Tempest premiered last week in Los Angeles ahead of its Disney+ and Hulu release, and I was able to attend the screening. With an all-star cast including Gianna Jun, Gang Dong-won, and Hollywood veteran John Cho, in this Korean drama, there are definitely high expectations. Unlike your typical romance K-drama, Tempest consisted of espionage, political conspiracies, and family drama.
As someone who usually doesn’t watch political dramas and K-dramas, the premiere was a bit different from what I was expecting. The screening was around two hours long, which left me with mixed feelings as there were moments of really suspenseful scenes, stunning visuals, and great acting performances from the cast, but also stretches that felt dragged. Moreover, seeing an all-Asian cast in such a high-production series backed by Disney+ feels like a big step forward for representation.
The Good
The performances of the cast was definitely a strength of the Tempest. Jun Ji-hyun as Seo Mun-ju brings a mix of empathy and sharpness to her role, and Gang Dong-won brings a mysterious and captivating character alive through Baek San-ho from the moment that he is introduced.
The overall visuals and cinematography did a great job at capturing the essence and tones of the show–modern, a little eerie, and dramatic in a way that is captivating. The church scene where Mun-ju’s husband Jang Jun-ik is assassinated stands out as one of the most gripping sequences: protesters outside, tension inside, and a shocking turn as Baek San-ho saves Mun-ju from the shooter in a moment that foreshadows potential deeper connections to come.
Even in its most intense moments, Tempest doesn’t forget to sprinkle in occasional moments of comedic relief, which balanced things out when the drama got too heavy.
The Bad
The biggest drawback was the length. The screening was around two hours, which honestly felt like two episodes back-back, which personally made it difficult to stay focused the whole time.
I went in blind, not having much expectations of what the show entailed, besides maybe the K-drama being centered around romance, but instead the premiere leaned way more into politics, government, and action. As someone who isn’t the biggest fan of political shows, I found myself zoning out here and there.
Characters
Even with such a large cast, the main characters felt distinct and easy to follow.
Seo Mun-ju (Jun Ji-hyun): Empathetic, fair, level-headed, and respected by the public but tends to be overlooked or doubted, especially by her husband’s family after his death.
Baek San-ho (Gang Dong-won): A man of mystery who makes a dramatic entrance by saving Mun-ju’s life. He’s sharp, quiet, strategic, and very smart. He makes his point without wasting words.
Anderson (John Cho): Introduced later on in the episode, he is portrayed as a Korean-American standing up for his people in Korea. While his role was brief in the beginning, his presence is still powerful, especially given Cho’s Hollywood prominence.
Jang Jun-ik (Park Hae-joon): Mun-ju’s husband, whose assassination sparks much of the drama. His conservative politics put him at odds with Mun-ju’s softer, more people-first approach.
Themes and Messages
Although Tempest revolves around themes of power, loyalty, corruption, and truth, the thing that stood out most to me personally was the gender dynamic. Mun-ju gave up her career for her husband, was pressured into prioritizing his political ambitions, and was then doubted by his family following his assassination. It reflects how women in politics (and in general) are often sidelined and misunderstood, even when they are capable and have genuine intentions.
There’s also the bigger political backdrop of North and South Korea, government secrets, and international involvement. Those themes will definitely be ideal for fans of political thrillers, but they also add weight to the story.
The Dorky
A dork-worthy moment worth mentioning was seeing John Cho in this kind of project that blends international scope with a Korean drama. It’s rare to see a house-hold name Asian-American actor in a K-drama, and even more exciting that his character is queer, adding a layer of representation you don’t usually get in shows like this.
Additionally, Tempest being a Disney+ series with an all-Asian cast feels like a milestone for global K-dramas. Fans of espionage and political dramas with a touch of romance and mystery will definitely find something to love here.
Final Verdict
The premiere of Tempest is bold, well-produced, and full of potential. While the longer runtime and political-heavy plot might turn off some viewers, the acting, visuals, and strong character introductions are definitely intriguing. Jun Ji-hyun and Gang Dong-won deliver standout performances, and John Cho’s role adds a layer of excitement to the mix.
It may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer lighter, romance-focused K-dramas, but if you’re into political thrillers, action, and intense drama, Tempest is worth giving a try.
This is a must-watch for K-drama fans looking for something darker and more political; it is a promising new option for international viewers curious about the genre.
Review written by Arlene Nguyen
