Korean Adaptation of 'The Americans' Officially Begins Production
The highly anticipated Korean remake of the acclaimed American television series 'The Americans' has officially commenced production. Titled 'The Koreans,' the series will feature a star-studded cast led by global sensation Lee Byung-hun of 'Squid Game' fame and acclaimed actress Han Ji-min.
Plot and Setting: A Family of Spies in 1990s South Korea
The narrative of 'The Koreans' reimagines the original Cold War premise within the context of the Korean Peninsula. Lee Byung-hun and Han Ji-min will portray North Korean spies living deep undercover in South Korea during the early 1990s. This period was marked by South Korea's rapid democratization and significant cultural transformation, providing a rich and tense backdrop for the story.
The series will follow a seemingly ordinary middle-class family that harbors a dangerous and explosive secret. The central conflict explores the intense psychological and emotional struggle as the protagonists are torn between their unwavering allegiance to their homeland, their evolving personal identities, and the powerful bonds they have forged as a family unit.
Creative Team and Cast Details
Behind the camera, the series is helmed by director Ahn Gilho, whose impressive portfolio includes the critically acclaimed Netflix series 'The Glory.' The screenplay adaptation is handled by writer Park Eunkyo, known for her work on projects like 'Made in Korea' and the film 'Mother.'
The original series, 'The Americans,' was created by Joe Weisberg and showrun by Weisberg and Joel Fields. It starred Keri Russell and Matthew Rhys as Soviet KGB officers posing as an American couple in 1980s Washington, D.C. The original earned numerous accolades, including the Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Drama in 2019 and was named an AFI TV Program of the Year for each of its first five seasons from 2014 to 2018.
Global Release and Streaming Platform
'The Koreans' is set for an exclusive international release on the Disney+ streaming platform. For viewers in the United States, the series will be available on Hulu. This announcement solidifies the project as a significant addition to the ever-expanding slate of high-quality Korean content aimed at a global audience.
The pairing of Lee Byung-hun, celebrated for his roles in 'Squid Game' and 'No Other Choice,' with Han Ji-min, known for 'Heavenly Ever After,' promises a powerful on-screen dynamic. Their characters will navigate a world of deception while a relentless South Korean counterintelligence agent closes in, threatening to expose their carefully constructed lives and shatter their family.
