Jun Ji-hyun & Gang Dong-won on the Hype Behind This Year's Most Awaited K-Drama 'Tempest'

Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won lead the cast of the spy thriller 'Tempest'.
The series is directed by Kim Hee-won and premieres on September 10.
It follows a diplomat and an agent uncovering a dangerous political plot.

The anticipation for Disney+'s newest Korean series, "Tempest," isn't just hype, it's a perfect storm of elite talent, both in front of and behind the camera, making it one of the most genuinely awaited K-dramas of 2025.

At its core, the series is a sleek espionage romance that pairs two of South Korea's most bankable and celebrated movie stars, Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won. This on-screen union is a major event in itself. Jun, globally renowned from "My Love From the Star" and "Assassination," returns to television seeking redemption after the mixed reception of "Jirisan," while Gang makes a monumental return to the small screen after a 21-year hiatus. Their casting alone has fueled immense industry buzz, with both actors openly admitting that the chance to finally work together was the primary draw.

Further elevating "Tempest" far above standard fare is its powerhouse creative team. The series is helmed by director Kim Hee-won, the visionary behind the emotional rollercoaster of "Queen of Tears" and the stylish thrills of "Vincenzo," who is co-directing with action maestro Heo Myung-haeng of "The Roundup: Punishment" and "Badland Hunters." Handling the script is the critically acclaimed writer Chung Seo-kyung, a long-time collaborator of Park Chan-wook and co-writer of the masterpiece "Decision to Leave." This fusion of directorial brilliance, hard-hitting action choreography, and sophisticated writing promises a narrative that is as emotionally resonant as it is thrilling.

The Stars on Their Collaboration and Challenges for Tempest

The press conference for "Tempest" was less about promotional platitudes and more a mutual admiration society, highlighting the deep respect and chemistry between its leads.

Jun Ji-hyun was remarkably candid about her reasons for joining the project.

“I’ve been a long-time fan of Gang. I chose this project because I truly wanted to work with him. I liked Gang’s appearance, but getting to know him as a person during filming made me like him even more, and I've become an even bigger fan. With Gang playing San-ho, it created a bit more synergy for me as Moon-ju," Jun Ji-hyun recalled, quoted from The Korea Herald.

Gang Dong-won mirrored the sentiment perfectly, reflecting on their long-overdue collaboration. “I chose this project because of Jun. Somehow, Jun and I hadn’t had the chance to work together before. I’m really happy we could do this this time," he added.

When it came to the challenges of a long-form drama, Gang displayed his characteristic coolness.

“The long shooting schedule wasn’t particularly difficult. The only difference was that the amount we filmed in a day was a bit more (than shooting films). Preparing for my acting was the same, I didn’t feel much difference compared to working in films," Gang Dong-won revealed.

Director Kim Hee-won added a lighter, yet telling, challenge of working with such physically striking actors, joking, “With actors as striking as these, the strong yet elegant imagery came naturally. The only issue was that both Jun Ji-hyun and Kang Dong Won are so tall, the set ceilings looked low. We even had to raise the ceiling height to match their stature.”

Director Kim Hee-won eloquently laid out the show's profound thematic core, explaining, “When we’re young and see world news, we tend to think, ‘That doesn’t really have anything to do with me.’ But as we grow older, we realize, ‘That wave is rising and coming toward me.’ This work contains the question, ‘What should I be looking at in the place where I live?’ I believe not only Korean viewers but also international audiences might be able to ask themselves that same question."

She was careful not to reveal spoilers but touched on the universal appeal, adding, “The universal emotions underlying the work are things people experience in life — love, disappointment, despair and hope.”

She also teased the meticulously structured narrative, which is designed to incrementally build tension and emotional depth.

“Up until episode 3, the focus was on dramatically conveying where the characters were, what stories they had and what kind of background existed. From episode 5 onward, it really hits the accelerator, with many large-scale sequences appearing. Starting from episode 6, the emotional elements come into play. And every week, one big secret is revealed," said Kim Hee-won.

Synopsis & Cast of Tempest

Tempest follows Seo Moon-ju (Jun Ji-hyun), a skilled diplomat and former UN ambassador, on a relentless quest to uncover the truth behind the shooting of a presidential candidate. Her mission entwines with that of Baek San-ho (Gang Dong-won), a mysterious international special agent with no official nationality, who steps in to protect her as they unravel a deadly political conspiracy that threatens the stability of the entire Korean Peninsula. The stellar supporting cast includes Lee Mi-sook, Park Hae-joon, Kim Hae-sook, Yoo Jae-myung, and Oh Jung-se.

Tempest will begins its explosive run on September 10, 2025, exclusively on Disney+ (and Hulu in the U.S.). The release schedule is as follows: the first three episodes drop on Sept. 10, followed by episodes 4 and 5 on Sept. 17, episodes 6 and 7 on Sept. 24, and the final two episodes on October 1.

Source: The Korea Herald, allkpop, Disney+