Over the four years of its airing, Money Heist amassed fame as no other show did. While no one had accounted for it to be a global sensation, its distinctive story and incredible characters helped it reach its hit status.
Then, in 2020, there were talks about a Korean remake of the show. It took some time, but Part 1 has finally been released on Netflix in June 2022.
Set in the same universe as Money Heist, Money Heist: Korea follows a Korean team who tries to raid the Joint Economic Area’s money-minting center.
A word of caution to fans—while the show gives us a unique premise, it fails to carry it through the plot. This may come across as very off-putting to fans of the original Money Heist.
What is Money Heist: Korea about?
So yes, Money Heist: Korea is set in the same universe as Money Heist, where Yoo Ji-tae’s Professor is inspired by the Spanish events and recruits a team of his own.
The more important detail about the show’s setting is that it is also set in the near future, where North and South Korea have ended the (currently ongoing) war and have started the process of reunification.
The former DMZ’s Joint Security Area has been converted into a Joint Economic Area, where citizens of both the countries can practice business. Here is also where the “Mint,” the money-minting factory, is located.
What should’ve been an ideal scenario turns out to be anything but, as the now unified Korean working class on both sides still feel the brunt of economic burnout, while the super-rich and elite continue to live their lavish lives.
The Professor and his Money Heist team hope to bring about a change by raiding the Mint. But, of course, even that doesn’t go according to plan.
Why Money Heist: Korea May Not Be Worth Your Time
No doubt that Money Heist: Korea had built up huge anticipation. Not only is it riding off the success of the original Money Heist, but also off the faith Netflix has created with its stellar K-drama releases in the last few years.
But the higher the expectations, the greater the fall.
Sadly, MH: Korea at certain junctures comes across as a plot-for-plot, scene-to-scene mimicry of the original—down to even the code names of each character and their personalities.
I would expect that since this show is based in the same universe as Money Heist, there is no possible way that MH: Korea’s Tokyo behaves exactly the same as Money Heist’s Tokyo.
The show premises on one interesting angle, which is how the unification of North and South Korea doesn’t really fare well for the working class. But even this is hardly explored amidst how preoccupied the show seems with being a carbon copy of its predecessor.
Viewers who are turning to this show after watching the original may find no appeal, other than some commendable performances—one being Squid Game’s Park Hae-soo shining as Berlin.
While MH: Korea had a chance to carve out a unique story based on cultural and socio-political identity (like a lot of other Netflix K-Dramas have), it fails splendidly. I’m pretty sure if it had started off with a completely new story, backed by a Money Heist-esque formula, it would’ve been far more exciting than it is currently.
Still, since we only have Part 1 out, it would be better to wait till the season is completed to verify if this is a complete replica of its Spanish counterpart. If it continues to be so, then even its actors cannot be the saving grace.
As of yet, Money Heist: Korea Part 2 does not have a release date.
About Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area
Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area is an upcoming South Korea drama adapted from La Casa De Papel, the famous heist Spanish show. Álex Pina, the executive producer of the original show, is leading the remake.
The remake is helmed by the multiple Blue Dragon Awards winning director, Kim Hong-sun. It stars multiple big South Korean names such as Yoo Ji-tae (Oldboy), Jun Jeong-seo (Burning), Park Hae-soo (Prison Playbook, Squid Game), Kim Ji-hun (Flower of Evil).
They will be joined by Lee Won-jong as Moscow, Jang Yoon-ju (Veteran) as Nairobi, Lee Hyun-woo (The Liar and His Lover) as Rio, Kim Ji-hoon as Helsinki and Lee Kyu-ho (The Outlaws) as Oslo.
The Hostages will be played by Park Myung-hoon and Lee Joo-bin. Meanwhile the Task Force will have Kim Yunjin as Seon Woo-jin /Raquel Morillo and Kim Sung-oh.
The Korean adaptation will be similar to the Spanish crime drama, with minor tweaks in storyline and characters to suit the Korean landscape and culture more.
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