It’s your classic tale of thieves meet thieves: A motley crew of robbers and misfits, brought together by a calm, bespectacled criminal mastermind, target the United Korea Mint and ultimately hole up inside with hostages. With both North and South Korean authorities posted outside, the robbers must maintain order among the hostages and, more importantly, themselves. Directed by Kim Hong-sun, Money Heist: Korea — Joint Economic Area is a suspenseful crime thriller filled with hidden motives and conflicted alliances. The series depicts a near future where North and South Korea have formally made peace. The once divisive Demilitarized Zone is now the site of the Joint Economic Area, where industries from both sides will center around a new common currency printed at the United Korea Mint. While this joint venture seems like a step toward the peaceful reunification of the Korean Peninsula, it’s also an opportunity for the mother of all heists. Based on the Spanish hit series La Casa de Papel, this remake offers a fresh take on the original plot and main characters. The series features some of the biggest names in South Korean cinema, a few of which will be known to American audiences as well. Ahead, check out the characters who steal the show. 

Yoo Ji-tae as Professor

Yoo Ji-tae plays Professor, who orchestrates a meticulously planned and bold robbery of the newly established United Korea Mint. Overseeing his band of thieves from a distance, he gathers intelligence to stay a step ahead of the authorities, but even his calculations can’t predict every outcome. Álvaro Morte plays The Professor in the original Spanish series.

Perhaps best known around the globe for his role as eerily calm antagonist Lee Woo-jin in Park Chan-wook’s 2003 neo-noir cult hit Oldboy, Yoo has since become a household name for his work in Korean TV dramas such as Healer, The Good Wife and Different Dreams, to name a few.

You can follow Yoo on Instagram.

Kim Yunjin as Inspector Seon Woojin

Kim Yunjin plays Inspector Seon Woojin, chief negotiator and representative for the South Korean side of the joint task force responding to the hostage situation at the mint. Shrewd and diplomatic, she skillfully negotiates with Professor, hoping to secure the safe release of all the hostages, while also subtly gleaning insights into their captors. Itziar Ituño plays her Spanish counterpart, Inspector Raquel Murillo, in the original series.

Audiences will recognize Kim, who plays the secretive heiress Sun on the ABC series Lost. She also stars as Dr. Karen Kim in the ABC series Mistresses.

Park Hae-soo as Berlin

Park Hae-soo plays Berlin, Professor’s second-in-command on the ground. His intimidating nature and aggressive methods put off some members of his team, but his only concern is getting away with the money. Pedro Alonso plays Berlín in the original series.

Park appears in Squid Game as the disgraced businessman Cho Sang-woo. He has also played lead roles in other Netflix productions, including the drama series Prison Playbook and the crime thriller Time to Hunt.

You can follow Park on Instagram.

Jun Jong-seo as Tokyo

Jun Jong-seo plays Tokyo, a North Korean migrant worker who resorts to robbing gangsters before joining Professor’s operation. Tough but principled, she adheres to Professor’s directive to avoid harming the hostages, which causes her to clash with Berlin. Úrsula Corberó plays Tokyo in the original series.

Jun plays an atypical serial killer, Oh Young-sook, in Netflix’s time-warping thriller The Call. She also made her Hollywood debut, starring in the titular role of Ana Lily Amirpour’s 2021 film Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon, alongside actors Kate Hudson and Craig Robinson.

You can follow Jun on Instagram.

Lee Won-jong as Moscow

Lee Won-jong plays Moscow. He wants a better life for his son, Denver, and hopes that one last big score will allow them to leave their criminal ways behind. Paco Tous plays Moscow in the original series.

Lee has had a prolific acting career, appearing in many Korean TV series and films over the years. One of his most memorable roles was as Koo Ma-jeok in the historical drama series Rustic Period. More recently, he plays a former detective in the series Delayed Justice.

