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Cult Netflix drama Money Heist has made an enthralling return with a Korean spin.
The Korean remake—Money Heist: Korea-Joint Economic Area—sees a grand robbery and hostage crisis unravel at a Korean mint against the fictional backdrop of a soon-to-be-reunified Korean peninsula following a Joint Economic Area (JEA).
The heist team intends to take four trillion Korean won of a unified currency according to a meticulous plan devised by the Professor (played by Yoo Ji-tae) who recruits the heist team members.
The series was released as six episodes and fans of the Korean show may be wondering if there will be a Money Heist: Korea Season 2.
There are no plans for a second season at this stage, a spokesperson for Netflix told Newsweek. However, six more episodes are in the pipeline for Season 1, forming Part 2 of the first season. The upcoming episodes have been shot, cast members previously told Newsweek.
Part 2 of Season 1 is slated for release in the last quarter of 2022 but an exact launch date has yet to be announced, said the spokesperson for Netflix.
Warning: This article contains spoilers for the Netflix drama 'Money Heist: Korea-Joint Economic Area'
Potential Plot Lines for Part 2 of 'Money Heist: Korea'
The second part of Season 1 may reveal more on the backstory behind the heist and the characters, such as the Professor, as touched on in the finale of the first part.
The final episode started where it all began, with a flashback to the Professor giving a lecture in a class, questioning why the Korean peninsula had yet to be reunified over 70 years since its split.
The Professor said that while political, cultural and economical factors may have complicated the issue, he believes that "if North and South Korea shared the same dream, then reunification would happen immediately.
"But what should that dream be?," the Professor asked. "Desire—a desire to make both North and South Korea rich."
Following the lecture, the Professor is approached by Kim Sang-man (played by Jang Hyun-sung), a politician who is the ex-husband of Seon Woo-jin (the negotiator and leader of the task force, played by Kim Yun-jin). He introduces the Professor to the chairman overseeing the reunification who reveals that the North is getting ready to implement a "full open door policy" and asks the Professor to devise an "economic cooperation plan."
The finale also saw the heist team on a high, after gaining the public's trust by confirming all hostages were alive and seeing the beginnings of their underground escape route after Moscow (the heist member tasked with digging a hole for their getaway) finally reach the dirt level.
In other developments, Denver, Moscow's son on the heist team, forms a close bond with Yoon Mi-seon (played by Lee Joo-bin), one of the hostages who works at the mint. The finale sees them consummate their feelings, perhaps marking the start of a budding relationship, as mirrored in the original Spanish work where Denver falls for a hostage.
Berlin (played by Park Hae-soo) may be another one to watch in Part 2. He is revealed to be terminally ill in Part 1 and is seen covering up his shaking hand and injecting himself with medication in the finale.
Speaking to Newsweek from Seoul, the South Korean capital, in his first interview with a major U.S. publication, Park said Berlin's greatest weakness is his past, which may include the story behind his illness.
The true nature of the Professor's relationship with Seon, who he seduces as part of his heist plan, may also be further revealed in the second part.
The series closes on an open-ended note, with Cha Moo-hyuk (the North Korean leader of the task force played by Kim Sung-ho) approaching the Professor outside his house following his suspicions that Woo-jin's partner Park Sun-ho (the Professor's real name) could be the mastermind behind the heist.
When Moo-hyuk confronted Woo-jin about his suspicions, the negotiator fiercely defended her partner, saying he is a man she trusts and loves. When the Professor meets her later for a drink, he is seen torn, realizing he has feelings for Woo-jin.
Ahead of the series premiere, Yoo told Newsweek that he really "liked the feel of the love story" between his character and Woo-jin.
One of his favorite parts from the show is a scene in the finale, when the Professor asks whether Woo-jin would consider quitting her work on the mint hostage case (which would effectively make her useless to the heist plan), saying: "You seem like you're having a difficult time."
Yoo said: "The negotiator turned to the professor a lot in her moments of loneliness and I think that feeling came across very well."
The first part of Money Heist: Korea-Joint Economic Area is available to stream now on Netflix.
About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in Read more