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| ▲ Actors Jeon Ji-hyun (L) and Kang Dong-won attend the press conference for Disney+’s new original series “Tempest,” held in Seoul on Sept. 2, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Yonhap) – Top Korean actors Jeon Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won said Tuesday they were drawn to work together for the first time through Disney+’s new original series “Tempest,” set against a backdrop of political turmoil and global crises.
“It was a project I wanted to do as an actor because director Kim Hee-won and writer Chung Seo-kyung were involved. And above all, I wanted to act with Kang Dong-won before it was too late,” Jeon said at a press conference in Seoul.
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| ▲ Actress Jeon Ji-hyun attends the press conference for Disney+’s new original series “Tempest,” held in Seoul on Sept. 2, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
Kang responded, “I chose this project because of Jeon Ji-hyun. For some reason, we had never met on set until now, so I was glad to finally work with her.”
“Tempest” has drawn attention from its production stage, bringing together what the industry calls the best “writer, director and actors.” It is co-directed by Kim Hee-won of “Queen of Tears” and “Little Women,” and Huh Myung-haeng of “The Roundup: Punishment.” The script was penned by Chung Seo-kyung, known for “Decision to Leave,” “The Handmaiden” and “Thirst.”
In the nine-part series, Jeon plays Seo Moon-joo, a former U.N. ambassador running for president, while Kang portrays San-ho, a mysterious special agent from a mercenary company. The story unfolds as Seo faces constant threats to her life amid turbulent inter-Korean and international relations, with San-ho fighting to protect her.
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| ▲ Actors Jeon Ji-hyun (L) and Kang Dong-won attend the press conference for Disney+’s new original series “Tempest,” held in Seoul on Sept. 2, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
“While filming with Kang, I even asked myself, ‘Have I ever played such a grown-up character before?’” Jeon said. Kang added, “If we had met earlier in our careers, it would have been a totally different feeling. Watching the monitor, it felt like two people who knew the world were looking at each other.”
The supporting cast features a wide lineup, including Hollywood actor John Cho of the “Star Trek” franchise, Kim Hae-sook, Lee Mi-sook, Park Hae-joon, Yoo Jae-myung, Oh Jung-se, Lee Sang-hee and Joo Jong-hyuk.
Kim Hae-sook plays South Korea’s first female president, Park Hae-joon a rival presidential candidate, and Lee Mi-sook the chairwoman of a major shipping conglomerate who manipulates politics behind the scenes.
Kim said she initially felt fear about the role, but wanted to portray “a charismatic yet humane president,” adding that “the writer created a truly wonderful character.”
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| ▲ Actor Kang Dong-won attends the press conference for Disney+’s new original series “Tempest,” held in Seoul on Sept. 2, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
“Tempest” spans 13 countries including the United States, China, Japan and Iraq, depicting large-scale incidents such as armed attacks and train bombings in every episode. Yoo Jae-myung, who plays the intelligence chief, praised the script, saying, “The moment I opened it, an unimaginable world unfolded. The scale was grand and spectacular, and it felt like falling into a world as unpredictable as Shakespeare.”
The series will premiere Sept. 10 on Disney+, with episodes released weekly.
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| ▲ Actress Jeon Ji-hyun attends the press conference for Disney+’s new original series “Tempest,” held in Seoul on Sept. 2, 2025. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) |
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