its commitment to diverse storytelling and regional authenticity in the competitive streaming landscape.