K-Design, K-Drama, K-Architecture

Korean film productions are setting global standards for striking visuals and precise spaces. In series such as Squid Game 2, Namib and Buried Hearts, JUNG is becoming part of this visual language, with switches, push-buttons and KNX components appearing as authentic architectural details, not just as props but as expressions of modern living environments.

Korean productions have been shaping global pop culture for several years. Streaming successes, festival awards and high production standards have established K-content as a trendsetter for striking visuals, precise storytelling and an unmistakable spatial language. Set design in particular plays a key role in this, translating character psychology, hierarchies and moods into material, colour and geometry. For JUNG, therefore, it is particularly exciting to become visible in this context with the LS series. When switches, push-buttons and control elements become part of the visual dramaturgy, the extent to which form, surface and proportion support the narrative becomes clear.

KNX as a real detail in fictional spaces
At first glance, it is surprising that real KNX components are often used in Korean film sets, even when they are built purely as a backdrop. The focus here is not on functioning building automation, but on authenticity. Korean filmmakers not only use architecture as a backdrop, but also as a narrative element. Spaces should appear as if they could really exist.

Real JUNG KNX push-buttons, room controllers and sensors lend these backdrops believable depth. They signal technical sophistication, social status and architectural consistency. Even if they are not connected on set, they create the illusion of a fully equipped, intelligent building. In high-end productions such as Squid Game 2, Namib and Buried Hearts, a picture is drawn of a modern, technologically advanced living environment – a detail that is visually very important. 

More about the LS series:
https://www.jung-group.com/en-DE/Products/Switch-Ranges/

More about the KNX system:
https://www.jung-group.com/en-DE/Products/Systems/KNX-building-technology/

Film set for Buried Hearts, Allbarun Production, South Korea
For the Korean drama series Buried Hearts, various set architectures were developed to make the social status, attitudes and emotional lives of the characters spatially visible. The story moves between political intrigue and family power struggles, creating a context that demands a high level of creative precision.

Each of the six central backdrops was deliberately staged. From the monumental office of the CEO to the traditional hanok and the minimalist city apartment, the interior is an integral part of the narrative structure. To reflect this diversity of design in the technical equipment, switches, sockets, push-buttons and control elements from the JUNG LS 990 range were used, each of which was adapted to the architectural concept of the room. For instance, variants in brass, classic brass and antique brass accentuate the authoritative effect of the executive floor, whereas switches in alpine white, stainless steel or light grey in other sets emphasise restraint, elegance or functional clarity. KNX technology and room controllers were also integrated into the scenography to create a coherent overall picture.

Go to the reference – Buried Hearts
https://www.jung-group.com/en-DE/Buried-Hearts-film-set/99545

Film set for Namib, FromHProduction, South Korea
The series Namib tells the moving story of two disparate characters: Kang Suhyun, a fallen producer, and Yoo Jinwoo, a talented but forgotten trainee. Together, they fight for a new beginning in the merciless world of the entertainment industry. The series addresses sensitive topics such as bullying, disabilities, motherhood, and personal crises, giving them depth through an authentic narrative style. Both the hardships of show business and the power of new beginnings are depicted.

The multi-layered narrative of the South Korean series is reflected in the set design, which has been creatively adapted to reflect the characters and their development arcs. The different scenes each have their own atmosphere – sometimes subdued and serene, sometimes vibrant and full of contrast – and thus significantly contribute to the depth of the plot. JUNG products are used in six of these central set environments, including switches and sockets from the LS 990 range in dark stainless steel, aluminium, anthracite, and brass, as well as the LS 1912 toggle switch in stainless steel. In keeping with the Korean standard, these include smart control systems such as room temperature controllers, KNX touch sensors (F 50), KNX push-buttons (F 40) and compact room controllers (F 40). The products were specifically selected to support the architectural concepts of the rooms both functionally and with respect to design. 

Go to the reference - Namib Film Set
https://www.jung-group.com/en-DE/Namib-Film-Set-South-Korea/48908

Film set for Squid Game 2, The CHAEUM, Netflix, South Korea
For the design of the second season of the globally successful Korean Netflix Original Squid Game, JUNG made its product range available to the production studio Chaeum.

In Squid Game, 456 desperate contestants compete in a series of deadly children's games for the chance to win a substantial cash prize. As the competition becomes more brutal, the series reveals the depths of human greed, moral dilemmas, and the treacherous structures of the mysterious organisation behind the games. The set design of the second season remains faithful to the distinctive visual elements of the first season that made the series famous, including the iconic green tracksuits worn by the contestants and the spatial environment. From his sleek blue room, the masked officer monitors the game, commands the personnel, and directs operations. Key moments in the story take place in this room, increasing the tension and drama. To reinforce the staged, controlled environment, products from the LS series were used in this room. LS 990 in aluminium was combined with a loudspeaker unit, rotary dimmers, F 50 push-buttons and lighting controls to serve as a central control system for the room atmosphere. The matte aluminium blends in with the space — it's a simple addition that matches the cool aesthetic created by the deliberate absence of decoration and intense blue lighting. The clear geometry and honest appearance of the LS 990 support the visual concept of a minimalist, technologically advanced space.

Go to the film reference – Squid Game 2
https://www.jung-group.com/en-DE/Squid-Game-2-Film-Set-South-Korea/48193

Download:
All the images may be used free of charge for editorial purposes provided the copyright is acknowledged.

^{Film set for Buried Hearts: 
© Architecture: Allbarun Production, Photo: Seungkyun Noh}

^{Film set for Namib: 
© Architecture: FromH, Photo: Seungkyun Noh}

^{Film set for Squid Game 2: 
© Architecture: The CHAEUM, Photo: The CHAEUM}

^{Download link: https://jung.canto.de/b/M2K00}