Park Myung-hoon as Cho Youngmin

Park Myung-hoon plays Cho Youngmin, the director of the United Korea Mint who will do anything to save himself, even if that puts other hostages at risk. He’s having an affair with Yun Misun, a member of his staff, and is highly possessive of her. Enrique Arce plays his Spanish counterpart, Arturo Román, in the original series.

Park can be found in Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning 2019 film Parasite. He also plays killer agent Shimada in the 2020 action film Deliver Us from Evil.

You can follow Park on Instagram.

Kim Seung-o as Captain Cha Moohyuk

Kim Seung-o plays Captain Cha Moohyuk, a dour North Korean state security officer who heads his country’s side of the task force. Oppositional toward Inspector Seon, he dismisses negotiating with the robbers and opts for swift and unrestrained use of force to deal with the hostage situation. Juan Fernández plays Colonel Luis Prieto, a similar character in the original series.

Kim is a dynamic character actor who has played numerous roles across genres, including other Netflix productions such as the crime-drama series A Model Family and the action-adventure film The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure.

Kim Ji-hun as Denver

Kim Ji-hun plays Denver, Moscow’s son whose hot temper often gets him into trouble. While he’s brash and a bit dim, he has a soft heart and doesn’t want to harm innocent people. Jaime Lorente plays Denver in the original series.

Kim’s appeared in many TV series roles, including Flower of Evil and Jang Bo Ri is Here! He can be seen in the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy series Love to Hate You.

You can follow Kim on Instagram.

Jang Yoon-ju as Nairobi

Jang Yoon-ju plays Nairobi, a boastful con artist. Deceptive and opportunistic, she plays any situation to her advantage. Alba Flores plays Nairobi in the original series.

A fashion model, Jang began acting with a role in the 2015 action film Veteran. In 2021, she played a lead role in the drama film Three Sisters.

You can follow Jang on Instagram.

Lee Joobeen as Yun Misun

Lee Joobeen plays Yun Misun, a mint employee who wants more out of her affair with Cho Youngmin. Their relationship is further complicated as they are held hostage and she considers what she really wants in a partner. Esther Acebo plays her Spanish counterpart, Mónica Gaztambide, in the original series.

Lee appears in the 2018 Netflix romantic drama series Mr. Sunshine and can also be seen in the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy series Love to Hate You.

You can follow Lee on Instagram.

Lee Hyun-woo as Rio

Lee Hyun-woo plays Rio, a gifted hacker and the gang’s youngest member. Immature and cocky, he doesn’t seem to take the operation as seriously as the others. He’s drawn to Tokyo, though she finds him too childish. Miguel Herrán plays Rio in the original series.

Lee began his career as a child actor, appearing in many period dramas and series such as The Legend, Queen Seondeok and The Great King, Sejong. He had a breakout role in the 2015 naval thriller Northern Limit Line.

You can follow Lee on Instagram.

Left: Kim Ji-hoon as Helsinki in Money Heist: Korea — Joint Economic Area.

Kim Ji-hoon as Helsinki

Kim Ji-hoon plays Helsinki, a thug and Oslo's partner. Proficient with firearms, he serves as the muscle for Professor’s gang and follows orders without much thought. Darko Perić plays Helsinki in the original series.

Kim made his acting debut in the 2012 romantic comedy Love Fiction and has also appeared in more recent TV series such as The Good Detective and Stranger.

Left: Lee Kyu-ho as Oslo in Money Heist: Korea — Joint Economic Area.

Lee Kyu-ho as Oslo

Lee Kyu-ho plays Oslo, whose hulking physique makes him the most imposing member of the gang. Like his comrade, Helsinki, he’s mainly tasked with crowd control and leaves most of the talking to the others. Roberto García Ruiz plays Oslo in the original series.

Lee has played various roles in TV series like Hot Stove League and Dr. Romantic. More recently, he plays a memorable role as a demon in the Netflix fantasy series Bulgasal: Immortal Souls.

You can follow Lee on Instagram.