Made in Korea: When will episode 5 release, and what to expect?

Made in Korea released episodes three and four on December 31, 2025, through Disney+ and Hulu. Episode five is scheduled for January 7, 2026, at 4 pm KST. Set during the 1970s, the story follows Baek Gi-tae, a man driven by money and influence. Opposing him is Jang Geon-yeong, a prosecutor known for sharp instincts and relentless resolve. When a major case emerges, Geon-yeong commits fully to stopping Gi-tae’s rise.

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What's ahead in episode 5 of Made in Korea?

Made in Korea (Image via X/@DisneyPlusKR)

Geum-ji’s situation remains unresolved because the Made in Korea episode 5 cuts to black before any outcome is shown. There is no visual confirmation of her death, with no aftermath or official response within the story.

Because of this, her position in the narrative remains open. At the same time, the child’s father is still not identified, leaving that thread incomplete. Meanwhile, Gi-tae's actions push the story into a different phase. Shooting Hwang and setting the temple on fire removes an immediate obstacle but creates wider exposure.

With Hwang gone, control tied to the KCIA becomes unstable, which naturally draws attention from others connected to power and influence. In parallel, Geon-yeong’s role shifts following Hwang’s fall. Although the fire destroys physical evidence, connections remain.

Alongside these developments, the drug operation expands beyond local boundaries. Japan becomes central to distribution, while Korea maintains outward distance. As a result, the conflict widens in scale, linking multiple regions and interests and setting the stage for further escalation.

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Made in Korea episodes 3 & 4 recap

Episode three of Made in Korea opens during Korea’s strict prohibition era, a time when the KCIA reshaped everyday life through heavy control. During this, Geum-ji is introduced as an escort and bar worker who returns from America with her child. She approaches Hwang with confidence, while Gi-tae immediately notes her.

The child’s father remains unknown, and that mystery becomes Geum-ji’s shield. Gi-tae grows close to her quickly, which leads them to Cheon Seok-jung, the head of presidential security. Geum-ji seeks safety for her son and refuses to live hidden, while Seok-jung appears aware of the truth without confirming anything.

She soon realizes Gi-tae craves power like Seok-jung’s, especially control over the KCIA. Geum-ji claims she owns a notebook listing every man she has been with, including the child’s father, warning that exposure would ruin powerful figures. Through her, Gi-tae gains access to the Yakuza via Choi Yu-ji, while Ye-jin simultaneously goes undercover by befriending Gi-tae's sister in Busan.

In Osaka, Yu-ji confronts Gi-tae directly. Gi-tae reveals plans to replace Man-jae, while back in Busan, Geon-yeong pressures Hwang about Man-jae’s death. At home, Gi-tae's sister grows anxious about his drug operation, yet silence is demanded, and she is instructed to monitor Dae-il.

Unknown to Gi-tae, Dae-il already feeds information to Geon-yeong. Gi-tae insists the meth must move through Japan and never circulate in Korea. Later, Geum-ji aims higher and seeks the president himself, though she is met by Chief Na instead. Once again, the father’s identity remains hidden, though heavily implied.

She explains her strategy of letting every suspect believe the child is theirs, prioritizing security over truth. Geum-ji plans to build a business in Korea. Eventually, she admits to Gi-tae that the notebook never existed and asks him to stay. Threats involving Yu-ji fail, and Gi-tae walks away. As Geum-ji attempts to escape, Gi-tae raises a gun, and the screen cuts to black, leaving her fate unresolved.

Episode 4 of Made in Korea explains why Geon-yeong hates drugs so much. As a child, his father became addicted to meth and killed his mother. Now grown, Geon-yeong raises his sister and fights drug crimes as a prosecutor. Elsewhere, Hak-soo exposes Gi-tae's actions to Hwang, who demands three hundred million won every month as payment.

Failure means suicide. Later, Gi-tae and Geon-yeong share lunch, where family details are used as quiet intimidation. In Osaka, Yu-ji faces pressure from her father to keep the business afloat, while Geon-yeong and Ye-jin arrive to catch Gi-tae. A possible connection between Yu-ji and Gi-tae lingers in the background.

The episode ends violently when Hwang orders Hak-soo to kill Gi-tae, only for another secret deal to form. At a temple hiding bribery money, Gi-tae appears armed, while Geon-yeong follows and becomes trapped in the chaos of a ritual. By the time he reaches Hwang, a bullet has already struck. Gi-tae hides unseen, then sets the temple ablaze, erasing evidence. The conflict escalates with no resolution in sight.

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Made in Korea is divided into two seasons. Episodes 1 to 6 have been released as part of season 1. Additionally, a second season has already been confirmed and is in production. So, the overall story will continue beyond the first season.

Edited by Shreya Jha