Two of South Korea’s most iconic stars are teaming up in a spy-meets-melodrama genre. Jun Ji-hyun is back on the small screen with Disney+’s upcoming blockbuster series Tempest! Also known internationally as Gianna Jun (My Love From the Star, Assassination), she returns to K-drama after her last role in tvN’s Jirisan. Starring alongside her is Gang Dong-won (Uprising, A Violent Prosecutor), who makes his long-awaited return to television after 21 years. Their casting alone has generated major buzz in the industry and among fans, with both actors revealing that the opportunity to work together was one of the biggest reasons they took on this project.
Slated to be one of the most anticipated dramas of the year, Disney+ is set to deliver a gripping espionage romance with Tempest, bringing together a star-studded cast. The series assembles critically acclaimed creators: Director Kim Hee-won, who previously helmed the global hit Queen of Tears and Vincenzo; Director Heo Myeong-haeng, acclaimed for action blockbusters The Roundup: Punishment and Badland Hunters; and writer Chung Seo-kyung, best known for crafting the award-winning Decision to Leave and the popular drama Little Women. With this lineup, Tempest promises intense action, political thriller and a romance formed in the shadows of danger.
What is Tempest about?
With cinematic visuals and an international scale, the story follows Seo Mun-ju (Jun Ji-hyun), a respected diplomat and renowned UN ambassador, and Baek San-ho (Gang Dong-won), a mysterious special agent of unknown nationality. After surviving an assassination attempt on a presidential candidate, Mun-ju becomes entangled in a sweeping conspiracy that threatens the Korean Peninsula. San-ho steps in as her protector, but as their paths intertwine, they must navigate a razor-thin line between trust and doubt while uncovering the truth behind a global crisis.
Jun Ji-hyun (Gianna Jun) as Seo Mun-ju
Seo Mun-ju studied in the United States and rose to prominence as a diplomat before becoming a UN ambassador. The widow of a South Korean politician, she is admired for her quiet strength and resilient convictions. When an assassination attempt shakes the nation, she refuses to step back. Instead, she launches her own presidential campaign, determined to investigate and uncover the truth even at the cost of her own safety.
Gang Dong-won as Baek San-ho
Baek San-ho is a skilled but mysterious agent with no nationality. Once part of an elite VIP protection unit, he is now the ace of a global mercenary organization, famed for executing dangerous missions in war zones like Iraq. After being assigned to protect Mun-ju, he chooses to stand by her side, becoming both her shield and her greatest source of doubt.
John Cho as Anderson Miller
John Cho (Searching, Star Trek) joins the cast as Anderson Miller. He serves as the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State. His sharp presence among Washington officials signals the global scale of the looming crisis. As the threat of a conflict that could unleash World War III draws closer to the Korean Peninsula, Anderson works desperately to change the course of the storm, adding a critical international dimension to the drama.
Lee Mi-sook as Im Ok-seon
Im Ok-seon is the powerful chairwoman of Ahseom Shipping, South Korea’s largest shipping and logistics conglomerate. As an influential figure in the nation’s politics and business, she spent years grooming her son Ik-jun for the presidency. However, after the assassination attempt on her son, she quickly set her sights on shaping Mun-ju’s political future, determined to make her the next president no matter the cost.
Park Hae-joon as Jang Jun-ik
Jang Jun-ik is a presidential candidate for the New Republican Party who dreams of peace and unity. Warm, approachable and beloved across generations, his charisma and sincerity make him a central figure in the political storm.
Kim Hae-sook as Chae Kyung-shin
Chae Kyung-shin is the President of South Korea, known for her composed charisma and decisive leadership. She once valued Mun-ju so highly that she even considered appointing her as foreign minister. But as the attempted assassination of a presidential candidate escalates into a full-blown political and diplomatic crisis, Kyung-shin begins to keep Mun-ju under close watch.
Oh Jung-se as Jang Jun-sang
Jang Jun-sang is a celebrated prosecutor recognized for his exceptional skills, but he is burdened by jealousy toward his older brother, Jun-ik. Resentful of always being a step behind since childhood, he nurtures his own presidential ambitions, putting him in direct conflict with Mun-ju.
Yoo Jae-myung as Yoo Woon-hak
Yoo Woon-hak is the head of the National Intelligence Service, a man who places national security above all else. He possesses the power to turn patriots into spies if it serves the nation’s interests. Woon-hak gradually reveals his ambitions as his ability to manipulate loyalty and patriotism makes him a dangerous player in the conflict.
Lee Sang-hee as Yeo Mi-ji and Joo Jong-hyuk as Park Chang-hee
Yeo Mi-ji is Mun-ju’s loyal assistant and longtime companion from her years abroad as a diplomat. Deeply bonded by trust and respect, she follows Mun-ju into danger without hesitation.
Park Chang-hee is Mun-ju’s chief of security. A top graduate of the police academy and former ace of the Cyber Investigation Bureau, he prides himself on protecting her at all costs. After the assassination attempt, he feels solely responsible for her safety, but grows uneasy when San-ho enters the picture, challenging his role as her protector.
Won Ji-an recently gained attention in Squid Game Season 2 as Se-mi. She will be taking on the role of Kang Han-na. Details about her character remain under wraps.
Premiere Details
Tempest will premiere with three episodes on Sept.10, followed by two new episodes weekly starting Sept. 17, for a total of nine episodes.
Who do you think Mun-ju can truly trust in this dangerous game of power and secrets? Let us know on Instagram and X/Twitter!
Featured Image Credit: Disney+
