Disney+'s 'A Shop for Killers' season 2 sets new global viewership record on premiere day as Lee Dong Wook teases season 3

Returning after more than two years, the series 'A Shop for Killers' immediately became the most-watched Korean Disney+ original worldwide on its debut day, setting a new all-time record.

Disney+ original series 'A Shop for Killers' Season 2 released its first two episodes on July 22 and quickly climbed to No. 1 in the Disney+ TV category in South Korea, Taiwan, and Singapore, according to global OTT ranking platform FlixPatrol. According to The Walt Disney Company Korea, the series also became the most-watched Korean Disney+ original globally on its premiere day, setting a new all-time viewership record. It additionally ranked as the most-watched Korean content across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region. The series has also earned strong critical praise. On global review platform IMDb, both Episodes 1 and 2 have received ratings above 9.0, with viewers praising its stylish action sequences and tightly paced storytelling.

'A Shop for Killers' Season 2 follows Jung Ji An (portrayed by Kim Hye Joon), who becomes the new head of the mysterious shopping mall after completing a grueling succession process. She reunites with her uncle Jung Jin Man (played by Lee Dong Wook), who returns alive, and together they launch a full-scale counterattack against the global mercenary organization Babylon in this stylish action series. Based on author Kang Ji Young's novel 'The Killer's Shopping Mall,' the second season expands beyond the original novel with an entirely new, drama-original storyline.

Season 1, which premiered in January 2024, centered on Ji An's desperate overnight fight for survival after becoming the target of assassins because of the dangerous legacy left behind by her uncle. The series was selected by The New York Times as one of the Best International TV Shows of 2024 and also ranked among TIME magazine's Top 4 Korean Dramas of 2024. Season 2 continues from the ending of Season 1, focusing on Jin Man after his shocking return. The story begins by answering the question, "What was Uncle Jin Man doing all this time?" revealing how he faked his death to infiltrate Babylon. While Season 1 unfolded primarily within Ji An's home as an intense survival thriller, Season 2 significantly expands its scope, moving across multiple locations beginning with Babylon's Korean branch while delivering larger-scale action. Along with drones and quadruped robots, humanoid robots are also introduced, adding a futuristic dimension to the action. The eight-episode season will release two new episodes every Wednesday through August 12.

Returning from Season 1 are Lee Dong Wook as Jung Jin Man, Kim Hye Joon as Jung Ji An, and Jo Han Sun as Jin Man's longtime rival Bale.

Joining the new season are Japanese actor Masaki Okada, Korean-Japanese actress Hyunri, and actress Jung Yoon Ha (playing Kusanagi), who portray members of Babylon's East Asia division targeting Jin Man and Ji An. During a roundtable interview on July 23, Lee Dong Wook shared, "I'm grateful that Season 1 received so much love, allowing us to return with Season 2. It was wonderful working again with such a great director, crew, and cast. I think I felt much more comfortable filming this season than I did during Season 1."

To fully transform into Jung Jin Man, Lee Dong Wook underwent a noticeable physical change. He explained, "I felt I needed to gain weight. To become Jung Jin Man, I had to gain around 8 kilograms, or even 9 kilograms (roughly 18–20 pounds), so I even asked for extra time to put on the weight."

He continued, "It wasn't about building stamina. I wanted to create the image of someone who had spent many years living as a mercenary and an assassin. I've since returned to my normal weight because of another project, but I didn't think Jin Man should look skinny. I spent five to six months preparing for the shirtless scenes, avoiding alcohol and carefully managing my body." Regarding the demanding action scenes, Lee Dong Wook explained, "There weren't any particular hardships. I work out consistently, and even when I'm not filming, I exercise five or six days a week. Also, our action director never compromised or went easy on anyone." Describing Jin Man's fighting style, he said, "It's clean and efficient. Some people may think his raw combat ability is lower than Bale's, but he makes up for it with meticulous planning, strategy, and execution. He's someone who can skillfully handle every kind of weapon." "Jin Man exists because of Ji An"

Lee Dong Wook emphasized that despite Jin Man's expanded role, Ji An remains the true center of the story. He explained, "Even in Season 2, I believe Ji An is the central character rather than Jin Man. Without Ji An, I think Jin Man might have given up on life. Ji An is the reason Jin Man continues to exist. Protecting her until the very end is probably his greatest goal." He also reflected on Jin Man's signature line, "Listen carefully, Jung Ji An." "Jin Man wasn't the type of uncle who would openly say, 'My niece is so lovely. How was school today?' Ji An's life was in danger from the beginning, so I think he hid those emotions. That's why he always says, 'Listen carefully, Jung Ji An.' Teaching her how to survive and protect herself was his own way of expressing love and educating her." Speaking about Jin Man's complicated relationship with Bale, Lee Dong Wook offered an intriguing interpretation. "In Season 1, Jin Man says, 'I'm different from Bale. I don't kill people for fun as he does.' But when you think about it, both of them accept money to harm others, so I've always questioned whether they're truly that different. At the press conference, I joked that their relationship is practically love at this point. I think Bale's ultimate goal may simply be Jin Man."

Lee Dong Wook said, "I'd gladly return for Season 3." After fans waited more than two years for the sequel, Lee Dong Wook revealed the response he hopes to hear most. He explained, "I just hope people say it's as entertaining as Season 1—that waiting more than two years was worth it. Hearing that would make me the happiest." When asked about the possibility of Season 3, he replied, "Ultimately, I think that's up to Disney. The director and I haven't really discussed it privately. Right now, the viewers' response is the most important thing. If Season 3 happens, I'd happily return. I imagine the director is already thinking about it, and another season would certainly be another great joy."

Lee Dong Wook also praised the dedication of the newly joined cast. He said, "Masaki Okada and Hyunri live in Japan, so they filmed for a week in Korea, returned to Japan for three days, then came back for another two weeks. They repeated that schedule for six or seven months. I was amazed by their dedication and honestly wondered if I could have done the same." He also commended Jung Yoon Ha for her preparation. He explained, "She had to perform in three different languages. Although she's already fluent in foreign languages, delivering lines naturally in character is a completely different challenge. I heard she worked incredibly hard and even studied academic papers to prepare." Episodes 3 and 4 of 'A Shop for Killers' Season 2 will be released on July 29, followed by Episodes 5 and 6 on August 5, with the final two episodes arriving on August 12.