The Best 'Writer-Director-Actor' Combination in Korea! Jeon Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won Team Up for Disney+ 'Tempest'

The Disney+ original series 〈Tempest〉 is attracting attention with its top-notch production team and cast in Korea. This work, in which Jeon Ji-hyun and Kang Dong-won collaborate for the first time in over 20 years of acting careers, is gaining attention as a major work set against the backdrop of the Korean Peninsula situation.

At the production presentation held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 2nd, Jeon Ji-hyun stated, "It was a work I was eager to be a part of because it was directed by Kim Hee-won and written by Jeong Seo-kyung," and added, "Above all, I wanted to film with Kang Dong-won before it was too late." Kang Dong-won also responded, "I chose this work because of Jeon Ji-hyun," and said, "It was really strange that we hadn't met until now, but I'm glad we could work together this time."

〈Tempest〉 drew attention from the production stage with the best 'writer-director-actor' combination in Korea. The direction is jointly handled by PD Kim Hee-won of 〈Queen of Tears〉 and director Heo Myung-hyung of the movie 〈THE ROUNDUP : PUNISHMENT〉, while the script is written by Jeong Seo-kyung, who co-wrote films such as 〈Decision to Leave〉, 〈The Handmaiden〉, and 〈Thirst〉.

In 〈Tempest〉, Jeon Ji-hyun plays the role of Seo Mun-joo, a presidential candidate who is a former UN ambassador, while Kang Dong-won plays the role of San-ho, a special agent from a mercenary company of unknown nationality. Although both actors have maintained their status as popular actors for over 20 years, this is their first collaboration.

Jeon Ji-hyun recalled, "Since various situations arise (in the drama), I think it was an opportunity to show many of my charms," and added, "While filming with Kang Dong-won, I even had a conversation about whether I had ever acted like an adult before."

Kang Dong-won said, "If we had met when we were younger, it would have felt completely different," and explained, "After monitoring, I felt that it was like 'two people who know a bit' looking at each other." He also described the action scenes, saying, "At first, it was cold action, but as it progressed, it changed to action filled with emotions to protect Mun-joo."

The cast includes Hollywood actor John Cho, as well as talented actors such as 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 the female president Chae Kyung-shin, Park Hae-joon plays the next presidential candidate Jang Jun-ik, and Lee Mi-sook plays Lim Ok-seon, the chairman of the largest shipping company in Korea that manipulates the political world.

Kim Hae-sook expressed, "When I was approached for the role, I had some fears about it," and added, "I wanted to portray a charismatic president who also has a human touch, but the writer created such a wonderful president."

〈Tempest〉 deals with the huge themes of the rapidly changing situation on the Korean Peninsula, North American relations, and the threat of war. The background spans 13 countries, including the United States, China, Japan, and Iraq, and various incidents such as gun terrorism and train bombings unfold in each episode.

Yoo Jae-myung, who plays the role of the head of the National Intelligence Service, stated, "The moment I opened the script, an unimaginable world unfolded, and I experienced a world that is grand, spectacular, and unpredictable," comparing writer Jeong Seo-kyung to Shakespeare.

The 〈Tempest〉 is produced as a total of 9 episodes and will be released sequentially on Disney+ starting from the 10th.